One-third of Americans believe the Apocalypse will occur in their lifetime – study reveals main threats

One-third of Americans are convinced that the Apocalypse will occur in their lifetime – according to a study conducted by The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) in collaboration with the Brookings Institution, the results of which were published on Tuesday. The fear of the end of the world has ceased to be the domain of social fringe or conspiracy theories, becoming a widespread phenomenon in the mainstream. Respondents pointed to global threats they believe could lead to the annihilation of humanity, with climate change being the most frequently mentioned. Armed conflicts involving nuclear weapons ranked second, mentioned by 31% of respondents. These fears have intensified in the context of geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and the escalation of rivalry between nuclear powers. The third most frequently cited cause was pandemics – 18% of respondents fear that another global health crisis, similar to COVID-19, could lead to the collapse of civilization. Although the coronavirus pandemic showed how quickly healthcare systems can become overwhelmed, the study does not specify whether respondents perceive these threats as mutually reinforcing or as separate scenarios. Surprisingly, only 9% of respondents cited artificial intelligence as the main threat, despite this topic dominating public debates for several years. Experts suggest this may be because AI is perceived as a more abstract threat compared to the direct impacts of climate change or nuclear wars. The poll results reflect a deep crisis of trust in institutions and experts, which extends beyond traditional political or religious divisions. The one-third of Americans who believe in an imminent end of the world are not only people with extreme views – among them are voters of both major political parties (47% Democrats and 32% Republicans), people with higher education, and residents of both large cities and rural areas. The study also found that belief in the Apocalypse is equally widespread among people with different income levels, though it is slightly more frequently declared by younger people (under 50 years old). Psychologists point out that chronic stress related to future uncertainty can lead to a phenomenon described as end of the world syndrome. It manifests as abandonment of long-term life plans, such as starting a family, investing in education, or saving for the future. Experts warn that such a state may paradoxically accelerate self-fulfilling prophecies – for example, by abandoning actions for climate protection or reducing the risk of armed conflicts. As sociologist Robert Jones, president of PRRI, notes, "This is not just a matter of belief in the biblical Apocalypse. People see real evidence that the world is becoming increasingly unstable, and the institutions that were supposed to protect us are failing"*. Although the survey concerned only the United States, experts suggest that similar sentiments may prevail in other developed countries, especially those affected by climate, migration, or economic crises. „To nie jest już kwestia wiary, ale racjonalnej kalkulacji ryzyka. Ludzie widzą, że systemy, na których opierała się stabilność świata, zawodzą jeden po drugim. Strach przed Apokalipsą to strach przed tym, że nie mamy już żadnej kontroli nad własną przyszłością.” (This is no longer a matter of faith, but of rational risk calculation. People see that the systems on which world stability was based are failing one after another. Fear of the Apocalypse is fear that we no longer have any control over our own future.) — Maria Popescu, sociologist via Libertatea However, the study does not answer whether belief in an imminent end of the world leads to greater civic activity (e.g., climate protests) or, conversely, to apathy and withdrawal from public life. As the report's authors emphasize, further analysis is necessary to understand how such beliefs influence daily decisions and social behaviors. One thing is certain: fear of global catastrophe has become a significant factor shaping the attitudes and choices of millions of people.