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A recent survey by Spain’s official sociological research centre, the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), shows that the threat of global conflict is weighing heavily on the minds of Spaniards, with almost eight out of ten considering a nuclear war plausible.

 

78.9% of those surveyed said a nuclear armed conflict is possible in the future, while only 19.4% dismissed the idea entirely. Yet the population is divided over the potential consequences: 41.7% believe such a war could mean the end of humanity, while 54.1% do not share this catastrophic view.

 

World war emerges as the top concern, scoring 8 on a scale from zero to ten, ahead of fears of civil war at 7.49 and a potential crisis of democracy at 7.21. This anxiety is reflected in attitudes towards national defence, with 67.7% of Spaniards believing that well-equipped and trained Armed Forces are essential for preventing foreign aggression, though nearly 30% disagree.

 

Personal fears remain closer to home. Losing a close family member tops the list, scoring 8.18, followed by health concerns such as serious illness or vision loss, and financial worries, including insufficient income or difficulty paying for housing. Interestingly, six years on from the pandemic, fear of contracting COVID-19 has dropped significantly, averaging just 3.86 out of 10.

 

Age and location also shape perceptions of conflict. Two out of three Spaniards have at some point considered that Spain could become involved in a war in the coming years. Among those who believe this is possible, more than half say Russia would be the most likely adversary, followed by Morocco and the United States. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 25, are the most inclined to foresee future conflicts, with 72.4% holding this view.

 

These concerns come against a backdrop of growing international tensions earlier this month, after the US bombing of Iran prompted strong criticism from Spain’s government and President Trump later threatened to cut all trade with Spain during the diplomatic dispute. The developments added to a wider sense of global instability that many Spaniards already felt before the events unfolded.

 

Despite these anxieties, optimism still persists. Around 77% of Spaniards say they generally consider themselves optimistic, although many express pessimism when assessing Spain’s current social and political challenges, from housing and immigration to employment and governance.

 

The survey ultimately paints a picture of a society that is both concerned about the possibility of global conflict and realistic about its potential consequences, while still placing considerable trust in the country’s ability to defend itself if necessary.

 

Image: digital representation