Climate concerns sit at the top of Spaniards’ worries, followed by worries about conflict, migration, and Russia. This snapshot comes from the Transatlantic Trends 2022 study, conducted across 14 countries between June and July, focusing on international politics and transatlantic relations.
The invasion of Ukraine and the resulting geopolitical volatility have shifted the focus of people in Europe and North America. The climate crisis remains a central issue in the West, while interest in pandemics or terrorism has declined. War and Russia now stand out as topics that unsettle the public more than before.
The BBVA Foundation contributed to the study, which shows Spaniards place climate change as a top concern, with 22 percent ranking it first, higher than the European average of 19 percent. War follows as the second biggest worry in Spain at 19 percent, closely tied to migration at 19 percent (versus 12 percent on average in Europe). Russia concerns Spaniards at 11 percent, while the European average is 19 percent.
The consultation covered 22,133 people, including 1,500 respondents from Spain. Southern European nations report climate as the main challenge: Italy 34 percent, Portugal 29 percent, France 28 percent, and Spain 22 percent. In Canada, 24 percent identify climate as the primary challenge. In contrast, war is a more prominent concern in southern regions, while Lithuania, Turkey, and Poland show less attention to the topic.
United States, reliable partner
The United States presents a more fragmented landscape of concerns, with climate change mentioned by only 14 percent, lower than most European countries.
Spaniards tend to address Russia through the European Union more often than their continental peers, with 48 percent choosing this route versus 36 percent in the EU average. The same pattern appears regarding relations with China, where 58 percent prefer EU-led coordination, compared with 46 percent on average in Europe.
Spaniards show a somewhat cautious outlook about the future. Trust in the United States as a partner remains positive at 56 percent, but this is below the EU average of 61 percent. Most see the United States as a reliable partner, though this is lower than the EU average.
The United States is seen today as a major global actor, yet public sentiment hints at a non- permanent status. Respondents anticipate significant geopolitical shifts over the next five years, with expectations of a shift in influence toward China.
There is broad support for American involvement in defending Europe, and Europeans expect the European Union to play a key role in national security. The share wanting US engagement in European defense has risen since 2021 in countries like Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands.
Relations with Russia and China
Interviewees favor EU coordination as the best channel to manage relations with both Russia and China. On China, most respondents support a tougher approach, especially in France and Spain. Amid a hypothetical Taiwan crisis, there is no clear majority in favor of sending weapons or troops.
Finland and Sweden seeking NATO membership enjoys broad support across surveyed countries except in Turkey.
Russia is viewed unfavorably across all participating countries, with about three out of four respondents expressing concern. In the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal this figure nears 80 percent.
Democracy shows varying perceptions: roughly 6 percent of Spaniards rate democracy as excellent, 49 percent as good, 28 percent as weak, and 15 percent as endangered. The global average stands at 9 percent excellent, 41 percent good, 25 percent weak and 20 percent endangered. Sweden, Portugal and Canada are seen as having the strongest democratic performance, while Poland, Italy and Turkey are viewed less favorably.
The study highlights a thorough analysis by the Transatlantic Trends project. The assessment reflects the evolving political landscape and the mood of publics across multiple nations.