United Kingdom

The United Kingdom seems one of the most confident and secure countries in our sample. UK citizens seem to worry less: nearly half of respondents are not worried about their personal future, the lowest percentage in the survey. The overall level of concern is relatively low compared with other polled nations. Main issues that cause concern are inflation (83%), economic crises (78%), and wars and conflicts (78%). One outcome of Brexit seems to be that British people are the least worried about disagreements within the European Union.

A strong sense of security prevails, with 88% reporting feeling safe in their immediate environment. This figure is above average and is noteworthy in light of the new governments declared focus on safer streets.

British respondents feel most satisfied with the status of their country in the international arena. 

British people feel most satisfied among the poll respondents with the status of their country in the international arena. Only 36% of respondents feel that the UK lacks the global status it deserves, the lowest percentage among the surveyed nations. This probably reflects the United Kingdom’s historical influence as an imperial power with global reach.

British people feel most satisfied among the poll respondents with the status of their country in the international arena. Only 36% of respondents feel that the UK lacks the global status it deserves, the lowest percentage among the surveyed nations. This probably reflects the United Kingdom’s historical influence as an imperial power with global reach.

A greater role is strongly desired for the UN, NATO, the OSCE and the EU. This willingness to engage in cooperation is even stronger among British men and younger people. The effects of Brexit were evident in the 2021 survey, but there has been a gradual shift towards rapprochement, driven in part by Russia's war against Ukraine. The EU is increasingly seen as a key partner and perceptions of conflicts of interest are diminishing (2021: 54%, 2024: 46%). The US remains central to the UK's foreign policy in the eyes of respondents, emphasising the special relationship between the two nations. Nevertheless, if the US were to withdraw from European security, many Brits would favour closer alignment with Europe.

Strong opposition to Russia is evident, with 67% expressing reluctance towards cooperation. This sentiment is less pronounced among younger respondents. Opposition to China is less evident (50%), but has increased slightly in recent years. Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the United Kingdom has adopted a more cautious stance towards China, aligning with the EU’s de-risking approach.

Amidst uncertainties about the future and an unclear power balance, Britons foresee a new era of conflict, marked by a »my country first« mentality. Such an approach apparent during the Brexit period presents several challenges. Most respondents state that Brexit weakened UK alliances and the UK economy. Although 55% of respondents believe that the UK can follow an independent foreign policy, only 41% think the UK can react more nimbly to international challenges. However, most Britons reject the idea that the UK can be more easily pressured (41%). 

Most respondents state that Brexit weakened UK alliances and the UK economy.

The perception of media reporting has improved. In 2021, the ratio of objective to non-objective reporting was 34% to 48%. By 2024, it had shifted to 45% to 35%, with young people increasingly perceiving media reporting as more objective.

A shift is observable in the UK’s defence strategy. Under the previous Conservative government’s »Global Britain« approach, the EU was largely shunned as a security partner. However, the Russian war against Ukraine has demonstrated the need for a closer UK–EU relationship. The Labour government advocates for a new security pact between the UK and the EU, including enhanced collaboration with Germany, France and Joint Expeditionary Force allies. The UK has also joined the EU’s military mobility project under PESCO.

73% agree on reducing UK dependency on countries with differing values.

Public opinion reflects this evolving stance: support for defence policy as a nation-state matter has decreased slightly to 50%, while approval for a European Army has risen to 43%. Leadership in European security is most entrusted to the trio of Germany, France and Poland. Russia is seen as the primary threat for Europe (82%), followed by 57% for China.

In the event of a Russian attack, only 34% believe the UK can properly defend itself. The EU is perceived as not too vulnerable: 42% agree and 39% disagree that the EU could defend itself even without US support. Maybe because of its so-called »special relationship« with the US, the UK shows comparatively low support for EU independence from the US (50%). NATO and EU enlargement towards the East are perceived as a threat by 43% and 41% of respondents, respectively.
 

The UK has long maintained a security partnership with Ukraine, providing NATO-standard training and military upgrades since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russia is therefore seen as the clear aggressor. This reflects the willingness to push the boundaries in providing military aid, often ahead of other nations. 

Support for Ukraine remains high at 67%, mainly through military aid (48%, thereof 60% men and 36% women), and for sending more weapons to Ukraine (49%). Younger respondents are more likely to favour economic and humanitarian aid. Support for sending troops is low, but ranks third highest in the poll at 22%. Approval for Ukraine joining the EU and NATO has notably risen, with a stable majority now for both memberships.

Despite this strong relationship and widespread approval of sanctions against Russia, there is no clear majority in the UK backing Ukraine until victory (42%), though the number is higher than the NATO average (32%). About a third prefer a diplomatic approach.

UK respondents perceive the war as being about territorial expansion (64%, 49% among those aged 18–29). Only a minority (16%) view it as a proxy war between Russia and the West, but men and people under 40 are twice as likely to choose this interpretation than women and older respondents. Russia is perceived to have been weakened by the war, while the other actors are rather seen as unaffected.

Looking ahead, the UK’s outlook is rather pessimistic, especially among women and increasing with age. A majority believe that global (54%) and European (39%) conditions will worsen in the next five years. Perceptions of the UK are more balanced, with 31% expecting a decline and 30% an improvement.

Given Britain’s imperial past, citizens support enhancing UK’s influence less than expected. For instance, while 60% of Britons support an active foreign policy, only 47% favour taking on greater international responsibility. The majority oppose promoting the country’s own values abroad, with stronger resistance among older generations. An overwhelming majority (73%) agree on reducing UK dependency on countries with conflicting values. 
The respondents’ top foreign policy priorities are combating terrorism and extremism (57%), followed by addressing climate change (44%) and resolving geopolitical tensions and conflicts (38%). Notably, concerns about geopolitical tensions and human rights violations have risen sharply since 2021. 

Diplomacy is seen as the most effective and legitimate approach to resolving international crises. Support for international institutions is viewed as key to promoting global peace. As one of the five nuclear powers, the UK has a broad majority against the use of nuclear weapons, though it follows the US with the highest support for their use as a last resort (27%). Only about one-third of Britons favour military interventions in conflicts. Amid growing militarisation, it is noteworthy that 70% of the respondents still prefer to seek peace through diplomacy.

The UK has been a leader in international climate policy. While the Conservative government scaled back efforts, the incumbent Labour government aims to refocus on climate protection. Besides this, respondents are very satisfied with the policies in their country, particularly high among people under 30. A narrow majority believe that the UK needs to take all possible actions to combat climate change. The UK shows the third-greatest support for the view that international collaboration is key to addressing global climate challenges. The UK recognises its international responsibilities, with a majority supporting the protection of poorer countries.

Overall, 56% of respondents support higher military spending, though 60% prioritise economic and social expenditure. Support for funding the military includes a special levy on the rich (42%) or cuts to social and economic spending (24%). Surprisingly, younger people endorse budget cuts most (33% among those under 30). New borrowing is very unpopular (5%). The UK meets NATO's 2% defence spending target but has not significantly increased its budget despite strong support for Ukraine since 2022. Therefore, the Labour government has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, though it has not yet specified a timeline for this increase. However, reducing the UK's debt relative to its economy and securing additional resources for defence and foreign affairs will be difficult without tax hikes or spending cuts.

Britons are very satisfied with the climate policies in their country.