Global wars driving national security fears among young Australians

Australians are increasingly worried the threat of cyberattacks, terrorism and foreign interference. Source: Getty / ai_yoshi

The number of young people concerned national security has more than doubled against a worsening global backdrop including war in the Middle East , Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US intervention in Venezuela.

Australians are increasingly worried the threat of cyberattacks, terrorism and foreign interference, and want the government to be more transparent its handling of national security, a report shows.

Almost half of all Australians believe the country will be attacked by a foreign military in the five years, while 85 per cent think a severe economic crisis is possible.

In three surveys of 20,000 people between late 2024 and early 2026, the ANU's National Security College found voters were becoming more concerned the nation's defence position and felt the government was unprepared.

People who live in regional areas, older Australians and those at socioeconomic disadvantage have been consistently concerned the issue of national security but concern among young people has risen dramatically in recent years.

The number of 18 to 24-year-olds who reported concern Australia's national security rose from 22 per cent in November 2024 to 55 per cent in February 2026.

Figures were higher among other age groups, with 63 per cent of all people surveyed in February saying they were worried national security.

"I don't think we're prepared at all. I don't think we know half of it, to be honest, what's coming," one NSW respondent told a focus group.

A majority of people surveyed said they believed the government shared too little information national security.

However, some argued more transparency could cause national panic, while others were deeply distrustful of information shared by governments and mainstream media.

No single issue or event was driving the uptick in concern, the report said.

But global disruption, including war in the Middle East, the years-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine, US President Donald Trump's threats to acquire Greenland and a summer of extreme weather in Australia likely all played a role.

Two of the three surveys were taken before the latest flare-up in the Middle East, which has caused chaos in global supply chains and sent fuel prices skyrocketing .

Australia has sent a spy plane and missiles to the region to help protect Gulf nations from Iranian attacks.

The study also reveals a divide between men's and women's confidence to national security.

While 46 per cent of men considered themselves knowledgeable national security, only 23 per cent of women did.

The gap reflected people's perceptions of their knowledge, not actual competence.

"Women in our focus groups tended to underestimate their own national security knowledge before demonstrating grounded understanding of security issues and how they affected communities, families and the nation," the report said.

Published 23 March 2026 8:08am

Source : AAP / Zac de Silva AAP