More people across the globe back UN recognition of Palestine as an independent state than oppose it, according to the results of a global BBC poll.

A total of 20,466 people in 19 countries were surveyed with 49% backing the proposal while 21% said their government should oppose it. 30% declined giving a definite answer.

The interviews, either face-to-face or by telephone, were done between July 3 and August 29, 2011.

The poll, jointly conducted by the BBC and GlobeScan, saw majority support in four predominantly Muslim countries, with Chinese people also strongly endorsing the proposal.

Even in countries where opposition was strongest, more people polled supported the resolution than were against it, BBC writes Monday.

Support was the lowest in India, with 32% in favor, 25% opposed, and many undecided, followed by the US and the Philippines which both polled 36% against the resolution. But 45% of Americans and 56% of Filipinos still backed recognition.

Support was strongest in Egypt, where 90% were in favor and only 9% opposed. Chinese were also among the most enthusiastic supporters, with 56% in favor and just 9% opposed.

In other Muslim countries, in addition to Egypt, Turkey recorded 60% support, 19% opposition; Pakistan 52% for, 12 against; and Indonesia 51% for, 16% against.

Public opinion in the three large European Union member states included in the poll was very similar: France (54% support, 20% opposition), Germany (53%, 28%) and the UK (53%, 26%).

In Russia, more than half did not offer a definite opinion.

The Palestinians are preparing to ask for full membership at the UN this week, seeking international recognition of their state based on 1967 borders - the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, but the US threatens to veto the move.

Israel and the US insist a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiation.