Public concern over artificial intelligence replacing human jobs remains moderate worldwide, but attitudes are sharply divided along income, education, and regional lines, according to a new global survey.

The findings from the Gallup International Association End-of-Year Survey 2025, conducted across 61 countries with more than 60,000 respondents, show that while AI-driven job displacement is a concern, a larger share of people globally remain unconcerned.

Overall, 36% of respondents said they are worried about losing their jobs to AI, while 46% said they are not concerned. Another 14% were outside the workforce, producing a global net score of –9, indicating that confidence slightly outweighs anxiety at the global level.

Researchers say the data suggests the world is not experiencing widespread fear of AI, but rather a fragmented response shaped by economic and social conditions.

Emerging economies feel the most pressure

The survey highlights a strong divide between advanced and emerging economies. Countries reporting the highest levels of concern include the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Peru, and Ecuador, where fears of job displacement are significantly higher.

In contrast, advanced economies such as Estonia, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark show far lower levels of concern, reflecting stronger labour protections and more stable economic environments.

At the regional level, Southeast Asia and South Asia recorded the highest anxiety levels, while Western Europe and parts of West Asia showed comparatively low concern.

Income and education divide shapes attitudes

The findings point to a clear link between income levels and AI anxiety. Low-income economies show net concern, middle-income countries remain largely neutral, while high-income economies show a net lack of concern.

Education also plays a major role. Respondents with lower education levels expressed slightly higher concern, while those with higher education showed significantly lower levels of anxiety, suggesting greater confidence in adapting to technological change.

Demographic differences persist

The survey also found modest differences across gender and age groups. Women reported slightly higher concern than men, while younger respondents showed somewhat more anxiety compared to older groups.

A global inequality lens on AI

Analysts say the results suggest that attitudes toward AI are less about the technology itself and more about economic security, access to skills, and resilience of labour markets.

Rather than a uniform fear of automation, concern is concentrated among economically vulnerable populations and regions with weaker social safety nets.

From tech debate to social question

Experts argue that as AI adoption expands across industries, the discussion is shifting beyond technology into broader questions of inequality, workforce readiness, and education systems.

The report concludes that the real challenge may not be AI-driven disruption alone, but whether societies are equally equipped to manage and adapt to it.

Source: Gallup International End-of-Year Survey 2025 (61 countries, 60,458 respondents, October 2025–January 2026).