Americans Far More Likely to View Politics as Greatest Threat to Safety, Study Finds

The latest World Risk Poll has delivered a stark reminder that American politics have become a unique brand of toxic. According to the survey, Americans are ten times more likely than people elsewhere in the world to view politics as their greatest threat to personal safety.

One in ten Americans identified politics as the biggest risk they face in their daily lives, a figure that has risen from 6% in both 2021 and 2023. The US stands alone among surveyed countries in having more people name politics than personal health conditions as the worst danger to their safety. This trend is particularly disturbing given America’s high rates of gun violence, crime, and road accidents.

The survey results are not surprising given the country’s deepening partisan divisions. Benedict Vigers, a senior global news writer at Gallup, notes that no other country comes close to matching America’s figure. “It speaks to how charged the political environment is and has been for many years in the United States,” he said.

The concerns cut across demographic lines, with no statistically significant differences by age, gender, education, or political affiliation. Republicans, Democrats, and independents all shared similar fears, pointing to an atmosphere of insecurity created by their opposing parties. Many respondents blamed the opposing camp for creating this sense of unease.

America’s polarisation has been a growing concern for years. Gallup polling in 2025 found that one-third of US adults identified politics and government as the country’s most important problem, well above the global median. Another survey from 2024 revealed that 5% of Americans named the US as its own greatest enemy.

The results have significant implications for American democracy. As confidence in government continues to erode, it’s clear that America’s toxic politics are taking a toll on citizens’ lives. The findings echo other studies highlighting growing disillusionment with politics and a deteriorating trust in institutions.

Hungary, Serbia, Latvia, and Lithuania also reported high levels of concern about politics, but none have reached such extreme levels as seen in America. However, the country’s fracturing politics has created an atmosphere where even everyday life is a risk. The rise in localised harassment, death threats against election administrators, and use of doxing and “swatting” to intimidate and silence opposition have all contributed to this sense of insecurity.

To address this toxic atmosphere, politicians must put aside their differences and work towards a more inclusive, respectful environment where citizens can engage in politics without fear of violence or intimidation. This is essential for restoring trust in institutions and promoting a more inclusive politics that allows citizens to participate freely.

The World Risk Poll results serve as a wake-up call for America’s politicians and citizens alike. It’s time to take action to address the roots of this toxic atmosphere and promote a healthier democracy. The future of American democracy depends on it, and only through meaningful change can the country hope to overcome its deepening partisan divisions and restore trust in government.