Half of the British population predicts an extraterrestrial encounter within the subsequent fifty years, according to a recent survey.
In the lead-up to the premiere of "War of the Worlds" on Fox, a survey conducted in Britain has revealed an interesting insight into the public's beliefs about extraterrestrial life and potential alien invasions.
Recent surveys suggest that approximately 40% of Brits and Americans believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life. This belief is not limited to casual speculation but is backed by a significant level of public engagement, as evidenced by the British government's Ministry of Defence (MoD) maintaining a UFO desk and declassifying thousands of related files [2].
The declassified files do not confirm alien visitation, but they do indicate a spectrum of beliefs about aliens, from the skeptical to the convinced contactees. In the United States, surveys show a similar trend, with around 40% or more of the population acknowledging belief in alien life [3][5].
Londoners, the Welsh, and those in the southwest of England were found to be the biggest believers in extraterrestrial life, according to a OnePoll survey. The survey also asked 2,000 Brits questions about humanity's response to a worldwide alien encounter.
If one were to delve deeper into the survey findings, it would reveal a mix of sentiments. Half of the respondents think we should actively prepare for an extraterrestrial invasion within the next 50 years. However, 58% think that governments should not tell the public about an impending alien invasion to prevent panic [6].
Some Brits speculate that aliens may be on a peaceful scientific endeavour to learn about Earth-based lifeforms, while others believe they might be after our planet's resources. Interestingly, over 50% believe an alien invasion would mean the end of humanity as we know it [7].
On a more hopeful note, 29% would welcome alien visitors [8]. Yet, over 50% feel that governments should have a plan ready in the event of an alien invasion [9]. Of those who think an invasion is possible, 71% believe aliens have already visited Earth [10].
The survey also revealed some fascinating insights into the public's perception of their own ability to defend themselves. While 71% think they'd have to defend themselves from their fellow humans during the alien crisis, only 23% believe we'd be able to defend ourselves against aliens [11]. A more reassuring figure is that 46% would join a human resistance group to defend Planet Earth from extraterrestrial beings [12].
However, 22% of Brits would be worried for their lives if aliens showed up [13]. This fear is understandable, given that over 50% believe an alien invasion would mean the end of humanity as we know it [7].
In conclusion, the survey results suggest that a substantial number of Brits and Americans believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life, with alien invasion concerns less widespread but still present. For those seeking precise, up-to-date figures, checking focused polls from reputable organizations such as the Pew Research Center, YouGov, or Gallup published in mid-2025 would provide the exact numbers.
The public's belief in extraterrestrial life isn't confined solely to science and space-and-astronomy; it's also reflected in movies-and-tv entertainment, as shown by the rising number of alien invasion themes in popular media. Interestingly, the survey discoveries indicate that a significant portion of the population, around half, are concerned about a potential alien invasion within the next 50 years, highlighting a blend of science fiction and reality.
