Dutch more worried about digital threats than conventional war, natural disasters

Dutch people are more concerned about online threats such as digital insecurity and hybrid warfare than about physical dangers, including conventional war or natural disasters. This was found by the Ipsos I&O poll, commissioned by Binnenlands Bestuur, and based on more than 2,100 respondents. The study found that concern about digital insecurity rose from 73 to 80 percent between May 2025 and the latest survey.

Researcher Peter Kanne from Ipsos I&O called the result striking because news coverage focuses mainly on war and violence. “There is still much to be gained in resilience and vigilance,” Kanne said. He and colleague Jente Wolberink examined Dutch preparedness for emergencies. “Above all, be clear,” he said. “Tell people what they can and cannot expect from the government in emergencies.”

Only 22 percent of respondents know that the Netherlands has no usable public shelters. The remaining 78 percent believe such shelters exist. Half of those surveyed support the government building shelters, but that support falls to about one-fifth if the money comes at the expense of other services such as health care. One-third oppose shelters entirely under those conditions.

“Not surprising," Wolberink said. “If you don’t present a trade-off, there is support, but it does mean less money for something else. I think concern about a conventional war is simply lower.”

The share of people who keep an emergency kit at home increased from 28 percent in May 2025 to 42 percent. Another 19 percent said they are “definitely planning” to obtain one soon.

Respondents mainly expect the government to provide information and maintain order if a major crisis occurs. A small group expects more extensive help, such as shelter and basic necessities. Kanne descried the overall attitude as “passive vigilance.”

“We do not see a mass state of emergency preparedness. People are not immediately ready for an emergency, nor for the consequences. It feels distant to them,” he said.

Nearly 70 percent of respondents support the plan to have 130,000 civilian reservists by 2030 - people trained to assist emergency services in the early days of a disaster or crisis. However, only 3 percent said they personally want to become one. Kanne calculated that this still equates to roughly 400,000 potential volunteers, which would be sufficient.

Support for a selective call-up of those liable for military service, which should worsen if international security worsens, is lower. Nearly half back the idea, while one-fifth oppose it. Support rises with age: 35 percent among those aged 18 to 43, compared with 67 percent among those 65 and older.