Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Americans more likely to answer some NATO questions correctly than others


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
QuestionResponsePercent
As far as you know, Greenland is a territory of which country?Denmark (Correct)63%
Russia2
Finland8
Canada3
Not sure24
NATO is an international alliance with member states concentrated in which two regions of the world?North America and the Asia Pacific3%
Europe and Asia3
The Middle East and North Africa2
Europe and North America (Correct)57
Not sure34
Which of the following is a central focus of NATO?Promoting trade among its members12%
Prosecuting international crimes3
Reducing the effects of climate change3
Promoting the security of its members (Correct)55
Not sure27
Which of the following countries is not a member of NATO?Estonia3%
Turkey3
Bulgaria2
Ukraine (Correct)45
Not sure45
In recent years, has the amount that U.S. NATO allies in Europe spend on their national defense…Increased (Correct)34%
Decreased8
Stayed about the same13
Not sure44

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

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