The influx of refugees, which was of particular concern in Europe in 2016, is seen as a major threat by a median of 39 percent across the 38 countries polled. It is currently the top threat in only one country: Hungary.
The survey asked about eight possible threats. While the level and focus of concern varies by region and country, ISIS and climate change clearly emerge as the most frequently cited security risks across the 38 countries polled.
ISIS is named as the top threat in a total of 18 countries surveyed – mostly concentrated in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States, as a substantial number of these countries have endured deadly terrorist attacks claimed by the terror group.
In 13 countries, mostly in Latin America and Africa where populations have hoped to benefit from subsidies, “climate change” is viewed as the topmost threat. It is the second-ranked concern in many other countries polled.
Cyberattacks and economic collpase are also named as major threats by global medians of 51 percent each. Cyberattacks are the top concern in Japan and second-highest concern in places such as the US, Germany and the UK.
People in Greece and Venezuela fear economic collapse in their countries, reflecting these nations’ current economic struggles. Many countries surveyed in the Middle East and Latin America name economic turmoil as their second-greatest concern.
Globally,eight-in-ten or more name China’s power and influence as a major threat. Meanwhile, among the countries surveyed, fears of Russia are most acute in Poland.