The Security Radar 2025: Fear of New Wars in Europe lowest among Swedes

The Security Radar 2025 presents, for the fourth time, a comprehensive analysis of public attitudes toward foreign and security policy across the OSCE region. This year’s report builds on previous surveys and includes 14 countries, with Sweden participating for the first time. Swedes perceive a lower risk of new conflicts affecting their country compared to other Europeans. This is one key finding of the new study Security Radar 2025, conducted by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung across 14 OSCE countries, including the USA, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. At the same time, many support a stronger defense but without compromising social cohesion. The following are some of the key findings for Sweden. For a more detailed overview, click here!  

48% Support Wealth Tax for Defense Spending

The study reveals strong public support for increased defense spending. However, concerns exist that resources for social policies might become insufficient. One of the most notable findings is that 48% of respondents in the OSCE region support a special tax on the wealthy to finance defense expenditures.

Swedes More Open to Military Interventions

Half of Swedish respondents express concerns about a direct military confrontation between Russia and the West. At the same time, 44% believe Sweden should take part in military interventions if necessary - an attitude only surpassed in Russia (47%).

Strong Support for Negotiations in Russia and Ukraine

The study highlights a broad willingness for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, both in Russia and Ukraine.

Read more about the project and find previous editions here.