Four out of ten Danes fear war in Denmark within five years

A new survey from the Red Cross shows that concern about war and armed conflict is widespread among Danes. Four out of ten (41%) are very or somewhat worried that Denmark will be affected by war within the next five years.

The survey, conducted by Voxmeter for the Red Cross in December 2025, includes responses from 1,526 people aged 18 and over. It also shows that 55% are worried that war or armed conflict will affect their own lives, and 63% fear that the war in Ukraine could spread to other European countries.

-“These were relatively high figures a month ago, and one must say that the topic has not become less relevant since then. I do not think that concerns among Danes have diminished either,” says Anders Ladekarl, Secretary General of the Red Cross.

Knowledge of the rules of war
The vast majority of Danes are aware that international rules and laws for war exist. According to the survey, 84% answer yes to the existence of the rules of war, while only 2% answer no and 14% are unsure.

-“It is encouraging that awareness of the existence of rules governing warfare is high in Denmark. We need an informed and engaged public that knows the limits of unlawful warfare and is willing to hold those who break the rules accountable,” says Anders Ladekarl, adding:

-“In fact, studies show that one of the most effective ways to hold states accountable for their conduct in war is a morally informed and ethically engaged public. The population can and must have confidence that these rules can limit cruelty in combat.”

Lower awareness among young people
The survey shows that younger adults aged 18–29 generally have lower awareness of the rules of war and to a lesser extent share the general population’s views on what should be prohibited in war. For example, 81% of the total adult population believe that all sick and wounded must be treated regardless of affiliation – among 18–29-year-olds, this figure is only 68%.

Denmark lagging behind in the Nordic region
Compared with Norway and Sweden, Danes’ knowledge of the rules of war is lower. Seventy-two percent of Danish respondents know that attacks on civilians are prohibited, compared with 84% in Sweden and 86% in Norway. When asked whether rape is prohibited in war, 77% of Danes answer correctly, while the proportion is 91% in Sweden and 92% in Norway.

Only 26% of Danes have received education in the rules of war.

Need for increased education
As a national society, the Red Cross has a special mandate to disseminate knowledge of international humanitarian law in Denmark and works with the authorities to ensure its observance.

-“We know that the population’s knowledge of and support for international law plays an important role in the decisions that are made in war, both on the battlefield and in government offices,” says Anders Ladekarl.

The Red Cross already develops educational materials and conducts courses, but the survey shows a need for far more education – particularly aimed at younger generations.