Question

Here is a list of possible threats to the vital interests of Australia in the next ten years. For each one, please select whether you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all.

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
  4. 75%
  5. 100%
Cyberattacks from other countries
70
27
A military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan
59
35
5
Military conflict in South China Sea
57
37
5
Climate change
57
29
14
North Korea’s nuclear program
56
35
8
A severe downturn in the global economy
54
43
3
Foreign interference in Australian politics
53
42
5
The rise of authoritarian systems of government around the world
51
43
6
International terrorism
50
44
6
The spread of infectious diseases internationally
50
44
6
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
46
44
9
Political instability in the United States
41
51
8
Conflict in the Middle East
41
50
8

From 2006–2009, this question asked about ‘global warming’ rather than ‘climate change’. In 2020, this question asked about ‘novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and other potential epidemics’ rather than ‘the spread of infectious diseases internationally’. In 2021–2023, it asked about ‘Covid-19 and other potential epidemics’.

  • Critical threat
  • An important but not critical threat
  • Not an important threat at all
  • Don’t know
Total
All groups

Observation

Cyberattacks from other countries remain the leading threat to Australia, according to Australians asked about a range of possible ‘threats to the vital interests of Australia in the next ten years’. Seven in ten Australians (70%) see cyberattacks from other countries as a ‘critical threat’, steady from 2023, and a clear 11-point lead over the next highest ranked threat — a military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan (59%).

Australians are also seized of the potential for a military conflict in the South China Sea, with 57% rating it a critical threat, level with those who say the same of climate change (which remains steady since 2020). Potential conflicts over Taiwan (59%) and the South China Sea (57%) loom larger as critical threats than active, but more distant, conflicts in Ukraine (46%) or the Middle East (41%).

With the 2024 US presidential election approaching, concern about the impact of ‘political instability in the United States’ on Australia rose by nine points to 41%. However, together with conflict in the Middle East, this was the lowest ranked threat on the list.

While anxieties about Covid-19 have steadily receded, concern about the spread of infectious diseases has not. Half the population (50%) see ‘the spread of infectious diseases internationally’ as a critical threat, 20 points higher than threat perceptions of ‘Covid-19 and other potential epidemics’ (30%) last year. Concern about the threats of ‘foreign interference in Australian politics’ (53%) and ‘the rise of authoritarianism around the world’ (51%) both held steady.

Data

Compare different demographics, years, categories, and responses.

Demographic

Year

Category

Response

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