There has been a sharp rise in the number of Americans who believe the US role as a world leader is on the decline, a survey suggests.

The proportion of those saying the US is playing a less pow­erful global role than 10 years ago has risen from 17% in 2002 to 37%, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs said.

A third of 2,717 respondants said the US would be the top world power 2060.

The gloom is put down to economic woes at home and weariness of foreign wars.

"After nine years of difficult wars and the greatest financial crisis since the 1930s, Americans want to focus on the home front and be more selective in the application of US influence and resources abroad," Chicago Council President Marshall M Bouton said in a statement.

Other survey findings include: