In an increasingly multipolar and geopolitically unstable world, Europe must achieve defense sovereignty to maintain strategic relevance. A critical component of this strategic shift is to gain a thorough, nuanced understanding of public perceptions of security and defense, particularly those of young Europeans. Public opinion on defense and security has been studied extensively by researchers and polling organizations. However, there is a substantial knowledge gap regarding the perceptions, values, and priorities of younger generations.
This research and impact program seeks to bridge the divide between young Europeans and the defense and international security realm. The program unfolds in two phases: first, a diagnosis analyzed young people's perceptions and attitudes towards international security, the defense sector, and its role in society; then, a plan will be developed to address knowledge gaps and create a space for dialogue about the future of the defense sector.
The degree of knowledge of defense issues among younger generations, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine, is yet unclear. Understanding young people’s perceptions of defense-related issues is essential to maintaining our common security. Yet, there is currently limited knowledge on youth perception of security and defense. The existing literature predominantly focuses on the general public’s preferences, often failing to disaggregate data by age and, thus, paying comparatively little attention to the perspectives of young adults. In addition, current literature is largely focused on the case of the United States, which makes any attempt to generate a comparison with other countries—Europe in our case— hard and inaccurate.
Between April and June 2024, the Center for the Governance of Change conducted focus groups and comprehensive surveys in Spain, France, Germany, and the UK, to unveil that young Europeans, regardless of their country of origin, demonstrate a superficial knowledge of the defense realm, its most relevant actors, and its main areas of practical application. A correlation appears to exist between the type of priority that young adults give to the defense sector and their political positioning. Nonetheless, this is altered by other intervening variables such as a direct knowledge of ongoing political events, a national strategic culture that develops from a sense of great power status, or geographical proximity to an existential threat.
This diagnosis will serve as the intellectual basis for a series of targeted actions that will seek to raise awareness about international security issues and educate about the defense sector.
Diagnosis Highlights
The study shows that young Europeans possess a shared amount of views and attitudes towards security and defense issues, although this does not automatically translate into a well-defined defense culture.
Shared security concerns across Western Europe
More than 70% of young respondents in Western Europe see terrorism as the biggest threat to European security, followed by concerns about cyberattacks, natural disasters due to climate change, and Russia. Furthermore, almost half of them believe their country will be directly involved in an armed conflict within the next ten years. Yet, all that being said, young people do not view security and defense as a structural concern given the absence of an imminent threat to their own countries. Other issues and policies are perceived having a greater relevance for their daily lives, such as healthcare and education.
Mixed Attitudes towards European and national defense
More than half of the young people surveyed in each country believe that Europe can adequately protect itself from possible external threats without the support of the United States, or at least would like it to do so. However, if their country or another European nation were to come under military attack, only about a third of them would volunteer to help defend it. Furthermore, less than 48% of them would support the use of a European military force in high-intensity military operations.
Limited Knowledge of the Defense Sector
Respondents have little or no knowledge of the main players in the European defense industry. Not only 90% of the participants are unable to mention the name of a defense company, but also a good number of them ignores the multiple applications of the products developed by defense companies. At least 20% of them do not think the latter are committed to peace and conflict resolution, protecting democracy or the fight against climate change. Yet, more than 70% of men and 54% of women in each country would be willing to work in a defense company, mostly for economic reasons.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
Between April and June 2024, the Center for the Governance of Change conducted the following research:
- Exploratory Focus Group: Held in April 2024 to identify key themes for the research.
- Comprehensive Survey: Conducted in May 2024, gathering insights from 3,600 respondents aged 18–35 across Spain, France, Germany, and the UK on their views of security threats, national defense and the defense industry.
- Country-Specific Focus Groups: Organized in June 2024 in each of the four countries to deepen the understanding of survey results.
The program’s research team then analyzed and synthesized these findings, complementing them with secondary literature to produce the final diagnostic report.
