Global approval shift has placed China ahead of the United States in a recent Gallup poll. China received a median approval rating of 36 percent for its leadership in 2025. The United States received only 31 percent approval during the same period. This five percentage point advantage marks the widest lead Gallup has recorded in China’s favor in nearly 20 years. The Washington-based analytics company surveyed more than 130 countries with about 1,000 respondents per nation.
The poll results align with multiple other international surveys including Pew Research Center and Morning Consult. A Pew survey released in July 2025 showed that favorable views of China increased in 15 of 25 countries since 2024. The Democracy Perception Index found that 76 out of 96 nations hold a more favorable view of China than the United States. China enjoys the largest support in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, offered his perspective on the results. He cautioned against viewing the outcome as a simple shift in momentum between the two countries. China’s advantages are not highlighted simply because of poor US performance, Li explained. China’s international acceptance has been rising steadily even when the US performs well. Some analyses remain trapped in a zero-sum logic of you lose I win, Li noted.
US approval declined by 10 points or more in 44 countries between 2024 and 2025. Germany led the world in declines with a 39 point drop. Portugal followed closely with a 38 point decrease. Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy also showed substantial reductions. These declines concentrated among US allies including many NATO partners.
Wang Yiwei, an international affairs expert at Renmin University of China, noted that Gallup has traditionally not been friendly toward China. The 36 percent approval rating is therefore quite remarkable, Wang stated. The poll also revealed that 8 percent of countries are strongly aligned with China. Only 5 percent of countries are strongly aligned with the United States. Thirty percent of countries have no clear alignment with either power.
Beyond polling numbers, cultural trends like China travel and Chinamaxxing have grown among Western youth. Young people are playfully maxing out on Chinese lifestyle habits and wellness routines. Foreign visitors have shared experiences of safe night walks and accessible medical care. Robot dogs patrolling streets have also impressed international travelers. China’s stability and prosperity has delivered real opportunities to the world. The country has contributed over 30 percent of global economic expansion for many consecutive years. The global approval shift may continue as more people experience China firsthand.
