Sweden: share of population afraid of Russia 2023

At the end of February 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, three fourths of Swedes responded that they were afraid of Russia as a superpower. Just a month before, the number was below 60 percent. In 2019, as few as 38 percent of the respondents were afraid of Russia as a superpower, with 55 percent unafraid. Sweden is not a member of NATO, but the share of Swedes in favor of membership increased following the escalation of the situation in Ukraine. In May 2023, the share had fallen slightly as Russia did not have the military success on the battlefield that many Swedes feared immediately after the invasion.

Are you afraid of Russia as a superpower?

Characteristic	Yes	No	Don't know
May 2023	64%	29%	6%
March 2022	72%	23%	5%
February 2022	75%	21%	4%
January 2022	59%	34%	7%
2019	38%	55%	7%
2014	53%	37%	11%

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Release date

June 2023

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Region

Sweden

Survey time period

April 27-May 3, 2023

Number of respondents

1,049 respondents

Age group

18-84 years

Method of interview

Panel survey

Supplementary notes

This question was phrased by the source as follows: "Är du rädd för Ryssland som en stormakt?"

Missing percentage points to 100 percent are probably due to rounding.

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