Pew: In 34 out of 37 countries, a majority expect AI to destroy jobs

The Pew Research Center's international survey, published on September 17, shows a much greater concern in rich countries than in middle-income countries.

The Pew Research Center interviewed 42,151 people in 37 countries between February 8 and May 13, 2026, with an additional US sample of 8,607 respondents. The result is homogeneous: in 34 of the 37 countries surveyed, a majority believe that artificial intelligence will reduce employment over the next twenty years, rather than creating jobs.

The dividing line passes through the level of wealth. In Australia, South Korea and the United States, about 70% of adults anticipate job losses. In several middle-income countries, on the other hand, four in ten or more respondents simply say they are uncertain — uncertainty, more than optimism, is a counterweight.

The survey also reveals internal differences: 18-34 year olds are more concerned than their elders in several countries, and women are more pessimistic than men in eleven predominantly rich countries. In the United States, the proportion of concerned young adults increased from 40% to 55% between 2024 and 2026.