The United States is seen favourably in most parts of the world with President Barack Obama's popularity ratings showing improvement in at least 14 nations, a recent global survey of 40 countries showed, a BBC News report said.

Conducted by the prestigious Pew Research Center, the survey found that 69 percent of the world's population viewed the US in favorable terms, up from 65 percent in 2013 and 2014.

The survey involved over 45,000 respondents from 40 countries and undertaken between March to May this year. They were asked to rate how they viewed the Obama administration on the way it is handling the US economy and its role in the fight against the Islamic State.

Obama's ratings were highest in India, according to the survey released on Tuesday. "The biggest gains are found in India, which the President visited in January. About three-in-four Indians (74 percent) now express confidence in Obama, compared with 48 percent a year ago," the Pew Research Center study said.

The American non-partisan organisation there has been "an extensive global support" for the American military's campaign against ISIS with a global median of about 62 percent strongly backing the US fight against the militants.

"The campaign also has support in the Middle Eastern nations surveyed, including some countries where US foreign policy has been unpopular in recent years. The strongest opposition is in Russia, where 67 percent disapprove," Pew said on its website.

While enjoying popularity for its anti-ISIS efforts, the US is seen negatively around the world, especially in Europe, for its alleged use of torture in post-9/11 interrogations.

Fifty percent of the respondents said they oppose the use of harsh interrogation methods, which were detailed in a widely publicized US Senate report in December last year.

According to Pew, the US is still regarded as the world's top economic power, even more so than last year. Fifty percent of the respondent gave the US a strong mark for respecting its citizen's individual liberties.

But most people around the world continue to believe that China either will eventually replace or already has replaced the US as the world's leading superpower. "While a median of only 14 percent say China has already replaced the US as the top superpower, majorities or pluralities in 27 of 40 countries say China will eventually become or has already replaced the US as the top superpower," Pew said.