Willingness to defend the country 

Updated: 18.12.2012 - Next update: 19.12.2013
   
 
 
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The will to defend the country militarily has remained strong

Three-fourths or 76% (76% in 2011) are of the opinion that Finns should put up an armed defence in all situations even if the outcome was uncertain. Eighty-three percent (86%) of men and 68% (67%) of women are of this opinion. One-fifth or 19% (18%) are of the opposite opinion, 25% (24%) of women and 13% (12%) of men.

Among the supporters of the Finns Party 84% (78% in 2011) answered in the affirmative, among the supporters of the Coalition Party and of the Centre Party 83% (85% and 85% respectively), among the supporters of the Social Democratic Party 77% (77%), among the supporters of the Greens 59% (65%), and among the supporters of the Left Alliance 57% (74%).

Thirty-nine percent (29% in 2011) among the supporters of the Greens answered in negative, and so did 34% (18%) among the supporters of the Left Alliance, 16% (20%) among the supporters of the Social Democratic Party), 14% among the supporters of the Coalition Party and of the Centre Party (11% and 14% respectively), and 13% (17%) among the supporters of the Finns Party.


Source:
Finnish Social Science Data Archive and Advisory Board for Defence Information

Description of indicator

From the year 1970 onwards, ABDI Surveys have charted the willingness to defend the country with the question ” If Finland were attacked, should Finns, in your opinion, take up arms to defend themselves in all situations, even if the outcome seemed uncertain?” The annual surveys, conducted by the Advisory Board for Defence Information, focus on security and foreign policy and national defence, charting Finnish public opinion on these issues. FSD collections cover data from 1992.

The indicator data are based on ABDI research reports and mainly originate from surveys conducted in the autumn. The year 1970 and 1971 surveys were conducted by the predecessor of ABDI, the Planning Board for Psychological Defence. About a thousand people living in Finland aged 15 - 74 (79) respond to the survey annually. The sample is weighted to represent the Finnish population.

The question on the willingness to defend the country was originally a translation from a question used in Sweden. Styrelsen för psykologiskt försvar has been using the question its surveys in Sweden since the year 1952. In 2009, the Styrelsen was integrated into Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap MSB which has continued the surveys. The reports are published online: www.msb.se