One In 20 Adults Believe In Covid Conspiracy, Says Poll

One in 20 adults in Britain believe it is definitely true that Covid-19 was intentionally released as part of a depopulation plan orchestrated by the United Nations or “New World Order”, a poll suggests, as a warning is sounded about “dangerous” conspiracy theories.

- Simon Murphy

In an indication of the extent to which the bogus claim has spread, a further 13 per cent of respondents think it is “probably true”. Focusing on those aged 25 to 34, nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) believe it is definitely true, and as many as 17 per cent think it is probably true.

The survey was conducted for a report by the anti-racist group Hope Not Hate (HNH), which points out how far-right activists are becoming more involved in anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown movements. The report also highlights the role of leading Covid-related conspiracy theorists in spreading “more extreme antisemitic and far-right tropes and memes”.

A long-standing conspiracy theory known as Agenda 21 – said to have gained renewed popularity during the pandemic – falsely alleges that the United Nations is behind a decades-old global depopulation plot.