Survey finds 23% of Americans say they’ve had a near-death experience

By AI, Created 8:11 PM UTC, May 27, 2026, /AGP/ – A new national survey from the International Association for Near-Death Studies says near-death experiences are far more common than many Americans may think, with 23% of adults reporting one and 35% knowing someone who has. The release lands as IANDS kicks off Near-Death Experience Week and highlights growing public interest in the science, spirituality and support needs around these events.

Why it matters: - The survey suggests near-death experiences may be more common than assumed, and that many Americans see value in studying them. - The findings point to real-world effects on beliefs about death, spirituality and personal priorities. - IANDS is using the data to frame Near-Death Experience Week and expand public conversation about the topic.

What happened: - The International Association for Near-Death Studies released a March 2026 survey of 2,100 Americans conducted by Centiment. - Twenty-three percent of American adults said they had a near-death experience in which they “transitioned to another realm and then returned to human existence.” - Thirty-five percent of respondents who had not had an NDE said they know someone who has. - IANDS released the data as it hosts Near-Death Experience Week, June 1-7, 2026.

The details: - Among respondents who had an NDE, 51% said the experience gave them a deeper appreciation for life. - Another 36% said they feel more connected to the spiritual realm. - Thirty-one percent said the experience changed their life priorities. - Thirty percent said they have less fear of death. - Thirty percent said they are more empathetic toward others. - Twenty-six percent said they are more generous and socially minded. - Of respondents who knew someone who reported an NDE, 44% said hearing about it increased their curiosity about the afterlife. - Forty percent said it deepened their belief in an afterlife. - Among people who had not had an NDE, 27.3% said there was strong evidence for the phenomena and 31.3% said there was some good evidence. - Fifteen percent said there was limited evidence, and 24% said there was insufficient evidence. - Four out of five respondents, or 79.8%, said there is some value or major value in studying near-death experiences. - On death and the afterlife more broadly, 25% said the idea of dying scared them “a little,” and 14.8% said it scared them “a great deal.” - Thirty-one percent said they feel confident they will be in a better place when they die. - 6.2% said they worry they will be in a worse place. - Twenty-five percent said they have “made peace with death.” - A complete summary of the research is available here. - IANDS says people who experience NDEs typically need time and support to integrate the experience into their lives. - IANDS offers more than a dozen monthly online sharing groups and is affiliated with 80 local groups in the U.S. and around the world. - IANDS also offers training materials for physicians and maintains a list of mental health professionals with special training to support people who have had an NDE. - IANDS describes itself as a Durham, North Carolina-based educational nonprofit and says it is the only membership group of its kind with local groups around the world. - IANDS says its annual conference draws nearly a thousand people. - IANDS Conference 2026 is set for Aug. 26-30, 2026, at Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington.

Between the lines: - The survey results combine curiosity, skepticism and personal transformation, showing near-death experiences are not just a spiritual topic but a public health and support issue for some respondents. - Janet Riley, IANDS executive director, said the data suggests NDEs may be more common than realized, that people are positively affected by having them or hearing about them, and that most Americans believe evidence exists for the phenomena. - Riley also said the findings underscore the need to normalize conversations about life, death and what comes after.

What’s next: - IANDS will host two free online events during Near-Death Experience Week. - On Tuesday, June 2, at 8 p.m. Eastern, IANDS will hold “Near-Death Experiences for Newcomers” with Evan Mecham, Vinney Tolman and Janet Riley. - On Saturday, June 6, at 3 p.m. Eastern, IANDS will host “What Academic Research and Personal Stories Tell Us About Near Death Experiences.” - Speakers for the June 6 event include Marieta Pehlivanova, Ph.D., of the University of Virginia School of Medicine Division of Perceptual Studies and Anita Moorjani, author of Dying To Be Me. - Dani Foffa will facilitate the June 6 discussion. - Both events are free, and attendees can register on the Near-Death Experience Week page. - IANDS says it will continue offering educational resources, support groups and professional training for people affected by NDEs.

The bottom line: - The survey suggests near-death experiences are both more common and more culturally consequential than many Americans assume.