Nearly half of Americans fear nuclear war within next decade: Poll

Nearly half of American adults believe the United States will likely become involved in a nuclear conflict within the coming decade, according to a comprehensive new survey measuring public anxiety about global security threats. The YouGov poll conducted in late October reveals deepening concerns about nuclear proliferation and potential conflict scenarios.

Widespread Nuclear Anxiety

The survey of 1,148 American adults found that 46% consider US involvement in nuclear war "very" or "somewhat" likely within the next ten years, while only 37% believe such a scenario is unlikely. A striking 69% majority expressed the view that nuclear weapons make the world a "more dangerous place," with merely 9% believing they enhance global security. The data indicates that 52% of Americans perceive the risk of nuclear conflict as higher today than a decade ago, reflecting growing apprehension about current geopolitical tensions.

Partisan Divides and Security Perceptions

The expectation of nuclear war demonstrates significant political polarization, with 57% of Democrats anticipating such conflict compared to 37% of Republicans. This partisan gap likely reflects differing perceptions of the Trump administration's foreign policy approaches and nuclear posture. Additionally, 44% of respondents expressed concern that terrorists or criminal organizations could detonate a nuclear device within US territory within the next ten years, indicating broad anxiety about nuclear security beyond state-level conflicts.

Nuclear Policy Preferences

Regarding appropriate nuclear weapons use, 56% of Americans support employing nuclear arms only in response to nuclear attacks, while 21% believe they should never be used under any circumstances. The public remains divided on whether US nuclear weapons enhance personal safety, with 33% feeling more secure and 26% feeling less safe due to America's arsenal. Substantial majorities expressed concern about nuclear weapons possession by nations including North Korea, Russia, China, and Pakistan, while approximately half reported apprehension about the United States' own nuclear stockpile.