Americans Are Increasingly Convinced That Aliens Have Visited Earth

"Almost half-47 percent-of Americans say they think aliens have definitely or probably visited Earth at some point in time, according to a new poll from YouGov conducted in November 2025 that involved 1,114 adult participants. That percentage is up from roughly a third (36 percent) of Americans polled in 2012 by Kelton Research, with the exact same sample size. Gallup published polls on this question in 2019 and 2021 that likewise show an upward trend."

"Moreover, people seem to be getting off the fence on this issue, one way or the other. Just 16 percent of Americans said they were unsure if aliens had visited Earth in the new poll, down from 48 percent who were unsure in 2012. Meanwhile, even as belief in alien visitation has risen, so has doubt: The new poll shows that 37 percent of Americans said Earth likely hasn't been visited by aliens, more than double the 17 percent logged in 2012."

Polls show increasing American belief that aliens have visited Earth, rising from 36% in 2012 to 47% in a November 2025 YouGov survey of 1,114 adults. The proportion unsure fell from 48% to 16% over the same period. Skepticism also increased, with 37% now saying Earth likely has not been visited, up from 17% in 2012. Gallup polls in 2019 and 2021 reflect a similar upward trend. Poll results present raw statistics without detailed reasons for respondents' answers and measure belief rather than reported experiences, contacts, or emotional impacts.

Read at WIRED