Inglehart–Welzel Cultural Map

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The Inglehart–Welzel cultural map shows empirical evidence of substantial cultural transformation and the perseverance of distinctive cultural traditions. The central theory holds that socioeconomic development is connected with a broad syndrome of distinct value orientations. Research of World Values Survey data carried out by political scientists Ronald Inglehart and Christian Welzel asserts that there are two central dimensions of cross-cultural variation in the world: Traditional values versus Secular-rational values and survival values versus Self-expression values.

The two dimensions have been produced by running factor analysis over 10 indicators.

Traditional value emphasizes the following (Secular-rational values emphasize the opposite):

• God is very important in the respondent’s life
• It is more important for a child to learn obedience and religious faith than independence and determination
• Abortion is never justifiable
• Respondent has a strong sense of national pride
• Respondent favors more respect for authority

Survival values emphasize the following (Self-expression values emphasize the opposite):

• The respondent gives priority to economic and physical security over self-expression and quality of life
• Respondent describes self as not very happy
• Homosexuality is never justifiable
• Respondent has not and would not sign a petition
• You have to be very careful about trusting people

Here is the more recent map created by the World Values Survey in 2022.

Over the years, the World Values Survey has shown that people’s beliefs play a crucial role in economic development, the emergence and flourishing of democratic institutions, the rise of gender equality, and the extent to which societies have an effective government. Below is the live cultural map (1985 – 2015) created by the World Value Survey.