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Gallup Survey Reveals US Anxieties Differ From Global Concerns

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, February 5th 2026 at 3:24 GMT by Dayton Daily News
      Locales: UNITED STATES, CHINA, INDIA

DAYTON - February 5th, 2026 - A new Gallup survey offers a compelling snapshot of what worries people worldwide, and for Americans, the results paint a picture distinct from global anxieties. While economic hardships remain a universal concern, the specific weight given to issues like crime, security, and poverty reveals significant differences in the American experience compared to the rest of the world. The survey, encompassing data from 122 countries, highlights a unique set of pressures facing US citizens, and a relative lack of concern regarding issues that dominate anxieties elsewhere.

For decades, Gallup has tracked global citizen concerns, providing invaluable insight into the socio-political landscape of nations. The latest findings, released this week, confirm that economic stability remains a primary worry across the globe. However, a notable divergence emerges when comparing American anxieties to the global average. While 39% of Americans express worry about broader economic issues, concerns regarding poverty and unemployment are remarkably lower, at just 23%. This is a full 22 percentage points below the worldwide average, suggesting a different economic reality - or at least a different perception of it - within the United States.

This doesn't necessarily indicate Americans are economically secure; rather, it suggests different priorities. The US, despite experiencing income inequality and pockets of unemployment, benefits from a robust social safety net (though consistently debated and under pressure) and a strong, albeit unevenly distributed, job market compared to many nations surveyed. This is in stark contrast to countries like the Philippines, where a staggering 78% of citizens are preoccupied with poverty and unemployment, and Myanmar, where 73% share the same anxieties. These nations often grapple with systemic economic challenges, limited opportunities, and a lack of adequate social support systems.

Interestingly, the survey reveals that while America's economic worries are comparatively lower, concern regarding crime and national security is higher than the global average. A full 45% of Americans report being worried about these issues. This elevated anxiety aligns with recent trends in the US, including rising crime rates in some major cities and ongoing concerns about domestic extremism, political polarization, and external threats. While not unique - Venezuela, facing its own significant security challenges, reports 68% of its citizens worried about crime and security - it does highlight a particular focus for US citizens.

Experts suggest several factors contribute to this American prioritization. The 24/7 news cycle, with its emphasis on crime and security incidents, plays a significant role in shaping public perception. Political rhetoric, often centered around law and order and national security, further amplifies these concerns. Moreover, the legacy of events like 9/11 and a history of perceived threats - both real and imagined - have ingrained a heightened sense of security awareness within the American psyche.

The Gallup survey also begs the question: are these anxieties being effectively addressed? While government initiatives aimed at bolstering security and stimulating the economy are commonplace, the persistent high level of concern suggests a disconnect between policy and public perception. The data may indicate a need for a more holistic approach to addressing anxieties, one that tackles not only the immediate symptoms but also the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to them.

Furthermore, the evolving global landscape introduces new complexities. The rise of cybercrime, geopolitical instability, and climate change-related disasters all contribute to a sense of unease, both domestically and internationally. Understanding how these global trends intersect with local concerns is crucial for policymakers and civic leaders as they attempt to build more resilient and secure societies. The margin of error for the survey is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, but the consistent trends over nearly three decades of Gallup's tracking provide a robust foundation for analysis. The 2026 results clearly demonstrate that while global citizens share common anxieties, the specific anxieties, and their relative importance, vary significantly based on national context.