July 27 (Bloomberg) -- Latin Americans increasingly support free markets as economic growth boosts income across the continent, a survey by the Pew Research Center showed.

Market support is greatest in Venezuela, where 72 percent of respondents agreed ``most people are better off in a free market economy,'' up from 63 percent in 2002, as President Hugo Chavez deepens his socialist policies, the poll said. About 65 percent of Brazilians, 60 percent of Chileans and 55 percent of Mexicans also said most people benefit from free markets.

The Pew Global Attitudes Survey, conducted in 47 nations including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, showed that personal and economic satisfaction rose across the developing world in ``clear'' correlation with increases in per capita gross domestic product. Median per capita GDP grew 18 percent in Latin America since 2002.

``People are backing the idea that the market does still embody a sense of aspiration, entrepreneurship, and access,'' said Chris Sabatini, senior director of policy at the Council of the Americas, a New York-based think tank. ``The idea that there are two diametrically opposed options, support for the poor and support for free markets, is false.''

The poll, which included face-to-face interviews with 5,865 people in seven Latin American countries between April 12 and May 21, has a margin of error of three percentage points.

Poverty Support

Mexican respondents were the happiest in the region with themselves and their government, as 76 percent said they are satisfied with their lives and 70 percent with the national government. Some 63 percent of Brazilians reported satisfaction with their lives, and 46 percent with their government.

Even as contentment rises, a median 41 percent of Latin Americans said they have been unable to afford food during the past year. More than three-quarters of respondents, led by 90 percent of Brazilians and 90 percent of Chileans, said that governments have a duty to care for the poor.

In Venezuela, where Chavez has boosted social spending and nationalized key industries as part of his self-described socialist revolution, 61 percent of citizens polled ranked his government's influence on national events positively, up from 37 percent in 2002. Even so, 74 percent described the foreign companies he has threatened to expel as a good influence, too.

``Chavez is a phenomenon of popular frustration with the past political class, and that's not to be confused with an endorsement of his specific ideology,'' Sabatini said. ``There's a fundamental disjuncture between Venezuelans' own sense of market pragmatism and Chavez's greater ideological desire to take Venezuela to some Cuban-style `Sea of Happiness.'''

Argentine Recovery

The only Latin American government whose domestic perception improved more than Venezuela's was Argentina's, as 61 percent ranked their government's influence positively this year, up from 7 percent in 2002, when the country had just defaulted on $95 billion in debt.

Argentina also had the most dramatic gain in support for free markets, as 43 percent of respondents said they benefit most people, up from 26 percent in 2002, the poll showed.

Market support in the region comes despite a wave of victories by left-leaning presidential candidates -- actions Sabatini attributes to voters' desire for change, not for socialism.

Lula vs. Chavez

In foreign policy, more Latin Americans trust Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva than Chavez or Chilean President Michele Bachelet.

Six in 10 Brazilians said they have confidence in Lula's world affairs decisions, as did 55 percent of Venezuelans, 53 percent of Peruvians and 50 percent of Chileans polled.

In contrast, majorities in every country except Venezuela and Argentina -- including 75 percent of Chileans, 74 percent of Brazilians, and 70 percent of Peruvians -- said they have little or no confidence in Chavez's international decisions. Bachelet earned less than 40 percent confidence in her foreign policy judgment in every country except Chile.

Brazil and Mexico were viewed favorably by pluralities in all seven countries, while Venezuela was viewed unfavorably in both those nations.

Large percentages in all seven countries listed crime as a ``very big problem,'' more than drugs, corruption or pollution.

Majorities in every nation failed to back Cuban President Fidel Castro, led by the 61 percent of Mexicans and 55 percent of Venezuelans who said Castro has been bad for Cuba. Just 43 percent of Venezuelans who back Chavez, a staunch Castro ally, had positive views of the Cuban president, the poll showed.

Most respondents doubted that conditions in Cuba would change significantly following Castro's death, the poll showed.

To contact the reporter on this story: Theresa Bradley in Caracas at tbradley7@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: July 27, 2007 19:55 EDT