Key facts
- A YouGov survey across six European countries shows varied public concerns for 2026.
- The economy is a leading concern in France (47%) and Germany (44%).
- Housing is the top concern in Spain, cited by 49% of respondents.
- Healthcare is the primary concern in Italy, with 43% ranking it highly.
- Denmark's top concerns are international terrorism/aggression and climate change.
A survey conducted by YouGov across six European nations reveals that public concerns for 2026 are not uniform, with national priorities significantly influencing perceived issues.
In France and Germany, the economy emerged as the primary concern, with nearly half of French respondents (47%) and 44% of Germans ranking it among their top two issues. Immigration followed closely in both countries, cited by 27% in France and 26% in Germany. These findings coincide with persistent economic pressures in both nations, with Germany's export-driven economy facing weakened demand and France experiencing stalled growth due to factors like energy prices and political deadlock.
Spain's most pressing concern is housing, with 49% of respondents listing it among their top two issues. This reflects a significant housing crisis, evidenced by house prices rising nearly 13% year-on-year by the end of 2025. The data suggests a worker would need 8.4 years of their average salary to purchase a home, with regions like the Balearic Islands and Madrid being particularly expensive.
Italy stands out as the only country surveyed where healthcare was the leading concern, with 43% of respondents prioritizing it over the economy and immigration. This is attributed to ongoing staff shortages and an aging population straining public health services.
Denmark presented a unique set of top concerns, with international terrorism or aggression and climate change jointly ranking as the biggest issues, each cited by 27% of respondents. Immigration followed at 24%, with the economy and housing ranking lower.