Americans more likely to answer some NATO questions correctly than others
Note: Correct answers are in bold. The order of the multiple-choice answer options were randomized for each respondent and “Not sure” appeared at the bottom of each set. For the question on spending, only the order of “Increased” and “Decreased” were randomized. Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted March 23-29, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Americans more likely to answer some NATO questions correctly than others
| Question | Response | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| As far as you know, Greenland is a territory of which country? | Denmark (Correct) | 63% |
| Russia | 2 | |
| Finland | 8 | |
| Canada | 3 | |
| Not sure | 24 | |
| NATO is an international alliance with member states concentrated in which two regions of the world? | North America and the Asia Pacific | 3% |
| Europe and Asia | 3 | |
| The Middle East and North Africa | 2 | |
| Europe and North America (Correct) | 57 | |
| Not sure | 34 | |
| Which of the following is a central focus of NATO? | Promoting trade among its members | 12% |
| Prosecuting international crimes | 3 | |
| Reducing the effects of climate change | 3 | |
| Promoting the security of its members (Correct) | 55 | |
| Not sure | 27 | |
| Which of the following countries is not a member of NATO? | Estonia | 3% |
| Turkey | 3 | |
| Bulgaria | 2 | |
| Ukraine (Correct) | 45 | |
| Not sure | 45 | |
| In recent years, has the amount that U.S. NATO allies in Europe spend on their national defense… | Increased (Correct) | 34% |
| Decreased | 8 | |
| Stayed about the same | 13 | |
| Not sure | 44 |
Note: Correct answers are in bold. The order of the multiple-choice answer options were randomized for each respondent and “Not sure” appeared at the bottom of each set. For the question on spending, only the order of “Increased” and “Decreased” were randomized. Those who did not answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted March 23-29, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
