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.