Nearly half of the global population harbors deeply entrenched antisemitic views, according to the latest Global 100 survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in partnership with research firm Ipsos and other collaborators. The survey reveals that 46% of adults worldwide hold antisemitic attitudes – a figure more than double the results of the ADL's inaugural global survey a decade ago. This marks the highest level of antisemitism recorded since the ADL began monitoring these trends.
Launched in 2014, the Global 100 survey is considered the most comprehensive global study of antisemitic attitudes. The 2024 edition sampled over 58,000 adults across 103 countries and regions, representing 94% of the world’s adult population.
The findings are sobering: 20% of respondents globally had never heard of the Holocaust, and fewer than half (48%) recognize the Holocaust as a historical fact. Among individuals aged 18 to 34, that percentage drops to just 39%, underscoring a troubling generational divide. Younger adults under 35 were also found to harbor antisemitic views at higher rates (50%) compared to those over 50 (37%).
Opportunities for change amid rising antisemitism
Despite the alarming data, the survey points to areas for potential progress. A majority of respondents (57%) acknowledge that hatred toward Jews is a serious global problem. This sentiment is shared across all seven geographic regions surveyed, as well as among different age groups, education levels and political affiliations.
The survey's antisemitism index measures the percentage of respondents who answered “probably true” or “definitely true” to six or more of 11 negative stereotypes about Jews. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region exhibited the highest levels of antisemitism, with 76% of respondents agreeing with most stereotypes. In Asia (51%), Eastern Europe (49%), and sub-Saharan Africa (45%), antisemitic attitudes were also significantly prevalent. By contrast, North and South America (24%), Western Europe (17%), and Oceania (20%) displayed lower levels, though one in five adults in these regions still hold such views.
The survey identified the regions and countries with the highest levels of antisemitism, including the West Bank and Gaza (97%), Kuwait (97%), and Indonesia (96%). Countries with the lowest rates included Sweden (5%), Norway (8%), Canada (8%), and the Netherlands (8%).
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Among the antisemitic statements cited were: “Jews have too much power in business,” “Jews control too much of the media,” and “Jews are responsible for most wars.” Alarmingly, younger respondents globally showed higher agreement with these claims, with 40% of those under 35 agreeing that “Jews are responsible for most wars,” compared to 29% of respondents over 50.
Global response to hate
Another concerning finding was the level of support for Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. Globally, 23% of respondents expressed positive views of Hamas, with this number rising to 29% among those under 35. Only 16% of respondents in the MENA region and 23% in sub-Saharan Africa acknowledged the historical reality of the Holocaust.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt called the situation a “global emergency,” particularly in the wake of recent events. “Antisemitism has become a worldwide crisis. We see its manifestations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas,” he said.
Greenblatt emphasized the need for urgent government intervention, enhanced education, stricter social media regulations and strengthened security measures to combat antisemitic hate crimes. “This fight requires a whole-of-society approach – governments, civil organizations and individuals must work together, and the time to act is now.”
Marina Rosenberg, the ADL’s senior vice president for international affairs, echoed these sentiments. “Antisemitic beliefs and stereotypes are becoming alarmingly normalized in many societies. This is not just a threat to Jewish communities – it’s a warning sign for us all,” she said. Even in countries with the lowest levels of antisemitism, Rosenberg noted, antisemitic incidents by a vocal and increasingly emboldened minority continue to rise.
The survey included 11 key questions on antisemitic stereotypes, as well as additional questions about attitudes toward Jews, Israel and engagement with Israeli residents and businesses. Notably, 67% of respondents globally opposed boycotts of Israeli products or businesses.
The survey was conducted through phone interviews, face-to-face meetings, and online sessions, using representative probabilistic sampling in each country or region. Margins of error ranged from ±4.4% for a sample size of 500 participants to ±3.2% for 1,000 participants. Data collection occurred between July 23 and November 13, 2024, with Ipsos handling fieldwork outside the MENA region and local partners managing efforts within MENA.
The ADL is urging nations to adopt comprehensive, society-wide strategies to address antisemitism. While no single policy or action can eradicate it, the organization emphasizes the importance of international guidelines to combat hate, which many governments and organizations have already adopted. "Reducing this threat and protecting Jewish communities requires collective effort,” the ADL concluded, underscoring the need for global solidarity and decisive action.