A Gallup poll released last month found that 49% of Americans believe all UFO sightings can be explained by human activity on Earth or natural phenomena. The July 1-19 survey also showed that 37% think at least some UFOs have been alien spacecraft visiting from other planets or galaxies. Another 13% said they have no opinion on the matter.

The results mark a continuation of skepticism toward extraterrestrial explanations, though the share attributing all sightings to earthly or natural causes has declined from 60% in 2019 and 50% in 2021. The percentage saying they are unsure has risen from 7% in 2019 to 13% this year.

Awareness of UFOs remains high, with 83% of Americans reporting they have heard or read about them. Separately, 17% said they have personally seen something they thought was a UFO, a figure largely unchanged from 2019.

Those who reported seeing a potential UFO were far more likely to believe some sightings involve alien spacecraft, at 61%, compared with 33% among those without such an experience.

The findings come as the Pentagon continues releasing previously classified UFO files under an executive order from President Donald Trump. Gallup noted that Americans remain more inclined to link UFOs to earthly explanations than to alien activity across recent polls.

Demographic patterns showed greater skepticism among men, adults aged 18 to 29, college graduates, residents of the Midwest and West, and Democrats. The poll was conducted among U.S. adults via telephone.

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