A startling new study reveals that politics is now viewed as a top safety threat by a growing number of Americans, with 10% of U.S. respondents naming it the greatest danger to their personal safety—10 times the global average. The Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll highlights how deep partisan divides are reshaping everyday life in the United States.
Why Americans See Politics as a Safety Threat
The survey, conducted across 140 countries, found that the U.S. is the only nation where more people cited politics than personal health conditions as their primary safety risk. This marks a dramatic shift from 2021 and 2023, when only 6% felt the same way. “The US figure of 10% is unprecedented,” said Benedict Vigers of Gallup, which partnered on the research. “No other country ranked higher. It’s 10 times the global average.”
Political violence has surged in the U.S. over the past decade, including multiple assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump, the 2025 killing of Charlie Kirk, and the targeting of state officials. This environment has made politics a daily safety concern for many citizens.
Global Comparison: How Other Countries Rank
While the U.S. tops the list, other nations also show elevated concern. The table below compares the percentage of respondents who named politics as their biggest safety risk:
| Country | Percentage Citing Politics as Top Threat |
|---|---|
| United States | 10% |
| Hungary | 9% |
| Serbia | 6% |
| Latvia | 6% |
| Lithuania | 6% |
| Slovakia | 5% |
| Russia | 5% |
| Myanmar | 5% |
| Spain | 5% |
| Israel | 5% |
The global average remains just 1%, underscoring how unique the American experience is when it comes to political safety concerns.
Key Takeaways from the Study
- Americans are 10 times more likely than the global average to view politics as a safety threat.
- The U.S. is the only country where politics outranks personal health as a top risk.
- Political violence, including assassination attempts and insurrection, fuels this perception.
- Concern has risen from 6% in 2021 to 10% in 2025.
FAQ
What is the main finding of the World Risk Poll about American politics?
The poll found that 10% of Americans view politics as the greatest threat to their personal safety, which is 10 times the global average of 1% across 140 countries.
Why are Americans more concerned about politics than health?
The U.S. is the only country where more people named politics than personal health conditions as the biggest risk. This is attributed to a surge in political violence and deep partisan divisions over the past decade.
How does the U.S. compare to other countries in this study?
The U.S. ranks highest, followed by Hungary at 9%. Other countries like Serbia, Latvia, and Lithuania each recorded 6%, while the global average is just 1%.
This data serves as a stark reminder of how political polarization is affecting everyday Americans. As the 2025 survey shows, the trend is accelerating, with more citizens feeling unsafe due to the political climate. Understanding these risks is crucial for navigating modern life in the U.S.