A recent survey entitled “Current Fears and Concerns of Poles” reveals that health concerns for loved ones top the list of fears among Poles, followed by extreme weather events and personal health issues, with rising anxieties about war and immigration.

In a recurring survey, participants were asked to identify from a list of 37 potential fears those they believed could occur soon. The results show that 43.3% of respondents fear diseases affecting a close relative or friend, a decrease from 48.9% six months ago.

Extreme weather phenomena ranked second among concerns, with 41.7% of respondents worried about heatwaves, hailstorms, heavy rains, and floods. This is a significant increase from the previous survey, where 28.7% expressed concern over harsh winters, snowstorms, hurricanes, and floods.

Concerns about personal health and the loss of it was the third most common response, indicated by 40.4% of participants, up from 38.8% six months prior. The fear of inflation and money losing its value came fourth, noted by 37.3% of respondents, slightly down from 37.8%.

The fear of war and armed conflict within Poland’s borders ranked fifth, with 35.8% expressing this concern, a significant rise from 19.9% in the previous survey. Immigration fears were next, with 33.6% expressing concerns, up from 25.3% six months ago.

Fears of losing loved ones came next at 29.9% (previously 22.9%). Less frequently mentioned were fears of rising costs for electricity and heating, which was selected by 29.2% of respondents (previously 30%); food price hikes and other goods at 28.6% (previously 30.9%), and a reduction in quality of life at 25% (previously 28.4%).

At the bottom of the ranking are fears of traffic accidents (7.1%, previously 7.3%), real estate price fluctuations (4.1%, previously 4.2%), the breakup of personal relationships or divorce (3.8%, previously 5.4%), currency price fluctuations (3.2%, previously 6.3%), and the dissolution of church communities (3%, previously 2.6%). Only 0.6% of respondents reported no fears, while 4.5% were unable to decide on their fears.

Image: Unsplash

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen