Gallup finds earthly explanations still lead—but uncertainty is growing

Gallup published new UFO opinion results on August 26 from its July 1–19 survey of 1,200 U.S. adults. Forty-nine percent said all UFO sightings can be explained by human activity or natural phenomena, 37 percent said at least some have been alien spacecraft, and 13 percent offered no opinion. The skeptical share was 60 percent in 2019 and 50 percent in 2021; the alien-spacecraft share has not simply risen in step, because the no-opinion response grew from seven percent in 2019 to 13 percent now.

Gallup also reports that 17 percent say they have personally seen something they considered a UFO, while 78 percent believe the U.S. government knows more than it is telling the public. People reporting a personal sighting were more likely to choose the alien-spacecraft explanation. These figures measure attitudes and self-reported experiences—not the origin of any object—and differences from other polls can reflect wording, sampling, field dates, and response options.

Why it matters

The trend shows how disclosure coverage, personal experience, uncertainty, and institutional trust coexist in public opinion without turning popularity into evidence.

What the source establishes

Confirmed Gallup survey result from 1,200 adults interviewed July 1–19. The percentages describe beliefs and reported experiences; they do not scientifically determine what UFO reports represent.