European citizenship : report.
Date: 2016-03-31
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: European citizenship, European identity, cultural difference, fundamental rights, promotion of the European idea, public opinion, sample survey

Standard Eurobarometer 82 
Autumn 2014 

EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP 

REPORT 

Fieldwork: November 2014 

This survey has been requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission,             

Directorate-General for Communication. 

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm 

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. 
The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors. 

Standard Eurobarometer 82 / Autumn 2014 – TNS opinion & social 

 
              
 
                                             
 
                                                 
                                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

Special Eurobarometer 82 
“European citizenship” 

Linguistic Version 

EN 

Catalogue Number  NA-01-15-138-EN-N 

ISBN 

DOI 

978-92-79-46177-4 

10.2775/14950 

© European Union, 2015 

 
               
                                               
                                                 
                                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 82 
Autumn 2014 

European Citizenship 

Survey conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the 
European Commission,  
Directorate-General Communication  

Survey coordinated by the European Commission, 
Directorate-General Communication 
(DG COMM "Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and 
Eurobarometer" Unit) 

0 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... 1 

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 2 

I.  ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION ..................................................... 5 

II. 

THE EUROPEAN UNION’S ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................... 17 

III.  EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP ......................................................................... 27 

1.  THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP .................................................... 27 
1.1.  UPDATE ON THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP ........................ 27 
1.2.  THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP COMPARED WITH NATIONAL 
CITIZENSHIP .............................................................................................. 32 
1.3.  LEVERS FOR STRENGTHENING THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN 
CITIZENSHIP .............................................................................................. 37 

2.  RIGHTS AS EUROPEAN CITIZENS ............................................................... 48 

IV. 

THE OPENNESS OF EUROPEANS TO OTHERS ............................................ 54 

V. 

VALUES.................................................................................................... 60 

ANNEXES 

Technical specifications 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

INTRODUCTION 

This Standard Eurobarometer survey was carried out between 8 and 17 November 20141 
in  35  countries  and  territories:  the  28  Member  States  of  the  European  Union,  the  six 

candidate  countries  (the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  Turkey,  Iceland, 

Montenegro,  Serbia  and  Albania)  and  the  Turkish  Cypriot  Community  in  the  part  of  the 

country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. 

The  European  Commission  presided  over  by  Jean-Claude  Junker  took  office  on  1 

November 2014. As the votes cast by European citizens in the European elections of May 
20142  had  influenced  the  choice  of  President  of  the  Commission,  it  is  interesting  to 
analyse  the  evolutions  in  their  answers  to  the  questions  on  the  theme  of  European 

citizenship. 

2014  was  marked  by  the  centenary  commemoration  of  the  outbreak  of  the  First  World 
War3. Simultaneously, the Ukrainian crisis represents the return of armed conflict on the 
European Union’s doorstep. As peace between the Member States is perceived as one of 

the main achievements of European integration, it is appropriate to examine any changes 

in the way Europeans define European identity and its values. 

This  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  autumn  2014  provides  some  answers,  and 

approaches the theme of European citizenship from the following angles: 

-  Attachment to the European Union;  

-  Perceptions  of  the  European  Union’s  achievements:  what  do  European 

citizens see as the European Union’s most positive results? 

-  The  concepts  of  European  citizenship  and  identity:  do  Europeans  see 

themselves as European citizens? How can this feeling be strengthened? Do they 

know  their  rights  as  European  citizens?  Do  they  want  more  information  on  the 

subject? 

-  The  openness  of  Europeans:  have  Europeans  travelled  to  neighbouring  EU 

countries or socialised with other EU citizens, do they take an interest in European 

culture or shop in other EU countries? 

-  Values:  what  values  do  Europeans  most  readily  associate  with  the  European 

Union? What are their personal values? 

1 Please consult the technical specifications for the exact dates of the fieldwork in each country. 
2 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/elections2014-results/en/election-results-2014.html 
3 The EU leaders attending the European Council of 26-27 June 2014 commemorated the beginning of the First 
World War at a ceremony in the city of Ypres (Belgium) on 26 June. 

2 

 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  full  report  of  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  82  consists  of  several  volumes.  The  first 

volume  presents  the  main  public  opinion  trends  in  the  European  Union.  Three  other 

volumes present the opinions of Europeans on other themes: the Europe 2020 strategy; 

European  citizenship;  and  media  use  in  the  European  Union.  This  volume  is  devoted  to 

European citizenship.  

The  general  analysis  and  the  socio-demographic  analyses  are  based  on  the  average 

results  of  the  28  Member  States.  This  average  is  weighted  so  that  it  reflects  the 

population  of  each  Member  State.  The  averages  for  the  previous  surveys  represent  the 

results obtained in all the Member States of the European Union, as it was composed at 

the time the survey was conducted. 

3 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The methodology used is that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys of the Directorate-

(“Strategy,  Corporate  Communication  Actions 

General  Communication 
and 
Eurobarometer” Unit)4. A technical note on the interviewing methods of the institutes of 
the  TNS  opinion  &  social network  is  attached  to  this  report.  This  note  also  specifies  the 
confidence  intervals5,  which  are  used  to  assess  the  accuracy  of  the  results  of  a  survey, 
according  to  the  size  of  the  sample  interviewed  in  relation  to  the  total  size  of  the 

population studied. 

The abbreviations used in this report correspond to: 

ABBREVIATIONS 
BE 
BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IE 
IT 
CY 
LT 

Belgium 
Bulgaria 
Czech Republic 
Denmark  
Germany 
Estonia 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Croatia 
Ireland 
Italy 
Republic of Cyprus* 
Lithuania 

CY 
(tcc) 

Turkish Cypriot Community 

TR 

Turkey 

MK 

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ** 

IS 
ME 
RS 
AL 

Iceland 
Montenegro 
Serbia 
Albania 

LV 
LU 
HU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SI 
SK 
FI 
SE 
UK  

EU28 

Euro 
area 
Non- 
euro 
area 

Latvia 
Luxembourg  
Hungary 
Malta 
The Netherlands 
Austria 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
Finland 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 

European  Union  – weighted  average  for  the 
28 Member States 

BE,  FR,  IT, LU, DE,  AT,  ES,  PT,  IE,  NL,  FI,  EL,  EE,  SI,  CY, 
MT, SK, LV 

BG, CZ, DK, HR, LT, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK  

* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the acquis communautaire has 

been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. 

For practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of 

the Republic of Cyprus are included in the “CY” category and in the EU28 average. The interviews carried out in 

the part of the country that is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus are included in the 

“CY(tcc)” [tcc: Turkish Cypriot Community) category] 

** Provisional abbreviation which in no way prejudges the definitive name of this country, which will be agreed 

once the current negotiations at the United Nations have been completed 

*      *      *      *      * 

We wish to thank all the people interviewed throughout Europe 

who took the time to participate in this survey.  

Without their active participation, this survey would not have been possible. 

4 http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm 
5 The results tables are annexed. It should be noted that the total of the percentages indicated in the tables in 
this report may exceed 100% where respondents were able to choose several answers to one question. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

I.  ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION 

– A majority of Europeans are attached to Europe, but only a minority feel 
attached to the European Union – 

The attachment of Europeans to their city/town/village and country 

Almost  nine  out  of  ten  Europeans  are  attached  to  their  city/town/village,  a 

slightly  higher  proportion  than  in  autumn  2013,  but  still  slightly  below  the  level  of 

attachment  to  their  country  (89%,  +2  percentage  points).  An  absolute  majority  of 

Europeans now feel “very attached” to their city/town/village (52%, +3).  

A  very  large  majority  of  Europeans  feel  attached  to  their  country  (91%,  versus 

9%  who  are  “not  attached”,  unchanged  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of 
autumn 2013)6. More than half of Europeans feel “very attached” to their country (54%, 
unchanged). 

6 QD1. Please tell me how attached you feel to … 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Although  Europeans  in  general  are  slightly  less  likely  to  feel  attached  to  their 

city/town/village than to their country, more than 80% of respondents in 25 Member 

States  nevertheless  do  feel  attached  to  their  city/town/village,  most  notably  in 

Portugal  (97%,  +3  percentage  points  since  autumn  2013),  Bulgaria  (96%,  unchanged) 

and Greece (96%, =). This attachment also exceeds 70% in three other Member States: 

the Netherlands, (74%, +3), Estonia (78%, -3) and Malta (79%, -1). Here again, levels 

of attachment have  changed only slightly since autumn 2013, with the biggest increase 

in Italy (92%, +5) and the biggest decrease in Sweden (85%, -4). 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

As  was  the  case  the  last  time  this  indicator  was  measured  in  the  Standard 

Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2013 (EB80), more than 80% of  respondents in every 

Member State are attached to their country, with the highest scores in Denmark (98%, 

+2  percentage  points  since  autumn  2013),  Greece  (97%,  -1)  and  Portugal  (97%,  +1). 

Attachment is relatively less pronounced in Belgium (83%, -1), Spain (83%, unchanged) 

and the Netherlands (86%, +2). Evolutions since the autumn 2013 survey are relatively 

modest: Cyprus (93%, -5) and Croatia (87%, -5) recorded the biggest decreases.  

In  almost  all  the  Member  States,  respondents  are  more  likely  to  feel  attached  to  their 

country  than  to  their  city/town/village.  There  are  three  exceptions:  Spain  (92%  feel 

attached  to  their  city/town/village  compared  with  83%  to  their  country),  Croatia  (91% 

versus 87%) and Romania (93% versus 92%).  

7 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

In  the  candidate  countries,  the  situation  is  different  since  respondents  in  five 

countries  feel  more  attached  to  their  city/town/village  than  to  their  country:  in  Albania, 

where the survey was conducted for the first time (95% of  respondents are attached to 

their  city/town/village  compared  with  94%  who  are  attached  to  their  country),  the 

former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia  (92%,  versus  84%),  Montenegro  (92%,  versus 

86%), Turkey (90%, versus 79%, the widest difference) and Serbia (84%, versus 81%). 

Only  respondents  in  Iceland  feel  more  attached  to  their  country  (96%)  than  to  their 

city/town/village (82%). 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  Attachment to  the city/town/village increases  with age, rising  from 82%  of 

15-24 year-olds to 86% of 25-39 year-olds, 88% of 40-54 year-olds and 93% of 

those in the 55-plus age group; and from 83% of those born after 1980 to 92% of 

those born before 1946. It is also more pronounced among those who left school 

at the age of 15 or earlier (92%) than among those who studied up to the age of 

20 and beyond (86%), and among manual workers and white-collar workers (both 

89% ) than among unemployed people (84%); 

-  Attachment  to  the  country  also  increases  with  age:  85%  of  15-24  year-olds 

feel attached to their country, compared with 89% of 25-39 year-olds, 91% of 40-

54  year-olds  and  95%  of  the  55-plus  age  group.  It  reaches  95%  among  those 

born before 1946  compared with 87% of  members of generation “Y”,  those born 

after  1980.  Attachment  is  also  slightly  more  prevalent  among  managers  (93%) 

than among unemployed people (87%). 

8 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Attachment to the European Union and Europe 

Attachment to the European Union is more or less unchanged  since the Standard 

Eurobarometer  survey  of  autumn  2013:  45%  of  respondents  feel  attached  to  the 

European Union (-1 percentage point), while 52% do not (unchanged). Almost one in ten 

Europeans feel “very attached” to the EU (9%, =). 

Europeans  were  also  asked  about  their  attachment  to  “Europe”:  56%  of  respondents 

feel  attached  to  Europe,  a  decline  of  11  percentage  points  since  the  Special 
Eurobarometer  survey  of  February-March  20077,  while  42%  (+10)  feel  no  such 
attachment.  

Furthermore,  the  proportion  of  respondents  who  feel  “very  attached”  to  Europe  is  now 

only  slightly  higher  than  the  proportion  who  are  “not  at  all  attached”  to  it  (13%,  -7, 

versus 12%, +6). 

7 Special Eurobarometer survey 278 (EB67.1): European cultural values 
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_278_en.pdf 

10 

 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  11  Member  States  feel  attached  to  the  European 

Union, up from ten in autumn 2013. A majority of respondents now feel attached to 

the EU in France (51% ‘attached’ versus 46% ‘not attached’, compared with 49% versus 

50% in autumn 2013) and Estonia (50% versus 47%, compared with 46% versus 53%), 

but only a minority now do so in Bulgaria (44% versus 53%, compared with 53% versus 

43%).  A  majority  of  respondents  continue  to  feel  attachment  to  the  EU  in  Luxembourg 

(72%,  +5  percentage  points),  Latvia  (63%,  +6),  Poland  (59%,  +2),  Romania  (58%, 

+10), Malta (55%, +5), Slovakia (54%, +3), Belgium (51%, -8), Hungary (51%, -3) and 

Germany (49%, -6, versus 48%, +5). 

While attachment has gained some ground, respondents in Cyprus (27%, +3 percentage 

points) and Greece (30%, +3) remain the least likely to say they feel attached to the EU.  

Attachment  has  gained  ground  in  16  Member  States,  led  by  Romania  (58%,  +10 

percentage  points),  the  United  Kingdom  (36%,  +7)  and  Latvia  (63%,  +6).  However,  it 

has  decreased  significantly  in  Bulgaria  (44%,  -9),  Belgium  (51%,  -8)  and  Germany 

(49%, -6). 

11 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  22  Member  States  feel  attached  to  Europe,  and 

there is even an absolute majority in 21 of them, most notably in Luxembourg (79%, -3 

percentage  points  since  February-March  2007),  Sweden  (75%,  -2)  and  Denmark 

(72%,  -8).  Only  minorities  do  so  in  Cyprus  (35%  ‘attached’  versus  64%  ‘not  attached’, 

compared  with  40%  versus  60%  in  February-March  2007),  Greece  (37%  versus  63%, 

compared  with  48%  versus  52%),  Slovenia  (44%  versus  54%,  compared  with  66% 

versus 33%), Portugal (45% versus 54%, compared with 63% versus 36%), the United 

Kingdom  (45%  versus  53%,  compared  with  52%  versus  47%)  and  Italy  (47%  versus 

50%, compared with 69% versus 30%). 

In terms of changes since February-March 2007, attachment to Europe has decreased in 

24 Member States (out of 27, as Croatia was not a member of the EU at that time), and 

by  more  than  ten  percentage  points  in  11  of  them,  led  by  Italy  (47%,  -22  percentage 

points),  Slovenia  (44%,  -22),  Hungary  (69%,  -19),  Spain  (50%,  -19)  and  Portugal 

(45%, -18). It has increased significantly only in Latvia (65%, +11), although it has also 

gained ground, albeit only slightly, in Lithuania (49%, +3) and Estonia (52%, +1).  

In  27  Member  States,  respondents  are  more  likely  to  feel  attached  to  Europe 

than to the European Union. This is particularly true in the Nordic countries: there is a 

difference  of  35  percentage  points  in  Sweden  (75%  ‘attached’  to  Europe  versus  40% 

‘attached’  to  the  EU),  34  percentage  points  in  Finland  (69%  versus  35%)  and  27 

percentage  points  in  Denmark  (72%  versus  45%).  Portugal  is  the  only  country  where 

respondents feel equally attached to the EU and Europe (45%, representing a minority in 

both cases).  

12 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

*NA = Not Asked: This question was not asked in this country in the previous survey 

In  all  the  candidate  countries,  only  a  minority  of  respondents  feel  attached  to  the 

European Union, with scores ranging from 44% in Albania (versus 53% ‘not attached’) to 

15% in Turkey (versus 77%). However, majorities feel attached to Europe in three of the 

candidate  countries:  most  strikingly  in  Iceland  (73%  ‘attached’  versus  26%  ‘not 

attached’),  but  also  in  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia  (52%  versus  45%) 

and  Albania  (49%  versus  48%).  In  all  the  candidate  countries,  respondents  are  more 

likely  to  feel  attached  to  Europe  than  to  the  EU,  particularly  in  Iceland  (73%  feel 

‘attached’  to  Europe  versus  18%  ‘attached’  to  the  EU,  a  difference  of  55  percentage 

points). 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  Attachment to the European Union is: 

o  Slightly  more  widespread  among  men  than  among  women  (48%  versus 

44%), although it is the minority position in both cases; 

o  Shared  by  a  majority  of  15-24  year-olds  (49%  versus  47%),  compared 

with a minority of respondents in all the other age groups; 

o  The  minority  position  in  all  generations,  most  notably  among  those  born 

before  1946  (41%  versus  55%);  far  more  prevalent  –  and  the  majority 

position – among respondents who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond 

(55%)  than  among  those  who  left  school  at  the  age  of  15  or  earlier, 

among whom it is the minority position (35% versus 62%); 

o  Shared  by  a  majority  of  managers  (58%)  and  students  (52%),  compared 

with  a  minority  of  white-collar  workers  (46%  versus  52%),  pensioners 

(44%  versus  53%),  manual  workers  (42%  versus  55%),  unemployed 

people (38% versus 58%) and housepersons (36% versus 60%); 

o  Also shared by a majority of Europeans who see themselves as upper class 

(65%), upper middle class (57%) and middle class (51%), compared with 

a minority of those who say they are lower middle class (43% versus 54%) 

and working class (37% versus 60%). 

-  A majority of respondents in the following categories feel attached to Europe: 

o  Both men (58%) and women (54%); 

o  All age groups: from 60% among 15-24 year-olds to 54% of those aged 55 

or over; 

o  All  generations,  most  notably  among  members  of  generation  “Y”,  those 

born after 1980 (59%, compared with 50% of those born before 1946); 

o  Those  who  studied  up  to  the  age  of  20  and  beyond  (69%)  and  who 

completed  their  studies  between  the  ages  of  16  and  19  (53%),  whereas 

this  attachment  is  felt  by  only  a  minority  of  those  who  left  school  at  the 

age of 15 or earlier (41% versus 56%); 

o  Most  socio-professional  categories,  from  72%  of  managers  to  52%  of 

manual  workers,  the  exceptions  being  unemployed  people  (49%  versus 

49%) and housepersons (44% versus 52%); 

o  The  Europeans  who  consider  that  they  belong  to  the  higher  class  (76%), 

upper  middle  class  (72%),  middle  class  (63%)  and  lower  middle  class 

(55%), compared with a minority of those who see themselves as working 

class (44% versus 53%). 

14 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

15 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the  European 

Union as a whole (EU28 average), for the six largest EU countries and for countries which 

have received or currently receive European Union support for tackling the financial and 

economic crisis. 

16 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

II.  THE EUROPEAN UNION’S ACHIEVEMENTS 

- Europeans now see peace among Member States as the main positive result of 
the EU, just ahead of freedom of movement - 

For  the  first  time  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2012  (EB77), 

peace among Member States (56%, +2 percentage points since spring 2014) is once 

again  seen  as  the  most  positive  result  of  the  EU  by  Europeans,  just  ahead  of  the  free 
movement of people, goods and services within the EU (55%, -1)8.  

The euro (24%, -1 percentage point) is in third place, a long way behind. 

A  group  of  four  positive  results  follow  with  similar  scores,  namely  student  exchange 

programmes  such  as  ERASMUS  (20%,  -3  percentage  points),  the  economic  power 

of the EU (20%, unchanged), the political and diplomatic influence of the EU in the 

rest of the world (19%, -1) and the level of social welfare (healthcare, education 

and pensions) in the EU (18%, =). 

In last place, the Common Agricultural Policy is now mentioned by fewer than one in 

ten Europeans (8%, -2 percentage points). 

Europeans are also less likely to be unable to spontaneously identify any positive results 

of the EU (8% said “none”, -2 percentage points). 

Total of the “Firstly and “And then” answers 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

8 QD4. Which of the following do you think is the most positive result of the EU? Firstly? And then? 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Respondents  in  the  euro  area  countries  and  those  in  the  non-euro  area  countries 

rank  the  results  of  the  European  Union  in  a  different  order.  In  the  euro  area  countries, 

peace  among  Member  States  stands  in  first  place  (57%,  +1  percentage  point  since 

spring 2014) ahead of freedom of  movement (55%, unchanged).  This order is reversed 

in the non-euro area countries, where respondents rank freedom of movement (55%, -1) 

ahead  of  peace  (54%,  +4).  This  difference  existed  in  the  previous  Standard 

Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2014  (EB81):  nevertheless,  the  proportion  of 

respondents  mentioning  peace  has  increased  the  most  perceptibly in the  non-euro  area 

countries. 

The  most  striking  difference  between  these  two  groups  of  countries  concerns  the  euro: 

respondents in the euro area  countries  rank the single currency in third place (30%,  -1 

percentage point since spring 2014), whereas those in the non-euro area countries rank 

it in seventh place (12%, +1), only ahead of the Common Agricultural Policy (10%, -2). 

Respondents in the non-euro area countries (22%, +1, in third place) are also far more 

likely  than  euro  area  respondents  (16%,  -1,  in  seventh  place)  to  mention  the  level  of 

social welfare. 

Total of the “Firstly” and “And then” answers 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

A national analysis shows that, in the 28 Member States, the most positive result of 

the European Union is either peace among the EU Member States or freedom of 

movement. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Peace  among  the  Member  States  of  the  EU  tops  the  list  of  positive  results  in  ten 

Member  States.  It  is  also  ranked  in  joint  first  place  with  freedom  of  movement  in 

Slovenia (both 60%). Peace was mentioned by more than 60% of respondents in Sweden 

(75%,  +1  percentage  point  since  spring  2014),  Germany  (72%,  -2),  Denmark        

(69%,  +3),  Finland  (66%,  +15),  Luxembourg  (65%,  +4),  France  (64%,  +3)  and  the 

Netherlands (63%, +6, where it is nevertheless ranked behind freedom of moevement). 

The  proportion  of  respondents  mentioning  peace  has  increased  in  20  Member  States 

since  spring  2014,  including  Finland  (66%,  +15  percentage  points),  Poland  (57%,  +9), 

Croatia (48%,  +8) and Ireland (44%, +8), but has decreased in Austria (52%,  -8) and 

Slovakia (42%, -7). 

19 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  free  movement  of  people,  goods  and  services  within  the  EU  is  seen  as  the 

main  positive  result  of  the  EU  in  17  Member  States  (excluding  Slovenia  where  this 

achievement is ranked equally with peace). It was mentioned by at least seven out of ten 

respondents  in  three  countries:  Bulgaria  (72%,  +2  percentage  points),  Slovakia 

(71%, -2) and Lithuania (70%, -5). 

This  item  has  gained  ground  in  14  Member  States  since  spring  2014,  most  notably  in 

Austria  (60%,  +6  percentage  points),  Denmark  (55%,  +6)  and  Italy  (48%,  +6);  it  has 

lost  the  most  ground  in  Cyprus  (51%,  -9),  the  Czech  Republic  (63%,  -6)  and  Lithuania 

(70%, -5). 

20 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The euro was mentioned by at least 40% of respondents in six countries, all euro area 

members:  Luxembourg  (48%,  unchanged),  Ireland  (48%,  +3  percentage  points), 

Belgium  (48%,  +1),  Finland  (47%,  =),  Slovakia  (44%,  -1)  and  the  Netherlands      

(40%, +1). 

The proportion  of respondents mentioning the single currency has increased in Hungary 

(19%,  +4  percentage  points),  but  has  decreased  in  Greece  (20%,  -8),  Slovenia 

(37%, -6) and France (27%, -5). 

21 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Total of the “Firstly” and “And then” answers – First three items mentioned 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

22 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  15-24  year-olds  are  most  likely  to  mention  student  exchange  programmes 

(33%, versus 16% of those aged 55 or over); 

-  Those  aged  55  or  over  are  more  attached  to  peace  among  Member  States 

(63%, versus 49% of 25-39 year-olds);  

-  However, these two age groups are less likely than average to mention freedom 

of  movement  (53%  of  15-24  year-olds  and  52%  of  those  aged  55  or  over, 

versus 59% of 25-39 year-olds and 58% of 40-54 year-olds); 

-  More  broadly,  Europeans  who  studied  up  to  the  age  of  20  and  beyond,  those 

without financial difficulties and those who consider that they belong to the higher 

social classes are more likely to acknowledge the positive results of the European 

Union:  they  mention  most  of  these  items  more  than  the  average.  In  contrast, 

Europeans  who  left  school  at  the  age  of  15  or  earlier  are  more  likely  to  say 

spontaneously  that  “none”  of  the  items  represent  positive  achievements  of  the 

EU,  as  are  those  who  struggle  to  pay  their  bills  most  of  the  time  and  those  who 

see  themselves  as  working  class  (12%  in  all  three  cases,  compared  with  8%  on 

average). 

23 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

First four items mentioned 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  average  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the 

European  Union  as  a  whole  (EU28),  for  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  for  countries 

which  have  received  or  currently  receive  European  Union  support  for  tackling  the 

financial and economic crisis. 

25 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

III.  EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP 

1.  THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP 

1.1.  Update on the sense of European citizenship 

- The sense of European citizenship is predominant, but in slight decline - 

More  than  six  out  of  ten  Europeans  feel  that  they  are  citizens  of  the  European 
Union9,  slightly  down  on  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2014  (EB81) 
(63%,  -2  percentage  points,  versus  35%,  +1)10.  This  decline  in  the  sense  of  European 
citizenship  concerns  those  Europeans  who  consider  that  they  are  “definitely”  citizens  of 

the EU (23%, -3), whereas the proportion who see themselves as citizens of the EU “to 

some extent” has increased slightly (40%, +1). 

9 QD2.1. For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to your own 
opinion. You feel you are a citizen of the EU 
10 The sense of European citizenship as discussed in this chapter is based on the combined “Yes, definitely” and 
“Yes, to some extent” answers. 

27 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

As  in  the  previous  two  surveys,  the  feeling  of  being  a  citizen  of  the  EU  is  more 

widespread  in  the  euro  area  countries  (64%,  -3  percentage  points  since  spring  2014) 

than  in  the  non-euro  area  countries  (62%,  +1).  However,  the  sense  of  European 

citizenship continues to gain ground in the non-euro area countries: from 54% in autumn 

2013, to 61% in spring 2014, and 62% in autumn 2014. 

As  in  spring  2014,  the  sense  of  European  citizenship  is  shared  by  a  majority  of 

respondents  in  25  Member  States,  with  scores  of  more  than  75%  in  five  of  them 

(compared with eight in spring 2014): Luxembourg (89%, +4 percentage points), Malta 

(85%, -2), Estonia (78%, +2), Finland (76%, -3) and Sweden (76%, -1). 

On the other hand, it is shared by only a minority of respondents in Greece (45%, 

-4  percentage  points,  versus  55%,  +4),  Italy  (47%,  unchanged,  versus  51%,  +1)  and 

Bulgaria (48%, +2, versus 51%, -2). 

Since  spring  2014,  the  sense  of  European  citizenship  has  gained  ground  in  Hungary 

(67%, +8 percentage points), Romania (68%, +7) and Latvia (68%, +6). However, it is 

now  less  widespread  in  Germany  (74%,  -5),  Austria  (73%,  -4),  Ireland  (70%,  -4),  the 

Netherlands (61%, -4) and Greece (45%, -4). 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

In terms  of the  European average, the decreased sense of European citizenship is most 

perceptible  among  those  who  feel  that  they  are  “definitely”  citizens  of  the  EU  (23%,  -3 

percentage points). A national analysis shows that this group of respondents has declined 

in  18  Member  States,  most  notably  in  Germany  (30%,  -8  percentage  points  for  the 

“definitely” answer), Portugal (15%, -8) and Poland (21%, -7). Conversely, the sense of 

European citizenship has increased significantly only in Romania (25%, +6). 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  The sense of European citizenship decreases with age, and is felt by 71% of 15-24 

year-olds, 66% of 25-39 year-olds, 64% of 40-54 year-olds and 59% of those in 

the  55-plus  age  group;  70%  of  those  born  after  1980  (generation  “Y”),  64%  of 

those born between 1965 and 1980 (generation “X”), 63% of those born between 

1946 and 1964 (baby-boomers) and 55% of those born before 1946; 

- 

It  is  also  more  prevalent  among  those  who  studied  up  to  the  age  of  20  and 

beyond (73%) than among those who left school at the age of 15 or earlier (50% 

versus 48%); 

-  The feeling of being a citizen of the EU is also more pronounced among managers 

(76%) and students (74%) than among self-employed people (66%), white-collar 

workers  (65%)  and  manual  workers  (62%),  and  is  least  widespread  among 

unemployed  people  (60%),  pensioners  (58%)  and  housepersons  (53%).  Despite 

these  variations,  a  majority  of  Europeans  in  all  the  socio-professional  categories 

share a sense of European citizenship; 

-  There are also  significant differences in accordance with the financial situation of 

respondents:  69%  of  those  who  almost  never  have  financial  difficulties  see 

themselves as citizens of the EU, compared with a minority (45% versus 54%) of 

those who struggle to pay their bills most of the time; 

29 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

-  The  social  class  to  which 

respondents  consider 

they 

belong  also  influences  their 

sense 

of 

European 

citizenship,  since  more  than 

70%  of  the  Europeans  who 

consider  that  they  belong  to 

the  more  privileged  social 

classes  feel  that  they  are 

citizens  of  the  EU  (73%  of 

those in the upper class, 75% 

of the upper middle class and 

72%  of  the  middle  class), 

compared  with  61% 

of 

Europeans 

in 

the 

lower 

middle  class  and  53%  of 

those who see themselves as 

working class; 

-  Lastly,  Europeans  who  are  in 

favour of the euro (78%) are 

more  likely  to  feel  that  they 

are  citizens  of  the  EU  than 

those  who  oppose  it,  only  a 

minority  of  whom  do  so  

(45%, versus 53%); 

-  The  feeling  of  European 

citizenship cuts across the 

socio-demographic 

categories,  and  is  shared 

by  the  majority  in  almost 

all  categories  except  those 

who regularly struggle to pay 

their bills. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  average  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the 

European  Union  as  a  whole  (EU28),  for  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  for  countries 

which  have  received  or  currently  receive  European  Union  support  for  tackling  the 
financial and economic crisis. 

31 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

1.2.  The sense of European citizenship compared with national citizenship 

A  comparison  of  the  sense  of  European 

citizenship  and  the  sense  of  national 

citizenship  shows  that  a  majority  of 

respondents 

continue 

to 

see 

themselves  as  European  citizens. 

59%  (unchanged  since  spring  2014)  of 

Europeans  choose  to  define  themselves 

in  terms  of  “nationality  and  European”, 

“European 

and 

nationality” 

or 

“European  only”.  However,  almost  four 

out of ten Europeans define themselves 
solely by their nationality (39%, =)11. 

A closer analysis of the strength of this 

sense  of  European  citizenship  shows 

that: 

-  An 

absolute  majority 

of 

respondents  define  themselves  first  by  their  nationality  and  then  as 

Europeans (51%, unchanged); 

-  Respondents  who  define  themselves  first  as  European  citizens  and  then  by 

their nationality remain in a minority (6%, unchanged); 

-  Lastly,  as  in  spring  2014,  only  2%  of  respondents  define  themselves  as 

“European only” (unchanged). 

At  national level,  the  sense  of  European  citizenship  is  predominant  in  a  very  large 

majority  of  Member  States  (24  out  of  28).  A  majority  of  respondents  define 

themselves  solely  by  their  nationality  in  three  Member  States:  the  United 

Kingdom  (58%,  -6  percentage  points  since  spring  2014),  Greece  (53%,  +4)  and 

Cyprus  (51%,  -1).  In  Bulgaria,  identical  proportions  of  respondents  define  themselves 

solely by their nationality (49%, unchanged) and as citizens of the EU (49%, +2, for the 

combined  “nationality  and  European”,  “”European  and  nationality”  and  “European  only” 

answers).  

In  detail,  respondents  in  seven  Member  States  are  more  likely  than  average  to  answer 

“European  and  nationality”:  Luxembourg  (14%,  +3  percentage  points),  Hungary     

(10%,  +2),  Germany  (9%,  -1),  Latvia  (8%,  unchanged),  Belgium  (8%,  =),  France   

(7%, +1) and Austria (7%, -1). As was the case in the Standard Eurobarometer survey 

of  spring  2014,  respondents  in  Luxembourg  (6%,  =)  and  Spain (6%,  +1)  are  the  most 

likely to define themselves as “European only”. 

11 QD3. Do you see yourself as … ? 

32 

 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                                                                                           EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

33 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82           EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  The sense of European citizenship: 

o 

Is more prevalent among men than among women (62% versus 56%); 

o  Decreases with age, from 65% of 15-24 year-olds to 53%  of those in  the 

55-plus age group; 

o 

Is  more  pronounced  among  the  most  privileged  categories  of  the 

population, exceeding 70% among those who studied up to the age of 20 

and  beyond  (72%),  managers  (74%)  and  students  (71%),  and  among 

those who see themselves as belonging to the upper middle class (76%); 

o  Varies  considerably  with  the  household’s  financial  situation:  62%  of  those 

who  never  or  almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  their  bills  define 

themselves  as  Europeans,  compared  with  42%  of  those  who  struggle  to 

pay their bills most of the time. 

- 

In contrast, the respondents who define themselves solely by their nationality: 

o  Are more likely to be women than men (42% versus 36%), but are in the 

minority in both cases; 

o  Are  likely  to  be  older:  45%  of  respondents  in  the  55-plus  age  group  see 

themselves solely as citizens of their country, compared with only 33% of 

15-24 year-olds; 

o  Mostly  left  school  at  the  age  of  15  or  earlier  (56%,  30  percentage  points 

higher than for those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond, 26%); 

o  Represent  a  narrow  majority  of  housepersons  (49%  versus  48%) 

compared  with  a  minority  in  all  the  other  socio-professional  categories, 

especially managers (25%), students (27%), self-employed people (32%) 

and white-collar workers (34%); 

o  Lastly,  this  feeling  is  also  shared  by  a  majority  of  those  who  struggle  to 

pay  their  bills  most  of  the  time  (55%)  and  those  who  see  themselves  as 

working class (52%). 

34 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

35 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  average  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the 

European  Union  as  a  whole  (EU28),  for  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  for  countries 

which  have  received  or  currently  receive  European  Union  support  for  tackling  the 

financial and economic crisis. 

36 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

1.3.  Levers for strengthening the sense of European citizenship 

The most effective means of creating a feeling of community 

- Europeans see culture as the most effective means of creating a feeling of 

community among EU citizens - 

When asked to identify the means best suited to creating a feeling of community within 

the  European  Union,  respondents  put  culture  at  the  top  of  their  list.  This  item  is 
mentioned by three out of ten Europeans (30%)12, and is followed by:  

-  A  group  of  three  items,  each  with  score  of  just  under  25%:  the  economy  and 

sports are mentioned by 24% of respondents, in joint second place, just ahead of 

history (23%); 

-  Next,  in  fifth  place  among  the  most  unifying  factors,  come  values  (19%),  just 

ahead of geography (18%);  

-  Next,  five  items  obtained  scores  of  between  15%  and  10%:  languages,  level 
with the rule of law13 (both 15%), then solidarity with poorer regions (14%), 
healthcare,  education  and  pensions  (13%)  and  inventions,  science  and 

technology (12%); 

-  Finally,  in  twelfth  and  last  place,  fewer  than  one  respondent  in  ten  mentioned 

religion as a means of strengthening the feeling of community among EU ctizens 

(9%). 

Following  a  change  in  the  wording  of  one  item  (“legislation”  replaced  by  “the  rule  of 

law”), it is not possible to measure the evolution of the results since spring 2014 

exactly,  because  it  is  not  possible  to  determine  to  what  extent  the  changes  measured 

result from  this change in wording. A comparison between the two surveys  reveals that 

culture  continues  to  be  seen  as  the  most  effective  means  of  creating  a  feeling  of 

community  among  EU  citizens.  Another  noteworthy  change  concerns  sports  which  are 

now in second place, jointly with the economy. Otherwise, the ranking of these unifying 

factors  remains broadly unchanged, except that healthcare, education  and  pensions 

have moved up one place to tenth, overtaking inventions, science and technology. 

12 QD6. In your opinion, among the following issues, which are those that most create a feeling of community 
among European Union citizens? 
13 Since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2014 (EB81), the item “legislation” has been replaced by 
“the rule of law” 

37 

 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

(MAXIMUM 3 REPONSES) 

At  national  level,  culture  is  seen  as  the  most  effective  means  of  creating  a  feeling  of 

community among EU citizens in 13 Member States: Luxembourg (41%), France (38%), 

Germany (37%), Latvia (36%), Denmark (35%), Greece (34%), Cyprus (34%), Belgium 

(33%),  the  Czech  Republic  (32%),  Austria  (30%),  Malta  (30%),  Portugal  (28%)  and 

Romania (24%). 

The economy is seen as the most unifying factor in six Member States: Estonia (36%), 

Lithuania  (35%),  Poland  (31%),  Spain  (29%),  Hungary  (28%)  and  Italy  (27%).  In 

Bulgaria, the economy is ranked joint first with geography (24%). 

With  the  same  score  as  the  economy  at  European  level,  sports  are  seen  as  the  most 

effective  means  of  creating  a  feeling  of  community  among  EU  citizens  in  only  four 

Member States: Ireland (40%), Slovenia (33%), the United Kingdom (31%) and Croatia 

(28%). 

Sweden  is  the  only  Member  States  in  which  history  tops  the  list  of  unifying  factors 

(35%). The same applies to values in Finland (36%).  

Lastly,  geography  tops  the  list  in  two  Member  States:  the  Netherlands  (37%)  and 

Slovakia  (37%).  As  we  have  seen,  this  item  was  ranked  joint  first  with  the  economy  in 

Bulgaria (24%). 

None  of  the  other  items  topped  the  list  in  any  Member  State,  although  some  of  them 

were mentioned significantly more frequently in some countries, for example languages 

in  Luxembourg  (31%  versus  15%  on  average)  and  solidarity  with  poorer  regions  in 

Portugal (26% versus 14% on average). 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The rule of law, which was included for this first time in this survey, did not top the list 

in any Member State. However, it was mentioned more than average in seven countries: 

Finland  (26%  versus  15%  on  average),  Germany  (21%),  Croatia  (17%),  Malta  (17%), 

the Netherlands (17%), Sweden (17%) and Spain (17%). On the other hand, fewer than 

one  in  ten  respondents  mentioned  this  item  in  Lithuania  (4%),  Slovenia  (6%),  Austria 

(9%) and Latvia (9%). 

Healthcare, education and pensions were frequently mentioned in Malta (26% versus 

13%  on  average),  as  were  inventions,  science  and  technology  in  Lithuania  (24% 

versus  12%  on  average)  and,  lastly,  religion  in  Cyprus  (17%  versus  9%  on  average) 

and Greece (16%). 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

39 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A  socio-demographic  analysis  reveals  that,  broadly  speaking,  the  results  are  fairly 

consistent across the various categories. There are, however, some differences: 

-  Culture  tops  the  list  of  means  of  creating  a  feeling  of  community  among  EU 

citizens  in  all  socio-demographic  categories.  Nevertheless,  it  is  more  likely  to 

strike  a  chord  with  those  who  studied  up  to  the  age  of  20  and  beyond  (35% 

versus  30%  on  average),  managers  (36%)  and  those  for  whom  the  EU  conjures 

up a positive image (35%); 

-  Self-employed  people  are  more  likely  than  average  to  mention  the  economy 

(28%  versus  24%  on  average),  as  are  people  who  trust  the  European  Union 

(29%) and those for whom the EU’s image is positive (29%); 

-  Young  people  (28%  of  15-24  year-olds  versus  24%  on  average)  and  the 

respondents who see themselves as belonging to the upper class (28%) are more 

likely to mention sports; 

-  Lastly,  history  is  particularly  recognised  as  a  means  of  creating  a  feeling  of 

community  among  EU  citizens  by  those  who  studied  up  to  the  age  of  20  and 

beyond (27% versus 23% on average), managers (30%), and those who consider 

that they belong to the upper class (27%) and upper middle class (29%). 

40 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                                                                                           EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

41 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER                EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The elements which would best strengthen the sense of European citizenship 

- Europeans consider that a harmonised European social welfare system would 

best strengthen their sense of European citizenship - 

Among  the  elements  most  likely  to  strengthen  their  sense  of  European  citizenship, 

respondents tend to give preference to social aspects and those affecting their everyday 
lives14:  

-  A  European  social  welfare  system  harmonised  between  the  Member 

States (healthcare, education, pensions, etc.) tops the list of elements which 

Europeans  feel  would  strengthen  their  sense  of  European  citizenship  and  was 

mentioned by almost a third of Europeans (32%); 

-  Next,  Europeans  mentioned  being  able  to  move  to  any  EU  country  after 

retirement and to take your pension with you (27%); 

-  This  was  followed  by  three  items  that  were  mentioned  by  at  least  one  in  five 

Europeans: being able to use your mobile phone in all EU countries at the 

same  price  (23%),  a  European  emergency  response  service  to  fight 

international  natural  disasters  (22%)  and  having  a  European  ID  card  in 

addition to national ID cards (20%); 

-  Next, in joint sixth place,  Europeans mentioned an economic theme,  being able 

to shop online from all EU countries at the same price and with the same 

consumer  protection  legislation  (16%),  and  an  aspect  of  the  political  life  of 

the European Union, a President of the EU directly elected by the citizens of 

all Member States (16%); 

- 

In  similar  proportions  and  in  joint  eighth  place,  respondents  mentioned  an 

educational item, a European civic education course for children of primary 

school  age  (15%),  and  a  defence  item,  the  creation  of  a  European  army 

(15%); 

-  Next, two political themes, with slightly lower scores, but nevertheless mentioned 

by  more  than  one  in  ten  Europeans:  the  right  to  vote  in  all  elections 

organised  in  the  Member  State  where  you  live  even  if  you  are  not  a 

citizen  of  that  Member  State  (13%),  followed  by  participating  in  national 

debates about the future of Europe (11%); 

-  Finally,  in  twelfth  and  last  place,  the  creation  of  EU  embassies  in  non-EU 

countries: only 6% of respondents believe that this would strengthen the sense 

of European citizenship. 

14 QD7. Which of the following elements would best strengthen your feeling about being a European citizen? 

42 

 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

(MAXIMUM 4 ANSWERS) 

A  similar  question  was  asked  in  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2012 
(EB77). However, because of the deletion of three items15, it is not possible to measure 
the  evolution  of  the  results,  since  it  is  impossible  to  determine  to  what  extent  the 

changes  noted  have  been  influenced  by  the  deletion  of  these  items.  However,  in 

comparing  the  two  surveys,  we  note  that  the  creation  of  a  harmonised  European 

social  welfare  system  and  being  able  to  go  and  live  in  any  EU  country  after 

retirement  are  still  the  two  most  frequently  mentioned  elements  seen  as  capable  of 

strengthening the sense of European citizenship. It may also be noted that being able to 

use your mobile phone in all EU countries at the same price is now ranked in third 

place,  having  overtaken  a  European  emergency  response  service  in  this  survey. 

Similarly, the creation of a European army has gained two places to to ninth place. 

A  national  analysis  shows  that  the  creation  of  a  European  social  welfare  system 

harmonised  between  the  Member  States  is  ranked  in  first  place  in  16  Member 

States: Greece (50%), Bulgaria (50%), Slovakia (41%), Spain (39%), Lithuania (39%), 

Cyprus  (38%),  the  Czech  Republic  (37%),  Croatia  (37%),  Portugal  (37%),  Germany 

(36%), Poland (35%), Estonia (35%), Hungary (34%), Romania (32%), Italy (31%) and 

Slovenia (31%). 

Being able to move to any EU country after retirement and to take your pension 

with  you  is  ranked  in first  place  in  Sweden  (42%,  one  percentage  point  more  than  for 

the social welfare system). However, this element is also ranked in first place in Finland 

(38%) and the United Kingdom (23%), but jointly with being able to use your mobile 

phone  in  all  EU  countries  at  the  same  price;  this  item  also  came  in  first  place  in 

seven  other  countries:  the  Netherlands  (42%),  Denmark  (39%),  Luxembourg  (38%), 

Ireland (37%), Malta (37%), Belgium (35%) and Latvia (35%). 

15  Three  items  used  in  question  QD6  of  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2012  (EB77)  were  not 
used  in  this  survey:  “A  European  Parliament  that  had  the  right  to  decide  on  taxes  raised  in  the  European 
Union”; “Seeing the President of the European Commission on TV delivering a “general policy speech” in front 
of the European Parliament; and “Seeing a European researcher winning a Nobel prize”. 

43 

 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Austria  is  the  only  country  where  respondents  give  preference  to  the  creation  of  a 

European  emergency  response  service  to  fight  international  natural  disasters 

(38%).  In  Austria,  an  above  average  number  of  respondents  mentioned  a  European 

civic  education  course  for  children  of  primary  school  age  (24%,  the  same  as  in 

Denmark,  versus  15%  on  average)  and  EU  embassies  in  non-EU  countries  (10%, 

same score as in Estonia, versus 6% on average). 

Lastly,  the  introduction  of  a  European  ID  card  in  addition  to  national  ID  cards 

was  the  most  frequently  mentioned  item  in  France  (36%),  where  respondents  are  also 

more  likely  than  average  to  mention  a  President  of  the  EU  directly  elected  by  the 

citizens  of  all  Member  States  (23%  versus  16%  on  average).  The  idea  of  a  directly 

elected President also appealed to more than one in five respondents in Germany (21%) 

and Greece (21%). 

The four remaining items obtained above-average scores in some countries, but without 

being  ranked  in  first  place:  for  example,  being  able  to  shop  online  from  all  EU 

countries at the  same price and  with the  same consumer protection legislation 

in  Malta  (32%  versus  16%  on  average),  and  the  creation  of  a  European  army  in  the 

Netherlands (29% versus 15% on average), Cyprus (27%) and France (25%). 

Respondents  in  Sweden  stand  out  by  attaching  greater  than  average  importance  to 

participating  in  national  debates  about  the  future  of  Europe  (22%,  same 

proportion  as  in  Greece,  versus  11%  on  average)  and  being  able  to  vote  in  all 

elections  organised  in  the  Member  State  where  you  live,  even  if  you  are  not  a 

citizen of that Member State (21% versus 13% on average). 

44 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                                                                                                EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

(MAXIMUM 4 ANSWERS) 

45 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82           EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  A  European  social  welfare  system  harmonised  between  the  Member 

States is seen as the most effective way of strengthening the sense of European 

citizenship  in  almost  all  the  socio-demographic  categories.  The  only  exceptions 

are  Europeans in the 15-24 age-group (29% versus 32%  on average), members 

of  generation  “Y”,  i.e.  those  born  after  1980  (30%),  students  (30%)  and  those 

who see themselves as belonging to the upper class (26%); 

-  Being able to use your mobile phone in all EU countries at the same price 

is ranked in first place in these same four categories: 33% of the 15-24 age group 

(versus  23%  on  average),  32%  among  the  members  of  generation  “Y”,  33%  of 

students  and  28%  among  the  Europeans  who  consider  that  they  belong  to  the 

upper class; 

-  Being  able  to  move  to  any  EU  country  after  retirement  and  to  take  your 

pension  with  you  was  mentioned  more  than  average  (27%)  by  those  who 

studied  up  to  the  age  of  20  and  beyond  (32%,  versus  21%  of  those  who  left 

school at the age of 15 or earlier), managers and self-employed people (34% and 

31% respectively, versus 23% of housepersons and unemployed people), and by 

respondents belonging to the upper middle class (34%, versus 22% of those who 

see  themselves  as  working  class).  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  this  item  is  not 

ranked  in  first  place  in  any  country,  although  it  is  ranked  in  second  place  at 

European level; 

-  Lastly,  Europeans  for  whom  the  EU  conjures  up  a  positive  image  (26%,  versus 

18% of those for whom the EU’s image is negative) are most likely to mention a 

European  emergency  response  service  to  fight  international  natural 

disasters. 

46 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82           EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Five most frequently mentioned items 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82           EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

2.  RIGHTS AS EUROPEAN CITIZENS 

- Almost half of Europeans are aware of their rights as citizens of the EU; more 

than two-thirds would like more information on these rights - 

A  minority  of  Europeans  feel  that  they  know  their  rights  as  citizens  of  the 

European  Union  (47%,  -1  percentage  point  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey 
of spring 2014 (EB81), versus 51%, +1)16. Fewer than one in ten respondents answered 
“yes, definitely” (9%, -2). 

After a sharp increase since spring 2014, more than two-thirds of Europeans would 

now  like  more  information  on  their  rights  as  a  citizen  of  the  EU  (68%,  +6 
percentage  points)17.  More  than  a  quarter  of  Europeans  answered  “yes,  definitely”   
(28%, +2). 

16  QD2.2.  For  each  of  the  following  statements,  please  tell  me  to  what  extent  it  corresponds  or  not  to  your 
opinion... You know what your rights are as a citizen of the EU 
17  QD2.3.  For  each  of  the  following  statements,  please  tell  me  to  what  extent  it  corresponds  or  not  to  your 
opinion. You would like to know more about your rights as a citizen of the EU 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A national analysis shows that a majority of  respondents  say that they know their 

rights  as  citizens  of  the  EU  in  15  Member  States,  led  by  Finland  (72%,  +2 

percentage points), Luxembourg (65%, -1) and Germany (61%, -2). 

However, only a minority of respondents are familiar with their rights in the remaining 13 

Member  States,  with  the  lowest  scores  in  Italy  (31%,  -1  percentage  point),  France 

(34%, -3) and Bulgaria (38%, -1). 

Since  spring  2014,  the  feeling  of  familiarity  with  these  rights  as  citizens  of  the  EU  has 

gained ground in only five Member States (compared with 23 between autumn 2013 and 

spring 2014), most notably in Romania (50%, +8 percentage points), where it is now the 

majority  position,  and  Hungary  (48%,  +5).  In  contrast,  this  feeling  has  decreased 

significantly  and  is  now  the  minority  position  in  Malta  (47%,  -11)  and  Portugal 

(45%, -9). 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A large majority of respondents in the 28 Member States want more information 

on  their  rights  as  EU  citizens,  with  scores  of  75%  or  more  in  six  countries:  Cyprus 

(88%,  unchanged),  Malta  (83%,  +3  percentage  points),  Slovakia  (77%,  +7),  Croatia 

(76%, +7), Sweden (76%, +1) and Romania (75%, +6). 

The  proportion  of  respondents  wanting  more  information  has  increased  in  26 

Member  States,  and  by  at  least  ten  percentage  points  in  seven  of  them:  Poland 

(70%,  +13  percentage  points),  Portugal  (65%,  +13),  Lithuania  (70%,  +12),  the  Czech 

Republic  (66%,  +12),  Hungary  (66%,  +11),  Finland  (58%,  +11)  and  Estonia         

(73%, +10). As a result of these increases, this is now the majority position in the two 

countries  where  respondents  wanting  more  information  were  in  a  minority  in  spring 

2014, namely Finland (58%, +11) and the United Kingdom (55%, +7). 

It  has  lost  ground  only  in  Italy  (68%,  -4  percentage  points)  and  is  stable  in  Cyprus 

(88%, unchanged), which is also the country with not only the highest overall score, but 

also the highest proportion of respondents saying “yes, definitely” (76%, =). 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

51 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  average  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the 

European  Union  as  a  whole  (EU28),  for  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  for  countries 

which  have  received  or  currently  receive  European  Union  support  for  tackling  the 

financial and economic crisis. 

52 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

IV.  THE OPENNESS OF EUROPEANS TO OTHERS 

- Europeans are now more open to other countries - 

Since  autumn  2013  (EB80),  the  proportion  of  Europeans  whose  practices  in  five  areas 

during  the  previous  12  months  reflect  a  certain  openness  to  the  other  European  Union 
Member States has increased18: 

-  For  the  first  time  since  this  question  was  first  asked  (Standard  Eurobarometer 
survey  of  February-March  200619),  a  majority  of  respondents  have  socialised 
with people from another EU country during the 12 months preceding the 

survey (51%, +3 percentage points compared with autumn 2013, including 30% 

“on several occasions”, unchanged); 

-  More Europeans – although still a minority – have visited another EU country 

(43%, +3 percentage points, compared with 57%, -2, who have not done so); 

-  More  than  a  third  of  respondents  have  now  watched  a  TV  programme  in  a 

language  other  than  their  mother  tongue  (37%,  +2  percentage  points, 

versus 62%, -3); 

-  Lastly,  more  than  a  quarter  of  respondents  have  read  a  book,  magazine  or 

newspaper  in  a  language  other  than  their  mother  tongue  (27%,  +3 

percentage points, versus 72%, -4), and have also used the Internet to buy a 

product or service in another EU country (26%, +4, versus 73%, -4). 

18 QD5a. In the last twelve months, have you …? 
19 Special Eurobarometer survey 251 (EB65.1): The future of Europe 
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_251_en.pdf 

54 

 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

An analysis of the results by country shows that in 18 Member States (compared with 17 

in  autumn  2013),  a  majority  of  respondents  have  socialised  with  people  from 

another  EU  country  during  the  12  months  preceding  the  survey,  with  scores  in 

excess  of  75%  in  Luxembourg  (93%,  +3  percentage  points),  the  Netherlands  (83%, 

unchanged),  Sweden  (80%,  +7)  and  Cyprus  (76%,  -7).  In  contrast,  a  third  or  fewer 

respondents  have  done  so  in  Hungary  (22%,  -2),  Bulgaria  (31%,  +8)  and  Romania 

(33%, +9). The proportion of respondents who have socialised in this way has increased 

in 21 Member States, led by Croatia (58%, +15), where it is now the majority position, 

and  Italy  (41%,  +11).  It  has  decreased  the  most  sharply  in  Cyprus  (76%,  -7)  and 

Germany (63%, -5). 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

In  12  Member  States  (unchanged  since  autumn  2013),  a  majority  of  respondents  have 

visited  another  EU  country  during  the  last  12  months.  This  is  the  case  for  more 

than seven out of ten people in Luxembourg (91%, unchanged), the Netherlands (82%, 

+4  percentage  points),  Denmark  (74%,  +2)  and  Sweden  (71%,  +2).  However,  fewer 

than than 25% of respondents have done so in Greece (19%, +3), Spain (22%, +1) and 

Bulgaria  (25%,  +6).  This  proportion  has  gained  ground  in  19  Member  States,  most 

notably  in  Croatia  (44%,  +13),  Finland  (60%,  +9),  Italy  (34%,  +8)  and  Ireland      

(58%,  +8),  and  has  decreased  the  most  sharply  in  Germany  (53%,  -5),  Austria      

(67%, -4) and the Czech Republic (52%, -4). 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  15  Member  States  (compared  with  13  in  autumn  2013) 

have  watched  a  TV  programme  in  a  language  other  than  their  mother  tongue 

during  the  last  twelve  months,  with  the  highest  scores  in  Luxembourg  (95%,  -1 

percentage  point),  Malta  (94%,  unchanged),  Sweden  (91%,  -1),  Denmark  (90%,  +1), 

the Netherlands (86%, +3) and Finland (86%, +8). In contrast, a quarter of respondents 

or less have done so in Italy (20%, +7), Spain (25%, -1) and Hungary (25%, +4). This 

practice  has  also  gained  ground  in  18  Member  States,  with  increases  of  at  least  ten 

percentage  points  in  Croatia  (59%,  +16)  –  where  it  is  now  the  majority  position  –, 

Bulgaria  (32%,  +11)  and  Romania  (41,  +10).  It  is  also  now  the  majority  position  in 

Portugal (52%, +7). In contrast, it has lost the most ground in Slovenia (75%,  -5) and 

Latvia (79%, -4). 

A  majority  of  respondents  say  that  they  have  read  a  book,  newspaper  or magazine 

in a language other than their mother tongue in five Member States (compared with 

six  in  autumn  2013):  Luxembourg  (94%,  +1  percentage  point),  far  ahead  of  Sweden 

(68%,  +5),  Malta  (67%,  -2),  the  Netherlands  (62%,  +8)  and  Denmark  (57%,  +4).  In 

contrast,  one  in  five  respondents  or  less  have  done  so  in  Bulgaria  (14%,  +2),  Italy 

(20%, +6), Hungary (20%, +4) and Poland (20%, +1). This practice has gained ground 

in  23  Member  States,  most  notably  in  Croatia  (61%,  +11)  and  Romania  (26%,  +10), 

while the most significant decreases were recorded in Latvia (49%, -5), where it is now 

the minority position, and Germany (26%, -4). 

Lastly,  majorities  of  respondents  have  now  used  the  Internet  to  buy  a  product  or 

service in another EU country in three Member States (compared with two in autumn 

2013):  Luxembourg  (67%,  +6  percentage  points),  Malta  (57%,  +2)  and  Denmark 

(52%,  +5).  This  practice  remains  relatively  marginal  –  although  it  is  increasing  –  in 

Bulgaria  (13%,  +4),  Portugal  (15%,  +5),  Italy  (16%,  +3)  and  Poland  (16%,  +2).  The 

practice of using the Internet for purchases in another Member State has gained ground 

in  almost  all  EU  countries  (25),  and  by  more  than  ten  percentage  points  in  Croatia   

(30%, +14), Finland (48%, +12) and Cyprus (48%, +11). 

56 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

57 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The index of openness to other countries 

These  five  questions  have  been  used  to  construct  an  index  of  openness  to  other 

European Union countries. 

For  each  of  the  five  practices  of  openness  analysed  in  this  survey,  points  have  been 
attributed as follows: 2 points for every “yes,  on several occasions” answer; 1 point for 
every  “yes,  once  or  twice”  answer,  otherwise  0  points.  Each  individual  could  therefore 
score between 0 and 10 points. Scores of 0 to 3 points correspond to a low international 
openness index, 4 to 6 to a moderate international openness index and 7 to 10 to a high 
international openness index. 

A large majority of Europeans continue to have a “low” openness index, although 

the  proportion  has  decreased  slightly  since  autumn  2013  (64%,  -2  percentage  points). 

The  proportions  of  respondents  with  a  “moderate”  (21%,  +1)  or  “high”  (15%,  +1) 

openness index have both increased very slightly, but these two categories are still very 

much in the minority. 

A  national  analysis  of  the  various  openness  practices  has  already  revealed  the  special 

situation in  Luxembourg,  where  respondents  recorded  the  highest  score  for  each  of  the 

five  practices  analysed.  The  openness  index  highlights  this  special  position:  84%  of 

respondents in Luxembourg have a “high” openness index (+4 percentage points), 

around 40 percentage points higher than in the countries with the next highest openness 

indices, Sweden (48%, +7), the Netherlands (47%, +5), Denmark (47%, +2) and Malta 

(45%, +1). 

In  contrast,  fewer  than  one  in  ten  respondents  have  a  “high”  openness  index  in  Italy 

(5%,  +2  percentage  points),  Bulgaria  (5%,  +2),  Hungary  (6%,  unchanged),  Portugal 

(9%, +3), Romania (9%, +1), Poland (9%, =) and Spain (9%, -1). 

58 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

In terms of evolutions, the proportions of respondents with a “high” openness index have 

increased in 20 countries, most notably in Sweden (48%, +7 percentage points), Croatia 

(17%, +7) and the Netherlands (47%, +5). 

Conversely,  “high”  proportions  have  decreased  the  most  sharply  in  Lithuania  (18%,  -5 

percentage points), Latvia (27%, -3), Belgium (24, -3) and Germany (14%, -3). 

The countries with the highest proportions of “low” indices are Italy (82%, -5 percentage 

points), Hungary (82%, -1) and Bulgaria (81%, -4). 

59 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

V.  VALUES 

The values that best represent the European Union 

- Peace, human rights and democracy are the values that best represent the 

European Union - 

All the values that Europeans associate with the European Union have gained ground or 

remained stable since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of  spring 2014  (EB81), while 
the ranking is relatively unchanged20:  

-  Peace  remains  the  value  that 

Europeans  associate  first  and 

foremost  with 

the  European 

Union: it was mentioned by four 

out  of  ten  respondents  and  has 

strengthened  its  position  as  the 

most 

frequently  mentioned 

value 

(40%,  +3  percentage 

points since spring 2014); 

-  Human 

rights 

(36%,  +2 

percentage 

points) 

and 

democracy  (31%,  +1),  both 

with  a  slight  increase,  complete 

the  top  three  values  associated 

with the EU; 

20 QD8. In the following list, which values best represent the EU? 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

-  The other values which were suggested to respondents were mentioned by fewer 

than two in ten Europeans. Three of them obtained scores of more than 15%: the 

rule of law (18%, unchanged), individual freedom (17%, =) and respect for 

human life (17%, +1 percentage point, now in sixth place, jointly with individual 

freedom); 

-  Next, four values were mentioned by more than one in ten respondents, and it is 

within  this  group  that  the  ranking  order  has  changed  the  most  significantly: 

solidarity  is  now  ranked  in  seventh  place  (15%,  +2  percentage  points),  just 

ahead  of  respect  for  other  cultures  (14%,  unchanged),  while  equality     

(13%, +3) has overtaken tolerance (11%, =); 

-  Self-fulfilment (4%, unchanged) and religion (3%, =) are less associated with 

the EU, and are mentioned by fewer than one in twenty Europeans. 

First six items mentioned 

Although  the  scores  recorded  for  six  of  the  twelve  values  have  increased  since  spring 

2014  (while  those  of  the  six  others  are  unchanged),  5%  (unchanged)  of  Europeans 

continue  to  say  spontaneously  that  they  do  not  associate  any  of  these  values  with  the 

European Union. 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A  national  analysis  shows  that  peace  tops  the  list  of  values  the  most  frequently 

associated with the EU in 16 Member States.  It was mentioned by an absolute majority 

of  respondents  in  Sweden  (55%,  +4  percentage  points),  France  (54%,  +7),  Slovenia 

(54%,  +2),  Luxembourg  (53%,  +5)  and  Germany  (52%,  +1).  In  contrast,  it  was 

mentioned by 25% or fewer respondents in the United Kingdom (24%, unchanged) and 

Romania (25%, =). The proportion of respondents mentioning peace has increased in 24 

Member  States,  most  notably  in  Greece  (49%,  +9),  Belgium  (44%,  +9),  Lithuania  

(42%,  +9),  Finland  (48%,  +8),  Croatia  (33%,  +8),  France  (54%,  +7),  Portugal      

(34%, +7) and Bulgaria (34%, +7).  

In two Member States, peace and human rights are ranked in joint first place: Lithuania 

(42%, +9 percentage points for peace and +1 for human rights) and Cyprus (35%,  +1 

and -4 respectively). 

Human rights top the list in nine Member States: Finland (53%, +9 percentage points), 

Romania  (43%,  +2),  Malta  (42%,  unchanged),  Estonia  (41%,  +3),  Ireland  (40%,  +4), 

Latvia  (39%,  +5),  the  United  Kingdom  (37%,  -4),  Poland  (37%,  +8)  and  Croatia 

(34%,  -1).  This  item  was  also  mentioned  by  at  least  four  out  of  ten  respondents  in 

Luxembourg  (47%,  +8),  France  (44%,  +1),  Belgium  (41%,  -1),  the  Netherlands    

(41%,  -2),  Sweden  (41%,  =),  Denmark  (41%,  -3)  and  Germany  (40%,  +5).  However, 

the proportion of respondents who mentioned this value was ten percentage points below 

the European average in Italy (26%, +3) and Greece (26%, +1). Human rights obtained 

a  higher  score  than  in  spring  2014  in  17  Member  States,  including  Finland  (53%,  +9), 

Austria  (36%,  +9),  Luxembourg  (47%,  +8)  and  Poland  (37%,  +8),  but  lost  ground  in 

the United Kingdom (37%, -4), Cyprus (35%, -4) and Bulgaria (32%, -4). 

Denmark  is  the  only  country  where  democracy  is  ranked  in  first  place  (48%,  +3 

percentage points). While not in first position, this value was nevertheless mentioned by 

more  than  four  out  of  ten  respondents  in  Sweden  (44%,  -1),  Germany  (43%,  +5)  and 

the  Netherlands  (42%,  unchanged).  In  contrast,  it  was  mentioned  by  20%  or  fewer 

respondents in Slovenia (19%, -1) and the United Kingdom (20%, =).  

Since  spring  2014,  the  proportion  of  people  mentioning  democracy  has  increased  in  17 

Member  States,  most  notably  in  Austria  (39%,  +11),  Malta  (36%,  +6)  and  the  Czech 

Republic (35%, +6), but has decreased in France (25%, -6), Spain (30%, -5 since spring 

2014 when democracy was ranked in first place) and Hungary (23%, -5). 

None of the nine other values suggested was ranked in first place in any Member State. 

However,  three  of  them  were  mentioned  by  at  least  30%  of  respondents  in  some 

countries:  for  example,  the  rule  of  law  in  Finland  (34%,  +2  percentage  points), 

individual  freedom  in  Lithuania  (33%,  +2)  and  Latvia  (31%,  +2),  and  respect  for 

human life in Malta (30%, +3). 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  scores  recorded  for  some  of  these  values  have  changed  significantly  since  spring 

2014:  for  example,  the  rule  of  law  has  gained  ground  in  Spain  (27%,  +7  percentage 

points)  and  Estonia  (21%,  +7),  but  has  lost  ground  in  Croatia  (15%,  -12),  Italy 

(11%,  -6)  and  Slovenia  (10%,  -6);  individual  freedom  has  gained  ground  in  Croatia 

(26%, +8), as has solidarity in Bulgaria (22%, +8) and Lithuania (24%, +6), equality 

in  Portugal  (19%,  +6)  and  Romania  (15%,  +6),  and  finally  tolerance  in  Croatia     

(15%, 

+6). 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  Peace tops the list of values associated with the European Union in every socio-

demographic  category:  among  men  and  women  alike,  and  across  all  age  groups 

and  generations,  with  the  exception  of  Europeans  aged  25  to  39  (35%  versus 

40%  on  average)  and  members  of  generation  “Y”,  i.e.  those  born  after  1980 

(36%). Another exception is those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond, 

who  also  ranked  peace  in  second  place  among  the  values  associated  with  the 

European Union (40%); 

-  Human  rights  are  ranked  in  first  place  in  these  last  three  categories  in  almost 

identical  proportions  to  those  recorded  for  peace:  36%  among  25-39  year-olds 

(versus  36%  on  average),  37%  among  members  of  generation  “Y”  and  41% 

among Europeans who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond; 

-  Men  (33%)  are  slightly  more  likely  than  women  (29%)  to  mention  democracy. 

Managers  (38%  compared  31%  on  average,  and  26%  of  housepersons  and 

unemployed people), as are those who see themselves as belonging to the middle 

class  (35%),  upper  middle  class  (39%)  and  upper  class  (37%,  versus  26%  of 

those  who  see  themselves  as  working  class)  are  more  likely  than  average  to 

mention this value. Europeans for whom the EU conjures up a positive image are 

also more likely to mention this value (39%, versus 19% among those for whom 

it has a negative image). Ultimately, democracy does not top the list of values in 

any of the socio-demographic categories. 

64 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                                                                                          EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Six most frequently mentioned items 

65 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82            EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  average  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the 

European  Union  as  a  whole  (EU28),  for  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  for  countries 

which  have  received  or  currently  receive  European  Union  support  for  tackling  the 

financial and economic crisis. 

66 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

67 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

68 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Personal values 

- Peace, human rights and respect for human life are the three most important 

personal values for Europeans - 

The  order  in  which  Europeans  rank  the  values  which  are  the  most  important  for  them 

personally  has  changed  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2013 
(EB79)21: 

-  After 

recording 

the 

sharpest 

increase  among 

the  personal 

values of Europeans, peace is now 

in first place (44%, +5 percentage 

points since spring 2013); 

-  Human 

rights 

(40%, 

-1 

percentage  point)  have  remained 

relatively 

stable, 

and  were 

mentioned  by  four  out  of  ten 

respondents.  However,  they  have 

now 

fallen 

to 

second  place 

following 

the 

sharp 

rise 

in 

mentions of peace; 

-  Respect for human life (34%, -3 

percentage  points)  remains  in  the 

top three personal values despite a 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

slight decrease in the proportion of respondents mentioning this item; 

-  Two  values  share  joint  fourth  place,  and  are  mentioned  by  a  quarter  of 

Europeans: democracy, which has lost a little ground since spring 2013 (25%, -1 

percentage  point),  and  individual  freedom,  which  has  gained  ground  slightly 

(25%, +1); 

21 QD9. In the following list, which are the three most important values for you personally? 

69 

 
 
 
                                                           
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

-  Next,  four  values  obtained  scores  of  between  20%  and  15%:  while  equality 

(20%,  -1  percentage  point)  remains  in  sixth  place,  solidarity  (18%,  +1)  and 

tolerance  (17%,  +1)  have  each  gained  one  place,  while  the  rule  of  law 

(15%, -3), has fallen by two places to ninth; 

-  The  three  remaining  values  suggested  to  respondents  were  mentioned  by  fewer 

than  one  in  ten  Europeans:  respect  for  other  cultures  (9%,  -2  percentage 

points)  and  self-fulfilment  (9%,  unchanged)  are  ranked  in  joint  tenth  place; 

finally,  religion  (6%,  +1)  is  the  last-ranked  personal  value,  as  it  was  in  spring 

2013.  It  is  also  the  last-placed  of  the  values  which  best  represent  the  European 

Union. 

Six most frequently mentioned items 

A comparison between the order in which Europeans rank their personal values and the 

the values they associate with the European Union (possible because the items used for 

these questions are identical) shows that respondents are more likely to mention nine of 

the  twelve  proposed  values  as  personal  values  than  as  values  associated  with  the  EU. 

This  applies  in  particular  to  respect  for  human  life  (34%  as  a  personal  value  versus 

17%  as  a  value  characteristic  of  the  EU),  considerably  ahead  of  individual  freedom 

(25% versus 17%) and equality (20% versus 13%). The three values more associated 

with  the  EU  are  democracy  (31%  as  an  EU  value  versus  25%  as  a  personal  value), 

respect for other cultures (14% versus 9%) and the rule of law (18% versus 15%). 

The  rule  of  law  is  also  the  value  whose  position  differs  the  most  in  the  two  ranking 

orders:  it  is  in  fourth  place  among  the  values  associated  with  the  EU,  but  only  in  ninth 

place among personal values. 

70 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A national analysis shows that peace is the most frequently mentioned personal value in 

15  Member  States.  It  was  also  mentioned  by  an  absolute  majority  of  respondents  in 

eight of them: Luxembourg (58%, +13 percentage points), Germany (58%, +1), Estonia 

(55%,  +19),  Slovenia  (54%,  +11),  Slovakia  (53%,  +14),  Austria  (53%,  +3),  Denmark 

(51%,  +5)  and  France  (50%,  +7).  Though  not  the  most  important  value,  it  was  also 

mentioned  by  at  least  half  the  respondents  in  Sweden  (51%,  +5)  and  Finland         

(50%, +5). However, this item was mentioned by 30% or fewer respondents in Romania 

(29%,  -2),  the  only  country  to  record  a  lower  score  than  in  spring  2013,  and  Bulgaria 

(30%, +1). It has therefore gained ground in 27 Member States, and by more than ten 

percentage  points  in  six  of  them:  Estonia  (55%,  +19),  Lithuania  (45%,  +15),  Slovakia 

(53%, +14), Luxembourg (58%, +13), Slovenia (54%, +11) and Poland (44%, +11). 

In  Latvia, peace (46%, +7 percentage points) and human rights (46%,  +2) are ranked 

joint first; however, it is peace that has gained the most ground there since spring 2013. 

Human  rights  are  ranked  in  first  place  in  eight  Member  States:  Sweden  (58%,  -5 

percentage points), Finland (51%, +5), Cyprus (47%,  -13), Lithuania (46%, +1), Spain 

(44%,  -2),  Croatia  (42%,  -6),  Romania  (41%,  -5)  and  Italy  (39%,  +3).  This  item  was 

also mentioned by at least four out of ten  respondents in Slovenia (44%, -6), Denmark 

(43%,  +2),  Poland  (42%,  -4),  Greece  (41%,  +2),  Germany  (41%,  -2),  Portugal     

(40%, +3), Estonia (40%, +1) and France (40%, -4).  

In  contrast,  fewer  than  a  third  of  respondents  mentioned  human  rights  in  Hungary  

(32%,  +2)  or  the  Czech  Republic  (32%,  -3).  The  proportion  of  respondents  mentioning 

this  item  has  fallen  since  spring  2013  in  16  countries,  most  notably  in  Cyprus         

(47%,  -13),  Bulgaria  (42%,  -9),  Luxembourg  (37%,  -9)  and  Belgium  (33%,  -7). 

Attachment  to  this  value  has  increased  significantly  in  only  Finland  (51%,  +5),  Ireland 

(39%, +4) and Slovakia (39%, +4). 

In  Bulgaria,  human  rights  (42%,  -9  percentage  points)  and  individual  freedom    

(42%, +6) are ranked in joint first place. More than 40% of respondents also mentioned 

individual  freedom  in  Austria  (48%,  -4),  Lithuania  (43%,  +3)  and  the  Czech  Republic 

(43%,  unchanged).  However,  fewer  than  one  in  five  respondents  in  Poland  (17%,  -1), 

Spain  (18%,  +1),  Sweden  (19%,  +2)  and  France  (19%,  -7)  mentioned  this  item.  The 

proportion  of  respondents  mentioning  this  value  has  increased  in  15  Member  States, 

most  notably  in  Italy  (25%,  +7),  Bulgaria  (42%,  +6),  Croatia  (35%,  +6)  and  Portugal 

(23%,  +6),  while  the  sharpest  falls  were  recorded  in  France  (19%,  -7)  and  Ireland 

(24%, -5). 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Respect  for  human  life  is  ranked  first  in  three  Member  States:  Greece  (48%,  +8 

percentage  points),  Ireland  (46%,  -4)  and  the  United  Kingdom  (37%,  -5).  It  was  also 

mentioned  by  more  than  four  out  of  ten  respondents  in  Cyprus  (43%,  -4),  France   

(42%, -6) and Spain (41%, +1). However, the proportion of respondents mentioning this 

item  has  fallen  sharply  to  less  than  quarter  in  Slovakia  (21%,  -13)  and  the  Czech 

Republic  (24%,  -10).  In  total  this  value  has lost  ground  in  22  Member  States,  and  –  in 

addition  to  Slovakia  and  the  Czech  Republic  –  by  at  least  ten  percentage  points  in 

Luxembourg  (38%,  -12),  Malta  (36%,  -11)  and  Romania  (29%,  -11).  Its  score  has 

increased  significantly  only  in  Greece  (48%,  +8),  Italy  (37%,  +5)  and  Slovenia  (38%, 

+4). 

None  of  the  eight  other  personal  values  was  ranked  in  first  place in  any  Member  State. 

However,  democracy  was  mentioned  by  more  than  four  out  of  ten  respondents  in 

Sweden (46%, -3 percentage points) and Denmark (43%, -1), and by at least three out 

of ten in Germany (34%, unchanged), Greece (33%, +4) and Italy (30%, +3).  

Other  values  were  mentioned  by  approximately  three  out  of  ten  respondents:  the  rule 

of  law  in  Finland  (30%,  +3);  equality  in  Portugal  (29%,  -5);  solidarity  in  France 

(29%, +5) and Portugal (29%, -5); tolerance in Belgium (28%, +1). 

Some  of  these  eight  values  have  seen  significant  evolutions  since  spring  2013:  this  is 

particularly true for the rule of law, which has gained ground in the Netherlands (15%, 

+7  percentage  points),  but  has  lost  ground  very  dramatically  in  Slovenia  (11%,  -29), 

Italy  (6%,  -23),  Croatia  (14%,  -19)  and,  to  a  lesser  extent,  in  Lithuania  (5%,  -9), 

Denmark  (13%,  -8),  Romania  (12%,  -8)  and  Cyprus  (19%,  -7).  The  proportion  of 

respondents  mentioning  democracy  has  decreased  in  Bulgaria  (15%,  -8),  while  the 

score  for  solidarity  has  increased  in  Luxembourg  (26%,  +8)  and  the  Netherlands  

(22%, +7), as have mentions of tolerance in Austria (21%, +7). 

72 

 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that: 

-  Peace tops the list in the majority of socio-demographic categories. Respondents 

in  the  55  or  over  age  group  (51%  versus  44%  on  average),  those  belonging  to 

the generations born before 1946 (53%), retired people (51%) and those who see 

themselves  as  belonging  to  the  upper  class  (49%)  are  far  more  likely  than 

average to mention peace; 

-  Human  rights  are  nevertheless  ranked  in  first  place  in  several  categories,  in 

particular  by  Europeans  aged  15-24  (42%  versus  40%  on  average)  and  25-39 

year-olds  (41%),  by  members  of  generation  “Y”,  i.e.  those  born  after  1980 

(42%), and by students (42%) and self-employed people (41%); 

-  Lastly,  respect  for  human  life,  while  not  ranked  in  first  place  by  any  socio-

demographic  category,  is  mentioned  more  by  women  (37%  versus  34%  on 

average)  than  by  men  (31%);  by  housepersons  (39%)  and  manual  workers 

(37%)  than  by  students  (27%);  and  by  the  Europeans  who  see  themselves  as 

working class (37%) than by those who see themselves as belonging to the upper 

class (25%). 

74 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82            EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

Six most frequently mentioned items 

75 

 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82            EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

The  following  tables  show  the  average  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  for  the 

European  Union  as  a  whole  (EU28),  for  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  for  countries 

which  have  received  or  currently  receive  European  Union  support  for  tackling  the 

financial and economic crisis. 

76 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

77 

 
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014 

78 

 
 
  
 
 
 
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82 
Public opinion in the European Union 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Between the 8th of the 17th of November 2014, TNS opinion & social, a consortium created between TNS political & 
social,  TNS  UK  and  TNS  opinion,  carried  out  the  wave  82.3  of  the  EUROBAROMETER  survey,  on  request  of  the 
EUROPEAN  COMMISSION,  Directorate-General  for  Communication,  “Strategy,  Corporate  Communication  Actions 
and Eurobarometer” unit. 

The  wave  82.3  is  the  STANDARD  EUROBAROMETER  82  survey  and  covers  the  population  of  the  respective 
nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the Member States and aged 15 years and 
over.  
The STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82 survey has also been conducted in the six candidate countries (Turkey, the 
Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  Iceland,  Montenegro,  Serbia  and  Albania)  and  in  the  Turkish  Cypriot 
Community. In these countries, the survey covers the national population of citizens and the population of citizens 
of all the European Union Member States that are residents in these countries and have a sufficient command of 
the national languages to answer the questionnaire.  

The basic sample design applied in all states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each country, a number 
of sampling points was drawn with probability proportional to population size (for a total coverage of the country) 
and to population density. 

In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative regional units", 
after  stratification  by  individual  unit  and  type  of  area.  They  thus  represent  the  whole  territory  of  the  countries 
surveyed  according  to  the  EUROSTAT  NUTS  II  (or  equivalent)  and  according  to  the  distribution  of  the  resident 
population of the respective nationalities in terms of metropolitan, urban and rural areas. In each of the selected 
sampling points, a starting address was drawn, at random. Further addresses (every Nth address) were selected 
by standard "random route" procedures, from the initial address. In each household, the respondent was drawn, at 
random (following the "closest birthday rule"). All interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes and in 
the  appropriate  national  language.  As  far  as  the  data  capture  is  concerned,  CAPI  (Computer  Assisted  Personal 
Interview) was used in those countries where this technique was available. 

For  each  country  a  comparison  between  the  sample  and  the  universe  was  carried  out.  The  Universe  description 
was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all countries surveyed, a national 
weighting  procedure,  using  marginal  and  intercellular  weighting,  was  carried  out  based  on  this  Universe 
description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For 
international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS Opinion & Social applies the official population figures as provided 
by  EUROSTAT  or  national  statistic  offices.  The  total  population  figures  for  input  in  this  post-weighting  procedure 
are listed below. 

TS1 

STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Readers  are  reminded  that  survey  results  are  estimations,  the  accuracy  of  which,  everything  being  equal,  rests 
upon  the  sample  size  and  upon  the  observed  percentage.    With  samples  of  about  1,000  interviews,  the  real 
percentages vary within the following confidence limits: 

Statistical Margins due to the sampling process

(at the 95% level of confidence)

various sample sizes are in rows

various observed results are in columns

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

N=50

N=500

N=1000

N=1500

N=2000

N=3000

N=4000

N=5000

N=6000

N=7000

N=7500

N=8000

N=9000

N=10000

N=11000

N=12000

N=13000

N=14000

N=15000

6,0

1,9

1,4

1,1

1,0

0,8

0,7

0,6

0,6

0,5

0,5

0,5

0,5

0,4

0,4

0,4

0,4

0,4

0,3

8,3

2,6

1,9

1,5

1,3

1,1

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,7

0,7

0,7

0,6

0,6

0,6

0,5

0,5

0,5

0,5

9,9

3,1

2,2

1,8

1,6

1,3

1,1

1,0

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,8

0,7

0,7

0,7

0,6

0,6

0,6

0,6

11,1

12,0

12,7

13,2

13,6

13,8

13,9 N=50

3,5

2,5

2,0

1,8

1,4

1,2

1,1

1,0

0,9

0,9

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,7

0,7

0,7

0,7

0,6

3,8

2,7

2,2

1,9

1,5

1,3

1,2

1,1

1,0

1,0

0,9

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,8

0,7

0,7

0,7

4,0

2,8

2,3

2,0

1,6

1,4

1,3

1,2

1,1

1,0

1,0

0,9

0,9

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,8

0,7

4,2

3,0

2,4

2,1

1,7

1,5

1,3

1,2

1,1

1,1

1,0

1,0

0,9

0,9

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,8

4,3

3,0

2,5

2,1

1,8

1,5

1,4

1,2

1,1

1,1

1,1

1,0

1,0

0,9

0,9

0,8

0,8

0,8

4,4

3,1

2,5

2,2

1,8

1,5

1,4

1,3

1,2

1,1

1,1

1,0

1,0

0,9

0,9

0,9

0,8

0,8

4,4 N=500

3,1 N=1000

2,5 N=1500

2,2 N=2000

1,8 N=3000

1,5 N=4000

1,4 N=5000

1,3 N=6000

1,2 N=7000

1,1 N=7500

1,1 N=8000

1,0 N=9000

1,0 N=10000

0,9 N=11000

0,9 N=12000

0,9 N=13000

0,8 N=14000

0,8 N=15000

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

TS2 

STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014            
 
 
 
 
 
 
TS3 

STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82                        EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014