More Americans believe the government is withholding information about UFOs

image via New Scientist

August 26, 2026, 5:00 PM

• •A Gallup poll found 49 percent of Americans now think all UFO or UAP sightings can be explained by human activity or natural phenomena, down from 60 percent in 2019.
• •Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they believe the U.S. government is withholding information about UFOs, up from 71 percent in 1996.
• •Thirty-seven percent said some sightings are likely alien spacecraft, down from 41 percent in 2021, while the share who are unsure rose to 13 percent in 2026.
• •Adults aged 18 to 29 were the most skeptical group, while people aged 30 to 49 were the most likely to think at least some sightings involve alien spacecraft.
• •Only 17 percent of Americans said they have personally seen something they believe could be classified as a UAP.

A new Gallup poll found that 49 percent of Americans think all UFO or UAP sightings can be explained by human activity or natural phenomena, down from 60 percent in 2019. At the same time, 78 percent said they believe the government is withholding information about UFOs, up from 71 percent in 1996. The share of respondents who think some sightings are alien spacecraft fell to 37 percent from 41 percent in 2021, while uncertainty rose to 13 percent. Younger adults were the most skeptical, adults aged 30 to 49 were the most likely to believe some sightings involve alien craft, and 17 percent said they have personally seen a possible UAP.

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