History — rather than institutions or the economy — is the primary reason Greeks say they are proud of their country, according to a new international survey by the Pew Research Center. The study captured, “in their own words,” what citizens in 25 countries view as their main sources of national pride.
In Greece’s case, the findings are distinctive. Some 37% of respondents cited history as their top reason for pride, frequently referencing “ancient civilization” and the “wars of our ancestors,” from the 1821 War of Independence to World War II. In fact, Greece stands out as the country most likely to name history as its primary source of pride.
“Our ancient roots are the birthplace of democracy, and our ancient philosophers are taught all over the world,” one respondent said. Others mentioned Socrates and Aristotle, the “heroism of our ancestors,” and the “Golden Age of Pericles.”
However, the picture is not one-dimensional. About 31% of Greeks said they are proud of the country’s people, describing them as “hospitable” and “warm.” The survey also found that some respondents expressed pride in citizens who took part in protests over the government’s handling of a deadly train crash, with the poll coinciding with rallies marking the second anniversary of the tragedy.
“Sun and Sea” — and a Significant Minority Without Pride
In more moderate responses, 15% of Greeks pointed to geography and the natural environment — the country’s beauty, its location, and the familiar phrase “sun and sea.”
At the same time, 19% said they do not feel proud of Greece or offered explicitly critical comments — a notable share compared with several other countries surveyed.
A Different Pattern from Much of Europe
The comparative dimension of the survey highlights Greece’s uniqueness. In several European countries, pride centers more on institutions and governance.
In Sweden, for example, 53% of respondents said they are proud of their political system. In Germany, democracy and the federal system were cited most often (36%), followed by the economy (18%), freedoms such as expression and movement (16%), and the welfare state (15%).
Language also emerged as a source of pride in countries including France, Greece and Poland — and especially Hungary, where respondents described Hungarian as uniquely expressive and complex. In South Korea, many participants cited Hangul, the Korean alphabet, as a point of national pride.
In multilingual countries such as Canada, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Spain, respondents frequently said they are proud of linguistic diversity. One South African participant noted pride in the country’s 11 official languages, while a Spaniard highlighted Spain’s multilingual character.
Italy: Culture as a Living Identity
In Italy, national pride is strongly associated with culture. Some 38% mentioned arts and culture, often referencing the Renaissance and Italy’s artistic heritage. Italians were also among the most likely to cite cuisine (18%) and geography (24%), describing landscapes that stretch “from the Alps to the sea.”
Notably, in Italy culture appears less as a relic of the past and more as a living, everyday experience — embedded in architecture, food and aesthetics.
Turkey and Israel: People, Identity and Strength
In Turkey, the most common source of pride was the people themselves (20%), particularly their hospitality and patriotism. History (12%), including the War of Independence and Atatürk, and military strength (8%) were also frequently mentioned.
In Israel, two main pillars stood out: the people (24%) and the country’s religious character (20%). Religion was cited more often in Israel than in any other country surveyed. Israelis were also relatively likely to mention the military (13%) and innovation (9%).
United States: Freedom — and Division
In the United States, national pride often centers on “freedoms and civil liberties” (22%), though responses show strong partisan differences. At the same time, 20% of Americans gave negative or critical answers — also reflecting significant political polarization.
How the Survey Was Conducted
The Spring 2025 Global Attitudes Survey by the Pew Research Center was based on telephone, face-to-face and online interviews using nationally representative samples. Researchers then coded open-ended responses to identify recurring themes.
A total of 33,486 people were surveyed across 25 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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