A recent Pew Global Attitudes Project survey confirms that people around the world are paying close attention to the U.S. presidential race.

The survey of 24,000 people in 24 countries conducted from March 17 to April 21 found that large percentages of some countries’ populations believe U.S. foreign policy “will change for the better” after the November election. Among those sharing this view are 68 percent of those in France, 64 percent in Germany and 66 percent in South Africa.

The Pew survey also asked respondents if they have confidence in the presidential candidates. The results varied greatly from country to country, with both candidates faring well in some nations and poorly in others.

Generally respondents expressed more confidence in presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. More than 80 percent of those surveyed in France, Tanzania, Germany and Australia say they have confidence in the Illinois senator. In comparison, less than half of those surveyed in those countries said the same about presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

Americans’ enthusiasm for the presidential race is apparent as well. A June Washington Post/ABC poll finds that 75 percent of those polled are closely following the contest. That same poll found Obama favored by six percentage points over McCain.

But, just as voter polls conducted in May are not reliable predictors of the November election, these numbers are likely to change in the coming months – before and after the election. (See “Polls and Pundits.”)