Polling facts & stats

Question 1

By 2018, about what share of people contacted for a typical Pew Research phone survey actually responded?

Accepted Answer

6%. That capped a long decline -- response rates had held around 9% for several years before dropping further.

Question 2

In what year did Gallup launch its World Poll, which now surveys nearly every country on Earth?

Accepted Answer

2005. The World Poll has grown to cover more than 160 countries, representing 99% of the world's adult population.

Question 3

About what share of the world's adult population does Gallup's World Poll now cover?

Accepted Answer

99%. Gallup surveys people in more than 160 countries to reach that level of coverage.

Question 4

A poll's margin of error is usually reported at what confidence level?

Accepted Answer

95%. A 3-point margin of error at the 95% confidence level means repeating the poll would land within 3 points of the truth 95% of the time.

The basics