A major new survey from the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) sheds light on how Germans perceive security in times of multiple crises. Despite war in Europe, global rearmament, and shifting alliances, a clear majority (61.5 %) report feeling “very” or “relatively secure.” However, more than one-third are undecided or feel insecure, revealing nuanced and often ambivalent attitudes.

Interestingly, personal safety, family and friends, and financial security top respondents’ priorities, far above issues like NATO, a strong Bundeswehr, or cooperation with the US. This highlights a strong focus on the private sphere in how people define “security.”

Most respondents also feel that the war in Ukraine is “close,” yet foreign and defence policy questions receive less attention in everyday thinking. The study underlines a key challenge for policymakers: to connect people’s everyday security concerns with coherent responses to broader geopolitical threats.