Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – Country and Society (6-Country Survey) Results of 78th installment announced – Large increase in Japanese respondents saying ‘My country has excellent leaders,’ while ‘Increase in immigrants’ rises among major issues

Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds

The 78th installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds was carried out during February 2026, asking young people aged 17 to 19 in six countries – Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, and India – about their views on their countries’ present circumstances and future outlook, and their relationship with society.

When asked what they considered the (three) major issues facing their own country, respondents in both Japan and South Korea, two countries with among the world’s highest rates of declining birthrate and aging population, the No. 1 and No. 2 replies, respectively, were “Declining birthrate” and “Aging population,” which were the same as in the previous (62nd) six-country survey, carried out in February 2024. Among Japanese respondents, those citing “increase in immigrants,” which ranked 12th in the previous survey, increased by a factor of three, to roughly 20%, and jumped to No. 4 overall.

With regard to their own country’s future, although more than half of Indian and Chinese respondents replied that it “Will get better,” there were higher percentages of respondents in the remaining four countries who replied that it “Will get worse.” Furthermore, in addition to India and China, the percentage of respondents in South Korea who replied “Will get better” declined, and among Chinese respondents in particular, the decline was roughly 30 percentage points. At 16%, the figure for Japan increased slightly from the previous survey, but was still the lowest among the six countries. In the 20th survey, carried out in nine countries in 2019, the percentage of Japanese respondents replying “Will get better” was 9.6%, which was roughly one-fourth of those replying “Will get worse.”

In terms of their own country’s present circumstances, close to 60% of Japanese respondents said “My country has excellent leaders,” a roughly 20 percentage point increase from the previous survey and higher than in the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. The percentage of Japanese respondents replying that “My country is able to be a leader in international society” also rose, but was still 10 to 20 percentage points lower than for the other five countries.

For reference, please also refer to the previous related “Society and Country” surveys: No. 20 (Nine-country survey; November 2019); No. 46 (Six-country survey; March 2022; and No. 62 (Six-country survey; April 2024).

Overview of the 78th Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – Country and Society (6-Country Survey)

My own country’s future

Percentage of respondents replying “Will get better”
78th Survey: India – 61.8%; China – 54.8%; United Kingdom – 34.0%; United States – 30.8%; South Korea – 23.5%; Japan – 15.6%
62nd Survey: China – 85.0%; India – 78.3%; South Korea – 41.4%; United States – 26.3%; United Kingdom – 24.6%; Japan – 15.3%

My country today

  • Total percentage of respondents replying “Agree” or “Somewhat agree.”

My country has excellent leaders

Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
78th Survey 57.7 44.1 46.0 77.7 53.5 59.8
62nd Survey 36.8 42.9 35.6 95.0 65.6 80.8

My country has people I look up to as role models.

Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
78th Survey 56.9 59.7 69.4 76.9 73.0 74.3
62nd Survey 57.8 70.8 65.0 92.6 68.3 86.2

My country is able to be a leader in international society

Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
78th Survey 50.3 60.9 67.1 78.2 62.3 74.2
62nd Survey 41.1 66.5 60.1 95.0 61.5 85.4

Major issues facing my country (up to three replies allowed)

Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
No. 1 Declining birthrate Racial, etc. discrimination and prejudice Poverty Aging population Declining birthrate Quality of education
No.2 Aging population Poverty Racial, etc. discrimination and prejudice Quality of education Aging population Poverty
No.3 Economic growth Terrorism and crime Terrorism and crime Economic growth Economic growth Environmental pollution
No.4 Increase in immigrants Quality of education Economic growth Environmental pollution Quality of education Economic growth
No.5 Natural disasters Climate change / Global warming Climate change / Global warming Declining birthrate Climate change / Global warming Terrorism and crime

My own life

  • Total percentage of respondents replying “Agree” or “Somewhat agree.”
Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
I enjoy my daily life 63.7 70.3 78.6 69.5 70.3 76.5
I have dreams for the future 62.4 80.2 83.1 74.0 71.6 86.3
I have unique qualities I can be proud of 58.6 76.5 82.6 70.1 64.9 83.7
I am needed by others 57.2 70.6 72.6 72.9 69.3 71.9
Even if I face difficulties, I can look ahead and overcome them 56.8 77.0 76.3 71.8 75.4 81.4

My own relationship with society

  • Total percentage of respondents replying “Agree” or “Somewhat agree.”
Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
I would like to be useful to my country and society 68.0 76.7 79.7 78.3 75.4 83.7
I am a responsible member of society 65.4 74.3 80.5 75.8 74.2 84.4
I have my own opinions on politics, elections, and social issues 63.3 77.5 78.1 71.7 71.6 82.9
I consider myself to be an adult 53.9 71.1 76.6 66.3 54.9 79.4
I believe my own actions can change my country and society 52.7 66.7 66.3 69.5 60.8 78.0

What I value most in life

Japan United States United Kingdom China South Korea India
No.1 Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies Family Family Family Family Family
No.2 Family Friends Friends Physical and mental health Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies Physical and mental health
No.3 Friends Physical and mental health Physical and mental health Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies Taking care of myself, relaxation Work and learning new skills

Survey Excerpts

My own country’s future

How do you view your own country’s future?

Bar charts showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the question, “How do you view your own country’s future?”, among Japanese respondents in the 78th Survey (n = 1,000), 15.6% replied “Will get better,” 27.8% replied “Will get worse,” 22.4% replied “Won’t change,” and 34.2% replied “Don’t know.” Among Japanese respondents in the 62nd Survey (n = 1,000), 15.3% replied “Will get better,” 29.6% replied “Will get worse,” 23.6% replied “Won’t change,” and 31.5% replied “Don’t know.” Among United States respondents in the 78th Survey (n = 1,000), 30.8% replied “Will get better,” 38.7% replied “Will get worse,” 6.8% replied “Won’t change,” and 23.7% replied “Don’t know.” Among United States respondents in the 62nd Survey (n = 1,000), 26.3% replied “Will get better,” 34.2% replied “Will get worse,” 12.5% replied “Won’t change,” and 27.0% replied “Don’t know.” Among United Kingdom respondents in the 78th Survey (n = 1,000), 34.0% replied “Will get better,” 38.0% replied “Will get worse,” 8.5% replied “Won’t change,” and 19.5% replied “Don’t know.” Among United Kingdom respondents in the 62nd Survey (n = 1,000), 24.6% replied “Will get better,” 40.4% replied “Will get worse,” 14.1% replied “Won’t change,” and 20.9% replied “Don’t know.” Among Chinese respondents in the 78th Survey (n = 1,000), 54.8% replied “Will get better,” 16.1% replied “Will get worse,” 18.3% replied “Won’t change,” and 10.8% replied “Don’t know.” Among Chinese respondents in the 62nd Survey (n = 1,000), 85.0% replied “Will get better,” 3.3% replied “Will get worse,” 4.9% replied “Won’t change,” and 6.8% replied “Don’t know.” Among South Korean respondents in the 78th Survey (n = 1,000), 23.5% replied “Will get better,” 38.5% replied “Will get worse,” 15.2% replied “Won’t change,” and 22.8% replied “Don’t know.” Among South Korean respondents in the 62nd Survey (n = 1,000), 41.4% replied “Will get better,” 31.2% replied “Will get worse,” 9.9% replied “Won’t change,” and 17.5% replied “Don’t know.” Among Indian respondents in the 78th Survey (n = 1,000), 61.8% replied “Will get better,” 13.1% replied “Will get worse,” 9.6% replied “Won’t change,” and 15.5% replied “Don’t know.” Among Indian respondents in the 62nd Survey (n = 1,000), 78.3% replied “Will get better,” 7.3% replied “Will get worse,” 5.5% replied “Won’t change,” and 8.9% replied “Don’t know.”

My own country’s present circumstances

How do you view your own country’s present circumstances (percentages shown are the total of respondents replying “Agree” and “Somewhat agree”)

Bar charts showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the statement, “My country has excellent leaders,” the total percentage of respondents replying “Agree” and “Somewhat agree” among Japanese respondents in the 78th survey was 57.7%, and in the 62nd survey was 36.8%; among United States respondents in the 78th survey was 44.1%, and in the 62nd survey was 42.9%; among United Kingdom respondents in the 78th survey was 46.0%, and in the 62nd survey was 35.6%; among Chinese respondents in the 78th survey was 77.7%, and in the 62nd survey was 95.0%; among South Korean respondents in the 78th survey was 53.3%, and in the 62nd survey was 56.6%; and among Indian respondents in the 78th survey was 59.8%, and in the 62nd survey was 80.8%. In response to the statement, “My country has people I look up to as role models,” the total percentage of respondents replying “Agree” and “Somewhat agree” among Japanese respondents in the 78th survey was 56.9%, and in the 62nd survey was 57.8%; among United States respondents in the 78th survey was 59.7%, and in the 62nd survey was 70.8%; among United Kingdom respondents in the 78th survey was 68.4%, and in the 62nd survey was 65.0%; among Chinese respondents in the 78th survey was 76.9%, and in the 62nd survey was 92.6%; among South Korean respondents in the 78th survey was 73.0%, and in the 62nd survey was 68.3%; and among Indian respondents in the 78th survey was 74.3%, and in the 62nd survey was 86.2%. In response to the statement, “My country is able to be a leader in international society,” the total percentage of respondents replying “Agree” and “Somewhat agree” among Japanese respondents in the 78th survey was 50.3%, and in the 62nd survey was 41.1%; among United States respondents in the 78th survey was 60.9%, and in the 62nd survey was 66.5%; among United Kingdom respondents in the 78th survey was 67.1%, and in the 62nd survey was 60.1%; among Chinese respondents in the 78th survey was 78.2%, and in the 62nd survey was 95.0%; among South Korean respondents in the 78th survey was 62.3%, and in the 62nd survey was 61.5%; and among Indian respondents in the 78th survey was 71.2%, and in the 62nd survey was 85.4%.

Major issues facing my country (up to three replies allowed)

Japan (n=1,000)

  1. Declining birthrate (41.5%)
  2. Aging population (37.1%)
  3. Economic growth (27.9%)
  4. Increase in immigrants (19.2%)
  5. Natural disasters (16.3%)

United States (n=1,000)

  1. Racial, etc. discrimination and prejudice (36.8%)
  2. Poverty (30.9%)
  3. Terrorism and crime (24.0%)
  4. Quality of education (22.4%)
  5. Climate change / Global warming (21.3%)

United Kingdom (n=1,000)

  1. Poverty (36.6%)
  2. Racial, etc. discrimination and prejudice (32.5%)
  3. Terrorism and crime (27.1%)
  4. Economic growth (24.4%)
  5. Climate change / Global warming (24.0%)

China (n=1,000)

  1. Aging population (29.1%)
  2. Quality of education (26.0%)
  3. Economic growth (20.0%)
  4. Environmental pollution (18.9%)
  5. Declining birthrate (18.0%)

South Korea (n=1,000)

  1. Declining birthrate (64.0%)
  2. Aging population (51.6%)
  3. Economic growth (25.1%)
  4. Quality of education (23.9%)
  5. Climate change / Global warming (17.8%)

India (n=1,000)

  1. Quality of education (40.9%)
  2. Poverty (33.7%)
  3. Environmental pollution (31.1%)
  4. Economic growth (21.1%)
  5. Terrorism and crime (20.8%)

What I value most in life (up to three replies allowed)

Japan (n=1,000)

  1. Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies (48.0%)
  2. Family (41.6%)
  3. Friends (35.0%)
  4. Physical and mental health (33.5%)
  5. (Romantic) love (19.2%)

United States (n=1,000)

  1. Family (50.2%)
  2. Friends (36.0%)
  3. Physical and mental health (34.9%)
  4. Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies (30.5%)
  5. Taking care of myself, relaxation (29.3%)

United Kingdom (n=1,000)

  1. Family (52.0%)
  2. Friends (39.5%)
  3. Physical and mental health (36.5%)
  4. Taking care of myself, relaxation (29.4%)
  5. Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies (28.3%)

China (n=1,000)

  1. Family (39.2%)
  2. Physical and mental health (34.0%)
  3. Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies (33.4%)
  4. Building wealth (30.8%)
  5. Taking care of myself, relaxation (25.9%)

South Korea (n=1,000)

  1. Family (54.1%)
  2. Things I enjoy or like to do, hobbies (44.9%)
  3. Taking care of myself, relaxation (34.8%)
  4. Friends (33.9%)
  5. Building wealth (30.0%)

India (n=1,000)

  1. Family (56.2%)
  2. Physical and mental health (41.0%)
  3. Work and learning new skills (30.2%)
  4. Friends (29.7%)
  5. Taking care of myself, relaxation (29.2%)

Previous Multi-Country Awareness Surveys of 18-Year-Olds

About the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds

Revisions to Japan’s Civil Code lowering the age of adulthood to 18 for a range of activities, including voting, took effect in April 2022, making it even more important to understand and record the awareness of the 18-year-olds who represent Japan’s next generation. With this in mind, in October 2018 The Nippon Foundation launched the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds as an ongoing survey of young men and women across Japan aged around 18, to survey their values, attitudes toward politics and elections, understanding of social issues, and other current themes on an ongoing basis.

About the 78th Installment – Country and Society (6-Country Survey)

Survey coverage 1,000 respondents each, from Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, and India, comprising male and female respondents aged 17-19
Survey period February 2-24, 2026
Survey method Internet survey

Related Link

Contact

Public Relations Division
The Nippon Foundation

  • Email: pr@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp

Latest News