Europeans increasingly pessimistic about world, but optimistic about EU

Created at 1 Jul · 4:35 AM2 sources↑ Market-relevant2 events

IN SHORT

A new Eurobarometer survey reveals that while nearly one-third of Europeans expect their standard of living to decline, a majority remain optimistic about the EU's future and believe in its benefits, particularly regarding peace and security.

Key Numbers

29 percentexpect standard of living to decline

18 percentexpect standard of living to improve

34 percentolder respondents pessimistic about living standards

17 percentyounger respondents pessimistic about living standards

44 percentFrench respondents expect worsening situation

8 percentHungarian respondents show lowest economic pessimism

50 percentcitizens have positive view of EU's overall image

17 percentcitizens have negative view of EU's overall image

62 percentFrench and Austrian citizens believe EU membership is positive

57 percentBulgarian citizens believe EU membership is positive

47 percentcitizens cite inflation, rising prices, cost of living as top concern

6 percentage-pointincrease in global pessimism

58 percentrespondents pessimistic about the future of the world

59 percentrespondents optimistic about the EU's future

40 percentlisted peace and security as top advantage of EU membership

27 percentsay quality of life has deteriorated in past 12 months

26,000citizens interviewed for survey

Who's Involved

Eurobarometer

conducted the survey on European citizens' attitudes

Vincenzo Genovese & Jakub Janas

authors of the report

European Parliament official

familiar with the matter, commented on perception link

Roberta Metsola

European Parliament President

Europeans increasingly pessimistic about world, but optimistic about EU

↳ Why This Matters

The survey highlights a divergence in European sentiment: while facing economic anxieties and pessimism about the global outlook, citizens increasingly view the EU as a source of stability and benefit, potentially influencing political landscapes and policy priorities.

Key facts

Nearly one-third of Europeans (29%) expect their standard of living to decline in the next five years.
Inflation, rising prices, and cost of living are the top concerns for 47% of EU citizens.
58% of Europeans are pessimistic about the future of the world, a 6-percentage-point increase from November.
59% of Europeans remain optimistic about the EU's future.
Peace and security is cited as the top advantage of EU membership by 40% of respondents.
France (44%), Portugal, Germany, and Austria show higher levels of pessimism regarding personal economic outlook.

A new Eurobarometer survey indicates a growing sense of pessimism among Europeans regarding the global future, with nearly one-third expecting their standard of living to decline. However, optimism about the European Union's future remains strong, with a majority believing in its benefits, particularly concerning peace and security.

The survey, which polled over 26,000 citizens, found that 29 percent anticipate a worsening of their personal living standards over the next five years, while only 18 percent expect improvement. Economic anxiety is more pronounced among older respondents (34 percent) than younger ones (17 percent). Expectations vary significantly by country, with France showing the highest pessimism at 44 percent, while Poland and Hungary report lower levels.

Concerns about inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living are the primary issues for 47 percent of EU citizens, a 6-percentage-point increase since the previous survey. This economic uncertainty may influence perceptions of the EU, although its overall image remains positive for 50 percent of citizens. In countries like France and Austria, skepticism about the benefits of EU membership is higher, with only 62 percent believing it has been positive, the lowest in Europe after Bulgaria (57 percent).

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola commented that "At a time of global uncertainty, Europeans increasingly see the European Union as a beacon of stability." The survey also highlighted that 40 percent of respondents cited peace and security as the most important advantage of EU membership, with energy independence also emerging as a significant concern.

Frequently asked questions

The Eurobarometer is a series of public opinion surveys conducted regularly on behalf of the European Commission to gauge citizens' attitudes towards the European Union and its policies.

Inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living are the top concerns for 47 percent of EU citizens, followed by the economy and job creation, and EU defence security.

France leads with 44 percent of respondents expecting their situation to worsen, followed by Portugal, Germany, and Austria.

Hungary reports the lowest level of economic pessimism at 8 percent, followed by Poland at 9 percent.

What Happens Next

01European Parliament to address citizens' concerns about inflation, rising prices, and cost of living.

Get the newsletter.

Pick the topics you actually care about. We'll email when there's news worth your time, on the cadence you choose. Cancel any time from your account.

Cadence

How It Developed

A Eurobarometer survey shows growing European pessimism about the world but strong optimism and belief in the EU's benefits.

Almost one-third of Europeans (29 percent) believe their personal standard of living will decline over the next five years.

Only 18 percent of Europeans expect their standard of living to improve.

Pessimism is higher among older respondents (34 percent) compared to younger ones (17 percent).

France leads in pessimism with 44 percent expecting their situation to worsen, followed by Portugal, Germany, and Austria.

Poland (9 percent) and Hungary (8 percent) show lower levels of economic pessimism.

The EU's overall image remains positive for 50 percent of citizens, with negative perceptions higher in France and Austria.

Only 62 percent in France and Austria believe their country's EU membership has been positive, the lowest in Europe after Bulgaria (57 percent).

Sources

Almost one in three Europeans expect standard of living to decline, survey saysEuronews

Europeans embrace EU amid growing gloom about world, survey findsPOLITICO Europe