Uncertainty avoidance is a concept in cross-cultural psychology that describes how cultures differ in their tolerance of unpredictability and the unknown. It is one of five key dimensions that relate to how individuals of a specific society are comfortable with uncertainty and the unknown. Countries with a strong uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) tend to believe and behave in a strict manner, avoiding unconventional ways of thinking and behaving. In contrast, weak UAI societies display more ease in regards to uncertainty.

Uncertainty avoidance is not the same as risk avoidance, although the two concepts are often mistakenly associated. UAI does not deal with risk, but rather with the tolerance of unpredictability.

The areas which uncertainty avoidance deals with the most are technology, law, and religion. Technology assists with the uncertainty done by nature with new developments. Law defends the uncertainty of behavior by the people with rules that are set. Religion accepts the uncertainty people cannot get protected from. Individuals use their beliefs to get through their uncertainties.

Some characteristics of high uncertainty avoidance societies include the use of formality in interaction with others, dependence on formalized policies and procedures, apparent resistance to change, and intolerance of untraditional ways. In contrast, low uncertainty avoidance societies tend to use informality in interactions with others, rely on informal norms for most matters, and show only moderate resistance to change.