Crime and Corruption Top Problems in Emerging and Developing Countries
Most National Institutions Respected, Especially Military
Pew Research | 6 November 2014 :: 45 pages
pdf: http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/11/Pew-Research-Center-Country-Problems-and-Institutions-Report-FINAL-November-6-2014.pdf

About this report
This report examines public opinion on top country problems, such as crime, corruption and poor quality schools in emerging and developing nations. It also looks at the influence of national institutions and organizations, such as the military, media and religious leaders in these countries. It is based on 38,620 face-to-face interviews in 34 countries with adults 18 and older, between March 17, 2014 and June 5, 2014. For more details, see survey methods and topline results.

[Excerpt From introductory content]
Crime and corruption, common scourges of modern societies, top the list of problems cited by publics in emerging and developing nations. A median of 83% of people across 34 emerging and developing economies say crime is a very big problem in their country, and 76% say the same about corrupt political leaders. Many also worry about issues such as health care, poor quality schools, water and air pollution, and food safety.

Generally, electricity shortages and traffic are seen as less pressing issues.

People in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East all see crime and corruption as the greatest problems in their countries, according to the Pew Research Center survey.

Moreover, crime and corruption as well as poor quality schools are considered growing problems in these emerging and developing countries. Taking the median across the 20 countries surveyed in 2007/2008 and 2014, the number of people citing these three issues as a very big problem has jumped from 64% to 74% for crime, 63% to 73% for corruption and 38% to 51% for poor quality schools.

In nearly all these countries, the list of key challenges exist alongside economic problems including jobs, rising prices and public debt (see Global Public Downbeat about Economy, published September 9, 2014).
When asked to rate key institutions in their countries, people generally assign high marks to the military, with a median of 79% saying it has a good influence on the way things are going in their country. But most major national organizations and groups, such as the media, religious leaders, banks, corporations, the national government and civil servants also get positive marks. Emerging and developing publics are less enamored with their court systems – the only institution polled which receives support from less than half of respondents.

Overall, there have been only slight changes in views of these national groups and institutions since 2007…