Global Study Reveals Decline in US Reputation and Growing Concerns about Immigration

A recent global study has found that the reputation of the United States has declined significantly over the past year, with a majority of citizens expressing concerns about election integrity and immigration. In Europe, immigration has emerged as a top concern, prompting governments to prioritize reducing its levels.

A comprehensive global study released on Wednesday has painted a concerning picture of the United States' reputation, which has taken a significant hit over the past year. The study, conducted by the Denmark-based think tank Alliance of Democracies Foundation and the research group Latana, surveyed 63,000 individuals across 53 countries.

The study found a sharp decline in positive attitudes towards the US, particularly in Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria. In Europe, countries like Switzerland, Ireland, Ukraine, and Germany also expressed diminishing favorability towards the US.

Among US citizens, the study revealed that 60% believe that unfair elections and election fraud pose threats to the country's democracy. Furthermore, 77% expressed concern about corruption as a threat to democracy.

In Europe, a growing number of people prioritize reducing immigration, with Germany leading the surge in this sentiment. Immigration has become a major concern, with countries experiencing a significant influx of non-EU immigrants in 2022.

Despite the importance placed on democracy, the study found that governments often fall short of meeting expectations. While 58% of respondents were satisfied with the state of democracy in their countries, a significant portion expressed dissatisfaction.

In the US, half of the respondents felt that their government acted solely in the interests of a small group of people. Dissatisfaction was prevalent in both democratic and non-democratic countries, with Europe experiencing a steady increase since 2020.

The study highlighted the "rally around the flag" effect in Israel, Ukraine, and Russia. Following the onset of conflicts, public perception shifted, indicating that the respective governments were acting in the interests of the majority. However, in Ukraine, this perception declined after peaking in 2022.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, chair of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, emphasized that the declining perception of democracy poses a risk of losing the Global South to autocracies. He urged democratic governments to address voter concerns and counter the rise of autocracies through an alliance of democracies.

The study also examined perceived global challenges. War and conflict emerged as the top concern, followed by poverty and hunger, and climate change. Migration and terrorism have also become increasingly prominent challenges, particularly among Europeans.

At the national level, respondents prioritized poverty reduction, corruption, and economic growth as areas that governments should focus on. However, regional variations existed, with Europeans and Americans placing greater emphasis on healthcare, climate change, and reducing immigration.

Globally, 33% of respondents recognized climate change as a major challenge, but only 14% believed it should be among the top three government priorities. Immigration is anticipated to play a significant role in upcoming European elections, with nationalist parties likely to gain support on this issue.