This report explores how people in the Scandinavian countries perceive and understand human rights issues, highlighting differences and similarities in awareness and opinions. It examines public views on the relevance of human rights and assesses which rights are seen as most at risk, along with trust in the public institutions mandated to protect these rights.
The goal of this report is to provide insight into current perceptions of human rights in Scandinavia. It aims to spark dialogue about the role of human rights in daily life and the importance of increasing public awareness and understanding of these rights.
The findings are based on a survey conducted by Ipsos in August 2024 on behalf of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Norwegian Human Rights Institution, and the Swedish Institute for Human Rights. The survey gathered responses from 7,500 representative participants across Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Understanding public perception of human rights is crucial because it influences the societal and political landscape where these rights are either upheld or threatened. No prior study has systematically compared awareness and attitudes toward human rights in the Scandinavian countries.