32% Pakistanis believe USA to be more powerful: Survey

Islamabad, April 13, 2011 (PPI): As many as 32% of all Pakistanis believe that USA to be more powerful, where as 31% hold a similar view about China, showed the result of a survey conducted by Gilani Research Foundation/Gallup Pakistan.

In a survey, a nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked the following question: “In your opinion which country is more powerful, China or America?” Thirty two percent (32%) believed USA to be more powerful as opposed to 31% who considered China to be a stronger global power. 23% said both are equally powerful and a considerable 14% gave no response.

A detailed analysis of the survey showed that more urban residents (37%) considered USA to be more powerful than their rural (29%) counter parts. It can also be seen that with age the concept of considering USA more powerful decreased with 37% respondents under 30 and 30% over 50 years of age sharing this opinion.

The results of another poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan as part of a global survey regarding China’s growing economic and military power show that Pakistani views in this regard are more positive than the opinion that represents the Global Average. 74% Pakistanis view China’s growing economic strength positively as compared to the Global Average of 50%. Furthermore, while the Global Average shows that 26% consider China’s growing military power favourably, an overwhelming 61% Pakistanis view this as a positive development.

The study was released by Gilani foundation and carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. The recent survey was carried out among a sample of 2745 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country, during January 2011. Error margin is estimated to be approximately + 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level.