The highest proportion agreeing that evolutionary theories alone should be taught was in India, at 49%, followed by Spain (42%).

One in five in China and in South Africa thought other perspectives – and not evolutionary theories – should be taught.

Those opting for evolutionary theories “together with other possible perspectives, such as intelligent design and creationism” ranged from 38% in Spain to the 68% in Argentina.

“It is quite an interesting response and we need to think about why that is,” said the head of the Darwin Now programme, Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker.