Public beliefs and statistical data regarding extraterrestrial intelligence
Public opinion on extraterrestrial life refers to the collective beliefs, attitudes, and statistical data regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life and extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). While scientific consensus has historically been cautious, public opinion surveys from the late 20th and early 21st centuries indicate a widespread belief in the existence of intelligent alien civilizations, often exceeding the confidence levels expressed by the scientific community.
Research conducted on an international scale has revealed significant belief in extraterrestrial civilizations across diverse cultures.
Glocalities Study (2017): A survey of 26,492 respondents across 24 countries found that 47% of participants believed in "the existence of intelligent alien civilizations in the universe." The study noted substantial cross-national variation, with belief rates ranging from 45% in the United States to 68% in Russia. The researchers categorized a segment of high-engagement believers as "Homo Universalis," a group characterized by unconventional thinking and high interest in science and politics.[1]
Western Nations Comparison (2015): A YouGov survey comparing attitudes in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States found that more than one in two people in all three nations believed living creatures with communication abilities exist outside Earth. Specifically, 56% of Germans, 54% of Americans, and 52% of Britons held this belief.[2]
National surveys (United States)
Public opinion in the United States has been frequently polled, revealing a trend of increasing belief in extraterrestrial phenomena.
Pew Research Center (2021): A study found that 65% of Americans stated their "best guess" was that intelligent life exists on other planets.[3]
YouGov (2025): A survey conducted in November 2025 indicated that 47% of Americans believe aliens have "definitely or probably visited Earth" at some point in history. Furthermore, 30% of Americans explicitly believe that UFOs are probable alien ships or life forms.[4]
Political correlation: Data from 2025 suggested a partisan divide, with Democrats being more likely than Republicans to believe UFOs are of alien origin (34% vs. 26%).[4]
Expert vs. public opinion
Recent academic efforts have attempted to quantify the gap between public perception and expert consensus.
Expert Consensus (2025): A survey published in Nature Astronomy by Vickers et al. established that 58.2% of astrobiology experts believe intelligent extraterrestrial life likely exists. This figure provides an empirical baseline against which public opinion can be compared, often revealing that the public underestimates the level of scientific interest in the subject.[5]
Demographic variables
Belief in extraterrestrial life varies significantly across different demographic groups.
Religion
Surveys indicate a negative correlation between high religious observance and belief in extraterrestrial intelligence.
New Religious Movements: The mid-20th century saw the emergence of UFO religions, such as Raëlism and Heaven's Gate, which incorporate extraterrestrial contact into their theological frameworks.[6]
Education and Age
Student Populations: Surveys of student populations have shown exceptionally high belief rates. A 2019 study of Swedish high school and university students published in the International Journal of Astrobiology found that 90% believed in extraterrestrial life.[7] Similarly, a 2020 survey of university students in Peru reported a 92% belief rate.[8]
Age: Younger Americans are generally more likely to believe in ETI than older cohorts. In 2015, YouGov found that 59% of 18-24 year olds in Britain believed in aliens, compared to only 45% of those over 60.[9]
Cultural interest
Public interest in the subject is also measured through digital behavior and media consumption.
Search Trends: Internet search data often correlates with government disclosure events. For example, the 2023 congressional hearings on UAPs triggered a resurgence of public interest, with lawmakers noting that the "lack of transparency" regarding UAPs has fueled public speculation.[10]
Documentaries: Media relating to the "ancient astronaut" hypothesis remains popular. The series Ancient Aliens has aired for over 19 seasons, reflecting sustained public curiosity regarding speculative extraterrestrial theories, despite criticism from historians and archaeologists regarding its scientific accuracy.[11]
↑Persson, Erik; Capova, Klara Anna; Li, Yuan (2019). "Attitudes towards the scientific search for extraterrestrial life among Swedish high school and university students". International Journal of Astrobiology. 18 (3): 280–288. doi:10.1017/S1473550417000556.
↑Chon-Torres, Octavio A.; etal. (2020). "Attitudes and perceptions towards the scientific search for extraterrestrial life among students of public and private universities in Peru". International Journal of Astrobiology. 19 (5): 360–368. doi:10.1017/S1473550420000130.
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