Global Pulse: Security & Defense

Key Findings

• Support for a stable and lawful international system remains a unifying theme across the globe. In 85% of surveyed countries, citizens agreed that nations should adhere to international laws and agreements, even if this limits their freedom of action. This strong endorsement of a rules-based order is shared by people in both democratic and non-democratic states, including major powers like the US, Russia, and China.
• When it comes to priorities for defense, people in 86 countries see strengthening alliances and international partnerships as the most important defense activity. Ukraine is one of the only two countries where most people say maintaining or developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent is the most important priority. None of the surveyed countries saw mandatory military service as the highest priority. Poland and China are among the few countries who see increasing investment in national defense and military capabilities as more important than strengthening international alliances.   
• Willingness to personally defend one’s country in the event of an attack varied significantly by region. Respondents in the MENA region reported the highest willingness to fight (69% among those aged 18 to 55). In Europe, levels of willingness were mixed, with higher rates in countries like Norway, Greece, and Sweden, and lower rates in Moldova, France, Belgium, and Italy. Globally, willingness to engage in national defense was higher in authoritarian countries (59%) compared to democracies (45%).
• Views on defense spending also showed considerable variation across Europe. Strong majorities in countries including Ukraine, Poland, Norway, Georgia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK supported increased defense spending, even if it led to higher taxes or reduced spending in other areas. By contrast, majorities in Italy, France, Greece, Austria, and Belgium opposed increases in defense spending. Public opinion in Germany was divided, with no clear majority for or against higher spending if it leads to higher taxes or reduced spending in other areas.