Fear of war, weakening solidarity. Poles increasingly focused on themselves

Over 63 percent of Poles fear a threat to the existence of the state, 36.7 percent declare the desire to escape in the event of an attack – according to the latest IBRiS survey for PAP. The willingness to fight and defend one's neighbors is decreasing, individualism and caution in social relations - assesses IBRiS.

In the survey conducted by IBRiS on behalf of PAP, the respondents were asked if they think any country currently threatens the existence of Poland. This is according to 63.3 percent of respondents; this - as indicated by an increase of 7.2 points percentage point compared to the previous year. In this group, 29.8 percent "definitely agrees" with this statement, and 33.5 percent "rather agree". The opposite A total of 26.6 percent of respondents are of this opinion, of which 19.6 percent "rather disagree" agrees", and 7.0 percent "strongly disagree". 10.1 percent have no opinion on this matter.

When asked about their reaction in the event of an attack on Poland, 21.3 percent said: respondents said they would flee abroad, which is an increase of 3.2 percentage points compared to 2023. 15.4% would be able to travel safely with their loved ones place in the country. A total of 36.7 percent of respondents would choose some type escape. The largest number of people, 42.5 percent, declare that they would try secure with loved ones at their place of residence – that is as much as 14.8 percentage points less than a year earlier.

Participation in military, paramilitary or sanitary formations 21.8 percent of respondents declared this, compared to 30.1 percent a year earlier. 5.1 percent of respondents would be waiting for service (a decrease of 3.9 percentage points). 32.2 percent of respondents would secure their assets (a decrease of 1.2 percentage points). The number of people who would take no action increased significantly – from 1.5 percent. to 7.3 percent. 7.4 percent of respondents declared no opinion.

Readiness to defend a neighbor against aggression, even in the event of bad relations, declared 73.3 percent of respondents – including 32.5 percent who said “definitely” and 40.8 percent “rather”. Compared to last year, this is a decrease of 5.6 percentage points. The opposite opinion was expressed by 14.8% of respondents, of whom 11.9% were "rather disagree", and 2.9 percent "definitely disagree". No opinion was indicated by 11.9 percent of respondents.

Respondents were also asked whether "generally speaking, most people can be trusted or should people be approached with caution." How IBRiS estimates that "social trust remains at a low level, although there was a slight increase in this aspect."

77.3 percent of respondents believe that "we should be careful in contacts with other people" - this is a decrease of 6.5 percentage points compared to 2023. 21.4 percent of Poles believe that "most people can be trusted", which means an increase of 5.7 percentage points. 1.3% of respondents expressed no opinion.

"The study shows a picture of a society that is becoming more and more focused on individual survival strategies. Although growing a sense of threat, a decrease in the tendency to communal reactions, such as staying with loved ones in the area, taking part in the fight or helping a neighbour" - says the quoted in the IBRiS press release Kamil Smogorzewski, the studio's communications director. "Slow decreasing level of neighbourly solidarity and low level of trust social problems can weaken the potential of society in crisis situations" – assessed.

According to IBRiS, the survey was conducted on April 22. 2025 on a representative group of 1,068 adult Poles, using the CATI method (telephone interviews). The comparative study was conducted on 19-20 May 2024 on a representative group of 1,000 adult Poles, also using the method CATI. (PAP)

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