The Global Climate Survey and Its Implications for Spain and Beyond
About half of Hispanics, 46 percent, believe they will need to leave their homes over the next 25 years due to climate change. A recent Ipsos survey conducted for the World Economic Forum across 34 countries shows this sentiment is nine points above the global average of 35 percent. The finding underscores a growing concern in many regions about the potential for climate-driven displacement in the coming decades.
Spain stands out in the survey as a country where a large share of the population is already acutely aware of climate impacts. With 71 percent of Spaniards reporting that they have seriously felt the effects of climate change, Spain ranks second only to Hungary, where 74 percent of people report significant experiences. This places Spain among the European leaders in perceiving and feeling climate-related changes in daily life.
The study also highlights that Spain is among the three European nations with the highest proportion of residents who expect the climate crisis to intensify in the next ten years. A vast majority of Spaniards, 83 percent, believe the effects will be felt more strongly in the near future. Notably, younger generations around the world, especially people under 35, are more inclined to anticipate population movements driven by climate change in the years ahead.
The survey reveals a global average of 35 percent who believe they will have to leave their homes within 25 years due to weather changes. Spain leads Europe in this belief with 46 percent. India appears as the fifth country in the world to report a strong expectation of displacement, following several other nations in the region. This pattern points to a broad concern across diverse geographies about how climate change could reshape living patterns in the future.
In the ranking of countries that have already felt climate change most acutely, Spain again ranks high with 71 percent, just behind Hungary at 74 percent. Italy sits at 70 percent, France at 68 percent, and other European nations show similar trends. On a global scale, Mexico leads the list with 75 percent of its population acknowledging significant climate-related changes, which is 19 points above the world average of 56 percent. These numbers reflect a widespread acknowledgment of climate impacts across regions, though the intensity and perception vary by country.
The Worst May Still Be Ahead
Looking forward, about seven out of ten people worldwide expect that climate change will substantially affect where they live within the next decade. Spain again tops the European responses, with 83 percent agreeing that the effects will be felt more strongly at home in the near future. Portugal and Hungary are the only European countries with higher levels of agreement, at 88 percent and 86 percent respectively, while Italy and France also show strong alignment with the idea that the climate crisis will reshape living conditions in the coming years.
Young people are the most pessimistic about the future. Across the board, perceptions show little variation by gender, income, or education, but those under 35 feel the most likely to consider leaving their homes due to climate change in the next 25 years. The belief in climate-driven displacement declines with age, with about 43 percent of people aged under 35 agreeing, 37 percent of those aged 35 to 49, and 25 percent of adults aged 50 to 74 expressing the same view.
Heat waves, droughts, and other extreme weather events continue to surface as clear signals of shifting climate patterns. The Ipsos Global Advisor survey was conducted from July 22 to August 5 among thousands of adults across the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey, and other regions, using an online panel and representative sampling. The aim was to understand not only current experiences but also outlooks for the future as climate impacts become more pronounced in everyday life.
Regarding the sample framework, roughly 1,000 respondents were surveyed in each country, with targeted subsamples ensuring representation across key demographic segments. The survey spanned mature economies like Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, along with participants from Canada, Spain, France, Italy, and Japan, among others. The results offer a snapshot of attitudes toward climate risk and its potential to drive social and economic changes in the coming years, both in Europe and globally.
These findings emphasize a shared concern about how climate change could alter where people live, work, and seek opportunities. They also highlight the importance of policies and programs that address climate resilience, migration planning, and adaptation strategies to help communities prepare for a future where environmental shifts may be more frequent and impactful. The study underscores the need for continued monitoring, transparent communication, and proactive measures to support vulnerable populations as climate risks evolve.
Note: The Ipsos Global Advisor project collects insights from multiple regions to gauge perceptions of climate risk and related outcomes. The results cited here reflect the survey’s European and North American portions, with attention to the broader global context.