War-Related Fears and Security Perceptions in Hungary

Findings from a 2025 Representative Survey

Abstract

This study examines the level, internal structure, and social distribution of war-related fears among the Hungarian adult population. The analysis is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 respondents conducted in September 2025. Rather than focusing on the objective risks of war, the study investigates subjective perceptions
of threat and their social embeddedness. War-related fears were measured using a multi-item scale inspired by the logic of the Fear of War Scale (FOWARS), allowing for the analysis of distinct but interrelated content dimensions of fear. The results indicate that war-related fear in Hungary is present at a moderate average level but displays an exceptionally wide distribution, pointing to substantial social heterogeneity. The refined item block was interpreted along three interrelated
content dimensions of fear: concerns related to economic and existential risks, fears of direct military and security threats, and broader perceptions of general war-related uncertainty and insecurity. Among these, concerns associated with moral considerations and long-term consequences of war show the highest average values, which can be interpreted as a broader perception of threat and uncertainty. Demographic analyses reveal that war-related fears are not randomly distributed across society. Higher levels of fear are consistently concentrated among women, older age groups, and individuals with lower levels of education. In contrast, military liability status does not retain independent explanatory power once key socio-demographic variables are controlled for. A cautious comparison with earlier, non-representative data suggests that war-related fears have not simply increased or declined over time but have undergone structural change: initial shock-related reactions have weakened, while concerns linked to the prolonged nature and longterm consequences of the conflict have remained stable. Overall, the study contributes to understanding war-related fears as a socially structured phenomenon rather than merely an individual emotional response. By mapping the social patterns of subjective threat perception, the findings provide an empirical basis for further research on the societal dimensions of insecurity in the context of prolonged geopolitical conflict.