Despite growing pessimism about the state of the world, people in 34 countries continue to support international cooperation, with preventing wars and conflicts as a top priority, according to a new survey released by the Rockefeller Foundation.
The survey, carried out by Focaldata among 35,399 people between 21 July and 5 August, found that 69 percent of respondents believe the world “has gotten worse” over the past year. Yet 57 percent said their country should cooperate with others to address global challenges “even if it means compromising on some national interests.” This was slightly higher than in the previous year’s survey which reported 55 percent.
Preventing wars and conflicts was selected by 44 percent of respondents as one of the three most important issues for countries to address together. It ranked first in 21 of the 34 countries surveyed and was among the top two priorities in 33. In six countries, more than half of respondents placed it among their leading concerns.
Preventing war and conflicts top priority in two thirds of countries
Other priorities varied more between wealthier and developing economies. Respondents in developing economies gave equal weight to preventing wars and building a fair global economy and trade system. They were also more likely to prioritize humanitarian aid after disasters and reducing global poverty. In wealthier economies, managing migration received greater attention.
Democracy and human rights were among the issues where views were broadly similar across the two groups. They were selected as a top-three priority by 24 percent of respondents, including 22 percent in wealthier economies and 25 percent in developing economies.
The survey also asked who should bear the greatest responsibility for addressing global challenges. Groups of countries working together were the preferred option for preventing wars and conflicts, climate change, international law and regulating new technologies. International organizations were more often seen as the leading actors on preventing pandemics and reducing child deaths and disease in poorer countries.
For preventing wars and conflicts, 45 percent of respondents in wealthier economies and 38 percent in developing economies chose countries working together as the most responsible actor. Only around one in five selected their own national government.
The Rockefeller Foundation survey found that public support for cooperation has held despite declining confidence that it is working effectively. Half of respondents said global cooperation is currently effective, although views differed sharply. Sixty-three percent in developing economies agreed, compared with 39 percent in wealthier economies.
More support if global cooperation delivered results
Respondents said they would be more supportive if cooperation delivered results. “People are looking for proof that cooperation works: around 8 in 10 would support it more if it demonstrated it could solve problems at home or abroad,” the study reports.
Trust in major international institutions rose compared with 2025. The World Health Organization was trusted by 69 percent of respondents, followed by the United Nations at 62 percent (previously 61 and 58 percent, respectively). Trust in the World Bank, World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund also increased.
The survey found limited public support for either the United States or China to lead world affairs. Only 39 percent were comfortable with a leading role for the United States and 37 percent with one for China. At the same time, 61 percent supported a coalition of countries addressing global challenges without either power.
Addressing war and conflict, a top priority in the survey, is linked to democracy, as International IDEA’s new annual Global State of Democracy report suggests. The 2026 edition, which was released this week, highlights the connection between democracy, the rule of law and peace. It finds that democratic decline and weak democratic institutions are associated with greater risks of violent conflict. The report also notes the “great empirical finding” that “democracies do not go to war with each other”, while countries that are “neither fully autocratic nor consolidated democracies” face elevated risks of both domestic and international conflict.
The new survey findings add to recent evidence of public support for stronger global cooperation. A 31-country survey published in May found rising support for global solidarity, including for international institutions to enforce solutions to shared problems. A 101-country survey commissioned by Democracy Without Borders and released in January found that 40 percent of respondents supported a “citizen-elected world parliament to handle global issues”, while 27 percent were opposed.
Democracy Without Borders recently published an educational brochure on Reimagining Global Cooperation, which examines shared global challenges, the limits of today’s international system and possible ways to address them, including a long-term vision of creating a “global constitutional order.”
