Public opinion polls are a worldwide phenomenon. There are some formal restrictions, some self-censorship and a broad range of quality. But, the views of citizens in all developed countries and many developing are being probed and reported by local commercial, non-profit, media and government organizations. Few countries report restrictions on question topics. Among large countries, only China and Egypt report legal restrictions on subject matter (most common, national security and religious or ethnic questions) in a new World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) study of public opinion activities around the world.
A more common restriction relates to suppressing the publication of polling results prior to an election. Forty-six percent of the 85 national respondents reported some type of blackout of publishing polling results before an election. Among the larger countries listed below, Argentina and Italy use a 15-day embargo of results.
Exit polls are banned by few countries, but many have restrictions, such as not being able to go into a polling place or not being conducted near a polling station. Only about 29 percent of countries reporting said exit polls had been conducted. Also, most exit polls are embargoed until all polling places are closed in the area.
Nearly half (45%) of the polls conducted around the world are done in person, although most surveys in developed countries are conducted by telephone.
Of course, world public opinion is regularly reported by Gallup, Pew and other international survey organizations.
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