World War III closer than it appears, Americans and Europeans say in poll

Many Americans and Europeans are scared that the world may be on the verge of a third world war as global tensions continue to rise. A recent poll by YouGov, conducted across six countries, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the US, revealed that between 41 and 55 per cent of respondents in each nation believe World War III could erupt within the next five to 10 years.

The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, and the devastating war between Russia and Ukraine, have contributed to the growing sense of instability and destruction.

Details of the YouGov poll were released just a couple of days before the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day which marked the end of hostilities in Europe following the surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.


Even an overwhelming majority of Canadians at 82 per cent are of the opinion that the world is a more dangerous place in 2024, according to a separate poll by Ipsos.

Use of Nuclear Weapons

The YouGov survey revealed that between 68 and 76 percent of respondents believe that World War III will likely involve nuclear weapons. This fear is compounded by the continued nuclear threats from countries like North Korea and Russia.

Death Toll

The survey also pointed to growing concerns about the death toll a potential Third World War could bring. Respondents were pessimistic, with 57 to 73 per cent fearing that a new world war would result in a casualty count far greater than that of previous conflicts, such as the horrors of World War II.

A total of 72 per cent of people across the world agree that the risk of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons being used in a future conflict is high.

Military Preparedness

The YouGov poll also uncovered a stark divide in confidence regarding military preparedness. While many Western Europeans, including Italians (16 per cent) and the French (44 per cent), expressed doubts about their countries' readiness to defend against a potential world war, on the other hand, a significant 71 per cent of Americans expressed confidence in their military's ability to protect the country.

"I don’t trust that Europe’s military is ready for what could come next,” says Jean-Claude Dupont, a French army veteran.

Russia as a threat

Between 72 and 82 per cent of Europeans see Russia as a major or moderate threat to peace in Europe. In the US, 69 per cent of Americans share this view, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Russia’s recent stance and annexation of Crimea have been viewed by many as a challenge to European security, raising fears that the situation could spiral into something much larger.

Donald Trump

Additionally, rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Europe, particularly under the leadership of President Donald Trump, have contributed to fears of strained relations and the breaking of the West.

The YouGov poll found that majorities in Spain (58 percent), Germany (55 percent), and France (53 percent) view the current US-Europe relationship as a significant threat to global peace.

The increasing fear of global conflict is also due to a growing lack of trust in international peacekeeping organizations like the United Nations. These are not just statistics, but real, human concerns shaped by the ongoing suffering and uncertainty.