Pew Research Center

What it reported doing in 2024

We are a non-partisan organization that uses impartial, fact-based public opinion polling and other data-driven research tools to inform the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. Below is a listing of the Center's research topics. Data labs research: We use computational methods (big data) to complement and expand on the Center's existing research agenda to further our understanding of the public's views online and their electronic trails of behavior. Global attitudes & trends research: We conduct comparative, international research on an array of subjects, ranging from people's assessments of their own lives to their attitudes about the current state of the world, democracy, and multilateralism. Every year we publish dozens of reports and analyses that help explain America to the world and the world to Americans regarding the rapid changes taking place around the globe and the relevant geopolitical and economic events of the day. Internet & technology research: We analyze the social impact of digital technologies, and we examine people's online activities and the internet's role in their lives. Our focus is on how technology changes affect families, communities, education, health care and medicine, civic and political life, and workers' activities. Key topics include technology use, social networking, mobile connectivity, online privacy, and teens and technology. Journalism & media research: We assess the state of news and information in a changing society, including how news is consumed, who is reporting it, and how technology is changing the information landscape. Major reports have examined political polarization and media habits, misinformation, news use across social media platforms, America's shifting statehouse press, and the state of the news media. Methodology research: This is core to the Research Center's ability to conduct original, independent work. We continue to search for ways to expand and strengthen the traditional methodologies that underlie survey research and to explore the potential of alternate methods of conducting surveys and measuring public opinion. Race and ethnicity research: We chronicle the ever-changing racial and ethnic landscape of the United States. We bring understanding to the political, economic, and cultural experience of individuals and communities through surveys, demographic studies, social media analysis, and other forms of social scientific research. Religion & public life research: We seek to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs in the U.S. and around the world. Through public opinion surveys, demographic studies, and other social science research, we examine the religious composition of countries, the influence of religion on politics, the extent of government and social restrictions on religion, and views on abortion, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, and many other topics. Our U.S. religious landscape survey is a benchmark for understanding religion in the United States. Our Pew-Templeton global religious futures research analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world. Science & society research: We study the impact of scientific research and innovation on society. Our research focuses on the intersection of science with all aspects of society from politics and policy-making, to religious and ethical considerations, to education and the economy. The research aims to understand what citizens and scientists think about science issues that raise important policy and ethical debates, including climate change, pandemics, space exploration, emerging science and technology innovations, public trust in science, and issues connected with how science information is disseminated and understood in today's media ecology. Social & demographic trends: We study behaviors and attitudes of Americans in key realms of daily life, combining original public opinion research with economic an

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 96.3%; rating input score 96
• Program expense ratio: 92.4%; rating input score 92
• Fundraising efficiency: $70.97 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 84.8%; rating input score 85; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 87.5%; rating input score 88; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -4.2%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.03; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.1%; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.2% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings