Is the idea of a flat Earth really as widespread as social media suggests?

ANSWER — False. Recent surveys show flat Earth belief is a fringe view held by 2-10% of Americans (e.g., 2% firm believers in 2018 YouGov poll, 10% agreement in 2021 POLES survey), not "a lot of people." Worldwide figures are similarly low (3% UK, 7% Brazil).[1][2][3]

EVIDENCE — No 2025-2026 polls found; most recent is POLES 2021 (Carsey School, UNH; n=1,134 US adults; summer/fall 2021): 10% agreed "The Earth is flat, not round" (higher among Millennials at 18%, Trump supporters). YouGov 2018 (n=8,215 US adults): 2% always believed flat, 2% always flat but now doubtful, 4% among 18-24s; 84% always believed round. Wikipedia summary: 4% US (YouGov 2018), 10% US (POLES 2021), 3% UK (YouGov 2019), 7% Brazil (Datafolha 2020). Social media repeats these without new data.[2][1][4]

CREDIBILITY — 9/10. Consistent low percentages across polls, but no post-2021 data and varying question wording (e.g., firm belief vs. agreement) cause minor conflicts.

BIAS — CENTER (academic polls like UNH Carsey/POLES, YouGov; Wikipedia aggregates neutrally).