Border security and terrorism top threats for German citizens

The Russian war on Ukraine is considered a significant threat by EU citizens, but irregular migration and terrorism are causing even greater concern, according to a survey published on Wednesday.

Spanning all 27 EU member states, the survey, conducted on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation, revealed regional variations in how threats to peace are perceived.

Among more than 26,000 participants, 25% cited dysfunctional border security as their top concern, while 21% expressed the most anxiety over terrorist attacks.

Cyberattacks were seen as the greatest threat by 19%, with 18% fearing an attack by a foreign aggressor and 17% citing organized crime.

In Germany, 23% of respondents identified terrorism as the greatest threat to European peace, a concern possibly influenced by the terrorist attack in Solingen in late August 2023. The attack, attributed to a man from Syria and claimed by the Islamic State, resulted in three fatalities and occurred just before the survey was carried out in September.

The survey also revealed regional differences in concerns. In Poland, which borders Ukraine, 29% of respondents viewed a military attack as the greatest threat to European peace. In contrast, only 16% of respondents in Spain shared this perspective.

The survey, conducted by the polling firm Latana in September 2024, surveyed 26,454 people across the EU, with a margin of error of 0.8%.

Founded in 1977, the Bertelsmann Foundation publishes regular studies on education, democracy, society, health, culture and science.