Ahead of the 2021 NATO Summit, NATO commissioned a survey across all 30 Allies to understand perceptions of Allied citizens on key metrics tracked annually, including support for collective defence, the transatlantic bond and for NATO membership. This data set includes additional metrics on Allied perceptions of Russia and China.
Key findings
- The transatlantic bond continues to rate as highly important in dealing with security challenges (83% consider the relationship between North America and Europe important, only 4% consider it unimportant). 45% think transatlantic cooperation makes their country safer compared to 10% who think it makes their country less safe. 55% would like more cooperation between Europe and North America to deal with security challenges (compared to 6% who want less).
- Voting intention remains stable. In a referendum, 86% of Allied citizens would vote for their nation to remain a NATO member*. 14% would vote against membership.
- Collective defence receives strong support across the Alliance. 66% agree their country should defend another country if attacked; 9% disagree.
- Defence spending: 70% support maintained (41%) or increased (29%) defence spending, as in 2020 and 2019.
- Russia is viewed unfavourably by 41% of citizens, which compares to only 18% who have a favourable opinion. 40% say that their opinion of the country has become less favourable over the last twelve months.
- China is viewed unfavourably by 41% of citizens, and favourably by 19%. 47% say that their opinion of China has become more negative over the last twelve months. 67% believe that China's power and influence is a concern for their country.
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About the study
Coverage: 30 NATO Allies: general population over 18 years of age.
Sample size: In all countries polled online a sample of at least 1,000 respondents per country was achieved. In face-to-face countries at least 500 individuals per country were interviewed. 29,101 interviews were conducted in total.
Methodology: Online interviews, quotas applied on gender, age and region.
In Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia, interviews were conducted via telephone.
All data has been weighted according to the latest population statistics.
Results for the NATO total take into account population size of each country.
Fieldwork period: 26th April - 10th May 2021.
Margin of error: The survey uses non-probability sampling. The indicative margin of error is +/- 3%.
Trend data: In 2020 a survey of 28,517 adults was carried out by Kantar. Interviews were conducted online, except for North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro where a telephone methodology was used. In 2019 a survey of 28,752 adults was carried out by Populus. Interviews were conducted online, except for North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro where a face-to-face methodology was used.
