Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Modern EU

The autumn 2016 “Standard Eurobarometer” (EB 86) was conducted through face-to-face interviews in November 2016. A total of 32,896 people were interviewed across the EU states and in the candidate countries.

The Special Eurobarometer 451 “Future of Europe” was conducted through face-to-face interviews in September and October 2016. A total of 27,768 people were interviewed across the EU member states.

Main issues of concern

Asked about their main concerns, Europeans mentioned immigration (remains on top of the issues facing the EU -45%), terrorism -32%, it remains the second most frequently cited item. These two items are well ahead of the economic situation (20%), member states’ public finances (17%) and unemployment (16%).

Immigration is number one concern for all EU member states, except Spain and Portugal.

The mentioned themes (though in a different sequence) are of the main concerns at the member states’ national level: - unemployment (31%), immigration (26%) and the economic situation in the third place (19%).

Support for Commission's political priorities

Compared to the previous survey of spring 2016, support for the priority topics set by the European Commission has increased:

 - Regarding the issue of migration, 69% of Europeans say they are in favour of a common European policy on migration and 61% are positive about migration of people from other EU member states. However, 56% are negative about immigration of people from outside the EU.

 - 81% of Europeans are in favour of the "free movement of EU citizens who can live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU". Majorities of respondents support free movement in all countries.

 - Support for the euro is slightly increasing (58% in the EU overall, 70% in the euro area).

 - On investment within the EU, 56% of Europeans agree that public money should be used to stimulate private sector investment at EU level.

Trust in the EU institutions

Continuing the positive trend seen in the spring 2016 survey, trust in the EU has increased to 36% (up from 33%). Trust in national parliaments and governments has also increased but remains below trust in the EU.

About 38% of Europeans have a neutral image of the EU, a proportion that has remained unchanged since spring 2015. At 35%, the positive image of the EU has gained some ground, while the negative image has declined (25%).

 Four in ten Europeans consider that their voice counts in the EU, just below the peak of 42% recorded in spring 2014 and spring 2015.

About 67% of Europeans feel they are citizens of the EU.

Awareness of the Erasmus programme has risen considerably since 2009: more than half of Europeans have now heard of it. Moreover, and about 86% of Europeans have a positive image of this programme. Though awareness varies greatly between countries, Erasmus is seen in a positive light by large majorities of the population in all EU member states.

The Treaty of Rome is seen as a positive event in the history of Europe by 69% of Europeans. This view is shared by majorities in all Member States. 

Future of Europe

The EU’s survey has shown that two thirds of Europeans see the EU as a place of stability in a troubled world. About 66% of Europeans agree that the EU is a place of stability in a troubled world; and a majority of respondents in all EU states share this view.

About 60% of Europeans think that the European project offers a future perspective for Europe's youth. And 82% of Europeans agree that free-market economy should go hand-in-hand with a high level of social protection.

More than six in ten Europeans think that there should be more European-level decision-making in a range of areas. Eight in ten say that this should be the case regarding “combating terrorism” and “promoting democracy and peace” (both 80%); more than seven in ten think the same for “protecting the environment” (77%), “promoting the equal treatment of men and women” (73%) as well as for “dealing with migration issues from outside the EU” (71%).

More information on the Standard Eurobarometer & “Future of Europe”, as well as citizens' main concerns and perceptions of the economic situation, see the link:

http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/STANDARD/surveyKy/2137

Main reference:

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-4493_en.htm /Brussels, 22 December 2016