Search: See the main global threats in 25 countries

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Fake News propagation on the Internet leads the perception list about what is currently major global threats, according to a new Pew Research Center survey in 25 countries, including Brazil. More than seven out of 10 respondents said they considered misinformation the highest risk.

The survey reveals a growing concern with online misinformation, overcoming the fear of terrorism, infectious diseases, the effects of climate change and the economic crisis.

In addition to evaluating global perception, the survey identified the Threatens more individually in each country, and Brazil surprised.

In the country, the biggest concern is with the propagation of infectious diseasesreflection of the trauma of COVID-19, mentioned by 91% of the interviewees. THE disinformation appears in second placewith 84%.

A surprising fact is that climate change did not first be a major concern in any of the 25 countries (in Hungary only she drew with misinformation), despite increasingly severe extreme climate events.

Then get to know the five most feared threats in the world today – and what explains each other’s position in the ranking of public concern.

1. Fake News: The most feared among the main global threats

An expressive majority – 72% of the interviewees – considers the propagation of false information on the Internet a significant threat.

Disinformation appears as main concern In seven countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, all with a recent history of polarized elections.

The warning is almost unanimous: in 24 of the 25 countries surveyed, most of the population sees fake news as an important threat. Israel It is the only exception.

In recent years, concern has increased by consolidated democracies such as Poland, Sweden, Hungary, France and Germany. Older groups with the leftist political profile tend to worry more, especially in the US.

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2. Global Economy: Fear linked to the domestic situation

Just behind the fake news, the GLOBAL ECONOMY CONDITION It is seen as an important threat by 70% of people.

The concern is especially high in Greece and Australiawhere the theme appears as the largest individual threat.

The data reveals that the vision of the global economy is often connected to the performance of local economies. Since 2017, fear has increased in 21 countries.

3. Terrorism: Focus on Middle East and Africa countries

The concern with the terrorism is cited by 69% interviewees as a significant threat. It is the main concern in India, Israel, Nigeria and Türkiye.

The case of Israel is remarkable: the survey was conducted about a year and a half after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Among Israeli Jews, 96% see terrorism as an important threat.

In countries of average yieldthreat perception is higher than in rich nations. Older adults, with less education and inclined to the political right also tend to see terrorism with more concern.

4. Climate change: increasing but secondary threat

Although 67% See the climate change As an important threat, the theme does not lead concerns in any of the 25 countries surveyed.

This may be related to climate negationism that propagates not only on social networks but also in traditional press vehicles in important countries such as the US – a situation aggravated after Donald Trump’s return to power.

Nevertheless, risk perception has increased since 2013 in countries such as France, Türkiye, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

There is a clear division by political spectrum: Left people are more likely to see the climate as a threat than those on the right.

Read too | Online disinformation after climatic disasters is putting lives at risk, warns British NGO

5. Infectious diseases: main concern in Brazil

Almost two years after the end of the acute phase of the covid-19 pandemic, the propagation of infectious diseases Still worry 60% of interviewees on global average – but the number is much higher in countries like Brazil.

Node Brazilthe theme was cited by 91% adults as a significant threat, making infectious diseases to greater national concern – Ahead even the misinformation (84%).

Argentina and South Africa They also put the diseases first. In average income countries, such as Kenya (88%), Türkiye (87%) and Indonesia (86%)concern remains high.

In nine advanced economies, fear fell from 74% by 2020 to 50% this year.