Swedes Show Strong Support for Military Defense but Personal Willingness to Risk Life Declines

New survey data from the Swedish Psychological Defense Agency (MPF) reveals a complex picture of Sweden's defense sentiment as of January 2026. Support for a strong military defense in Sweden has reached its highest point since such measurements began, indicating widespread approval for the nation's defense posture. However, the willingness of individuals to personally defend the country with weapons has slightly declined from 69% to 65%.

MPF's director Magnus Hjort highlighted concerns that this dip in personal defense willingness could be exploited by foreign adversaries attempting to weaken Swedish unity. Notably, men demonstrate significantly higher defense willingness than women, a disparity that presents challenges for forging a cohesive national defense front.

Public anxiety over the threat of military attack has increased, with 20% of respondents now considering an attack on Sweden likely within five years — a marked rise compared to previous decades. Despite these concerns, a strong majority (90%) still regard Sweden as a good place to live, indicating resilience and social stability.

Hjort emphasized that nurturing societal cohesion is critical to sustaining defense readiness, warning that fractures in social trust undermine the country’s ability to mobilize collective defense efforts. The annual MPF survey, which tracks Swedish public attitudes on defense and war-related issues, reflects the deep impact of ongoing global geopolitical challenges on national sentiment.

These findings underscore a delicate balance between robust support for military preparedness in principle and a slightly waning personal commitment to the risks involved in defending Sweden.