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A recent study has unveiled a striking perspective among Americans, who are significantly more likely than citizens in other nations to consider politics as the greatest threat to their safety. According to the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, a staggering one in ten Americans now cite political strife as their primary concern, a figure that is a striking ten times higher than the global average. This alarming statistic underscores the increasing toll that political polarisation is exerting on American society.
A Shift in Perception
The findings of the World Risk Poll, which surveyed participants across 140 countries, illustrate a marked increase in the perception of political risk among Americans—up from 6% in both 2021 and 2023. While other dangers such as road accidents and crime still dominate the list of concerns, the fact that more individuals now perceive politics as a greater threat than health issues speaks volumes about the current climate. “The US figure of 10% is unprecedented,” noted Benedict Vigers, a senior global news writer at Gallup. “No other country ranked higher. It’s 10 times the global average.”
This survey marks the first occasion that the United States has topped the global chart regarding the perception of political danger, tying closely with Hungary, which reported 9%. Other countries, including Serbia, Latvia, and Lithuania, followed with 6%, while several others, including Spain and Israel, recorded 5%.
Political Violence and Polarisation
The increase in the perception of politics as a personal safety risk is not without justification. The past decade has seen a troubling rise in political violence within the United States, highlighted by events such as the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol and multiple assassination attempts against public figures. The environment has become fraught with localised harassment, threats against election officials, and tactics like doxing and “swatting” aimed at silencing dissent.
Respondents to the survey expressed their concerns across various demographics, with no significant differences discernible by age, gender, education, or political affiliation. Both Republicans and Democrats, as well as independents, voiced similar sentiments about the political climate. Many pointed fingers at their political adversaries for fostering a culture of fear. A 54-year-old Republican respondent remarked on the “state of polarisation,” while a 42-year-old independent citizen cited “political extremism” as a source of concern.
The Broader Implications
The emphasis on political danger reflects a growing disillusionment with the state of governance in the United States. Recent Gallup polling data corroborates this sentiment, with a third of US adults in 2025 identifying politics and government as the nation’s foremost issue. This level of discontent is only surpassed by responses from the Philippines and Taiwan. Notably, 5% of Americans identified their own country as its greatest enemy, a record high.
Moreover, confidence in government appears to be waning, with 58% of Americans stating that they feel the government does not care about their well-being, marking an increase from previous years. Among OECD member states, only Colombia and Greece demonstrated higher levels of public alienation from their governments.
Why it Matters
The findings of this survey are indicative of a profound and troubling trend within American society: the increasing intertwining of politics and personal safety perceptions. As the political landscape grows more contentious and polarised, the implications extend beyond individual fears, potentially destabilising the very fabric of democratic engagement. If citizens view their political environment as a direct threat to their safety, it raises critical questions about the future of political discourse and civic participation in the United States. Addressing these fears with comprehensive dialogue and reform may be essential for restoring faith in both governance and the political process itself.