Public opinion in the European Union : report.
Date: 2017-05-15
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: European Union, European citizenship, European identity, economic situation, political situation, public opinion, quality of life, report, sample survey

Standard Eurobarometer 84 
Autumn 2015 

Report 

Public opinion in the European Union 

Fieldwork 
November 2015 

Survey requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission,  
Directorate-General for Communication 

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 84 – Wave EB84.3 – TNS opinion & social 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Autumn 2015 

Report 

Public opinion in the European Union 

Fieldwork: November 2015 

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

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project number 
Project title 

Language version 
Catalogue number 
ISBN 

© European Union, 2016 

2016.3505 
Standard Eurobarometer 84 
“Public opinion in the European Union” 

EN 
NA-04-16-323-EN-N 
978-92-79-57781-9 
doi:10.2775/89997 

http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION 

1  Personal aspects 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

6 

6 

6 

13 

13 

17 

20 

28 

28 

28 

33 

35 

35 

42 

45 

51 

59 

59 

59 

62 

a.  The current personal situation of Europeans 

b.  Perceptions of personal job and financial situations 

1.  The financial situation of the household 

2.  The personal job situation 

c.  The concerns of Europeans 

2  Economic aspects 

a.  Assessment of the current economic situation 

1.  The national and European situations 

2.  The employment situation 

b.  Expectations for the next twelve months 

1.  The national and European situations 

2.  The employment situation 

c.  The main concerns at national level 

d.  The main concerns at European level 

3  The quality of life 

a.  Assessments of the quality of life nationally and at European level 

1.  The quality of life nationally 

2.  The quality of life in the European Union 

b.  Expectations for the next twelve months regarding the quality of life nationally and at 
European level 

66 

1.  The quality of life nationally 

2.  The quality of life in the European Union 

4  Political aspects 

a. 

Interest in politics 

b.  Trust in the institutions 

1.  National institutions 

2.  The United Nations 

c.  The direction in which things are going 

1 

66 

69 

71 

71 

73 

73 

83 

85 

 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

II. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS 

1.  Attachment to the European Union 

a.  What does the European Union stand for? 

b.  Support for EU membership and the perceived benefits of membership (candidate 
countries) 

c.  Would it be easier to face the future outside the EU? 

2.  The European institutions 

a.  Awareness of the European institutions and trust in them 

b.  Trust in the European Union 

c.  The European Union’s image 

3.  Knowledge of the European Union 

a.  Knowledge of how the European Union works 

b.  Objective knowledge of the European Union 

4.  Democracy in the EU 

a.  The way in which democracy works 

b.  Are personal interests taken into account nationally and at EU level? 

5.  Political and economic issues 

a.  Evaluation of economic and political terms and concepts 

b.  Europeans and globalisation 

6.  The European Union today and tomorrow 

a.  Support for a European army 

b.  A stronger European Union? 

c.  The future of the European Union 

III. ECONOMIC ISSUES IN THE EU 

1.  The impact of the economic situation on the job market 

2.  A still-important role for the European Union in the global economy 

3.  The roles of the public and private sectors in revitalising the economy 

4.  Reforms for the economic and financial system? 

a.  Reducing the public deficit and debt 

b.  What measures should be taken to reform the economic and financial  

system? 

Report 

93 

93 

93 

99 

102 

103 

103 

109 

114 

120 

120 

124 

129 

129  

137 

142 

142 

156 

158 

158 

161 

165 

170 

170 

174 

177 

181 

181 

188 

ANNEXES 

Technical specifications 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

This Standard Eurobarometer survey 84 of autumn 2015 (EB84) was carried out between 7 and 17 
November 2015 in 34 countries and territories1: the 28 Member States of the European Union, five 
candidate  countries  (the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  Turkey,  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  autumn  2015  survey  (EB84)  was  carried  out  just  a  few  days  after  the  publication  of  the 
European  Commission‘s  autumn  2015  economic  forecasts2,  which  confirmed  that  the  European 
Union’s economy is on the road to recovery. The Paris terrorist attacks took place on 13 November, 
during the fieldwork (see below). 

GDP  growth  for  2015  is  expected  to  be  1.9%  in  the  EU  and  1.6%  in  the  euro  area,  better  than 
forecast in autumn 2014 (1.5% and 1.1% respectively). In addition, the forecasts for 2016 suggest 
a  slight  improvement,  with  GDP  growth  of  2.0%  in  the  EU  and  1.8%  in  the  euro  area.  Although 
unemployment remains fairly high, it is still on the downward trend that began in 2013. At 9.3% in 
October  2015,  EU28  unemployment  was  lower  than  in  October  2014  (when  it  stood  at  10.1%,  a 
decrease  of  0.8  percentage  points)3.  Unemployment  in  the  euro  area  has  fallen  similarly  (10.7% 
unemployment, compared with 11.5% in October 2014, also a 0.8-point decline).  

In the European Union, a fifth of young people under 25 years of age are unemployed (20%). Youth 
unemployment  therefore  continues  to  decline,  as  it  has  since  the  beginning  of  2013  (-1.7 
percentage  points  since  October  2014,  and  -4  since  January  2013).  In  the  euro  area,  youth 
unemployment is slightly higher than in the European Union as a whole, but here too it is still falling 
(22.3%, -1 percentage point since October 2014, and -2.3 since January 2013).  

The refugee crisis entered a new phase in summer 2015, when more than 100,000 people a month 
entered  Europe  by  sea  in  August,  September  and  October4.  This  means  that  almost  900,000 
refugees and migrants entered the EU by sea in 2015, compared with 216,054 in 2014. During his 
State  of  the  Union  Address  on  9  September  20155,  Jean-Claude  Juncker  emphasised  the  crucial 
importance of this issue for the EU: “The first priority today is and must be addressing the refugee 
crisis”.  Fresh  approaches  and  strategies  for  managing  this  crisis  were  discussed  in  high-level 
international meetings, as well as at the European Council, on 15 October 20156.  

On 13 November7, Paris suffered the most deadly terrorist attacks in France since the Second World 
War, in which 130 people were killed. Islamic State claimed responsibility.  

A  few  days  after  the  end  of  the  fieldwork  France  hosted  the  Paris  Climate  Conference  (COP  21), 
attended by more than 145 foreign Heads of State and government.  

Since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2015,  national  elections  have  been  held  in 
Latvia,  Denmark,  Greece,  Portugal  and  Poland.  National  elections  were  also  held  in  Croatia  on  8 
November 2015, at the beginning of the fieldwork.  

1 Please consult the technical specifications for details of the exact dates of the interviews in each country. 
2 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/eeip/pdf/ip011_en.pdf  
3 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics#Main_statistical_findings  
4 http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php  
5 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-5614_en.htm 
6 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/press-releases/2015/10/16-euco-conclusions/  
7 The attacks were carried out during the fieldwork for the survey (from 7 to 17 November 2015). Fewer than a quarter of the interviews 
were conducted after the attacks (6,390 of a total of 27,681 interviews in the EU).  

3 

 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The full report of the Standard Eurobarometer 84 survey consists of four volumes. The first volume 
presents  the  state  of  public  opinion  in  the  European  Union.  Three  further  volumes  present  the 
opinions  of  Europeans  on  other  themes:  the  European  Union’s  priorities;  European  citizenship;  and 
media  use  in  the  European  Union.  This  volume  covers  the  state  of  public  opinion  in  the  European 
Union.  

This volume on the main public opinion trends in the European Union is divided into three parts. The 
first part focuses on the personal, economic and political aspects of life in the European Union as 
seen by its citizens. In it we examine the financial and personal situation of citizens; their views on 
the economic situation at national and European levels; their main concerns; and their expectations 
for the future. This volume then explores how interested they are in politics and their views on the 
direction  in  which  things  are  going  in  their  country  and  in  the  European  Union,  and  analyses  the 
extent to which citizens trust the institutions  

The  second  part  of  the  report  presents  the  main  indicators  for  the  image  of  and  trust  in  the 
European Union and its institutions. First, we examine to what extent Europeans feel attached to the 
European  Union.  Then,  the  report  considers  whether  Europeans  are  familiar  with  and  trust  the  EU 
and its institutions, before examining their knowledge of the EU. It then turns to their views on the 
way democracy works and whether their personal and national interests are taken into account by 
the European Union. Next it analyses how Europeans respond to certain words, and their attitude to 
globalisation.  Lastly,  it  examines public  support  for  the  creation  of  an  EU  army,  and  views  on  the 
future of the European Union 

The third part of this report looks at economic issues in the EU: first, the way in which Europeans 
view  the  impact  of  the  crisis  on  jobs,  and  then  the  perceived  effectiveness  of  a  number  of 
measures intended to combat the crisis and reform the economic and financial system. Finally, we 
examine the role of the private and public sectors in stimulating the economy. 

Most  of  these  questions  were  asked  during  previous  Standard  Eurobarometer  surveys.  For  these 
questions, it has been possible to analyse opinion trends. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  methodology  used  is  that  of  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  surveys  of  the  Directorate-General 
for  Communication  (“Strategy,  Corporate  Communication  Actions  and  Eurobarometer”  Unit)8.  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 intervals9, 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. 

Note: The abbreviations used in this report correspond to: 

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

BE 
BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
IE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IT 
CY* 
LV 

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

Turkish Cypriot Community 

Albania 
Montenegro 
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 

AL 
ME 

Turkey 
Serbia 

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

CY (tcc) 

TR 
RS 
MK** 

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

EU28 
Euro area 
Non-euro area 

* 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 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.  

** 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 take part in 
this survey.  

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

8 http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion/ 
9 The results tables are included in appendix. It should be noted that the total of the percentages indicated in the tables in this report may 
exceed 100% when the respondents were able to choose several answers to the same question. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

I.  LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION 

1  Personal aspects 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

a.  The personal situation of Europeans today 

A majority of Europeans continue to be satisfied with the life they lead 

A  very  large  majority  of  Europeans  are  satisfied  with  the  life  they  lead10:  81%  are 
“satisfied”,  and  of  these  24%  are  “very  satisfied”,  while  19%  are  “dissatisfied”.  Satisfaction  has 
gained  one  percentage  point  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2015  (EB83).  In 
general,  this  indicator  has  been  fairly  stable  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring 
2000 (EB53), ranging between 75% (autumn 2011 (EB76), spring 2013 (EB79) and autumn 2013 
(EB80) surveys) and 83% (between autumn 2000 and spring 2002 (EB54, EB55, EB56 and EB57)). 
However, the proportion of “very satisfied” respondents, which was close to 20% between 2000 and 
2013, has been approaching 25% since spring 2014.  

D70

On	the	whole,	are	you	very	satisfied,	fairly	satisfied,	not	very	satisfied	or	not	at	all	satisfied	with	the	life	you	lead?
	(%	-	EU)

80%

70%

60

60%

50%

40%

30%

18

20%

17

4

10%

0%

62

62

62

62

62

60

58

60

59

60

60

59

59

58

58

56

58

57

58

58

56

56

56

55

55

56

56

57

57

FAIRLY	SATISFIED

21

21

21

21

13

3

14

3

13

3

14

3

19

19

15

4

17

4

23

15

4

21

21

21

22

21

21

15

4

16

4

15

4

14

4

15

4

16

4

19

17

5

18

18

21

20

21

17

17

5

5

5

16

6

20

16

6

21

15

5

19

18

6

21

17

6

20

20

20

17

7

18

7

18

7

24

23

23

24

VERY	SATISFIED

15

5

16

5

15

5

15

4

NOT	VERY	SATISFIED

NOT	AT	ALL	SATISFIED

2000

2001

2002

2003 2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

10 D70. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied, not at all satisfied with the life you lead? 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

As in spring 2015, a majority of respondents in 26 Member States are satisfied with the life they 
lead,  most  notably  in  Denmark  (98%  are  satisfied,  including  70%  “very  satisfied”)  and  Sweden 
(96% including 49% “very satisfied”). Only a minority of respondents are satisfied in Greece (40% 
versus  60%,  including  28%  “not  at  all  satisfied”)  and  Bulgaria  (45%,  versus  54%  who  are 
dissatisfied). 

Detailed results 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Looking ahead over the next twelve months, a majority of Europeans expect their life in 
general to “stay the same” (58%, down one percentage point since spring 2015)11. More than a 
quarter of Europeans expect the next twelve months to be “better” (28%, -1) while 11% think it will 
be “worse” (11%, +2). 

Around a third of Europeans were optimistic fairly consistently between the Eurobarometer surveys 
of  spring  1996  (EB45)  and  autumn  2006  (EB66).  After  gaining  ground  in  spring  2007  (to  37%), 
optimism then declined until autumn 2011 (-16 percentage points in total, to 21%) before picking 
up  again  between  autumn  2011  and  spring  2015  (+8  points).  However,  the  one  percentage  point 
decrease  recorded  in  this  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  autumn  215  marks  a  halt  to  this 
improving trend. 

QA2a.1

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
Your	life	in	general	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

56

56

55

57

56

56

56

56

58

57

59

59

58

58

SAME

56

55

54

51

50

50

52

51

51

50

50

51

51

51

49

33

31

34

33

33

34

34

33

33

32

35

34

35

35

34

49

37

54

51

49

32

30

24

22

16

16

13

12

10

6

4

7

4

8

5

12

11

15

13

13

11

12

12

11

13

3

0%

3

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

4

3

3

3

27

26

26

26

24

18

15

14

15

14

21

20

23

17

22

19

25

23

16

15

29

28

28

27

BETTER

10

4

11

3

9

3

11

3

WORSE

DON'T	KNOW

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Optimism  outweighs  pessimism  in  27  Member  States,  led  by  Ireland  (44%  think  that  the  next 
twelve months will be “better”) and Sweden (42%). As was the case in spring 2015, Greece is the 
only  Member  State  where  a  majority  of  respondents  believe  that  the  next  twelve  months  will  be 
“worse” (45%, versus 10% “better”) and this belief has grown significantly since spring 2015 (+12 
percentage points). 

11 QA2a.1. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, less good or the same, when it 
comes to...? Your life in general 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  optimism  index12 has  fallen  for  the  first  time  in  recent  surveys.  It  was  fairly  stable  between 
autumn  1997  and  spring  2007,  but  declined  between  spring  2007  and  autumn  2012  (with 
downward  spikes  in  autumn  2008  and  autumn  2011,  each  time  followed  by  an  upturn).  After 
autumn  2012  (EB78),  the  optimism  index  rose  (with  an  increase  of  17  index  points  to  +20). 
However, it has fallen by three index points between spring 2015 and autumn 2015 (-3 index points 
to +17). It should be pointed out that in the years since 1996 the optimism index has never been 
negative. 

QA2a.1

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
Your	life	in	general	(%	-	EU)

40%

30%

+20

20%

10%

0%

+27 +27

+25

+26

+23

+22

+23

+21

+22

+23

+23 +22

+22

+15

+17

+17

+16

+20

+17

+17

+17

OPTIMISM	INDEX	(BETTER	- WORSE)

+13

+11

+11

+12

+6

+6

+3

+10

+7

+2

+1

1996

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

12 Difference between the positive (“better”) and negative (“worse”) answers 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

QA2a.1

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

What are your expectations
months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
Your	life	in	general	(%)

for the next

twelve months: will

Report 

the next

twelve

EU28

MT
PL
UK
IE
HR
LU
FR
SE
BG
IT
CY
LV
LT
FI
DK
HU
ES
NL
EE
RO
PT
SI
SK
BE
CZ
DE
AT
EL

Better-Worse
EB83	Sp.2015

Better-Worse
EB84	Aut.2015

Aut.2015	-
Sp.2015

3

5
3
3
1
1
1
=
=
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
6
7
7
7
8
9
9
12
24

+17

+33
+15
+32
+41
+15
+23
+27
+39
+9
+20
+13
+25
+19
+26
+30
+2
+23
+24
+24
+16
+3
+5
+11
+8
+6
+4
+6
-35

+20

+28
+12
+29
+40
+14
+22
+27
+39
+10
+21
+15
+27
+21
+28
+33
+5
+27
+28
+29
+22
+10
+12
+18
+16
+15
+13
+18
-11

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

D70

On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied
or	not	at	all	satisfied	with	the	life	you	lead?	
(%	-	EU)

QA2a.1What are your expectations for the next twelve months:
will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when
it	comes	to...?	
Your	life	in	general	(%	-	EU)

r
e
t
t
e
B

28

30
27

49
41
27
14

16
27
32
49

35
31
31
32
24
41
12
49

29
30
28

26
31
28
31
41

e
m
a
S

58

57
58

43
47
58
69

66
57
57
46

53
60
56
54
57
40
71
46

45
53
62

57
55
60
62
52

e
s
r
o
W

11

10
12

6
9
12
14

14
13
9
4

9
7
11
11
15
15
14
4

21
14
8

13
12
10
6
5

l

a
t
o
T

'

d
e
i
f
s
i
t
a
S

'

l

a
t
o
T

'

d
e
i
f
s
i
t
a
s

t
o
N

'

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

81

82
81

91
85
81
77

70
80
88
92

85
93
87
82
76
64
76
92

48
73
91

72
78
87
94
93

19

18
19

9
15
19
23

30
20
12
8

15
7
13
18
23
36
24
8

52
27
9

27
22
13
6
7

11 

 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The following table shows the average results by socio-demographic criteria in the European Union 
as  a  whole  (EU28),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  that  are  receiving  or  have 
received European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

D70

On	the	whole,	are	you	very	satisfied,	fairly	satisfied,	not	very	satisfied	or	not	at	all	satisfied	with	the	life	you	lead?
(% - TOTAL 'SATISFIED')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

81

82
81

91
85
81
77

70
80
88
92

85
93
87
82
76
64
76
92

92

92
93

94
93
90
93

92
90
94
97

92
97
95
93
89
73
91
97

ES

77

78
76

88
80
72
75

71
76
85
90

83
94
93
84
75
51
76
90

FR

86

89
84

97
90
84
82

77
83
92
97

88
95
94
86
87
76
83
97

IT

67

67
67

79
70
72
58

52
66
81
82

78
82
77
56
60
53
57
82

PL

85

85
85

98
88
87
76

65
84
89
99

88
97
87
88
77
78
73
99

UK

93

93
94

97
95
91
91

89
92
96
99

95
97
95
94
96
80
91
99

EL

40

43
37

70
49
32
31

26
39
44
75

41
54
50
38
30
32
32
75

PT

53

56
50

74
66
43
43

40
60
70
79

74
71
64
48
31
33
42
79

IE

94

95
94

98
94
92
96

94
95
93
100

92
96
96
96
95
85
94
100

CY

81

86
76

86
84
85
73

75
82
90
88

87
78
91
83
79
73
77
88

12 

 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Assessments of personal job and financial situations 

Europeans’ judgments and forecasts on their current and future financial and job 
situations have stabilised 

1.  The financial situation of the household 

More than two-thirds of Europeans consider that their household financial situation is “good” (68%, 
versus 30% “bad”), unchanged since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83)13. 

13 QA1a.4. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The financial situation of your household 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

As in spring, this opinion is shared by a majority of respondents in 24 Member States, in particular 
in  Sweden  (91%  of  respondents  say  that  the  financial  situation  of  their  household  is  “good”)  and 
Denmark  (89%).  Respondents  are  predominantly  negative  in  Greece  (24%  “good”  versus  76% 
“bad”), Portugal (41% versus 57%), Bulgaria (43% versus 55%) and Hungary (45% versus 54%).  

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Looking  ahead  over  the  next  twelve  months, more than six in ten Europeans think that their 
household  financial  situation  will  “stay  the  same“  (62%,  one  percentage  point  down  since  spring 
2015)14. Almost a quarter of Europeans, broadly unchanged since spring 2015, believe that the next 
twelve  months  will  be  “better”  (23%,  unchanged)  and  12%  think  that  they  will  be  “worse”  (+1 
percentage point). 

Optimism outweighs pessimism in 23 Member States (compared with 26 in spring 2015). The 
optimism index15 is particularly strong in Ireland (+32), with a 9-index point rise since spring 2015. 
Opinions are evenly divided in Belgium, where the index is 0. Pessimism outweighs optimism in four 
Member States, in some cases falling drastically since spring 2015: Greece (the index has fallen by 
27  index  points  and  now  stands  at  -50),  Slovenia  (-9  index  points  to  -1),  the  Czech  Republic  (-8 
index  points  to  -2)  and  Hungary  (where  the  index  stands  at  -1,  despite  an  increase  of  2  index 
points). The optimism index has also declined significantly in Austria, while remaining positive (10 
index points to +2). 

14 QA2a.3. Q What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, less good or the same, when 
it comes to...? The financial situation of your household 
15 Difference between the positive (“better”) and negative (“worse”) answers 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA2a.3

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better,
worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The	financial	situation	of	your	household	(%)

Better-Worse
EB83	Sp.2015

Better-Worse
EB84	Aut.2015

Aut.2015	-
Sp.2015

EU28

IE
MT
UK
FR
LU
HU
SE
BG
CY
PL
EE
HR
IT
LT
FI
ES
LV
NL
PT
SK
DK
DE
RO
BE
CZ
SI
AT
EL

1

9
4
4
2
2
2
1
=
=
=
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
7
8
8
9
10
27

+11

+32
+21
+21
+18
+12
-1
+22
+4
+6
+10
+22
+11
+13
+12
+16
+18
+19
+11
+2
+6
+19
+2
+13
0
-2
-1
+2
-50

+12

+23
+17
+17
+16
+10
-3
+21
+4
+6
+10
+23
+12
+14
+13
+17
+20
+22
+14
+6
+10
+24
+7
+20
+8
+6
+8
+12
-23

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

2.  The personal job situation 

A majority of Europeans are upbeat about their personal job situation16: 58% describe it as 
“good” (unchanged since spring 2015), while 25% say it is “bad” (-1 percentage point).  

Positive  opinions  outweigh  negative  opinions  in  24  Member  States  (compared  with  25  in  spring 
2015).  As  we  saw  in  the  case  of  the  household  financial  situation,  respondents  are  particularly 
positive in Denmark (78%) and Sweden (78%).  

Respondents are mostly negative in Greece (24% “good” versus 52% “bad”), Romania (34% versus 
37%), Hungary (38% versus 42%) and Bulgaria (42% versus 48%).  

16 QA1a.3. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? Your personal job situation 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Looking ahead over the next twelve months, six in ten Europeans think that their personal job 
situation will “stay the same” (60%, compared with 22% who think that the next twelve months will 
be “better” and 8% who say it will be “worse”), in proportions unchanged since spring 201517. 

17 QA2a.5.  What  are  your  expectations  for  the  next  twelve  months:  will  they  be  better,  worse  or  the  same  when  it  comes  to…?  Your 
personal job situation 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about their personal job situation over 
the next twelve months in 26 Member States, as in spring 2015. The optimism index is particularly 
high in Ireland, where the index stands at +28, and the United Kingdom (+24). Pessimism outweighs 
optimism in Greece where the index stands at -23, and Hungary (-1). Optimism has deteriorated in 
Greece since spring 2015, the index falling by 11 index points. 

QA2a.5

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be
better,	worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
Your	personal	job	situation	(%)

Better-Worse
EB83	Sp.2015

Better-Worse
EB84	Aut.2015

Aut.2015	-
Sp.2015

=
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
=
=
=
=
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
8
11

EU28

IE
UK
HU
LU
LT
NL
IT
PL
FR
MT
HR
ES
LV
FI
RO
DK
BG
SE
BE
SK
CY
CZ
SI
EE
DE
AT
PT
EL

+14

+28
+24
-1
+18
+17
+17
+15
+10
+21
+19
+11
+22
+20
+15
+12
+18
+7
+23
+10
+8
+6
+4
+4
+19
+10
+7
+1
-23

+14

+23
+20
-5
+15
+14
+15
+13
+8
+20
+18
+10
+22
+20
+15
+12
+19
+8
+25
+12
+10
+9
+7
+7
+23
+14
+12
+9
-12

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

c.  The concerns of Europeans 

The cost of living remains the most important personal concern for Europeans 

Rising  prices/inflation/the  cost  of  living  is  still  the  most  important  current  issue  facing 
Europeans (27%)18, unchanged since spring 2015. This item had lost ground in recent surveys, with 
a decrease of 18 percentage points since spring 2012. 

The  household  financial  situation  is  the  second  personal  concern  mentioned  by  Europeans 
(16%),    up  one  percentage  point  since  spring  2015.  It  has  been  fairly  stable  since  spring  2012, 
except for a spike in autumn 2014 (to 19%). 

Health and social security is ranked in third place (15%, -1 percentage point since spring 2015). 
Concerns about this item have been fairly stable since spring 2012. It is followed by pensions, just 
one point behind (14%, -1 since spring 2015), an issue that has also been fairly stable since spring 
2012. 

Unemployment  has  fallen  from  second  to  fourth  place  among  the  personal  concerns  of 
Europeans. The decrease of two percentage points since spring 2015 confirms the downward trend 
of personal concern about this issue since spring 2014 (-7 percentage points in total). 

Next,  respondents  mentioned  taxation  (13%,  -1),  ahead  of  the  national  economic  situation 
(10%, unchanged since spring 2015, but -9 since spring 2012). 

Immigration is ranked in eighth place among the personal concerns of Europeans (9%), recording 
the largest rise seen since spring 2015 (+3). This confirms the growing focus on this issue, with an 
increase of seven percentage points between autumn 2012 and autumn 2015. 

The  education  system  was  also  mentioned  by  9%  of  respondents,  -2  percentage  points  since 
spring 2015.  

The  two  new  items  introduced  in  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  of  spring  2015  (EB83)  obtained 
slightly  lower  scores:  working  conditions  (8%,  -1  percentage  point)  and  living  conditions  (8%, 
unchanged). The addition of these two new items has automatically reduced the scores of the other 
items in this question.  

However, they were mentioned more frequently than crime (6%, +1), the environment, climate 
and energy issues (5%, unchanged), housing (5%, -1) and terrorism (4%, +2).  

18 QA4a. And personally, what are the two most important issues you are facing at the moment? 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?
	(%	-	EU)

Aut.2015

Sp.2015

Aut.2014

Sp.2014

Aut.2013

Sp.2013

Aut.2012

Sp.2012

27
27

30

32

40
41

44
45

19

19

21
20

22
21
21

16
15

16
16
16
15
15

15
16
16
15
15
15
15
15

14
15
15
15

13
14
13
14

14

16

13
14

17
17
17
16
16

14

14
15

17
18
19
19

10
10

9

9

11
10
10
10
9
9
10

8
9

8
8

RISING	PRICES/	INFLATION/	COST	OF	LIVING

THE	FINANCIAL	SITUATION	OF	YOUR	HOUSEHOLD

HEALTH	AND	SOCIAL	SECURITY

PENSIONS

UNEMPLOYMENT

TAXATION

THE	ECONOMIC	SITUATION	IN	(OUR	COUNTRY)

IMMIGRATION

6
5
4
3
3
2
3

THE	EDUCATION	SYSTEM

WORKING	CONDITIONS

LIVING	CONDITIONS

CRIME

THE	ENVIRONMENT,	CLIMATE	AND	ENERGY	ISSUES

HOUSING

6
5
5
5
5
6
6
5

5
5

7
7
6
5
6
5

5
6
6
6
6
5
5
5

21 

 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Leg

0%

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?
	(%	-	EU)

45

44

41

40

Report 

0%

32

21

17

15

30

19

17

15

27

16

14

21

16

15

13

22

16

14

20

17

15

13

27

RISING	PRICES/	INFLATION/	COST	OF	LIVING

THE	FINANCIAL	SITUATION	OF	
YOUR	HOUSEHOLD
HEALTH	AND	SOCIAL	SECURITY
PENSIONS
UNEMPLOYMENT
TAXATION

16
15
14
14
13

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

21

15

14

2012

2013

2014

2015

Six most frequently mentioned items 

The  order  in  which  Europeans  rank  their  personal  concerns  differs  in  euro  area  and  non-euro 
area countries: 

§  The cost of living is the biggest concern in both groups of countries (26%, -1 percentage in 

the euro area countries, and 28%, unchanged, in countries outside the euro area);  

§  However, concerns about health and social security are greater in the non-euro area countries 
(20%  -1),  while  euro  area  respondents  are  more  likely  to  mention  taxation  (17%,  =)  and 
unemployment (16%, -1).  

Five most frequently mentioned items in the euro area and outside the euro area 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Rising  prices/inflation/cost  of  living  is  the  leading  personal  concern  in  18  Member  States 
(compared with 19 in spring 2015), led by Lithuania (60%), where it has gained significant ground 
since  spring  2015  (+11  percentage  points).  Concern  about  this  item  has  decreased  since  spring 
2015 in Estonia (28%, -10). 

The main personal concern in Cyprus is the household financial situation (42%).  

Health and social security is the main personal concern in five Member States (fown from four 
in spring 2015): Finland (38%), Sweden (35%), the Netherlands (33%), Latvia (29%) and Denmark 
(18%).  

Unemployment is the main personal concern in Spain (32%).  

Taxation heads the list of problems facing respondents in Greece (35%) and Italy (30%). Concerns 
about this item have increased significantly in Greece since spring 2015 (+10 percentage points).  

Immigration  is  the  leading  personal  concern  in  Germany  (20%),  with  a  sharp  increase  of  12 
percentage points since spring 2015. 

Other points of note: pensions are frequently mentioned in Greece (22%), the education system 
(20%)  and  environmental  issues  (22%)  in  Sweden,  living  conditions  in  Romania  (19%), 
working  conditions  in  Italy  (12%)  and  Portugal  (12%),  crime  in  Ireland  (13%),  housing  in 
Luxembourg (18%), and terrorism in the United Kingdom (7%).  

23 

 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?	(%)

l

d
o
h
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s
u
o
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16

12
28
20
10
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14
34
15
17
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12
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14
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16
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28
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27
25
34
27
22
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28
60
30
27
30
15
38
27
38
30
21
36
12
6
32

y
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l

a
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d
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a
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t
l
a
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15

10
15
13
18
14
24
22
11
9
9
15
7
9
29
15
7
20
10
33
15
19
12
22
12
21
38
35
20

s
n
o
i
s
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14

16
20
18
7
12
18
9
22
14
15
15
13
7
19
16
6
17
14
14
14
16
18
18
18
16
13
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14

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16
11
4
15
8
5
11 4
6
6
12
8
15
19
24
35
15
32
22
14
5
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30
8
34
15
10
23
11
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13
6
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5
4
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13
17
18
9
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9
8
3
15
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20
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2
17
2
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3
21
3
14
2
8
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19
3
8
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8
5
8
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2
17 3
6
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18
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4
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8
5
3
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9
11
1
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11
5
6
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7
6
3
5
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4
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6
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9
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6
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5
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2
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1
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6
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9
0
6
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18
5
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11 1
11 3
7
8

Highest	percentage	per	country

Lowest	percentage	per	country

Highest	percentage	per	item

Lowest	percentage	per	item

24 

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?	(%)

l

d
o
h
e
s
u
o
h
r
u
o
y
f
o
n
o
i
t
a
u
t
i
s

l

a
i
c
n
a
n
i
f
e
h
T

16

12
28
20
10
11
19
14
34
15
17
26
12
42
14
14
9
24
10
16
15
16
17
20
18
25
23
13
16

g
n
i
v
i
l

f
o
t
s
o
c

/
n
o
i
t
a
l
f
n

i

/
s
e
c
i
r
p
g
n
i
s
i
R

27

44
30
34
8
18
28
32
27
25
34
27
22
21
28
60
30
27
30
15
38
27
38
30
21
36
12
6
32

y
t
i
r
u
c
e
s

l

a
i
c
o
s
d
n
a
h
t
l
a
e
H

15

10
15
13
18
14
24
22
11
9
9
15
7
9
29
15
7
20
10
33
15
19
12
22
12
21
38
35
20

t
n
e
m
y
o
p
m
e
n
U

l

14

11
15
8
11
6
8
19
24
32
14
18
19
34
10
11
13
15
4
12
10
13
18
11
15
10
16
11
9

s
n
o
i
s
n
e
P

14

16
20
18
7
12
18
9
22
14
15
15
13
7
19
16
6
17
14
14
14
16
18
18
18
16
13
11
14

n
o
i
t
a
x
a
T

13

16
4
5
4
6
12
15
35
15
22
5
30
8
15
23
11
6
5
7
6
8
17
9
9
5
7
5
7

)
Y
R
T
N
U
O
C
R
U
O

(
n

i

n
o
i
t
a
u
t
i
s

c
i
m
o
n
o
c
e
e
h
T

10

8
15
8
6
5
12
12
17
14
8
17
12
21
14
8
6
14
3
10
8
8
10
17
14
12
21
13
9

m
e
t
s
y
s
n
o
i
t
a
c
u
d
e
e
h
T

9

7
5
5
13
11
11
9
6
10
7
5
7
6
7
7
14
7
9
18
10
4
3
8
7
7
11
20
11

s
n
o
i
t
i
d
n
o
c
g
n
i
k
r
o
W

8

6
8
10
8
5
7
6
5
11
8
10
12
8
7
7
9
10
8
9
11
11
12
11
11
9
10
9
5

s
n
o
i
t
i
d
n
o
c
g
n
i
v
i
L

8

6
18
8
4
6
9
4
6
7
5
14
11
5
6
5
5
13
6
5
12
13
17
19
14
7
9
9
4

n
o
i
t
a
r
g
m
m

i

I

9

9
3
11
14
20
10
6
2
2
4
2
10
3
3
2
10
9
19
8
16
5
2
3
6
4
9
17
9

e
m

i
r
C

6

8
5
5
4
7
2
13
1
4
8
3
9
1
2
3
11
6
7
3
8
4
1
6
2
2
3
4
5

s
e
u
s
s
i
y
g
r
e
n
e
d
n
a
e
t
a
m

i
l
c

,
t
n
e
m
n
o
r
i
v
n
e
e
h
T

5

9
3
6
12
6
3
5
1
3
7
4
3
1
1
1
9
3
16
14
5
3
1
3
4
4
10
22
5

g
n
i
s
u
o
H

m

s
i
r
o
r
r
e
T

5

5
1
8
7
4
3
9
1
7
6
6
2
2
9
6
18
7
4
5
5
6
1
4
4
7
11
11
8

4

5
2
3
5
3
1
2
1
1
4
1
5
1
1
0
6
5
6
5
5
3
1
3
1
2
1
3
7

1st	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

2nd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

3rd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

25 

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?
(% - RISING PRICES/ INFLATION/ COST OF LIVING)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

27

25
28

24
31
26
25

28
29
24
21

27
23
30
32
31
19
26
21

18

17
20

16
24
14
19

24
19
13
19

17
14
21
22
18
14
19
19

25

22
28

19
23
25
29

27
24
27
14

32
22
28
29
37
15
24
14

34

30
38

24
44
37
31

38
38
32
19

39
24
45
45
47
25
31
19

IT

22

21
23

11
21
24
24

24
25
21
11

26
22
25
21
27
8
24
11

PL

UK

EL

PT

27

26
28

29
29
23
27

34
28
27
28

29
27
22
27
36
22
28
28

32

29
34

37
41
31
23

25
32
34
41

31
31
42
38
31
17
25
41

27

26
29

33
33
26
22

29
25
28
30

28
31
30
37
29
24
21
30

38

35
40

30
41
42
35

40
39
40
26

41
28
46
45
49
27
36
26

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?
(% - THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

16

15
17

13
19
20
12

16
18
14
12

16
11
15
19
18
29
12
12

11

11
11

9
14
15
8

12
14
8
4

13
6
9
18
15
35
7
4

15

11
18

11
19
21
8

13
18
12
13

14
7
13
11
15
33
6
13

17

16
19

17
22
21
12

18
19
15
14

33
11
15
24
14
31
9
14

PL

UK

EL

PT

16

15
18

8
15
20
18

25
20
15
7

9
12
18
11
33
28
23
7

16

16
15

14
22
21
8

9
19
13
24

14
15
26
19
19
17
6
24

34

31
37

27
36
43
29

36
35
34
27

31
29
35
43
40
46
26
27

17

19
15

16
15
21
16

21
15
11
19

11
10
10
20
13
32
14
19

IT

12

11
13

6
11
13
13

15
13
9
3

15
6
5
22
13
16
13
3

26 

IE

32

27
38

36
36
34
26

30
36
29
33

12
29
44
42
37
25
27
33

IE

14

11
17

10
19
20
7

13
13
18
12

22
15
11
14
19
16
8
12

CY

21

20
22

10
26
20
23

28
18
24
15

28
20
30
21
18
13
25
15

CY

42

41
42

33
48
47
37

44
51
33
19

46
28
42
49
54
57
31
19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA4a

And	personally,	what	are	the	two	most	important	issues	you	are	facing	at	the	moment?
(% - HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

IT

PL

UK

EL

PT

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

15

13
16

6
10
13
22

17
15
16
5

14
14
12
12
13
9
24
5

14

11
16

5
8
13
20

21
14
11
4

11
10
12
15
13
7
21
4

9

6
12

7
6
11
11

10
8
9
6

11
5
22
6
13
4
12
6

9

8
9

4
5
6
14

10
10
6
3

10
6
6
6
7
2
15
3

7

8
6

5
3
8
9

7
6
8
6

6
12
5
3
9
0
12
6

19

18
19

5
13
18
28

31
19
20
3

23
19
18
16
16
12
27
3

20

19
21

4
14
20
30

27
20
20
2

22
14
13
14
18
26
33
2

11

9
12

3
7
4
18

15
9
10
0

4
10
10
4
12
5
22
0

12

10
14

1
9
9
20

18
11
7
1

11
7
11
11
20
11
20
1

IE

22

22
21

6
13
16
41

32
25
17
7

30
11
12
19
29
12
42
7

CY

9

9
10

2
6
12
15

15
7
12
3

19
21
0
3
0
4
21
3

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

2  Economic aspects 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

a.  The current economic situation 

1.  The national and European situations 

Assessments of the national and European economic situations continue to improve 
while remaining mostly negative 

40%  of  Europeans  say  that  the  economic  situation  in  their  country  is  “good”,  up  two 
percentage  points  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  spring  2015  (EB83)19.  However,  a 
majority of respondents continue to describe the situation as “bad” (57%, -2).  

This increase confirms the improvement recorded since spring 2013 (+14 percentage points in total 
during this period). Positive assessments of the national economy had increased between 2004 and 
spring 2007, when they even represented the majority view. They then fell sharply until 2010, with 
minimal  changes  until  spring  2013. 
The score recorded for this indicator 
in  autumn  2015  is  therefore  the 
highest since autumn 2007.  

Respondents  are  slightly 
less 
positive  about  the  European 
:  38% 
economic 
describe it as “good”, an increase of 
one  percentage  point  since  spring 
2015 (versus 50% “bad”, -1).  

situation 20

19 QA1a.1. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The situation of the (NATIONALITY) economy 
20 QA1a.2. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The situation of the European economy 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

QA1a.1

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The	situation	of	the	(NATIONALITY)	economy	(%	-	EU)

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

62

30%

34

20%

10%

4

0%

56

41

50

36

50

47

52

44

49

48

69

29

78

77

75

70

68

71

71

72

72

68

63

63

59

57

TOTAL	'BAD'

TOTAL	'GOOD'

40

38

30

28

28

27

27

26

34

34

31

4

2

3

4

3

2

20

2

23

2

22

1

2

2

1

2

1

2

1

3

3

3

3

DON'T	KNOW

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Respondents  remain  more  optimistic  in  the  non-euro  area  countries  than  in  the  euro  area 
countries about both the national and European economic situations: 

§  46% of non-euro area respondents say that the economic situation in their country is “good” 
(+2  percentage  points,  versus  49%,  -3)  compared  with  37%  with  the  euro  area  (+1,  versus 
61%, -1); 

§  An unchanged majority of non-euro area respondents say that the economic situation in the 
European Union is “good” (44% versus 41%), while only a minority of euro area respondents 
do so, despite an improvement since spring 2015 (35%, +3 percentage points, versus 55%,   
-2). 

QA1a

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?

The	situation	of	the	(NATIONALITY)	
economy	(%)

The	situation	of	
the	European	economy	(%)

Total	'Good'

Total	'Bad'

Total	'Good'

Total	'Bad'

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

40

37
46

57

61
49

38

35
44

50

55
41

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Positive opinions about the national economic situation outweigh negative opinions in 12 
Member  States  (compared  with  eight  in  spring  2015),  with  a  proportion  of  “good”  answers  in 
excess  of  80%  in  four  Member  States:  Germany  (86%),  Luxembourg  (85%),  Malta  (85%)  and 
Denmark (83%).  

However, in three Member States 90% or more of respondents consider that the national economic 
situation  is  “bad”:  in  Greece  (97%,  including  78%  “very  bad”),  Portugal  (91%,  including  35%  “very 
bad”) and Spain (90%, including 38% “very bad”). 

Positive  assessments  of  the  national  economy  have  gained  significant  ground  in  Ireland,  where  a 
majority of respondents are now upbeat (57%, +10 percentage points, versus 40%), and Slovakia, 
where they remain in the minority (30%, +10, versus 66%). 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA1a.1

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The	situation	of	the	(NATIONALITY)	economy	(%)

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

IE
SK
PL
SI
CZ
NL
RO
HR
LU
MT
IT
EE
CY
ES
FI
BE
FR
DE
DK
LV
BG
EL
LT
HU
SE
PT
UK
AT

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

2

1
3

11
11
10
9
7
8
6
8
6
2
4
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
=
=
1
=
1
2
1
5

3

2
5

3
4
7
1
1
1
2
1
2
7
1
7
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
5
3
0
2
2
4
1
6
1

'

d
o
o
G

'

l

a
t
o
T

40

37
46

57
30
47
19
51
79
25
19
85
85
14
47
14
9
23
47
14
86
83
23
9
3
37
29
76
8
53
51

'

d
a
B

'

l

a
t
o
T

57

61
49

40
66
46
80
48
20
73
80
13
8
85
46
85
90
76
51
83
12
14
72
88
97
61
69
20
91
41
48

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

1
2

10
10
9
9
8
7
7
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
=
=
=
=
=
1
1
2
2
3
5

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  predominantly  positive  about  the  European  economy  in  14  Member 
States (compared with 12 in spring 2015), led by Lithuania (71%), Bulgaria (63%), Romania (60%) 
and Croatia (59%). Respondents in France (68% describe the European economic situation as bad) 
and Portugal (68%) are the most critical.  

Negative  assessments  of  the  economic  situation  in  the  European  Union  have  gained  significant 
ground  in  several  Member  States  since  spring  2015:  Latvia  (41%,  +11  percentage  points)  and 
Portugal (68%, +10). In contrast, respondents are now less negative in Sweden (54%, -10, versus 
34% of positive opinions, +5). 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

2.  Employment  

Assessments of the national employment situation have improved slightly, but remain 
mostly negative  

Two-thirds  of  Europeans  consider  that  the  employment  situation  in  their  country  is  “bad”  (67%, 
versus 30% “good”)21, but this has fallen by two percentage points since spring 2015.  

21 QA1a.5. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The employment situation in (OUR COUNTRY) 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents are predominantly positive about employment in their country in five Member States 
(down from four in spring 2015): Malta (74% versus 13%), Denmark (71% versus 25%), Germany 
(71%  versus  26%),  Luxembourg  (56%  versus  41%)  and  the  Netherlands  (50%  versus  48%). 
However,  the  proportion  of  negative  answers  exceeds  90%  in  six  Member  States:  Greece  (99%), 
Spain (94%), Portugal (93%), France (92%), Slovenia (91%) and Bulgaria (91%). In Greece, as many 
as 86% of respondents believe that the employment situation is “very bad”.  

The proportion of positive answers has increased sharply since spring 2015 in two Member States: 
the  Czech  Republic  (41%,  +14  percentage  points),  and  the  Netherlands,  where  a  majority  of 
respondents now say the employment sitiation is “good” (50%, +11, versus 48%, -11).  

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Expectations for the next twelve months 

Europeans are increasingly pessimistic about the outlook for the economy and 
employment 

1.  The national and European situations 

After improving between autumn 2014 (EB82) and spring 2015 (EB83), forecasts for the national 
and European economic situations over the next twelve months have once again deteriorated.  

A majority of Europeans think that the national economic situation will stay the same over the 
next  twelve  months  (44%),  but  fewer  do  so  than  in  spring  2015  (-4  percentage  points),  while 
pessimism has increased (26%, +5) and has overtaken optimism (24%, -2)22. 

Impressions of the European economy have deteriorated even more markedly23: more than four in 
ten Europeans think that the next twelve months will see no change (42%, -2 percentage points), 
but  more  than  a  quarter  now  think  that  the  coming  year  will  be  worse  (26%,  +7,  versus  20% 
“better”, -4). 

22 QA2a.2. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it 
comes to …? The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY) 
23 QA2a6. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it 
comes to …? The economic situation in the EU 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  more  likely  to  be  optimistic  than  pessimistic  about  the  national 
economic  outlook  over  the  next  twelve  months  in  14  Member  States  (down  from  18  in 
spring  2015).  Respondents  are  the  most  optimistic  in  Ireland  (51%  think  that  the  next  twelve 
months  will  be  “better”),  Malta  (43%)  and  the  Netherlands  (40%),  but  they  are  particularly 
pessimistic  in  Greece  (70%  think  that  the  next  twelve  months  will  be  “worse”)  and,  to  a  lesser 
extent, in Sweden (48%). 

There have been some significant changes since spring 2015: the view that the next twelve 
months  will  be  worse  for  the  national  economy  has  gained  significant  ground  in  Greece  (+24 
percentage points to 70%), Sweden (+23 to 48%), Germany (+22 to 39%), Denmark (+15 to 18%) 
and Slovenia (+11 to 33%). 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA2a.2

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the
same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The	economic	situation	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	(%)

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

MT
LU
IE
PL
HR
RO
IT
ES
CY
CZ
SK
UK
EE
FR
HU
BG
DE
LT
LV
BE
AT
SI
NL
SE
FI
PT
EL
DK

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

6
2

5
1
=
5
4
3
2
4
3
5
2
1
3
2
7
4
20
2
3
4
=
4
4
12
2
2
8
1

e
s
r
o
W

26

28
24

5
23
8
20
24
24
24
13
24
22
24
23
21
23
22
22
39
17
20
29
39
33
16
48
25
30
70
18

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

5

7
3

2
3
6
1
6
1
2
2
=
7
3
1
1
=
7
2
22
3
7
2
7
11
6
23
9
4
24
15

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

6

5
6

12
4
3
11
2
5
7
8
4
4
5
5
10
6
3
11
3
3
5
4
3
3
2
3
4
11
0
3

r
e
t
t
e
B

24

23
26

43
23
51
24
30
32
31
32
27
21
21
31
23
23
19
17
10
25
17
18
18
16
40
9
26
16
9
25

e
m
a
S

44

44
44

40
50
38
45
44
39
38
47
45
53
50
41
46
48
56
50
48
55
58
49
40
48
42
40
45
43
21
54

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

2
1

7
6
5
5
3
2
2
=
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
5
7
7
10
10
11
11
14
15

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  more  likely  to  be  optimistic  than  pessimistic  about  the  economic 
outlook  in  the  European  Union  over  the  next  twelve  months  in  nine  Member  States 
(compared  with  20  in  spring  2015).  In  Romania  (41%)  and  Ireland  (34%)  more  than  a  third  of 
respondents are optimistic about the outlook.  

However,  the  proportion  of  respondents  who  believe  that  the  European  economic  situation  will 
deteriorate  over  the  next  twelve  months  exceeds  40%  in  four  Member  States:  Austria  (51%), 
Sweden (48%), Germany (46%) and Luxembourg (44%).  

Pessimistic forecasts for the European economic situation over the next twelve months have gained 
ground  since  spring  2015  in  25  Member  States,  and  by  ten  or  more  percentage  points  in  12 
countries.  The  biggest  increases  were  recorded  in  Sweden  (+23  percentage  points  to  48%),  the 
Czech  Republic  (+19  to  34%)  and  Denmark  (+19  to  32%).  Pessimisn  has  only  declined  (and  only 
slightly) in three countries: Ireland (-2 to 12%), Italy (-2 to 16%) and Malta (-1 to 12%). 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA2a.6

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better,
worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The	economic	situation	in	the	EU	(%)

EU28

RO
IT
LU
CY
IE
MT
PL
UK
CZ
HR
FR
SK
ES
EE
DE
LT
FI
LV
BG
AT
EL
NL
SE
HU
BE
DK
PT
SI

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

3
1
7
3
3
1
3
3
13
5
4
3
3
8
9
2
2
10
4
3
1
4
16
1
1
7
4
2

e
s
r
o
W

26

12
16
44
19
12
12
17
30
34
23
20
24
8
27
46
11
24
23
10
51
39
34
48
25
39
32
19
27

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

7

3
2
7
6
2
1
6
7
19
10
1
11
3
12
17
4
9
15
3
13
7
12
23
11
9
19
5
15

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

12

12
13
7
19
13
26
17
14
10
8
14
8
12
22
6
10
8
14
24
5
4
7
11
8
7
10
14
6

r
e
t
t
e
B

20

41
32
20
16
34
24
16
18
12
30
21
20
28
18
9
26
21
17
26
14
10
20
10
18
11
16
18
16

e
m
a
S

42

35
39
29
46
41
38
50
38
44
39
45
48
52
33
39
53
47
46
40
30
47
39
31
49
43
42
49
51

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

1
1
1
=
1
1
1
2
2
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
13

39 

 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA2a

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it comes
to...?
(%	-	EU)

The	economic	situation	
in	(OUR	COUNTRY)

The	economic	situation	
in	the	EU

r
e
t
t
e
B

24

25
23

31
28
23
19

17
20
25
29

18
22
27
32

28
26
27
23
21
26
18
32

20
23
25

22
24
24
30
32

e
m
a
S

44

45
44

43
42
44
47

47
46
43
42

46
45
44
44

41
46
42
45
42
43
47
44

40
42
46

44
44
45
46
43

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Generation
Total	'Before	1946'
1946	-	1964	"BB"
1965	-	1980	"X"
After	1980	"Y"

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

6

4
6

6
5
5
6

9
5
5
6

7
5
4
6

4
3
4
6
8
4
7
6

6
6
5

7
4
5
3
2

r
e
t
t
e
B

20

21
19

26
23
20
16

13
18
21
25

16
20
22
26

22
20
22
20
18
23
15
26

18
21
20

19
19
21
24
17

e
m
a
S

42

43
41

41
42
43
42

41
43
43
42

42
42
43
43

43
44
42
43
41
41
42
43

40
42
43

42
42
43
42
43

e
s
r
o
W

26

27
26

20
25
28
28

29
28
27
22

25
27
27
21

26
29
26
26
23
25
28
21

26
25
27

24
29
27
27
29

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

12

9
14

13
10
9
14

17
11
9
11

17
11
8
10

9
7
10
11
18
11
15
10

16
12
10

15
10
9
7
11

e
s
r
o
W

26

26
27

20
25
28
28

27
29
27
23

29
28
25
18

27
25
27
26
29
27
28
18

34
29
24

27
28
26
21
23

40 

 
 
 
 
		
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA2a.2

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	
when	it	comes	to...?
The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - BETTER)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

24

25
23

31
28
23
19

18
22
27
32

28
26
27
23
21
26
18
32

10

11
8

14
11
9
7

7
7
13
20

3
12
9
7
16
9
6
20

32

31
32

37
41
28
27

25
32
43
38

29
30
43
31
23
34
30
38

23

21
25

31
29
23
17

14
21
28
32

24
30
38
24
8
24
16
32

IT

31

31
31

43
30
31
27

20
29
42
49

45
39
29
17
24
27
25
49

PL

UK

EL

PT

24

25
23

29
28
26
18

29
24
21
29

20
26
22
30
16
25
19
29

31

34
27

44
38
28
21

21
33
30
35

34
30
44
34
22
34
21
35

9

9
9

16
8
7
8

6
8
12
13

9
6
8
14
8
7
8
13

16

20
14

16
15
17
17

17
13
20
24

17
21
18
15
23
10
15
24

IE

51

56
46

54
56
52
43

38
45
61
55

60
65
51
50
35
51
45
55

CY

27

29
24

41
21
27
24

24
30
23
44

21
23
21
31
18
20
28
44

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

2.  Employment  

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

More  than  four  in  ten  Europeans  think  that  the  national  employment  situation  will 
remain  unchanged  over  the  next  twelve  months  (43%)24, but this represents a fall of three 
percentage points since spring 2015. Pessimism has grown (28% think that the next twelve months 
will be “worse”, up five percentage points) and now outstrips optimism (24%, -2). 

24 QA2a.4. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it 
comes to …? The employment situation in (OUR COUNTRY) 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  more  likely  to  be  optimistic  than  pessimistic  about  employment  prospects  in  the 
coming year in 11 Member States (compared with 13 in spring 2015). As in the case of the national 
economic  situation,  respondents  are  particularly  optimistic  in  Ireland  (54%  think  that  the  next 
twelve  months  will  be  “better”),  Malta  (42%)  and  the  Netherlands  (40%).  However,  pessimisn  has 
reached 70% in Greece and 48% in Austria. 

Respondents  are  more  likely  than  in  spring  2015  to  think  that  the  next  twelve  months  will  be 
“worse”  for  employment  nationally  in  17  Member  States,  strikingly  so  in  five  of  them:  Germany 
(+22 percentage points to 42%), Greece (+18 to 70%), Sweden (+17 to 39%), Finland (+14 to 33%) 
and Austria (+10 to 48%).  

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA2a.4

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better,
worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The	employment	situation	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	(%)

EU28

MT
LU
IE
PL
IT
SK
RO
ES
HR
CZ
LV
HU
FR
LT
CY
BE
BG
EE
DE
NL
UK
SI
AT
FI
SE
PT
EL
DK

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

3

6
6
=
5
2
4
3
4
3
4
5
4
5
5
=
1
4
=
16
=
1
2
5
6
10
3
6
6

e
s
r
o
W

28

6
33
6
21
25
25
29
14
27
22
17
29
25
12
29
31
23
18
42
19
23
33
48
33
39
32
70
12

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

5

2
1
6
2
4
3
1
1
5
3
5
3
2
1
3
3
2
=
22
5
1
6
10
14
17
4
18
7

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

5

14
5
4
11
5
5
6
7
3
4
6
3
5
4
4
3
12
15
3
3
6
4
4
4
5
9
1
5

r
e
t
t
e
B

24

42
25
54
19
35
23
28
34
29
22
18
18
23
23
21
20
17
20
10
40
28
17
18
21
16
17
8
34

e
m
a
S

43

38
37
36
49
35
47
37
45
41
52
59
50
47
61
46
46
48
47
45
38
43
46
30
42
40
42
21
49

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

6
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
6
8
8
11
12
13

44 

 
 
 
 
	
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

c.  The main concerns at national level  

Immigration is now the main concern at national level, level with unemployment 

The order in which Europeans rank their  national concerns has changed considerably  between the 
Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83) and the Standard Eurobarometer survey of 
autumn  2015  (EB84)25.  Unemployment  has  lost  ground,  while  concern  about  immigration  has 
increased sharply. This trend has been observed since 2013. 

Immigration  is  now  the  leading  national  concern,  level  with  unemployment,  with  an 
increase of 13 percentage points since spring 2015. This is the highest score ever recorded for this 
indicator.  After  declining  between  spring  and  autumn  2011  (-4  percentage  points),  concern  about 
immigration has gained ground continuously ever since (+29 percentage points over the period). 

Although  Europeans  are  still  very  worried  about  unemployment  at  national  level,  this  item  was 
mentioned  less  frequently  than  in  spring  2015  (-6  percentage  points),  confirming  its  downward 
trend since autumn 2013 (-15 percentage points in total between spring 2013 and autumn 2015). 

The economic situation  remains the third issue of concern (19%), but it too has lost ground (-2 
percentage points since spring 2015 and -23 since autumn 2011). 

Health  and  social  security  follows  in  fourth  place  (14%),  falling  four  percentage  points  since 
spring  2015,  whereas  it  had  previously  gained  ground  since  spring  2013  (+7  points  up  to  spring 
2015). 

Rising prices/inflation/cost of living (14%) shares fourth place, with an unchanged score. 

Terrorism is now ranked sixth (11%), with an increase of four percentage points since spring 2015. 
In total, this item has gained nine points since spring 2014. 

Next,  with  identical  scores,  respondents  mentioned  pensions  (10%,  -2  percentage  points), 
government debt (10%, -2) and crime (10%, +1).  

These  are  followed  by  housing  (8%,  +2  percentage  points),  taxation  (8%,  unchanged)  and  the 
education system (8%, -3 since spring 2015).  

The environment, climate and energy issues are seen as the least important national concern 
(6%, unchanged).  

25 QA3a. What do you think are the two most important issues facing (OUR COUNTRY) at the moment? 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Leg

0%

0%

QA3a What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	(OUR	COUNTRY)	at	the	moment?

	(%	-	EU)

50%

40%

45

35

30%

18

20%

14

11

7

10%

0%

42

30

27

14

11

5

42

41

25

13

7

3

48

37

46

35

24

24

51

49

48

33

33

20

20

12

12

8

2

8

2

11

10

3

12

12

2

45

42

29

16

14

15

24

18

16

14

2

6

23

21

18

14

7

36

36

19

14

14

11

IMMIGRATION
UNEMPLOYMENT

ECONOMIC	SITUATION

HEALTH	AND	SOCIAL	SECURITY
RISING	PRICES/	INFLATION/	COST	OF	LIVING
TERRORISM

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Six most frequently mentioned items 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  order  in  which  national  issues  are  ranked  differs  considerably  in  euro  area  and  non-euro 
area countries: 

§ 

Immigration is now the leading concern in the non-euro area countries, with an increase of 
twelve  percentage  points  since  spring  2015  (32%).  Although  this  issue  has  also  gained 
significant ground in the euro area (38%, +14), it is still ranked behind unemployment (40%, 
-5, compared with 27%, -8 in the non-euro area countries, in second place); 

§  For respondents in the euro area countries, the third most important issue is the economic 
situation (20%, -2 percentage points), while outside the euro area it is health  and  social 
security (21%, -4). 

Immigration  is  now  the  leading  national  concern  in  12  Member  States  (up  from  four  in 
spring 2015), led by Germany (76%), Malta (65%) and Denmark (60%). 

This issue has gained ground in 25 Member States, sometimes spectacularly. The biggest 
increases  were  recorded  in  Slovenia  (+47  percentage  points  to  48%),  Finland  (+35  to  41%),  the 
Netherlands  (+33  to  56%)  and  Germany  (+30  to  76%).  In  contrast,  concerns  have  decreased  in 
three countries, Malta (-11 to 65%), Italy (-1 to 30%) and Lithuania (-1 to 12%). 

Unemployment  is  the  main  national  concern  in  12  Member  States  (compared  with  19  in 
spring 2015), most strikingly in Cyprus (71%), Spain (69%), Portugal (62%) and Croatia (61%).  

However, it has lost ground in 24 Member States, most notably in Slovenia (-18 percentage points 
to 41%), Poland (-16 to 37%) and Sweden (-12 to 28%). 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Health  and  social  security  is  seen  as  the  most  important  national  issue  in  Latvia  (31%).  The 
proportion  of  respondents  mentioning  this  item  has  fallen  sharply  in  the  Netherlands  (-19 
percentage points to 37%). As in Latvia, health and social security stands in first place in Romania, 
jointly  with  the  economic  situation  (both  29%).  Mentions  of  this  item  have  fallen  significantly  in 
Slovenia (-12 percentage points to 27%) and Finland (-10 to 27%). 

Rising  prices  and  inflation  are  the  leading  national  concern  in  Lithuania  (47%).  This  issue  has 
lost very significant ground since spring 2015 in Estonia (-13 percentage points to 19%). 

Housing  is  the  primary  concern  in  Ireland  (34%),  following  a  sharp  rise  since  spring  2015  (+11 
percentage points).  

Other points of note: terrorism is a major issue in the United Kingdom (24%), as are pensions in 
the Czech Republic (21%), government debt in Croatia (26%), crime in Ireland (21%), housing in 
Luxembourg  (34%),  taxation  in  Greece  (22%),  the  education  system  in  Sweden  (24%)  and 
environmental issues in Denmark (20%). 

48 

 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA3a

What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	(OUR	COUNTRY)	at	the	moment?	(%)

g
n
i
v
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l

f
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14

21
25
21
3
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11
10
15
19
11
10
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47
22
18
16
4
18
21
19
28
9
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5
1
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14

9
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37
9
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29
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m
m

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36

38
21
47
60
76
45
11
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22
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5
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12
35
34
65
56
56
17
5
6
48
19
41
53
44

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36

29
39
19
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55
69
54
61
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30
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62
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33
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25
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12

t
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10

14
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26
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22
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11

9
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1
6
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5
2
6
2
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3
24

10

19
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21
6
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10

10
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8
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5
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2
7
12
11
12
5
3
16
11
13
15
5
11
5
3
11
7
9
2
5
7

8

8
1
3
3
15
1
34
0
6
6
3
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1
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5
3
9
3
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8

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3
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6
3
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24
8

Highest	percentage	per	country

Lowest	percentage	per	country

Highest	percentage	per	item

Lowest	percentage	per	item

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4
1
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1
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7
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6

49 

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA3a

What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	(OUR	COUNTRY)	at	the	moment?	(%)

g
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36

38
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60
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19

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5
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8

8
1
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3
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19

8

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3
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8

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6

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2
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1
1
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2
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11
5
4
1
2
1
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7
19
6

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

1st	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

2nd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

3rd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

50 

 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

d.  The main concerns at European level 

Immigration is easily the main issue at European level, pushing terrorism into second 
place 

The  order  in  which  Europeans  rank  the  main  issues  facing  the  European  Union  has  also  changed 
radically since spring 201526. 

Immigration  is  now  seen  as  by  far  the  largest  problem  facing  the  EU  (58%),  up  20 
percentage points since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83). After 
increasing  in  spring  2011  (up  to  20%),  mentions  of  immigration  fell  and  then  stabilised  until 
autumn  2012  (with  a  score  of  8%).  Since  then,  this  issue  has  gained  ground  continuously  (+50 
percentage points in total). 

Terrorism  is  now  the  second  issue  facing  the  European  Union  (25%),  as  the  result  of  a  similar 
increase  since  spring  2015  (+8  percentage  points).  After  remaining  relatively  unchanged  between 
autumn 2011 and spring 2014 (with a score of 6%), concern about terrorism at the EU level has 
since gained 19 percentage points. 

The  economic  situation  has  fallen  from  second  place  in  spring  2015  to  third  place  (21%). 
Concerns  about  this  issue  have  decreased  significantly  since  spring  2015  (-6  percentage  points), 
confirming the downward trend of this item since autumn 2011 (at that time it had a score of 59%; 
it has therefore lost 38 percentage points over the period). 

Unemployment  and  the  state  of  Member  States’  public  finances  are  now  ranked  equally 
(17%  in  both  cases).  Again,  these  two  items  have  lost  ground  (-7  percentage  points  for 
unemployment since spring 2015 and -21 since spring 2013; and -6 points for the state of public 
finances since spring 2015 and -17 since spring 2012).  

Far behind the five main issues identified at the EU level, respondents then mentioned: crime (8%, 
unchanged since spring 2015), rising prices (7%, -2 percentage points since spring 2015 and -10 
since autumn 2011), climate change (6%, unchanged since spring 2015), the EU’s influence in 
the world (6%, -1), the environment (5%, =), taxation (3%, -1), pensions (3%, -1) and energy 
supply (3%, -1).  

26 QA5. What do you think are the two most important issues facing the EU at the moment? 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Maximum two answers 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA5 What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	the	EU	at	the	moment?

	(%	-	EU)

Aut.2015

Sp.2015

Aut.2014

Sp.2014

Aut.2013

Sp.2013

Aut.2012

Sp.2012

Aut.2011

Sp.2011

Aut.2010

38

58

24

21

16

20

14

10

8
9
9

25

17

11

6
6
7

4
5

7

13

15

21

27

33

39

45

48

43

46

53
54

59

17

24

29

34

36

36

38

32

17

23

26

27

23

25
25
26

30

32

34

31

22
21

8
8
7
7
8
7
6
6
6

8
8
7

9
10
10

12
13

12

16
15

17
17

IMMIGRATION

TERRORISM

ECONOMIC	SITUATION

UNEMPLOYMENT

THE	STATE	OF	MEMBER	STATES'	PUBLIC	FINANCES

CRIME

RISING	PRICES/	INFLATION/	COST	OF	LIVING

CLIMATE	CHANGE

EU'S	INFLUENCE	IN	THE	WORLD

THE	ENVIRONMENT

TAXATION

PENSIONS

6
6
7

5
4
3
3
3
3

5
5
6
7

9
8

6
7
7
7
7
6
6
5
5
6
5
4
3
3
3
3

6
6

3
4

6
5

7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
4

6
6

53 

ENERGY	SUPPLY

4
3
4
4
4

4

7

 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Leg

0%

QA5 What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	the	EU	at	the	moment?

	(%	-	EU)

Report 

0%

59

31

26

9

7

6

43

23

22

20

13

8

60%

50%

46

40%

30%

27

21

15

14

8

20%

10%

0%

54

53

34

32

9

6

5

36

32

8

6

4

48

38

30

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7

7

45

36

26

16

8

6

39

34

25

21

7

6

38

27

24

23

17

8

33

29

25

24

11

7

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Six most frequently mentioned items 

58

IMMIGRATION

25

21

17
17

TERRORISM

ECONOMIC	SITUATION

UNEMPLOYMENT
THE	STATE	OF	MEMBER	STATES'	
PUBLIC	FINANCES

8

CRIME

The order in which Europeans place the issues facing the European Union is somewhat different in 
euro  area  and  non-euro  area  countries,  but  this  is  less  marked  than  in  the  case  of  national 
issues: 

§ 

Immigration is seen as the most important issue facing the EU in both groups of countries 
(60%, +27 percentage point in the non-euro area countries and 57%, +17, in the euro area); 

§  Terrorism  is  ranked  in  second  place  by  non-euro  area  respondents  (32%,  +12 
percentage points), ahead of the economic situation (18%, -7), while the order is reversed 
in the euro area, where the economic situation (22%, -6) remains ahead of terrorism (21%, 
+5). 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Immigration is the most important issue facing the European Union in 27 Member States, 
the only exception being Portugal, where the state of Member States’ public finances (38%) is 
seen as the priority. 

Respondents in Estonia (79%) are the most likely to mention immigration, but more than 70% of 
respondents  did  so  in  eight  other  Member  States:  the  Czech  Republic  (76%),  Denmark  (76%), 
Germany (76%), the Netherlands (75%), Malta (74%), Slovenia (74%), Sweden (74%) and Slovakia 
(72%). 

This issue has gained ground significantly in all Member States, generally by more than 20 
or 30 percentage points (except in Malta and Italy where concern was already high). In Slovenia, the 
proportion of respondents identifying immigration as a problem for the European Union has risen by 
43 percentage points since spring 2015. 

Other points of note include:  

§  Terrorism  is  very  frequently  mentioned  in  Romania  (43%),  up  15  percentage  points  since 
spring  2015.  It  has  seen  significant  rises  in  several  Member  States,  led  by  Latvia  (+24 
percentage points to 39%), Slovakia (+21 to 39%) and the United Kingdom (+19 to 34%); 

§  The  economic  situation  remains  a  major  issue  in  Greece  (36%),  despite  a  decrease  of  4 
percentage  points.  This  issue  has  lost  ground  in  26  Member  States,  most  notably  in  Cyprus   
(-14 percentage points to 33%), Spain (-13 to 24%), Austria (-11 to 17%) and Hungary (-11 
to 15%); 

§  Unemployment is frequently mentioned in Cyprus (43%); crime in Italy (13%) and Romania 
(13%); rising prices in Croatia (12%) and Lithuania (12%); climate change (23%) and the 
environment  (10%)  in  Sweden;  the  EU’s  influence  in  the  world  in  Greece  (13%)  and 
taxation in Italy (8%). 

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA5

What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	the	EU	at	the	moment?	

(%)

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25
34
38
24
15
28
23
43
17
39
20
18
34

n
o
i
t
a
u
t
i
s

c
i
m
o
n
o
c
E

21

22
14
12
22
18
17
18
36
24
22
15
25
33
14
18
18
15
13
25
17
11
23
15
19
10
25
28
23

n
o
i
t
a
x
a
T

s
n
o
i
s
n
e
P

y
l
p
p
u
s
y
g
r
e
n
E

3

4
1
2
1
2
2
4
5
4
3
3
8
4
2
5
3
3
2
2
4
3
4
5
3
1
1
0
2

3

5
1
2
1
2
1
3
2
3
5
3
5
2
3
1
3
4
2
1
3
4
4
4
1
3
1
0
2

3

4
5
2
2
2
3
4
1
2
2
4
3
0
1
2
2
5
3
2
2
5
1
4
2
2
5
3
2

Highest	percentage	per	country

Lowest	percentage	per	country

Highest	percentage	per	item

Lowest	percentage	per	item

56 

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA5

What	do	you	think	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	the	EU	at	the	moment?	(%)

s
e
c
n
a
n
i
f

c
i
l

b
u
p

'
s
e
t
a
t
S
r
e
b
m
e
M

f
o
e
t
a
t
s
e
h
T

17

15
8
19
11
25
18
13
26
15
15
17
15
11
13
15
21
14
8
22
28
15
38
10
16
15
30
12
9

g
n
i
v
i
l

f
o
t
s
o
c

/
n
o
i
t
a
l
f
n

i

/
s
e
c
i
r
p
g
n
i
s
i
R

7

10
5
8
2
4
4
11
7
6
8
12
10
5
6
12
8
6
4
3
11
8
9
8
4
7
4
1
8

e
m

i
r
C

8

10
8
10
7
9
8
10
8
7
8
10
13
12
6
11
11
11
8
4
11
7
5
13
10
12
6
2
5

n
o
i
t
a
r
g
m
m

i

I

58

61
61
76
76
76
79
48
52
39
49
52
49
49
66
64
55
68
74
75
66
54
31
47
74
72
58
74
61

m

s
i
r
o
r
r
e
T

25

25
38
32
21
15
32
30
13
24
27
26
20
20
39
28
25
34
38
24
15
28
23
43
17
39
20
18
34

n
o
i
t
a
u
t
i
s

c
i
m
o
n
o
c
E

21

22
14
12
22
18
17
18
36
24
22
15
25
33
14
18
18
15
13
25
17
11
23
15
19
10
25
28
23

t
n
e
m
y
o
p
m
e
n
U

l

17

15
6
9
17
15
7
21
24
25
22
16
25
43
11
8
32
13
11
14
18
8
25
8
16
13
17
14
13

d
l
r
o
w
e
h
t
n

i

e
c
n
e
u
l
f
n

i

s
'
U
E

6

6
5
7
7
5
4
7
13
4
6
10
3
4
6
7
6
6
2
10
8
9
6
3
6
4
9
5
7

t
n
e
m
n
o
r
i
v
n
e
e
h
T

5

6
4
4
7
4
2
5
2
4
8
3
5
1
1
2
3
3
6
5
5
5
1
5
4
2
6
10
3

e
g
n
a
h
c
e
t
a
m

i
l

C

6

9
6
4
15
5
2
6
1
4
11
7
6
1
2
4
7
5
7
6
9
7
2
5
3
3
11
23
5

n
o
i
t
a
x
a
T

s
n
o
i
s
n
e
P

y
l
p
p
u
s
y
g
r
e
n
E

3

4
1
2
1
2
2
4
5
4
3
3
8
4
2
5
3
3
2
2
4
3
4
5
3
1
1
0
2

3

5
1
2
1
2
1
3
2
3
5
3
5
2
3
1
3
4
2
1
3
4
4
4
1
3
1
0
2

3

4
5
2
2
2
3
4
1
2
2
4
3
0
1
2
2
5
3
2
2
5
1
4
2
2
5
3
2

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

1st	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

2nd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

3rd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A comparative analysis of personal, national and European concerns reveals that: 

§ 

Immigration  is  now  without  doubt  a  major  concern  at  the  EU  level  (58%,  +20 
percentage points) and nationally (36%, +13). It still does not register as a personal day-to-
day issue, though concern at this level has also increased (9%, +3); 

§  An identical trend, albeit on a smaller scale, applies to terrorism (25%, +8 at European level; 

11%, +4 at national level; and only 4%, +2 personally); 

§  Against  a  backdrop  of  sharply  rising  concerns  about  immigration  and  terrorism,  economic 
issues  lag  behind  at  EU  level,  whether  for  the  economic  situation  (21%,  -6  percentage 
points at European level) or unemployment (17%, -7). At national level, the economy is also 
seen  as  less  worrying  in  itself  (19%,  -2),  but  unemployment  is  still  frequently  mentioned 
despite a decrease   (36%, -6). Above all, at a personal  level, the cost  of  living remains 
the  main  issue  identified  by  respondents  (27%,  unchanged),  even  against  a  more  general 
background of anxiety about immigration and terrorism; 

§  There  are  also  persistant  concerns  about  health  and  social  security  at  national  and 

personal levels. 

QA3aQA4aQA5

What	are	the	two	most	important	issues	facing	...	at	the	moment?
	(%	-	EU	-	COMPARABLES	ITEMS	QUOTED	BY	MORE	OF	5%	OF	
RESPONDENTS	AT	EU	LEVEL)

…	the	EU

…	(OUR	COUNTRY)

…	you	personally

IMMIGRATION

36

9

58

TERRORISM

11

4

25

ECONOMIC	SITUATION

21

19

10

UNEMPLOYMENT

THE	STATE	 OF	MEMBER	 STATES	 PUBLIC	FINANCES	/	
GOVERNMENT	 DEBT	/
THE	FINANCIAL	SITUATION	
OF	YOUR	HOUSEHOLD

CRIME

36

17

14

17

16

10

8

10

6

7

RISING	PRICES/	INFLATION/	COST	OF	LIVING

14

27

CLIMATE	CHANGE	/	THE	ENVIRONMENT,	 CLIMATE	 AND	
ENERGY	 ISSUES

6
6
5

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

3  The quality of life 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

a.  The quality of life nationally and at European level 

A majority of Europeans say that the quality of life is good both nationally and in the 
European Union 

1.  The quality of life nationally 

More than six in ten Europeans consider that they have a “good” quality of life in their 
country (61%, up one percentage point since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 
(EB83), compared with 37% “bad”, -1)27. 

Euro  area  respondents  (63%,  unchanged)  are  more  likely  than  non-euro  area  respondents 
(56%, +3 percentage points) to be satisfied with their quality of life, but they are more likely to be 
positive than negative  in both groups of countries. 

QA1a.6

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The	quality	of	life	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
2	(=)

Total	'Bad'
37	(-1)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'Good'
61	(+1)

27 QA1a.6. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

As in spring 2015, respondents are predominantly positive in 14 Member States, with scores 
in excess of 90% in seven countries: the Netherlands (94%), Denmark (92%), Finland (91%), Malta 
(91%),  Luxembourg  (91%),  Germany  (91%)  and  Sweden  (91%).  In  contrast,  more  than  three-
quarters of respondents are dissatisfied in Bulgaria (89%), Greece (82%) and Romania (76%). 

Positive  opinions  have  gained  ground  since  spring  2015  in  15  Member  States,  most  notably  in 
Poland  (+11  percentage  points),  where  opinions  are  now  evenly  divided  (47%  versus  47%). 
However, positive opinions have lost ground in nine countries and are unchanged in the remaining 
four. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA1a.6

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - TOTAL 'GOOD')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

61

63
59

69
61
59
58

51
59
69
71

60
77
61
59
53
48
58
71

91

91
92

91
94
90
93

92
90
94
94

90
96
91
90
93
76
95
94

ES

42

44
41

42
44
40
42

39
45
49
42

46
45
51
42
44
35
44
42

FR

69

76
63

79
67
67
68

69
63
76
80

73
85
73
63
60
61
69
80

IT

34

36
33

50
37
34
29

22
34
44
56

38
57
37
27
25
27
27
56

PL

47

46
47

57
49
48
41

34
39
51
61

46
67
51
41
42
35
37
61

UK

78

80
74

89
78
72
76

71
76
84
83

84
79
77
79
73
67
76
83

EL

18

23
14

28
18
16
16

16
15
19
31

25
24
18
20
20
7
14
31

PT

25

29
22

37
25
25
22

17
33
31
47

35
33
28
22
22
12
21
47

IE

81

85
77

86
79
74
85

77
76
85
94

86
86
80
80
73
65
85
94

CY

45

51
41

66
46
46
34

37
41
56
69

68
44
58
52
25
29
33
69

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

2.  The quality of life in the European Union 

A  majority  of  Europeans  say  that  the  quality  of  life  in  the  European  Union  is  “good” 
(58%,  unchanged)28,  slightly  fewer  than  for  the  quality  of  life  nationally.  Negative  opinions  have 
gained  two  percentage  points,  but  remain  below  the  levels  expressed  for  the  quality  of  life 
nationally (29%).  

Non-euro  area  respondents  (61%,  1  percentage  point  since  spring  2015)  are  more  likely  than 
euro-area  respondents  (57%,  unchanged)  to  say  that  the  quality  of  life  in  the  EU  is  good,  but 
both groups of respondents are predominantly positive. 

QA1a.7

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The	quality	of	life	in	the	EU	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
13	(-2)

Total	'Bad'
29	(+2)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'Good'
58	(=)

28 QA1a.7. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The quality of life in the EU 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents are more likely to be positive than negative about the quality of life in the 
EU  in  all  Member  States,  as  in  spring  2015.  However,  the  proportion who  say  it  is  good  varies 
considerably  between  Member  States,  ranging  from  a  high  of  80%  in  Lithuania  (versus  9%  who 
describe the quality of life in the EU as “bad”) to a low of 40% in Cyprus (versus 36%).  

Perceptions of the quality of life in the EU have deteriorated sharply since spring 2015 in Hungary 
(59%,  -10  percentage  points).  In  total,  they  have  deteriorated  in  21  Member  States,  and  have 
improved slightly in the six others. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA1a.7

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The quality of life in the EU (% - TOTAL 'GOOD')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

58

61
55

69
63
59
51

41
56
69
72

62
73
63
57
48
51
50
72

65

65
64

71
68
63
63

58
63
69
75

63
68
64
66
66
50
62
75

ES

49

54
47

60
56
51
42

39
53
65
63

51
70
62
50
39
47
44
63

FR

54

59
47

71
59
50
45

47
43
65
76

53
79
51
48
47
53
44
76

IT

45

48
43

69
48
50
34

24
50
58
70

51
61
58
36
33
43
30
70

PL

72

74
70

83
80
73
62

46
69
78
83

72
78
75
74
74
65
64
83

UK

48

54
42

57
48
54
40

28
46
66
54

63
69
47
43
35
45
35
54

EL

55

61
49

74
54
58
48

42
52
64
77

55
68
64
61
33
49
52
77

PT

54

61
50

65
60
60
44

41
61
67
73

65
75
69
54
40
40
42
73

IE

63

67
59

73
64
63
58

52
54
75
83

67
77
62
63
52
47
59
83

CY

40

42
38

42
49
41
29

32
33
61
38

55
61
55
38
21
34
31
38

A  comparison  of  opinions  of  the  quality  of  life  nationally  and  at  European  level  shows 
that: 

§ 

In  the  euro  area  countries,  respondents  tend  to  think  the  quality  of  life  is  better 
nationally  than  at  EU  level  (63%  versus  57%).  The  opposite  is  true  in  the  non-euro 
area countries (56% versus 61%); 

§  Respondents  in  13  Member  States  are  more  positive  about  the  quality  of  life  in 
their  country  than  about  the  quality  of  life  in  the  EU.  The  disparity  is  widest  in 
Luxembourg  (a  difference  of  32  percentage  points  between  positive  opinions  about  the 
quality  of  life  nationally  and  in  the  EU),  the  United  Kingdom  (30  percentage  points),  and 
Denmark and Germany (both 26 percentage points); 

§ 

In the 15 Member States where respondents think the quality of life is better in the EU than 
in  their  country,  the  disparities  are  widest  in  Bulgaria  (difference  of  65  percentage  points), 
Romania (44 points), Lithuania (42 points), Croatia (38 points), Greece (37 points), Latvia (33 
points) and Hungary (31 points). 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA1a

How	would	you	judge	the	current	situation	in	each	of	the	following?
The	quality	of	life	(%)

Total	'Good'	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)

Total	'Good'	in	the	EU

NL

DK

FI

SE

MT

DE

LU

BE

AT

IE

UK

FR

EURO	AREA

EU28

CZ

NON-EURO	 AREA

EE

PL

SI

CY

ES

SK

LT

IT

LV

HR

HU

PT

RO

EL

BG

76

75

66

69

67

65

94

92

91

91

91

91

91

59

64

61

63

84

84

81

78

48

54

69

57

63

61

58
57

59

56

55

61

63

72

62

66

66

66

66

59

54

55

80

47

46

45

49

40

42

39

38

34

33

45

28

28

25

22

18

9

74

65 

 
 
 
 
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Expectations for the next twelve months for the quality of life 

nationally and at European level 

A majority of Europeans expect no change in the quality of life in their country and in the 
EU over the next twelve months 

1.  The quality of life nationally 

Asked for the first time in the Standard Eurobarometer how they felt that the  quality  of  life  in 
their  country  would  evolve  over  the  next  twelve  months,  a  majority  of  Europeans  say 
they expect the situation to “stay the same” (53%)29. However, they are more likely to think it 
will be “worse” (24%) than “better” (19%).   

QA2a.7

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the
same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The	quality	of	life	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
4

Worse
24

Better
19

Same
53

29 QA2a.7. What are you expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it 
comes to …? The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Optimism outweighs pessimism in ten Member States. Opinions are evenly divided in Poland.  

Respondents  are  particularly  optimistic  in  Ireland  (38%  think  that  the  the  quality  of  life  in  their 
country  will  be  “better”  over  the  next  twelve  months)  and  Malta  (37%).  These  are  among  the 
countries  that  are  the  most  positive  about  the  quality  of  life  nationally.  Respondents  are  very 
pessimistic  in  Greece  (61%  think  that  the  coming  year  will  be  “worse”),  where  opinions  of  the 
current  quality  of  life  have  deteriorated,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  in  Germany  (35%)  and  Austria 
(35%), two countries in which more than 80% of respondents are satisfied with the quality of life 
today . 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA2a.7

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	
when	it	comes	to...?
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - BETTER)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

19

19
18

25
22
18
15

16
18
19
26

20
17
20
19
19
23
15
26

7

7
6

17
9
5
4

3
6
8
17

4
7
7
6
12
11
3
17

28

26
30

31
35
27
24

25
26
40
31

23
24
40
28
22
32
27
31

18

18
18

20
22
22
13

10
22
15
22

24
11
29
22
15
21
13
22

IT

31

32
30

46
29
30
28

21
31
38
47

37
39
28
19
23
34
28
47

PL

UK

EL

PT

19

22
18

24
24
16
17

22
17
20
23

11
24
22
18
24
20
18
23

21

22
19

29
29
20
13

18
21
21
28

14
18
22
30
13
28
14
28

7

7
7

15
7
6
5

3
4
11
12

5
9
7
10
5
6
5
12

15

17
14

19
12
16
15

14
12
22
24

14
19
17
13
22
13
13
24

QA2a.7

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	
when	it	comes	to...?
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - SAME)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

53

54
53

52
52
54
55

52
53
56
53

53
62
52
51
50
48
55
53

56

56
56

55
54
52
60

53
54
61
58

52
65
43
54
56
43
60
58

55

57
53

59
47
59
57

56
59
47
52

59
65
49
59
57
49
53
52

56

57
55

53
56
51
60

64
51
59
56

51
74
47
44
57
52
62
56

PL

UK

EL

PT

53

52
53

43
51
56
55

51
58
52
46

62
46
51
57
46
44
55
46

56

58
55

53
50
55
62

56
55
60
50

61
66
60
45
59
51
60
50

32

32
31

37
34
32
29

28
31
34
42

31
34
31
31
33
29
30
42

53

53
53

55
55
59
48

48
61
53
57

52
61
60
54
44
53
47
57

IT

42

42
41

40
44
46
39

47
41
38
39

43
41
46
41
40
44
41
39

68 

IE

38

40
35

45
40
40
31

30
34
44
43

53
43
36
37
25
50
31
43

IE

54

52
56

45
50
55
61

63
56
50
44

44
52
57
55
66
36
62
44

CY

20

22
18

38
16
14
18

17
20
19
40

14
12
13
28
0
11
23
40

CY

56

55
56

40
62
68
49

55
57
60
44

69
60
69
57
71
48
49
44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

2.  The quality of life in the European Union 

Asked  how  the  quality  of  life  in  the  European  Union  will  evolve  over  the  next  twelve 
months, a majority of Europeans expect that it too will “stay the same” (49%)30. As with 
the quality of life nationally, pessimism (23%) outweighs optimism (18%). 

QA2a.8

What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the
same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The	quality	of	life	in	the	EU	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
10

Better
18

Worse
23

Same
49

Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about the outlook for the 
quality of life in the European Union in ten Member States, led by Romania (41% think that 
the quality of life in the EU will be “better” over the next twelve months) and to a lesser extent Italy 
(31%), Croatia (30%) and Ireland (30%). 

Respondents  are  the  most  pessimistic  in  Austria  (43%  think  that  the  next  twelve  months  will  be 
“worse”), Germany (41%), Luxembourg (38%), Greece (36%) and Belgium (36%),  

30 QA2a.8. What are you expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it 
comes to …? The quality of life in the EU 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA2a.8

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	
when	it	comes	to...?
The quality of life in the EU (% - BETTER)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

18

18
17

24
21
18
14

14
17
18
25

21
15
20
19
16
21
13
25

6

7
6

14
7
6
4

2
6
9
12

8
5
8
7
9
10
3
12

25

25
26

30
34
23
20

21
23
37
30

29
17
38
27
18
29
21
30

16

16
17

18
19
21
11

9
18
15
24

20
8
26
21
7
20
11
24

IT

31

32
29

39
28
32
29

24
31
41
40

42
40
30
23
19
27
28
40

PL

UK

EL

PT

18

19
16

26
22
13
14

10
17
17
24

12
17
19
16
25
25
15
24

15

16
13

25
20
14
6

10
15
12
27

10
15
22
20
8
17
5
27

10

11
9

19
8
10
8

4
8
14
18

9
18
10
13
2
11
8
18

16

18
14

18
15
16
16

16
14
17
24

10
16
23
15
13
13
14
24

IE

30

32
29

44
30
34
22

22
26
37
41

39
36
29
30
19
41
21
41

CY

15

15
15

33
15
10
10

11
12
18
39

11
13
11
20
6
8
13
39

QA2a.8

What	are	your	expectations	for	the	next	twelve	months:	will	the	next	twelve	months	be	better,	worse	or	the	same,	when	it	comes	to...?
The quality of life in the EU (% - SAME)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

49

51
48

49
49
49
49

47
48
52
51

47
55
48
49
47
48
48
51

48

47
48

49
49
45
49

45
47
48
52

45
54
36
47
46
47
48
52

ES

56

60
53

62
51
59
55

56
60
51
61

53
72
46
59
50
54
55
61

PL

53

53
54

42
51
57
58

55
57
52
48

62
51
46
57
51
40
57
48

UK

46

50
42

46
44
48
46

39
46
53
46

52
54
46
43
40
44
44
46

EL

50

50
50

49
50
53
49

46
51
53
53

54
39
54
51
54
45
47
53

PT

55

54
55

59
54
57
52

49
62
56
56

55
65
59
52
52
57
51
56

IE

50

50
49

44
48
48
54

57
52
47
41

44
45
54
50
62
35
57
41

CY

51

52
51

33
62
59
45

43
55
61
28

68
65
65
53
61
44
46
28

FR

52

53
50

48
55
48
54

59
47
57
46

44
72
47
43
60
50
55
46

IT

42

45
40

47
48
43
38

42
40
40
50

33
38
50
46
44
46
38
50

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

4  Political aspects 

a.  Interest in politics 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  index  measuring  how  interested  Europeans  are  in  politics31 has  improved  slightly:  18%  of 
Europeans have a “strong” interest in politics, up by two percentage points since spring 2015; 46% 
have a “moderate” interest (-1), 19% have a “slight” interest (-2) and 17% “are not at all interested” 
(-1).  

discuss 

Europeans  mainly 
national 
political  matters  with  friends  or  relatives. 
Almost  a  quarter  do  so  “frequently”  (24%, 
+2  percentage  points  since  spring  2015), 
more  than  half  do  so  “occasionally”  (54%,   
,-1),  and  just  over  a  fifth  “never”  talk  about 
national  politics  with  friends  and  family 
(22%, -1). 

Next,  they  are  most  likely  to  discuss  local 
politics  (20%  “frequently”,  -2  percentage 
points,  54%  “occasionally”,  +2,  and  25% 
“never”, -1). 

relatives 

Lastly,  two-thirds  of  Europeans  discuss 
European  political  matters  with  friends 
or 
+2 
percentage  points,  and  51%  “occasionally”, 
+1);  a  third  say  that  they  never  talk  about 
European political matters (33%, -3). 

“frequently”, 

(15% 

31 The question is as follows: When you get together with friends or relatives, would you say that you discuss frequently, occasionally or 
never about…? National political matters/European political matters/local political matters. A score is then attributed to each answer: 
“Never” = 0; “Occasionally” = 1; “Often” = 2. An index is then constructed by adding together the scores for the three dimensions (local, 
national and European). Each group corresponds to a different index level: “not at all interested in politics” = 0; “slight” = 1 to 2; 
“moderate” = 3 to 4; “strong” = 5 to 6.  

71 

 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  political  interest  index  is  particularly  high  in  Greece  (34%  of  respondents  are  very 
interested in politics) and Sweden (34%). More than a quarter of respondents also have a “strong” 
interest in politics in Germany (28%), the Netherlands (28%) and Denmark (26%).  

In contrast, more than a quarter of respondents have no interested in politics in Spain (32%), Cyprus 
(32%), Malta (27%) and Portugal (26%).  

72 

 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Trust in the institutions  

1.  National institutions 

Trust in national institutions has declined 

After increasing in spring 2015, trust in national political institutions has fallen again: 

§  Two-thirds of Europeans tend not to trust their national government (66%, an increase of 
three percentage points since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015, compared 
with 27% who tend to trust it, -4); 

§  Almost  two-thirds  of  Europeans  tend  not  to  trust  their  national  parliament  (64%,  +2 

percentage points since spring 2015, versus 28%, -3); 

§  Europeans  are  more  likely  to  trust  regional  and  local  public  authorities  (42%),  but  trust  in 
these bodies has decreased by five percentage points since spring 2015, while distrust, which 
is the majority view, has increased (51% “tend not to trust”, +5); 

§  However, almost eight in ten Europeans continue to distrust  political  parties (78%, stable 

since spring 2015, while 15% “tend to trust”, - 1 percentage point). 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The national government and parliament 

A long-term analysis shows that the trust Europeans place in their government and parliament has 
in  general  reflected  the  same  broad  trends  as  their  trust  in  the  European  Union:  it  increased 
strongly in spring 2007, after which it declined almost continuously, apart from a few weak upturns, 
until autumn 2013. During this period, trust in national governments fell by 18 percentage points 
(from 41% to 23%), as did trust in national parliaments (-18, from 43% to 25%). Since then trust in 
national 
in  this  Standard 
Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2015 has broken the trend towards improvement.  

institutions  has  gradually  recovered,  but  the  decline  recorded 

Unlike  the  trust  index  for  the  European  Union,  which  was  positive  from  2004  to  2009,  the  trust 
index  for  national  institutions  has  always  been  negative,  that  is  to  say  distrust  has  always 
outweighed trust during this period. 

QA8a

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	institutions,	
please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
(%	-	EU	-	TEND	TO	TRUST)

57

43

45

33

41

44

45

35

35

48

38

35

31

31

30

48

35

34

50

34

32

47

47

48

42

43

34

34

32

32

30

29

31

31

29

28

41

33

32

34

27

24

31

28

28

33

28

27

31

26

25

31

25

23

31

28

27

40

31

31

37

30

29

32

28

27

THE	EUROPEAN	UNION

THE	(NATIONALITY)	PARLIAMENT
THE	(NATIONALITY)	GOVERNMENT

70%

60%

50

50%

38

40%

34

30%

20%

10%

0%

QA8a

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
(%	-	EU	-	TEND	NOT	TO	TRUST)

62

58

59

54

39

40

53

50

32

65

63

63

61

66

67

62

62

62

61

58

58

59

56

41

41

40

36

36

47

45

63

60

47

70

66

55

67

66

60

68

66

57

71

68

60

72

69

58

68

65

56

THE	(NATIONALITY)	GOVERNMENT
THE	(NATIONALITY)	PARLIAMENT

THE	EUROPEAN	UNION

66

64

55

65

62

50

63

62

46

90%

80%

70%

60

60%

55

50%

64

57

62

56

40%

43

43

36

30%

20%

10%

0%

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA8a

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
(EU	-	TRUST	INDEX	(TEND	TO	TRUST	-	TEND	NOT	TO	TRUST))

+14

-17

-26

+9

+5

+1

+2

+25

-7

+14

+12

+6

+6

+8

-22

-21

-25

-12

-16

-24

-31

-33

-32

-21

-25

-24

-24

-27

-30

-29

-31

-2

-5

-6

-27

-31

-33

-36

-31

-31

-37

-39

-21

-24

-29

-29

-25

-27

-39

-38

-38

-39

-41

-46

-37

-41

-42

-46

-44

-49

-6

-31

-32

-13

-32

-36

-23

-36

-39

THE	EUROPEAN UNION

THE	(NATIONALITY)	PARLIAMENT
THE (NATIONALITY)	GOVERNMENT

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

A majority of respondents in six Member States (versus seven in spring 2015) trust their national 
government. Opinions are evenly divided in Denmark (47% versus 47%). 

Respondents in Luxembourg (60%), Sweden (55%), the Netherlands (52%) and Malta (51%) are the 
most likely to trust their government.  

In  contrast,  more  than  three-quarters  of  respondents  distrust  their  government  in  Greece  (82%), 
Spain (80%), Slovenia (80%), Portugal (79%), Cyprus (76%) and France (76%). 

Since  spring  2015,  trust  in  the  national  government  has  fallen  sharply  in  Greece  (16%,  -21 
percentage  points),  Germany  (38%,  -12)  and  Finland  (49%,  -11),  while  the  biggest  increase  was 
recorded in Luxembourg (60%, +9).  

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  six  Member  States  (down  from  seven  in  spring  2015)  trust  the 
national  parliament,  led  by  Sweden  (69%),  Denmark  (60%)  and  Finland  (58%).  Distrust  levels 
exceed 75% in six Member States: Slovenia (84%), Greece (83%), Spain (80%), Cyprus (79%), the 
Czech Republic (78%) and Portugal (77%). 

Trust in the national parliament has declined sharply in Germany (42%, -11 percentage points since 
spring 2015) and Greece (15%, -10). 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A majority of respondents in nine Member States (up from 14 in spring 2015) trust regional and 
local public authorities, with scores as high as 73% in Sweden, 70% in Luxembourg and 70% in 
Denmark.  

Respondents are the most likely to distrust these authorities in Greece (82%), Croatia (74%), Spain 
(72%), Cyprus (70%) and Italy (70%).  

Trust in regional and local public authorities has declined in 24 Member States since spring 2015, 
most  notably  in  Malta  (39%,  -12  percentage  points),  Cyprus  (21%, -12),  Romania  (32%,  -10)  and 
Austria (52%, -10).  

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In  all  Member  States,  only  a  minority  of  respondents  trust  political  parties:  less  than  a 
third of respondents do so (except in Sweden, where it reaches 34%). This was already the case in 
spring 2015. Trust levels range from 34% in Sweden to 6% in Greece and Slovenia. 

Trust  in  political  parties  has  declined  sharply  since  spring  2015  in  Finland  (24%,  -11  percentage 
points).  

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA8a

I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the
following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.	(%)

Regional	or	local	public	
authorities

The	(NATIONALITY)	
Parliament

The	(NATIONALITY)	
Government

Political	parties

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

27

39
23
29
47
38
43
26
16
14
19
25
16
16
23
32
60
33
51
52
33
20
15
23
16
33
49
55
31

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

3
=
1
8
12
5
2
21
2
=
4
=
7
2
2
9
1
3
1
9
=
6
4
2
4
11
6
6

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

15

21
13
13
32
24
15
13
6
7
8
15
9
7
8
12
24
16
22
33
22
14
11
12
6
16
24
34
15

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

1
1
3
5
2
=
5
3
=
3
2
=
1
3
3
4
3
5
1
4
1
1
1
1
3
11
6
4

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

42

52
27
40
70
62
45
36
17
21
45
21
19
21
41
43
70
44
39
58
52
37
42
32
27
38
62
73
45

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

5

6
4
8
2
9
6
6
8
2
7
1
3
12
9
3
1
8
12
2
10
3
4
10
5
4
7
6
7

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

28

42
14
17
60
42
35
27
15
11
20
23
18
14
21
17
52
30
47
52
39
19
19
17
11
29
58
69
34

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

3

1
=
4
3
11
2
1
10
1
1
4
1
2
4
1
5
1
8
3
5
2
6
1
1
1
9
3
4

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA8a

I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the
following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
(%	-	EU	-	TEND	TO	TRUST)

s
e
i
t
r
a
p

l

a
c
i
t
i
l

o
P

15

15
14

19
15
14
14

16
13
15
17

12
14
17
22

14
21
15
12
12
11
14
22

9
11
18

l

a
c
o

l

r
o

l

a
n
o
g
e
R

i

s
e
i
t
i
r
o
h
t
u
a
c
i
l

b
u
p

)
Y
T
I
L
A
N
O
I
T
A
N

(
e
h
T

t
n
e
m
a

i
l
r
a
P

)
Y
T
I
L
A
N
O
I
T
A
N

(
e
h
T

t
n
e
m
n
r
e
v
o
G

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Generation
Total	'Before	1946'
1946	-	1964	"BB"
1965	-	1980	"X"
After	1980	"Y"

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

42

42
41

45
42
41
41

42
40
43
42

34
40
48
47

41
53
40
40
33
34
41
47

25
34
48

27

27
26

31
26
27
27

29
25
27
28

21
25
32
35

29
36
29
23
20
17
27
35

14
21
32

28

28
27

33
27
27
27

28
26
28
29

20
25
35
38

31
39
30
22
21
18
27
38

13
21
33

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA8a.7

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	
following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
Regional or local public authorities (% - TEND TO TRUST)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

42

42
41

45
42
41
41

34
40
48
47

41
53
40
40
33
34
41
47

62

62
63

60
63
61
65

59
61
67
62

63
74
55
57
58
59
65
62

21

20
22

22
19
19
23

21
19
22
27

23
17
15
20
21
19
25
27

45

49
42

55
45
42
43

43
41
48
61

40
55
36
49
29
36
43
61

IT

19

18
20

23
22
21
15

12
22
23
24

33
24
21
11
17
17
13
24

PL

UK

EL

PT

37

37
38

38
40
38
35

32
34
40
41

40
46
39
38
40
37
30
41

45

47
44

53
44
47
42

39
41
57
57

45
47
57
38
31
52
45
57

17

16
16

19
14
15
18

19
14
16
16

16
20
14
26
21
9
15
16

42

46
38

40
41
41
44

44
42
48
36

40
47
39
44
44
34
46
36

QA8a.9

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	
following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The (NATIONALITY) Parliament (% - TEND TO TRUST)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

28

28
27

33
27
27
27

20
25
35
38

31
39
30
22
21
18
27
38

42

44
40

47
41
39
43

35
38
48
57

44
56
32
32
36
37
42
57

11

10
13

11
8
7
16

12
11
8
15

9
8
7
11
13
8
15
15

20

19
20

27
21
18
17

20
12
24
42

18
28
22
15
16
14
17
42

PL

UK

EL

PT

19

19
20

22
22
17
18

14
18
16
25

15
20
25
20
17
8
17
25

34

37
31

38
28
37
33

26
28
48
40

42
40
44
23
21
29
35
40

15

14
16

17
14
13
16

13
13
16
20

15
19
11
14
13
9
18
20

19

20
17

20
18
18
19

16
20
28
21

24
31
14
17
22
8
19
21

IT

18

18
18

24
17
23
14

6
22
25
26

28
26
24
6
16
7
13
26

81 

IE

36

39
33

46
31
32
39

31
31
40
54

43
38
31
35
34
21
36
54

IE

27

31
23

35
25
24
28

15
23
32
45

29
35
18
25
24
14
27
45

CY

21

24
18

19
16
23
25

27
20
19
19

30
25
19
17
11
17
28
19

CY

14

16
12

13
11
16
16

13
14
15
14

21
20
8
14
19
8
17
14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA8a.8

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	
following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The (NATIONALITY) Government (% - TEND TO TRUST)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

27

27
26

31
26
27
27

21
25
32
35

29
36
29
23
20
17
27
35

38

37
39

47
32
38
39

34
33
45
56

44
49
31
26
38
29
39
56

14

14
13

11
13
8
18

14
13
13
13

22
11
8
12
14
8
18
13

19

21
17

23
21
19
17

20
15
21
35

15
24
22
19
10
14
17
35

IT

16

16
17

15
17
20
14

10
18
22
22

26
20
21
7
16
4
13
22

PL

UK

EL

PT

20

19
20

17
22
20
19

13
21
16
18

13
22
24
23
16
16
17
18

31

34
29

36
27
34
30

26
28
41
36

28
37
43
26
15
21
34
36

16

16
16

18
16
16
16

18
13
17
17

14
18
17
20
18
11
17
17

15

18
13

16
14
15
15

14
18
19
16

18
19
17
16
10
6
15
16

QA8a.6

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	
following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
Political parties (% - TEND TO TRUST)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

15

15
14

19
15
14
14

12
14
17
22

14
21
15
12
12
11
14
22

24

24
23

31
23
23
22

21
21
27
36

19
35
17
15
26
25
22
36

7

7
8

6
7
4
10

9
7
6
5

0
6
4
8
9
6
9
5

8

8
8

15
6
6
7

10
5
8
19

0
4
9
7
6
5
9
19

PL

UK

EL

PT

14

13
16

13
18
12
14

13
13
13
16

8
17
16
17
15
1
14
16

15

15
15

21
11
14
15

14
14
13
23

10
15
19
9
5
19
17
23

6

7
5

9
6
5
6

5
3
10
9

6
4
6
8
5
3
8
9

11

13
9

13
12
11
11

9
13
18
10

18
15
9
11
14
11
9
10

IT

9

10
8

8
11
11
8

5
13
10
9

18
12
12
6
8
5
5
9

82 

IE

26

30
23

33
25
22
27

15
22
31
44

26
33
20
24
23
14
26
44

IE

13

16
11

20
9
11
16

12
11
15
21

12
12
13
13
13
10
16
21

CY

16

18
14

11
10
19
22

19
17
17
9

18
19
13
17
19
10
25
9

CY

7

9
4

9
2
8
9

10
7
6
0

10
10
5
3
0
10
10
0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

2.  The United Nations 

Only a minority of European now trust the United Nations 

After  a  sharp  decline  in  trust  since  spring  2015,  only  a  minority  of  respondents  now  trust  the 
United  Nations:  40%  of  Europeans  “tend  to  trust”  the  UN  (-11  percentage  points  since  spring 
2015), while 43% “tend not to trust” it (+10). 

After a period between 2004 and autumn 2009 during which a majority of respondents (between 
50%  and  55%)  trusted  the  United  Nations  with  little  change),  trust  started  to  decline  in  spring 
2010.  By  spring  2012,  only  a  minority  trusted  the  UN  (42%).  After  remaining  fairly  stable  until 
spring  2014,  trust  then  rose  sharply,  gaining  11  percentage  points  by  spring  2015,  when  a  clear 
majority  of  respondents  said  that  they  trusted  the  institution  (51%).  The  decline  in  trust  between 
spring and autumn 2015 is the most abrupt ever recorded for the United Nations.  

QA8a.11

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The	United	Nations	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

54

50%

40%

30%

32

20%

52

52

34

34

54

32

10%

13

14

13

14

0%

51

34

15

53

54

55

53

50

35

49

50

36

34

48

37

30

30

31

30

45

41

45

42

44

42

44

43

44

42

43

40

48

36

51

33

TEND	NOT	TO	TRUST
TEND	TO	TRUST

43

40

17

16

15

16

15

15

16

15

14

13

14

13

14

17

16

16

17

DON'T	KNOW

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

A majority of respondents trust the United Nations in 15 Member States (down from 25 in spring 
2015), most notably in Sweden (68%), Denmark (67%) and Finland (62%). 

In contrast, distrust is particularly widespread in Greece (78%), Cyprus (69%) and Slovenia (62%). 

There have been some significant evolutions in this indicator. Trust in the United Nations has fallen 
by  ten  or  more  percentage  points  in  17  Member  States,  led  by  the  Czech  Republic  (33%,  -17 
percentage points), Spain (31%, -15), Malta (48%, -15), Croatia (39%, -14) and Finland (62%, -14). 
As  a  result,  the  balance  of  opinion  has  reversed  in  ten  countries,  where  only  a  minority  of 
respondents now trust the UN: Italy, Spain, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia, 
Luxembourg, France and Hungary.  

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA8a.11

I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in
and
certain media
institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The	United	Nations	(%)

of the following media

and institutions.

each

For

EU28

SE
DK
FI
NL
LT
RO
PT
MT
UK
BE
AT
IE
HU
EE
PL
LU
BG
FR
HR
SK
LV
IT
DE
CZ
ES
SI
CY
EL

t
s
u
r
t
o
t

t
o
n
d
n
e
T

43

23
19
21
29
22
29
40
24
39
45
41
40
45
17
31
42
29
44
47
45
38
47
50
47
54
62
69
78

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

10

5
8
9
10
7
3
7
8
13
15
8
16
15
1
1
10
=
14
11
10
11
8
12
15
12
9
8
7

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

17

9
14
17
13
23
19
10
28
14
8
14
16
13
43
29
18
32
17
14
17
25
18
15
20
15
11
12
3

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

40

68
67
62
58
55
52
50
48
47
47
45
44
42
40
40
40
39
39
39
38
37
35
35
33
31
27
19
19

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

11

6
11
14
11
7
10
5
15
11
11
10
12
13
11
9
12
7
12
14
10
8
6
9
17
15
8
9
7

84 

 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

c.  The direction in which things are going 

The direction in which things are going at national level 

When asked to describe the direction in which things are going in their country, a majority of 
Europeans  say  they  are  going  “in  the  wrong  direction”.  This  impression  has  gained  ground  since 
spring  2015  (48%,  +6  percentage  points,  versus  26%  for  “in  the  right  direction”,  -4  and  22% 
“neither the one nor the other”, -1). However, the view that things are going in the wrong direction is 
still less widespread than in autumn 2013 (falling from 56% to 42%, -14). 

A majority of respondents have always thought that “things are going in the wrong direction in (OUR 
COUNTRY)” since 2006. 

D73a.1

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
(OUR	COUNTRY)	(%	-	EU)

49

50

41

34

20

5

45

32

28

19

19

4

4

27

18

5

47

30

19

4

58

56

56

56

53

51

51

51

27

27

18

4

17

3

28

17

4

27

17

5

21

17

4

24

17

3

25

16

3

26

15

3

47

28

49

26

21

21

4

4

48

26

22

4

42

30

23

5

THINGS	ARE	GOING	
IN	THE	WRONG	DIRECTION

THINGS	ARE	GOING	
IN	THE	RIGHT	DIRECTION

NEITHER	THE	ONE	NOR	THE	OTHER	(SPONTANEOUS)

DON'T	KNOW

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  more  likely  to  say  the  direction  taken  in  their  country  is  “right”  than 
“wrong” in six Member States (compared with 11 in spring 2015): Malta (60% think that things are 
going in the right direction, versus 9%), Ireland (64% versus 18%), Luxembourg (40% versus 24%), 
Poland (33% versus 27%), the Netherlands (40% versus 38%) and Lithuania (35% versus 34%).  

The  impression  that  things  are  going  in  the  wrong  direction  is  particularly  widespread  in  Greece 
(77%) and France (67%).  

Opinions  have  deteriorated  sharply  since  spring  2015  in  Denmark  (36%,  -21  percentage  points), 
Greece (8%, -18), Austria (18%, -17), Finland (29%, -15), Germany (28%, -12) and the Netherlands 
(40%, -11). 

Breakdown of the answer “Things are going in the right direction”  

Breakdown of the answer “Things are going in the wrong direction”  

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The direction in which things are going in the European Union 

Opinions  of  the  way  things  are  going  in  the  European  Union  have  also  deteriorated:  43%  of 
Europeans  think  “things  are  going  in  the  wrong  direction”  in  the  EU,  an  increase  of  eight 
percentage  points  since  spring  2015  (compared  with  23%  “in  the  right  direction”,  -5,  and  23% 
“neither the one nor the other”, -1). More than one in ten respondents expressed no opinion (11% 
“DK”, -2).  

Positive  opinions  about  the  direction  taken  by  the  EU  gained  ground  between  autumn  2011  and 
spring 2015 (+9 percentage points, from 19% to 28%), while remaining in the minority. Therefore, 
this latest Standard Eurobarometer of autumn 2015 marks a break with the positive trend observed 
since spring 2012.  

D73a.2

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
The	European	Union	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

50%

40%

33

30%

33

20%

10%

20

14

0%

40

23

21

16

42

25

19

14

35

34

19

12

35

34

20

11

40

28

20

12

37

32

19

12

39

40

30

31

20

11

19

10

55

53

52

19

21

17

17

9

9

22

18

8

49

47

23

19

26

18

9

9

38

25

23

14

39

25

24

12

35

28

24

13

43

23

23

11

THINGS	ARE	GOING	
IN	THE	WRONG	DIRECTION

THINGS	ARE	GOING	
IN	THE	RIGHT	DIRECTION
NEITHER	THE	ONE	NOR	THE	OTHER	(SPONTANEOUS)

DON'T	KNOW

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents are more likely to say the direction taken in the European Union is “right” 
than “wrong” in seven Member States (compared with 15 in spring 2015): Romania (52% “right”, 
versus 14%), Bulgaria (41% versus 15%), Lithuania (42% versus 19%), Malta (36% versus 14%), 
Ireland (42% versus 22%), Croatia (40% versus 30%) and Poland (31% versus 23%).  

In  contrast,  the  feeling  that  things  are  going  in  the  wrong  direction  in  the  EU  is  widespread  in 
Greece (69%), France (57%), Austria (56%) and Germany (56%). 

Positive opinions have lost ten or more percentage points since spring 2015 in ten Member States: 
Hungary  (25%,  -16  percentage  points),  Latvia  (24%,  -14),  the  Czech  Republic  (20%,  -14),  Estonia 
(18%,  -14),Denmark  (21%,  -13),  Slovakia  (22%,  -12),  Slovenia  (20%,  -12),  Bulgaria  (41%,  -10), 
Finland (26%, -10) and Germany (18%, -10). 

Breakdown of the answer “Things are going in the right direction”  

Breakdown of the answer “Things are going in the wrong direction”  

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Public opinion in the European Union 

    Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Rapport 

D73a

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?

	(%)

(OUR	COUNTRY)

The	European	Union

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
t
h
g
i
r
e
h
t

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

n

i

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n

i

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
g
n
o
r
w
e
h
t

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

r
o
n
e
n
o
e
h
t

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

r
e
h
t
o
e
h
t

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

26

29
17
32
36
28
25
64
8
25
13
29
19
22
22
35
40
23
60
40
18
33
18
33
15
24
29
32
32

4

7
3
6
21
12
=
3
18
3
3
7
=
1
5
1
2
1
1
11
17
8
9
5
=
2
15
3
8

48

42
49
39
42
48
26
18
77
54
67
47
51
47
39
34
24
45
9
38
54
27
50
38
53
43
51
47
39

6

2
=
9
21
18
6
=
28
4
3
=
1
5
5
1
3
5
2
8
16
10
10
1
2
2
14
1
8

22

27
31
25
18
21
39
15
14
17
14
22
24
26
29
26
33
31
28
17
25
30
22
23
27
31
16
17
26

1

9
6
5
=
5
6
3
8
1
=
7
2
4
3
2
7
6
3
1
1
=
2
3
1
1
=
1
=

89 

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

4

2
3
4
4
3
10
3
1
4
6
2
6
5
10
5
3
1
3
5
3
10
10
6
5
2
4
4
3

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
t
h
g
i
r
e
h
t

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

n

i

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n

i

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
g
n
o
r
w
e
h
t

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

r
o
n
e
n
o
e
h
t

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

r
e
h
t
o
e
h
t

23

22
41
20
21
18
18
42
11
27
14
40
24
16
24
42
15
25
36
23
13
31
26
52
20
22
26
20
17

5

8
10
14
13
10
14
4
1
2
3
2
1
4
14
9
8
16
3
9
7
4
7
8
12
12
10
7
1

43

48
15
52
48
56
30
22
69
37
57
30
32
44
34
19
50
38
14
52
56
23
35
14
42
45
47
55
44

8

3
6
24
16
18
13
3
5
1
5
13
3
5
15
6
9
19
1
13
9
6
9
3
12
18
11
13
7

23

25
25
22
18
21
32
23
17
22
15
24
29
28
26
27
31
32
38
16
27
33
23
20
29
26
19
15
27

1

7
5
8
3
5
5
3
3
1
=
10
4
5
1
3
1
2
=
3
1
2
=
5
1
4
1
5
6

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

11

5
19
6
13
5
20
13
3
14
14
6
15
12
16
12
4
5
12
9
4
13
16
14
9
7
8
10
12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

D73a

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
(%	-	EU)

(OUR	COUNTRY)	

The	European	Union

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
t
h
g
i
r
e
h
t
n

i

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
g
n
o
r
w
e
h
t
n

i

r
o
n
e
n
o
e
h
t

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

r
e
h
t
o
e
h
t

23

25
21

28
24
23
20

18
22
26
31

27
27
25
22
21
19
19
31

19
19
26
30
20

43

44
42

35
43
45
44

43
46
42
32

41
42
42
46
40
47
44
32

45
47
41
40
43

23

23
23

24
24
23
23

23
23
23
26

24
24
24
23
20
22
23
26

22
24
23
24
28

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

11

8
14

13
9
9
13

16
9
9
11

8
7
9
9
19
12
14
11

14
10
10
6
9

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

4

4
5

5
4
3
5

6
3
5
5

4
4
4
4
5
4
6
5

5
4
4
4
4

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
t
h
g
i
r
e
h
t
n

i

i

g
n
o
g
e
r
a
s
g
n
h
T

i

n
o
i
t
c
e
r
i
d
g
n
o
r
w
e
h
t
n

i

r
o
n
e
n
o
e
h
t

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

)
S
U
O
E
N
A
T
N
O
P
S
(

r
e
h
t
o
e
h
t

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

26

28
24

30
26
26
25

21
24
31
34

30
33
27
23
21
19
24
34

21
24
28
35
30

48

47
49

42
47
50
49

53
51
42
38

44
39
45
51
55
59
49
38

53
50
46
37
38

22

21
22

23
23
21
21

20
22
22
23

22
24
24
22
19
18
21
23

21
22
22
24
28

90 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

D73a.1

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
(OUR COUNTRY) (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

26

28
24

30
26
26
25

21
24
31
34

30
33
27
23
21
19
24
34

28

30
27

32
29
25
29

26
23
35
39

35
36
23
19
38
23
27
39

ES

25

27
24

26
25
25
26

25
24
30
27

44
27
29
25
20
20
26
27

FR

13

16
11

9
13
15
14

11
13
15
14

22
16
13
13
5
7
15
14

IT

19

22
16

26
20
23
15

9
18
32
30

27
35
24
10
11
10
13
30

PL

33

35
31

43
32
33
30

28
31
33
49

23
37
30
40
21
13
30
49

UK

EL

32

37
28

38
26
32
34

32
29
37
36

32
36
41
26
19
31
34
36

8

9
6

13
5
7
9

8
6
8
12

4
1
5
8
4
8
11
12

PT

18

22
15

24
14
22
16

16
20
22
27

23
15
25
18
10
11
16
27

D73a.1

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
(OUR COUNTRY) (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

48

47
49

42
47
50
49

53
51
42
38

44
39
45
51
55
59
49
38

48

48
48

36
52
53
47

49
53
42
35

49
43
53
57
47
52
46
35

ES

54

56
53

59
56
55
51

53
58
43
59

42
56
48
52
56
61
54
59

PL

27

29
26

18
27
31
30

30
30
27
15

27
23
33
26
30
38
29
15

UK

39

38
40

37
41
39
38

43
41
36
28

36
37
28
41
62
48
39
28

EL

77

76
78

70
73
78
81

81
80
71
73

80
73
71
72
85
78
80
73

PT

50

47
53

43
48
50
54

55
43
45
43

44
46
39
52
58
63
53
43

FR

67

62
71

69
63
70
67

69
74
61
53

62
49
77
73
81
77
65
53

IT

51

49
53

35
50
51
56

57
53
39
37

46
36
45
59
56
65
57
37

91 

IE

64

68
60

60
65
62
66

59
58
72
67

76
78
66
62
57
43
63
67

IE

18

15
20

22
16
21
15

18
22
13
14

14
8
16
20
19
37
16
14

CY

22

26
17

25
20
18
23

21
23
20
26

18
17
29
14
13
20
29
26

CY

47

48
46

37
47
49
51

55
53
45
27

49
60
29
50
61
56
46
27

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

D73a.2

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
The European Union (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

23

25
21

28
24
23
20

18
22
26
31

27
27
25
22
21
19
19
31

18

18
18

24
17
16
18

20
16
19
24

23
20
18
13
26
10
18
24

ES

27

30
24

30
31
26
23

22
27
35
33

40
25
34
27
20
27
22
33

FR

14

17
11

16
14
16
12

12
12
16
22

17
19
15
14
5
12
12
22

IT

24

27
22

34
22
30
19

12
25
35
38

32
50
29
14
16
13
17
38

PL

31

32
31

35
33
37
25

20
30
33
38

26
35
31
39
30
16
25
38

UK

17

18
15

22
15
20
13

14
16
20
20

19
21
21
14
12
22
12
20

EL

11

13
9

22
9
9
9

7
9
14
18

10
4
11
15
3
10
11
18

PT

26

33
21

36
25
30
22

22
31
31
42

35
29
41
21
3
19
23
42

D73a.2

At	the	present	time,	would	you	say	that,	in	general,	things	are	going	in	the	right	direction	or	in	the	wrong	direction,	in…?
The European Union (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

43

44
42

35
43
45
44

43
46
42
32

41
42
42
46
40
47
44
32

56

58
54

47
59
60
55

48
60
58
47

58
58
60
63
46
58
54
47

ES

37

38
35

33
38
41
34

38
40
31
33

28
45
34
41
25
40
40
33

PL

23

25
21

25
26
18
22

12
22
23
25

28
25
26
20
23
20
21
25

UK

44

48
40

33
46
45
47

47
46
42
33

41
44
42
48
47
44
46
33

EL

69

69
69

56
67
73
71

75
73
62
57

68
73
63
65
79
76
69
57

PT

35

34
36

26
35
37
37

35
31
38
22

29
36
29
39
41
42
35
22

FR

57

55
58

43
58
61
57

60
65
51
34

53
46
63
62
70
61
56
34

IT

32

31
33

15
30
34
37

38
33
27
13

31
11
29
39
33
37
41
13

92 

IE

42

43
41

42
34
42
48

41
40
44
46

49
40
40
39
46
28
48
46

IE

22

24
20

24
23
25
18

20
26
17
24

24
20
23
23
16
31
20
24

CY

16

16
15

25
16
11
14

14
12
19
31

11
24
11
14
7
14
16
31

CY

44

48
40

27
45
49
48

44
50
48
20

46
50
42
44
46
52
44
20

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

II.  THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS 

1.  Attachment to the European Union 

a.  What does the European Union stand for? 

Representations associating the EU with a lack of external border controls have gained 
significant ground 

Positive  representations  of  the  European  Union  are  still  at  the  forefront  in  this  Standard 
Eurobarometer  survey  of  autumn  2015,  but  the  main  evolution  since  spring  2015  is  the 
growing conviction that the EU lacks external border controls (+6 percentage points).  

As  in  all  the  previous  Standard  Eurobarometer  surveys,  the  “freedom  to  travel,  study 
and work anywhere in the EU” is the representation the most frequently associated with 
the European Union, being mentioned by 49% of respondents (unchanged since spring 2015). It is 
followed by the monetary symbol of the EU, “the euro” (37%, +2 percentage points) and the values 
of “cultural diversity” (28%, +2) and “peace” (27%, =). Next, respondents mentioned three negative 
representations,  associating  the  EU  with  “a  waste  of  money”  (25%,  +3),  “bureaucracy”  (24%,  +1) 
and “not enough controls at external borders” (24%, +6). Perceptions of the EU as representing “a 
stronger  say  in  the  world”  (22%,  -1)  and  symbolising  “democracy”  (22%,  +3)  are  ranked  jointly  in 
eighth place. All the other items were mentioned by fewer than 20% of respondents32. 

32 QA11. What does the EU mean to you personally?  

93 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Freedom  of  movement  within  the  European  Union tops the list of terms associated with the 
EU  in  both  euro  area  countries  (49%)  and  outside  the  euro  area  (48%).  The  euro  (46%)  and 
peace  and  cultural  diversity  (equal  third  on  29%)  complete  the  top  three  within  the  euro  area; 
cultural  diversity  (25%)  and  peace  (23%)  are  ranked  in  second  and  third  places  outside  the  euro 
area.  

The European Union as an area of freedom and mobility is the first item mentioned in 22 
Member  States,  exceeding  50%  in  15  countries.  The  highest  scores  were  recorded  in  Sweden 
(73%), Lithuania (71%), Estonia (71%) and Finland (70%). The euro is the representation the most 
frequently  associated  with  the  EU  in  Austria  (58%),  Belgium  (51%),  Greece  (50%),  France  (48%) 
and Italy (41%). Unemployment heads the list in Cyprus (48%). 

In terms of evolutions, the euro has gained ten percentage points in Austria (to 58%). 

Several answers possible 

The cultural diversity of the European Union is the most frequently mentioned representation in 
Luxembourg  (47%),  where  it  has  gained  13  percentage  points  since  spring  2015,  as  well  as  in 
Sweden (46%) and Finland (40%).  

Respondents  in  Denmark  (47%),  Luxembourg  (46%),  Sweden  (44%)  and  Germany  (43%)  are  the 
most likely to associate peace with the European Union.  

Waste  of  money  is  the  concept  most  frequently  associated  with  the  European  Union  in  Austria 
(52%), Germany (39%), the Czech Republic (36%) and France (35%).  

Bureaucracy is associated with the EU far more in Sweden (56%), Finland (49%), the Netherlands 
(41%), Germany (39%), the Czech Republic and Austria (38% in both countries) than in the EU as a 
whole (EU average of 24%). 

94 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Lastly,  respondents  in  Austria  (53%),  the  Czech  Republic  (38%),  Denmark  (34%),  Slovakia  (34%) 
and  Luxembourg  (33%)  are  far  more  likely  than  the  European  average  (24%)  to  associate  the 
European Union with insufficient external border controls.  

Compared with spring 2015, the proportion of respondents associating a lack of border controls 
with  the  EU  has  increased  in  27  Member  States,  and  by  at  least  ten  percentage  points  in  seven: 
Finland  (31%,  +19),  Austria  (53%,  +18),  Slovakia  (34%,  +18),  Estonia  (26%,  +16),  the  Czech 
Republic (38%, +15), Slovenia (22%, +13) and Latvia (16%, +10). Mentions have decreased slightly 
only in Italy (15%, -1).  

95 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

QA11

What	does	the	EU	mean	to	you	personally?	(%)

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

y
d
u
t
s

,
l
e
v
a
r
t
o
t

m
o
d
e
e
r
F

U
E
e
h
t
n

i

e
r
e
h
w
y
n
a
k
r
o
w
d
n
a

49

48
53
48
58
55
71
52
49
45
47
46
36
46
58
71
63
41
60
65
45
49
53
54
49
55
70
73
41

o
r
u
E

37

51
12
20
24
49
50
43
50
38
48
16
41
38
32
29
60
14
34
59
58
21
38
27
41
49
66
25
11

y
t
i
s
r
e
v
i
d

l

a
r
u
t
l
u
C

28

29
24
18
33
32
29
24
23
23
34
24
24
26
21
33
47
20
32
33
32
21
26
23
24
21
40
46
25

y
e
n
o
m

f
o
e
t
s
a
W

25

32
14
36
15
39
18
11
17
17
35
9
17
24
18
15
33
12
17
23
52
10
14
16
22
29
29
32
22

e
c
a
e
P

27

33
21
27
47
43
23
24
28
18
32
19
18
19
17
31
46
18
31
36
36
21
14
30
28
20
33
44
17

l

o
r
t
n
o
c
h
g
u
o
n
e
t
o
N

s
r
e
d
r
o
b

l

a
n
r
e
t
x
e
t
a

24

31
18
38
34
31
26
15
21
11
31
10
15
22
16
13
33
21
23
26
53
10
20
14
22
34
31
20
30

y
c
a
r
c
u
a
e
r
u
B

24

23
11
38
37
39
30
22
11
21
21
11
14
18
22
14
32
15
16
41
38
16
8
11
26
24
49
56
23

d
l
r
o
w
e
h
t
n

i
y
a
s

r
e
g
n
o
r
t
S

22

30
15
20
30
21
19
27
24
18
25
27
18
12
12
21
33
13
39
37
26
24
26
12
16
22
26
45
19

y
c
a
r
c
o
m
e
D

22

26
18
24
36
31
16
17
14
19
18
25
16
16
11
22
37
18
34
23
25
20
17
36
14
19
21
36
15

e
m

i
r
c
e
r
o
M

16

21
10
32
20
29
10
9
11
6
10
11
14
29
8
7
27
12
12
15
50
6
21
15
21
25
18
16
11

y
t
i
t
n
e
d

i

l

a
r
u
t
l
u
c

r
u
o
f
o
s
s
o
L

14

12
13
18
16
16
16
14
19
6
15
12
11
25
16
12
16
10
15
18
33
9
10
12
16
12
7
8
22

y
t
i
r
e
p
s
o
r
p
c
i
m
o
n
o
c
E

14

19
15
16
21
15
9
22
6
13
7
26
7
6
11
23
19
14
26
30
13
13
14
26
13
16
15
12
15

n
o
i
t
c
e
t
o
r
p

l

a
i
c
o
S

9

15
12
8
15
7
10
13
11
10
5
15
7
13
14
15
22
8
20
9
16
9
9
17
8
8
12
9
9

t
n
e
m
y
o
p
m
e
n
U

l

14

18
8
16
10
16
8
12
34
9
18
6
13
48
13
5
25
11
8
11
42
5
20
13
17
15
13
9
11

1st	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

2nd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

3rd	MOST	FREQUENTLY	
MENTIONED	ITEM

Several answers possible 

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

96 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

QA11

What	does	the	EU	mean	to	you	personally?
(%	-	EU)

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

d
n
a
y
d
u
t
s

,
l
e
v
a
r
t
o
t

m
o
d
e
e
r
F

U
E
e
h
t
n

i

e
r
e
h
w
y
n
a
k
r
o
w

49

49
48

59
52
50
42

34
46
60
63

50
60
52
47
42
47
41
63

38
44
52

40
47
53
61
60

o
r
u
E

y
t
i
s
r
e
v
i
d

l

a
r
u
t
l
u
C

e
c
a
e
P

y
e
n
o
m

f
o
e
t
s
a
W

y
c
a
r
c
u
a
e
r
u
B

s
r
e
d
r
o
b

l

a
n
r
e
t
x
e
t
a

l

o
r
t
n
o
c
h
g
u
o
n
e
t
o
N

d
l
r
o
w
e
h
t
n

i
y
a
s

r
e
g
n
o
r
t
S

y
c
a
r
c
o
m
e
D

e
m

i
r
c
e
r
o
M

y
t
i
t
n
e
d

i

l

a
r
u
t
l
u
c

r
u
o
f
o
s
s
o
L

t
n
e
m
y
o
p
m
e
n
U

l

y
t
i
r
e
p
s
o
r
p
c
i
m
o
n
o
c
E

37

28

27

25

24

24

22

22

16

14

14

14

37
36

38
39
37
35

34
33
42
41

36
42
38
35
37
35
34
41

36
36
37

30
32
42
48
30

27
28

34
29
31
22

15
25
38
38

31
39
31
25
23
25
22
38

21
25
30

20
26
31
40
32

29
25

28
23
26
30

26
24
33
31

27
33
26
23
23
21
30
31

16
22
31

22
25
30
40
27

26
24

15
21
26
29

30
29
20
12

24
22
20
27
21
26
31
12

28
24
24

25
28
24
19
18

28
21

13
21
28
27

21
24
30
15

27
32
26
23
17
19
26
15

19
20
27

21
26
25
31
24

24
24

16
20
24
28

26
28
21
12

20
21
24
24
22
23
29
12

22
24
24

24
28
23
15
25

Several answers possible 

22
21

26
22
22
20

14
19
29
28

24
31
26
18
16
18
19
28

16
19
24

15
21
25
33
28

23
20

27
21
22
20

16
19
27
28

24
29
23
19
17
18
20
28

12
19
24

16
19
26
31
20

15
16

10
15
16
17

19
19
11
7

13
12
15
18
19
15
18
7

18
17
14

18
17
15
10
7

14
14

9
12
16
16

16
16
12
7

15
12
14
15
12
13
17
7

17
15
13

16
16
13
11
17

14
14

12
12
15
15

20
16
10
8

12
9
12
16
14
21
15
8

21
16
12

18
16
12
7
8

15
12

17
15
14
12

8
12
18
19

14
20
14
13
9
12
11
19

8
11
16

11
13
15
21
21

n
o
i
t
c
e
t
o
r
p

l

a
i
c
o
S

9

9
9

11
9
9
9

8
9
10
10

11
9
8
9
9
9
9
10

9
10
9

8
9
10
9
6

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

97 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA11

What	does	the	EU	mean	to	you	personally?
(% - FREEDOM TO TRAVEL, STUDY AND WORK ANYWHERE IN THE EU)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

49

49
48

59
52
50
42

34
46
60
63

50
60
52
47
42
47
41
63

55

55
55

61
56
58
51

47
53
60
64

61
61
49
55
55
59
49
64

45

42
49

52
46
51
39

37
43
60
56

31
63
60
42
43
47
41
56

47

46
48

62
50
46
40

27
39
61
67

57
60
52
43
34
47
40
67

QA11

What	does	the	EU	mean	to	you	personally?
(% - EURO)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

37

37
36

38
39
37
35

34
33
42
41

36
42
38
35
37
35
34
41

49

51
47

44
53
48
49

47
47
53
51

50
56
44
50
46
43
46
51

38

35
41

38
38
40
38

38
33
47
37

35
55
59
37
42
33
35
37

48

46
50

56
55
47
42

37
44
57
57

44
64
52
45
55
53
40
57

IT

36

37
35

55
42
37
28

25
40
40
56

38
45
41
30
31
36
28
56

IT

41

44
39

49
43
39
39

38
39
47
51

37
45
44
38
36
42
40
51

98 

PL

UK

EL

PT

49

49
50

53
51
53
45

34
50
57
54

51
49
51
48
45
66
45
54

41

45
37

50
45
41
34

22
35
64
53

47
56
52
36
32
29
31
53

49

48
50

65
55
44
44

38
47
55
71

44
64
52
50
36
54
44
71

53

56
50

79
58
63
35

44
58
63
79

59
68
58
55
37
55
33
79

PL

UK

EL

PT

21

21
20

19
28
18
18

13
21
25
16

22
26
21
20
17
21
20
16

11

12
10

5
14
11
11

7
11
17
4

16
13
12
12
11
6
10
4

50

53
48

55
52
49
49

53
48
49
54

45
42
49
60
51
54
46
54

38

37
40

41
40
41
35

35
34
48
38

47
45
31
43
38
36
33
38

IE

52

50
54

56
54
56
46

39
48
61
63

55
55
54
52
55
39
48
63

IE

43

40
46

40
40
47
44

39
40
49
39

56
44
40
43
41
39
43
39

CY

46

44
48

54
51
51
35

48
44
55
47

52
66
48
49
46
45
34
47

CY

38

32
44

47
38
44
30

41
38
37
49

33
36
43
41
44
36
33
49

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Support for EU membership and the perceived benefits of 

membership (candidate countries) 

A majority of respondents support EU membership in all the candidate countries 

In this survey a majority of respondents in all the candidate countries are in favour of joining the 
European  Union.  Since  spring  2015,  support  for  membership  has  increased  in  Albania  and  Turkey, 
where the balance of opinion is now positive. However, support has declined in the former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia33. 

QA6

Generally
EU	would	be...?	

speaking,
(%)

do you think that (OUR COUNTRY)'s

membership

of the

i

g
n
h
t
d
o
o
g
A

52

84
53
46
38
37

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

11

7
4
4
4
4

i

g
n
h
t
d
a
b
A

12

1
16
12
24
24

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

3

1
2
3
2
16

d
a
b
r
o
n
d
o
o
g
r
e
h
t
i
e
N

29

14
29
36
30
27

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

7

6
1
3
1
8

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

7

1
2
6
8
12

CY	(tcc)*

AL
MK
ME
RS
TR

*In the Turkish Cypriot Community, the question was: “Generally speaking, do you think that for the Turkish Cypriot 
Community, the full application of EU legislation would be …?” 

33 QA6. Generally speaking, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY)’s membership of the EU would be…?  

99 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

An  absolute  majority  of  respondents  in  all  the  candidate  countries  continue  to  believe  that  their 
country would benefit from joining the European Union. This opinion has gained ground in Albania 
and  Turkey,  but  has  lost  ground  in  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  Montenegro  and 
Serbia. 

QA7

Taking everything into account, would you say that (OUR COUNTRY)
benefit	or	not	from	being	a	member	of	the	EU?	

(%)

would

t
i
f
e
n
e
b
d
u
o
W

l

58

94
67
63
51
56

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

9

5
4
2
7
1

t
i
f
e
n
e
b
t
o
n
d
u
o
W

l

17

3
27
25
35
30

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

5

5
4
2
5
6

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

25

3
6
12
14
14

CY	(tcc)*

AL
MK
ME
RS
TR

*In the Turkish Cypriot Community, the question was: “Generally speaking, do you think that for the Turkish Cypriot 
Community, the full application of EU legislation would be …?” 

In detail:  

In  Albania,  support  for  EU  membership  is  huge  and  continues  to  gain  ground:  84%  of 
respondents (+7 percentage points since spring 2015) say that EU membership would be “a good 
thing” for their country and 94% (+5) believe that their country would benefit from being a member 
of the EU.  

An  absolute  majority  of  respondents  in  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia 
support  EU  membership,  but  support  has  fallen  since  spring  2015:  53%  of  respondents  (-4 
percentage points) are in favour of their country joining the European Union, while 16% (+2) oppose 
membership,  and  29%  (+1)  say  that  it  would  be  “neither  good  nor  bad”.  More  than  two-thirds  of 
respondents  in  this  country  (67%,  -4)  consider  that  their  country  would  benefit  from  joining  the 
European Union.  

A  slightly  reduced  majority  of  respondents  are  in  favour  of  EU  membership  in 
Montenegro: 46% (-4 percentage points) of respondents support membership, while 12% (-3) are 
opposed,  and  36%  (+3)  are  undecided.  63%  (-2)  say  that  Montenegro  would  benefit  from  joining 
the European Union.  

100 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  relative  majority  in  favour  of  EU  membership  has  decreased  in  Serbia:  38%  of 
respondents (-4 percentage points) now say that it would be “a good thing” for Serbia to join the EU, 
while 24% (+2) believe that it would be “a bad thing” and 30% (-1) say that it would “neither good 
nor bad”. Fewer respondents now say that EU membership would be beneficial: 51% of respondents 
(-7) consider that Serbia would benefit from joining the European Union, while 35% (+5) take the 
opposite view.  

Lastly,  the  balance  of  opinion  on  membership  of  the  European  Union  is  once  again 
positive in Turkey. However, this shift is more the result of a decrease in negative opinions than 
an increase in positive opinions: 37% (+4 percentage points) of respondents are in favour of Turkey 
joining  the  European  Union,  while  24%  (-16)  are  opposed  and  27%  (+8)  are  undecided.  After  the 
strong  upward  movement  seen  in  the  previous  survey  (+19  percentage  points  between  autumn 
2014  and  spring  2015),  the  view  that  EU  membership  will  bring  benefits  has  consolidated  in  this 
survey, with a large majority: 56% (+1) of respondents say that Turkey would benefit from 
EU membership, while 30% (-6) disagree.   

101 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

c.  Would it be easier to face the future outside the EU?  

55%  of  Europeans  (-3  percentage  points  since  spring  2015)  disagree  that  their  country 
“could better face the future outside the EU”, while 34% (+4) agree and 11% (-1) expressed 
no opinion34.  

Euro area respondents (58%) are more likely than non-euro area respondents (49% versus 38%) 
to believe that it is better to be inside the EU than alone.  

This  opinion  is  shared  by  a  majority  of  respondents  in  24  Member  States,  with  scores  of  at  least 
50% in 21 countries. It is the most widespread in the Netherlands (76%), Lithuania (72%), Denmark 
(71%) and Luxembourg (68%). Opinions are more divided in the Czech Republic (47% versus 39%) 
and Italy (47% versus 39%).  

Whereas the balance of opinion was positive in spring 2015 (50% versus 40%), opinions are now 
evenly divided in Austria (45% versus 45%). A majority of respondents continue to believe that their 
country  would  be  better  off  outside  the  EU  in  Cyprus  (55%  “agree”  versus  47%  “disagree”)  and 
Slovenia (48% versus 42%), and that opinion is also now shared by a majority of respondents in the 
United Kingdom (47% versus 42%, compared with 43% versus 43% in spring 2015).  

Breakdown of “Total Disagree” answers 

34 QA18a5. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement: (OUR COUNTRY) could better face the 
future outside the EU.  

102 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

2.  The European institutions 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

a.  The European institutions: awareness and trust 

Awareness of the European institutions 

This  survey  has  not  revealed  any  significant  evolutions  in  awareness  of  the  main  European 
institutions,  which  remains  very  high:  91%  of  Europeans  (-1  percentage  point  since  spring 
2015) have heard of the European Parliament, 84% (-1) have heard of the European Commission 
and 84% (-1) have also heard of the European Central Bank.  

QA12

Have	you	heard	of…?
(%	-	EU	-	YES)

100%

89

90%

90

89

82

82

81

80%

75

73

70%

72

88

79

71

89

89

87

87

77

77

78

75

79

76

78

73

60%

50%

90

81

78

91

83

79

90

80

80

91

82

78

91

85

85

90

84

83

89

82

82

90

83

81

93

84

84

92

92

91

THE	EUROPEAN	PARLIAMENT

85

84

85

85

84

THE	EUROPEAN	CENTRAL	BANK

THE	EUROPEAN	COMMISSION

84

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

103 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Trust in the European institutions 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

After two consecutive surveys (autumn 2014 and spring 2015) in which trust in the main European 
institutions had recovered, the trend has been interrupted, and the balance of opinion is once again 
negative  in  this  survey.  Trust  in  both  the  European  Parliament  and  the  European 
Commission has declined by five percentage points, while trust in the European Central Bank 
has fallen by two percentage points35. Trust in these three institutions has more or less returned to 
the levels of spring 2014.  

QA13

And	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	or	tend	not	to	trust	these	European	institutions.
(%	-	EU	-	TEND	TO	TRUST)

56

53

52

55

50

47

52

48

46

52

50

47

51

48

47

48

44

44

50

46

44

48

45

41

48

44

43

45

40

40

41

36

36

40

36

35

44

40

37

41

36

34

39

35

34

37

32

31

42

38

34

43

40

35

38

35

33

THE	EUROPEAN	PARLIAMENT

THE	EUROPEAN	COMMISSION

THE	EUROPEAN	CENTRAL	BANK

70%

60%

52

49

50%

47

40%

30%

20%

10%

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

The trust indices36 for the European Parliament (-9 versus +2 in spring 2015) and the European 
Commission  (-11  versus  0  in  spring  2015)  are  once  again  negative  in  this  survey.  They  have 
deteriorated  in  almost  all  Member  States,  except  for  Luxembourg  and  Sweden  for  the  European 
Parliament,  and  Luxembourg  for  the  European  Commission.  This  deterioration  is  particularly 
striking  for  both  institutions  in  Bulgaria,  Germany,  Austria,  the  Czech  Republic,  Hungary,  Slovenia, 
Malta and Slovakia.  

The trust index for the European Central Bank remains negative (-14 versus -10 in spring 2015). 
It remains weaker in the euro area (-18 versus -17 in spring 2015) than outside the euro area (-5 
versus +2). The changes concerning this institution are slightly weaker and more nationally diverse 
than those observed in the trust indices for the European Parliament and the European Commission.  

35 QA13.1+2+3. And please tell me if you tend to trust these European institutions: The European Parliament; The European Commission; 
The European Central Bank. 
36 Difference between the “tend to trust” and “tend not to trust” percentages  

104 

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
    Public opinion in the European Union 

    Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Rapport 

QA13

And	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	or	tend	not	to	trust	these	European	institutions.	

(%)

The	European	Parliament

The	European	Commission

The	European	Central	Bank

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

38

37
40

52
45
31
58
36
45
45
26
27
33
53
40
29
41
60
60
51
55
50
35
43
43
59
30
41
54
59
26

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

5

5
4

2
11
10
5
11
5
4
6
3
4
=
2
2
4
5
3
9
8
4
6
3
=
4
11
10
8
1
3

t
s
u
r
t
o
t

t
o
n
d
n
e
T

47

49
44

41
35
56
30
51
24
38
71
59
47
34
44
57
40
23
29
41
24
41
58
32
49
29
60
51
28
27
59

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

6

6
6

4
8
11
5
12
3
4
5
4
3
3
4
1
6
5
1
9
5
5
7
3
2
3
10
15
4
3
7

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

15

14
16

7
20
13
12
13
31
17
3
14
20
13
16
14
19
17
11
8
21
9
7
25
8
12
10
8
18
14
15

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

6

5
6

5
6
11
6
8
1
6
1
3
4
5
6
1
7
7
2
10
5
3
7
5
3
4
9
13
4
1
7

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

19

18
22

9
26
21
17
17
37
20
5
15
22
16
23
17
22
22
13
11
27
18
10
26
9
15
12
12
21
25
23

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

35

34
37

49
41
27
53
35
42
40
20
26
30
48
33
21
37
56
58
49
50
50
34
42
42
56
30
40
51
50
24

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

5

4
5

2
11
12
7
4
6
6
2
1
4
1
6
5
6
7
2
11
8
5
5
4
=
6
12
6
8
4
3

t
s
u
r
t
o
t

t
o
n
d
n
e
T

46

48
41

42
33
52
30
48
21
40
75
59
48
36
44
62
41
22
29
40
23
32
56
32
49
29
58
48
28
25
53

105 

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

33

33
35

46
39
31
60
35
41
34
17
22
28
43
30
19
35
54
54
40
49
55
41
34
38
51
28
42
58
55
23

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2
=
3

3
7
11
1
3
4
6
2
=
=
4
5
4
3
2
3
6
10
=
1
3
=
1
9
3
2
1
3

t
s
u
r
t
o
t

t
o
n
d
n
e
T

47

51
40

43
35
47
23
52
22
48
78
63
50
41
47
66
39
22
30
43
21
30
50
33
52
31
58
45
25
28
51

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

1
4

2
9
8
3
2
1
4
=
1
1
1
5
=
5
3
2
6
5
3
=
4
2
1
5
9
1
2
6

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

20

16
25

11
26
22
17
13
37
18
5
15
22
16
23
15
26
24
16
17
30
15
9
33
10
18
14
13
17
17
26

 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

The European Parliament 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

47%  of  Europeans  (+6  percentage  points  since  spring  2015)  distrust  the  European  Parliament, 
while 38% (-5) are more inclined to trust it; 15% (-1) expressed no opinion.  

A  majority  of  respondents  distrust  the  European  Parliament  in  12  Member  States,  compared  with 
nine  in  spring  2015.  They  remain  distrustful  of  this  institution  in  Greece  (71%),  Slovenia  (60%), 
Spain  (59%),  the  United  Kingdom  (59%),  Austria  (58%),  Cyprus  (57%),  the  Czech  Republic  (56%), 
Portugal (49% versus 43%) and France (47% versus 33%). They have been joined in this survey by 
respondents in Germany (51%), Slovakia (51%) and Italy (44% versus 40%).  

A  majority  of  respondents  trust  the  European  Parliament  in  16  Member  States,  with  scores  of  at 
least 50% in 11 countries, led by Lithuania (60%), Luxembourg (60%), Romania (59%), Malta (55%) 
and the Nordic countries (59% in Sweden, 58% in Denmark and 54% in Finland).  

The  trust  index37 for  the  European  Parliament  has  deteriorated  very  sharply  in  this  autumn  2015 
survey  in  Slovakia  (-25  index  points),  Germany  (-23),  Slovenia  (-21),  the  Czech  Republic  (-21), 
Bulgaria (-19) and Hungary (-18).  

37 Difference between the “tend to trust” and “tend not to trust” percentages 

106 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

The European Commission 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

46% of Europeans (+6 percentage points since spring 2015) do not trust the European Commission, 
while 35% (-5) trust it and 19% (-1) expressed no opinion. Although opinions were evenly balanced 
in  spring  2015  for  the  first  time  since  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  of  autumn  2011  (EB76),  the 
trust index is negative again (-11) in this survey.  

A majority of respondents in 13 Member States distrust the European Commission, compared with 
ten  in  spring  2015.  This  group  of  countries  now  includes  Slovakia  (48%  versus  40%),  Italy  (44% 
versus 33%) and Latvia (41% versus 37%), which have joined Greece (75%), Cyprus (62%), Spain 
(59%),  Slovenia  (58%),  Austria  (56%),  the  United  Kingdom  (53%),  the  Czech  Republic  (52%), 
Portugal (49% versus 42%), France (48% versus 30%) and Germany (48% versus 35%).  

Whereas  the  trust  index  was  positive  in  spring  2015  in  Ireland  (46%  versus  34%),  opinions  there 
are now evenly divided (40% versus 40%).  

A majority of respondents in 14 Member States trust the European Commission, with scores of at 
least  50%  in  eight  countries.  The  highest  scores  were  recorded  in  Luxembourg  (58%),  Lithuania 
(56%),  Romania  (56%),  the  Netherlands  (50%),  Malta  (50%)  and  the  Nordic  countries  (53%  in 
Denmark, 51% in Finland and 50% in Sweden).  

With  the  sole  exception  of  Luxembourg,  where  it  has  improved  slightly,  the  trust  index  for  the 
European  Commission  has  deteriorated  in  all  EU  countries,  most  markedly  in  the  Czech  Republic     
(-23  index  points),  Slovenia  (-21),  Hungary  (-21),  Slovakia  (-19),  Bulgaria  (-17),  Lithuania  (-14), 
Latvia (-13), Malta (-13), Denmark (-13), Finland (-12), Austria (-12), Germany (-12), Italy (-12) and 
Ireland (-12).  

107 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

The European Central Bank 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  trust  index  for  the  European  Central  Bank  is  still  negative  and  has  deteriorated  further  since 
spring  2015.  Almost  half  of  Europeans  (47%,  +2  percentage  points)  distrust  this  institution,  while 
33% (-2) trust it and 20% (unchanged) expressed no opinion.  

Without  any  significant  changes,  the  ratio  of  trust  to  distrust  remains  negative  in  the  euro  area 
countries (33% versus 51%, compared with 33% versus 50% in spring 2015). However, whereas it 
was positive in the non-euro area countries in spring 2015 (38% versus 36%), it is now negative 
(35% versus 40%).  

A  majority  of  respondents  in  15  Member  States  distrust  the  European  Central  Bank, 
compared  with  12  in  spring  2015:  this  group  has  gained  the  Czech  Republic  (47%  versus  31%), 
Slovakia (45% versus 42%), Hungary (43% versus 40%) and Latvia (39% versus 35%), but has lost 
Croatia  (41%  versus  43%).  Respondents  continue  to  be  predominantly  sceptical  in  Greece  (78%), 
Cyprus  (66%),  Spain  (63%),  Slovenia  (58%),  Germany  (52%),  Portugal  (52%),  the  United  Kingdom 
(51%), Austria (50%), France (50%), Ireland (48% versus 34%) and Italy (47% versus 30%).  

A  majority  of  respondents  in  the  remaining  thirteen  Member  States  tend  to  trust  this  institution, 
with  an  absolute  majority  in  seven  countries,  namely  Denmark  (60%),  Finland  (58%),  the 
Netherlands (55%), Sweden (55%), Luxembourg (54%), Lithuania (54%) and Romania (51%).  

The trust index for the European Central Bank has deteriorated in 19 EU countries, most markedly in 
the Czech Republic (-19 index points), Bulgaria (-16), Malta (-15), Slovenia (-14), Hungary (-12) and 
Slovakia (-12). It has improved most in Luxembourg, Croatia and Germany (all +5).  

108 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

b.  Trust in the European Union 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Reversing the trend of the previous two Standard Eurobarometer surveys in autumn 2014 (EB82) 
and spring 2015 (EB83), this survey sees a strong decline in trust in the European Union. 

Since  spring  2015,  distrust  of  the  EU  has  increased  by  nine  percentage  points.  Once  again  an 
absolute  majority  of  Europeans  distrust  the  EU  (55%).  Trust  has  declined  by  eight  percentage 
points, which means that less than a third of respondents now trust it (32%)38.  

The  trust  index  for  the  EU  has  therefore  lost  17  index  points,  falling  to  -23  compared  with  -6  in 
spring  2015  and  -13  in  autumn  2014.  It  is  now  approaching  the  level  of  spring  2014  (-25),  just 
above the record low of -29 recorded in spring 2012 and 2013.  

This  loss  of  17  index  points  between  spring  2015  and  autumn  2015  is  the  steepest  decline 
recorded between one survey and the next since 2004.  

QA8a.10

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The	European	Union	(%	-	EU)

80%

70%

60%

50

50%

40%

36

30%

20%

14

10%

0%

44

43

45

43

48

39

13

12

13

45

40

14

57

32

11

50

48

47

47

41

41

48

40

47

42

45

43

47

41

36

36

16

14

12

12

12

11

12

12

60

60

57

58

56

33

31

31

31

31

50

37

46

40

55

TEND	NOT	TO	TRUST

TEND	TO	TRUST

32

9

10

9

11

13

13

14

13

DON'T	KNOW

55

34

11

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

After  becoming  positive  again  in  spring  2015  in  the  non-euro  area  countries,  the  balance  of 
opinion  has  been  reversed  and  is  negative  again  in  this  survey  (35%  versus  49%,  compared  with 
44%  versus  41%).  The  trust  index  has  lost  17  index  points  in  six  months  within  this  group  of 
countries. Finally, the balance of opinion remains negative and has fallen sharply in the euro area 
countries  (59%  distrust  versus  30%,  compared  with  48%  versus  38%  in  spring  2015).  The  trust 
index has lost 19 index points in this group of countries.  

A  majority  of  respondents  in  20  Member  States  distrust  the  EU,  compared  with  ten  countries  in 
spring 2015. Belgium (54%), Ireland (52%), Hungary (51%), Slovakia (51%), Portugal (48% versus 
42%),  Latvia  (47%  versus  37%),  the  Netherlands  (46%  versus  42%),  Croatia  (46%  versus  44%), 
Luxembourg  (46%  versus  45%)  and  Poland  (39%  versus  37%)  have  now  joined  Greece  (81%), 
Cyprus (72%), Austria (65%), France (63%), the Czech Republic (63%), Germany (63%), the United 
Kingdom (63%), Spain (61%), Slovenia (61%) and Italy (52%). 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  eight  Member  States  trust  the  European  Union:  Lithuania  (59%), 
Romania (58%), Denmark (47% versus 41%), Malta (46% versus 31%), Sweden (46% versus 42%), 
Finland (44% versus 39%), Bulgaria (44% versus 35%) and Estonia (40% versus 29%).  

38 QA8a.10. I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the following 
media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it. The European Union.  

109 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The trust index for the European Union has deteriorated in all Member States. Sweden (-3), Cyprus 
(-9), Portugal (-9) and the Netherlands (-9) are the only countries where it has fallen by less than 
ten  index  points.  It  has  deteriorated  very  sharply,  and  by  more  than  the  European  average  of  17 
index  points,  in  the  Czech  Republic  (-34  index  points),  Hungary  (-32),  Latvia  (-30),  Germany  (-26), 
Estonia (-25), Malta (-24), Ireland (-24), Finland (-23), Slovakia (-22), Slovenia (-20), Bulgaria (-20), 
Denmark (-19), France (-18) and Belgium (-18).  

110 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA8a.10

I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain
media and institutions.
For each of the following media and institutions,
please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The	European	Union	(%)

EU28

LT
RO
DK
MT
SE
LU
FI
BG
HR
NL
PT
HU
EE
BE
SK
LV
PL
IE
IT
SI
DE
CZ
FR
AT
ES
UK
EL
CY

t
s
u
r
t
o
t

t
o
n
d
n
e
T

55

25
29
41
31
42
46
39
35
46
46
48
51
29
54
51
47
39
52
52
61
63
63
63
65
61
63
81
72

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

9

8
5
9
8
1
8
9
8
8
4
4
17
10
9
13
16
6
13
8
9
15
18
12
6
7
8
8
3

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

13

16
13
12
23
12
9
17
21
10
12
10
8
31
7
10
16
24
15
17
9
9
10
11
9
14
14
1
11

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

32

59
58
47
46
46
45
44
44
44
42
42
41
40
39
39
37
37
33
31
30
28
27
26
26
25
23
18
17

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

8

9
10
10
16
2
4
14
12
7
5
5
15
15
9
9
14
11
11
5
11
11
16
6
6
10
6
8
6

111 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A  majority  of  students  and  those  who  see  themselves  as  upper  middle  class  trust  the  European 
Union, while opinions are evenly divided among 15-24 year-olds. Respondents in all the other socio-
demographic categories tend to distrust the European Union. While only a minority of those in the 
highest  social  categories  distrusted  the  EU  in  spring  2015,  a  majority  of  respondents  in  those 
categories now do so, including those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond and managers. 
Distrust has persisted and consolidated among the more economically and socially disadvantaged 
categories (those who left school at 15 or earlier, unemployed people and manual workers).   

QA8a.10

I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and
institutions. For each of the following media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it
or	tend	not	to	trust	it.	
The	European	Union	(%	-	EU)

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

13

11
15

14
12
12
14

16
11
12
14

13
11
11
12
16
14
15
14

15
11
12
10
14

t
s
u
r
t
o
t

t
o
n
d
n
e
T

55

56
54

43
55
58
58

63
61
50
39

54
50
54
60
58
62
58
39

60
61
52
44
49

t
s
u
r
t
o
t
d
n
e
T

32

33
31

43
33
30
28

21
28
38
47

33
39
35
28
26
24
27
47

25
28
36
46
37

112 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA8a.10

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	
institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The European Union (% - TEND TO TRUST)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

32

33
31

43
33
30
28

21
28
38
47

33
39
35
28
26
24
27
47

28

28
29

36
27
25
29

24
26
31
42

19
36
22
25
32
24
27
42

ES

25

27
23

32
26
23
22

19
25
32
38

34
25
35
24
20
19
23
38

FR

26

26
25

43
27
23
20

21
19
32
47

16
36
29
25
21
18
21
47

IT

31

32
30

48
29
35
25

16
32
38
55

38
43
38
17
21
11
25
55

PL

37

38
36

42
40
35
35

23
30
44
46

34
48
43
35
34
31
31
46

UK

23

26
20

36
25
25
14

14
18
35
34

29
29
29
20
10
26
15
34

EL

18

19
17

20
17
16
18

12
13
25
25

15
21
16
22
10
15
20
25

PT

42

46
38

48
46
40
38

35
48
56
53

47
57
45
40
52
31
36
53

IE

33

34
31

46
29
29
33

21
27
39
56

29
41
26
32
25
17
37
56

CY

17

20
15

16
18
15
19

16
15
25
19

11
25
25
9
18
18
21
19

QA8a.10

I	would	like	to	ask	you	a	question	about	how	much	trust	you	have	in	certain	media	and	institutions.	For	each	of	the	following	media	and	
institutions,	please	tell	me	if	you	tend	to	trust	it	or	tend	not	to	trust	it.
The European Union (% - TEND NOT TO TRUST)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

55

56
54

43
55
58
58

63
61
50
39

54
50
54
60
58
62
58
39

63

65
61

48
64
68
63

68
66
59
44

73
53
73
67
66
59
65
44

ES

61

61
62

54
66
67
57

61
65
63
48

59
71
55
68
55
69
57
48

FR

63

64
63

46
61
69
68

67
73
56
35

69
50
63
67
69
72
68
35

IT

52

52
53

37
53
50
57

63
53
48
34

44
45
47
65
63
65
56
34

PL

39

40
37

34
39
40
39

32
47
36
30

39
36
39
42
33
47
38
30

UK

63

64
63

49
62
62
72

72
69
51
52

58
61
61
68
66
56
70
52

EL

81

81
81

77
82
84
80

85
86
74
75

85
76
84
78
86
84
78
75

PT

48

46
50

42
46
52
49

52
46
35
39

40
32
47
52
41
60
50
39

IE

52

54
50

43
54
54
52

62
57
46
36

54
44
61
51
60
68
46
36

CY

72

71
73

62
78
74
71

75
75
67
60

84
67
68
78
79
75
66
60

113 

 
	
 
	
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

c.  The European Union’s image 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

After  improving  in  four  consecutive  surveys  since  spring  2013,  the  European  Union’s 
image has instead deteriorated in this survey: 37% of Europeans (-4 percentage points since 
spring 2015) have a positive image, while for 23% (+4) its image is negative and 38% (unchanged) 
see  it  as  neutral.  Whereas  in  autumn  2014  and  spring  2015,  respondents  had  a  mainly  positive 
image of the EU, these evolutions mean that their impression is now more likely to be neutral39. 

QA9

In	general,	does	the	EU	conjure	up	for	you	a	very	positive,	fairly	positive,	neutral,	fairly	negative	or	very	negative	image?
	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

50

50%

40%

30%

32

20%

10%

0%

15

2

52

31

15

2

46

34

17

3

49

48

45

45

34

35

36

36

14

3

15

2

17

2

16

3

48

35

15

2

42

37

19

41

31

26

40

38

40

38

20

20

39

31

28

39

39

30

29

30

29

39

31

28

38

35

25

39

37

22

41

38

19

38

NEUTRAL

37

TOTAL	'POSITIVE'

TOTAL	'NEGATIVE'

23

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

DON'T	KNOW

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Positive assessments of the EU’s image (35%) have declined by four percentage points in the euro 
area  countries  and  have  been  overtaken  by  neutral  judgments  (39%,  unchanged).  They  have  lost 
less  ground  in  the  non-euro  area  countries  (42%,  -2  percentage  points)  and  remain  ahead  of 
neutral opinions (36%, =). Negative assessments are in third place in both groups of countries.  

QA9

In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very
negative	image?	(%)

'

e
v
i
t
i
s
o
P

'

l

a
t
o
T

37

35
42

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

4
2

l

a
r
t
u
e
N

38

39
36

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

=
=
=

'

e
v
i
t
a
g
e
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

23

24
20

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

4
2

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

2

2
2

39 QA9. In general does the EU conjure up a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image?		

114 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  more  likely  to  have  a  positive  than  a  negative  image  of  the  EU  in  23 
Member  States.  Within  this  group  of  countries,  the  image  is  positive  rather  than  neutral  in  11 
Member  States  (Romania,  Poland,  Ireland,  Lithuania,  Croatia,  Bulgaria,  Luxembourg,  Portugal, 
Belgium, Sweden and Italy), with the highest scores in Romania (57%), Poland (55%), Ireland (54%) 
and Lithuania (53%). However, positive assessments are are outweighed by neutral perceptions in 
12  countries  (Malta,  Hungary,  Denmark,  Estonia,  France,  Slovakia,  Germany,  the  Netherlands, 
Slovenia, Spain, Latvia and Finland). Neutral opinions are the most widespread in Estonia (50%) and 
Latvia (49%).  

Respondents are more likely to have a negative than a positive image of the EU in five 
Member States, compared with three in spring 2015. The balance of opinion remains negative in 
Cyprus  (41%  “negative”  versus  22%),  Greece  (38%  versus  22%)  and  Austria  (41%  versus  23%); 
these  three  countries  have  now  been  joined  by  the  Czech  Republic  (31%  versus  27%,  compared 
with 20% versus 37% in spring 2015) and the United Kingdom (31% versus 30%, compared with 
28%  versus  32%  in  spring  2015).  Within  this  group  of  countries,  respondents  are  most  likely  to 
have  a  negative  image  of  the  EU  in  Cyprus  and  Austria,  but  negative  opinions  come  second  to 
neutral assessments in Greece, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.  

In  general,  positive  views  of  the  European  Union’s  image  have  lost  ground  in  24  Member  States, 
most  markedly  in  Estonia  (36%,  -13  percentage  points),  Germany  (34%,  -11)  and  the  Czech 
Republic  (27%,  -10).  They  are  stable  in  Portugal  (42%)  and  Italy  (38%),  while  they  have  gained 
ground, albeit slightly, only in Croatia (51%, +4) and Poland (55%, +2). 

Breakdown of total “positive” answers 

115 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Breakdown of total “neutral” answers 

Breakdown of total “negative” answers 

116 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA9

In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly
negative	or	very	negative	image?	(%)

'

e
v
i
t
i
s
o
P

'

l

a
t
o
T

37

51
55
42
38
33
53
35
30
22
54
39
36
35
22
39
39
33
57
32
23
48
45
32
43
34
27
34
36

EU28

HR
PL
PT
IT
ES
LT
FR
UK
CY
IE
SE
DK
SK
EL
BE
HU
SI
RO
FI
AT
BG
LU
LV
MT
NL
CZ
DE
EE

'

e
v
i
t
a
g
e
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

23

12
7
15
23
18
6
25
31
41
14
25
18
24
38
23
20
21
9
20
41
17
20
17
10
25
31
27
12

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

4
=
=
2
2
2
1
4
3
1
2
3
2
6
1
2
7
5
1
4
5
3
3
6
2
4
11
10
4

2

0
3
2
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
2
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
0
1
2

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

=
3
3
2
3
1
=
2
1
2
1
=
1
3
2
3
3
1
5
1
=
5
5
=
7
4
=
1
9

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

4
2
=
=
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
6
7
7
7
8
8
10
11
13

l

a
r
t
u
e
N

38

37
35
41
37
46
40
38
36
36
30
36
45
40
40
38
40
45
32
48
35
34
35
49
46
41
42
38
50

117 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Opinions are fairly evenly divided between positive and neutral perceptions of the European Union’s 
image in most socio-demographic categories of the European population.  

Younger people are the most likely to have a positive image of the EU, but this declines with age: 
48%  of  15-24  year-olds  see  its  image  as  positive  (versus  38%  neutral  and  13%  negative), 
compared with only 33% of those aged 55+ (versus 38% and 27%). The proportion of respondents 
for  whom  the  European  Union  evokes  a  positive  image  also  increases  with  education,  rising  from 
25%  of  those  who  left  school  at  the  age  of  15  or  earlier  (versus  41%  “neutral”,  and  30% 
“negative”), to 45% of those who studied until the age of 20 and beyond (versus 36% and 19%), 
and  reaching  54%  among  students  (versus  34%  and  12%).  Positive  opinions  are  also  more 
widespread among the most socially advantaged categories of Europeans: managers (50%, versus 
33%  neutral,  and  17%  negative),  those  who  see  themselves  as  upper  middle  class  (54%,  versus 
30% and 16%), and those who almost never or never have difficulties paying their bills at the end 
of the month (41% versus 37% and 21%).  

118 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA9

In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral,
fairly	negative	or	very	negative	image?	
(%	-	EU)

l

a
r
t
u
e
N

38

36
40

38
40
37
38

39
38
37
39

41
40
36
34

33
33
39
42
44
41
38
34

40
41
37

42
38
37
30
30

'

e
v
i
t
a
g
e
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

23

23
23

13
20
25
27

27
27
23
16

30
25
19
12

24
17
20
23
24
27
27
12

34
25
21

26
27
19
16
24

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

2

1
2

1
1
1
2

4
1
1
2

4
2
0
0

3
0
0
2
4
2
2
0

3
2
1

3
2
1
0
2

'

e
v
i
t
i
s
o
P

'

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Generation

Total	'Before	1946'
1946	-	1964	"BB"
1965	-	1980	"X"
After	1980	"Y"

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

l

a
t
o
T

37

40
35

48
39
37
33

30
34
39
43

25
33
45
54

40
50
41
33
28
30
33
54

23
32
41

29
33
43
54
44

119 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

3.  Knowledge of the European Union 

a.  Knowledge of how the European Union works 

Subjective  knowledge  of  how  the  EU  works  continues  to  improve  and  has  reached  its 
highest  level  since  2004: 55% of Europeans (+1 percentage point since spring 2015) feel that 
they know how the European Union works, while 42% (unchanged) do not and 3% (-1) expressed no 
opinion40.  

QA18a.1

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.
I	understand	how	the	EU	works	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

50%

47

44

40%

30%

20%

9

10%

0%

50

43

52

41

46

46

51

50

51

43

43

40

47

44

51

41

48

48

44

44

47

46

47

46

52

52

52

51

45

46

46

42

50

47

52

52

54

55

TOTAL	'AGREE'

44

44

42

42

TOTAL	'DISAGREE'

8

7

8

7

7

9

9

8

8

8

7

7

6

3

2

3

3

4

4

4

3

DON'T	KNOW

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

40 QA18a.1 Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. I understand how the EU works.  

120 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  23  Member  States  feel  that  they  understand  how  the  EU 
works, with the highest scores in Sweden (78%), Lithuania (73%), Poland (70%) and Luxembourg 
(70%).  

A majority of respondents in France (54%), Spain (54%), Italy (53%), the Czech Republic (52%) and 
Portugal (50% versus 49%) take the opposite view. 

121 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA18a.1

Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the
following	statements.	
I	understand	how	the	EU	works	(%	-	EU)

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

42

36
48

39
37
39
48

62
44
29
32

34
25
36
45
57
50
49
32

52
46
35
22
27

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

3

2
5

3
4
3
4

4
3
3
3

3
2
2
3
5
5
4
3

5
3
3
2
1

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

l

a
t
o
T

55

62
47

58
59
58
48

34
53
68
65

63
73
62
52
38
45
47
65

43
51
62
76
72

122 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA18a.1

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.
I understand how the EU works (% - TOTAL 'AGREE')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

55

62
47

58
59
58
48

34
53
68
65

63
73
62
52
38
45
47
65

59

65
52

58
56
62
59

45
56
70
68

70
70
58
52
50
45
57
68

ES

41

48
34

48
50
45
30

27
42
65
55

41
80
74
41
17
36
35
55

FR

43

52
36

52
48
45
37

24
41
54
52

53
63
53
37
23
46
39
52

IT

42

50
36

51
50
50
32

21
44
58
62

50
70
56
35
36
30
27
62

PL

70

75
65

78
78
76
58

34
63
80
87

76
84
75
71
65
61
55
87

UK

56

67
47

55
59
66
49

39
56
70
62

65
72
55
56
33
51
49
62

EL

63

71
55

69
66
67
56

46
59
80
72

73
74
73
65
42
56
59
72

PT

49

58
41

54
59
52
39

35
65
68
54

54
69
65
48
21
39
40
54

IE

68

77
59

60
67
79
64

54
63
78
75

77
85
79
62
43
61
71
75

CY

62

68
57

50
69
62
62

55
61
79
51

81
65
72
58
47
65
60
51

123 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Objective knowledge of the European Union 

In  order  to  measure  their  objective  knowledge  of  the  European  Union,  respondents  were  asked to 
say whether each of the following three statements is true or false: “The EU currently consists of 28 
Member  States”;  “The  Members  of  the  European  Parliament  are  directly  elected  by  the  citizens  of 
each Member State”; “Switzerland is a Member State of the EU”.  

The  level  of  objective  knowledge  of  the  European  Union  has  remained  more  or  less 
unchanged since spring 2015: just over a third of Europeans (35%, -1 percentage point) 
gave all three right answers. 

Objective  knowledge  of  the  EU  is  the  highest  in  Croatia  (56%  of  respondents  gave  three  right 
answers),  Luxembourg  (54%),  Slovakia  (51%),  Slovenia  (49%),  Greece  (48%)  and  Bulgaria  (48%), 
while  it  is  the  lowest  in  the  Netherlands  (24%),  the  United  Kingdom  (27%),  Latvia  (27%),  Estonia 
(28%) and Spain (28%).41 

In further detail: 

“The  Members  of  the  European  Parliament  are  directly  elected  by  the  citizens  of  each  Member 
State” 

58%  of  Europeans  (-4  percentage  points  since  spring  2015)  know  that  Members  of  the 
European Parliament are directly elected by the citizens of each Member State, while 25% 
(+4) give the wrong answer and 17% (unchanged) say they do not know. After the high of spring 
2014,  coinciding  with  the  European  elections42 (71%),  knowledge  of  how  MEPs  are  elected  has 
decreased, and is now close to the levels observed before the record score of spring 2014.  

QA14.2

For	each	of	the	following	statements	about	the	EU	could	you	please	tell	me	whether	you	think	it	is	true	or	false.
The	members	of	the	European	Parliament	are	directly	elected	by	the	citizens	of	each	Member	State	(%	-	EU)

90%

80%

70%

59

60%

57

56

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

23

18

26

27

17

17

58

28

14

52

52

52

54

30

30

29

29

18

18

19

17

71

15

14

62

62

58

TRUE

21

17

21

17

25

FALSE

DON'T	KNOW

17

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

41 QA14. 1+2+3. For each of the following statements about the EU could you please tell me whether you think it is true or false?  
42 The spring 2014 Eurobarometer survey (EB81) was carried out between 31 May and 14 June 2014, just after the European elections 
(22-25 May 2014). 

124 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Aggregating the wrong and “DK” answers shows that a  majority  of  respondents  do  not  know 
how MEPs are elected in only three countries: the Netherlands (57%), France (55%) and 
Austria (53%). In the other 25 Member States, a majority of respondents gave the right answer, 
with the highest scores in Malta (88%), Bulgaria (86%), Greece (86%), Cyprus (84%) and Lithuania 
(81%).  

125 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

“The EU currently consists of 28 Member States” 

Two-thirds  of  Europeans  (66%,  +1  percentage  point  since  spring  2015)  know  that  the  EU 
currently consists of 28 Member States, while just under a quarter do not know (24%, -1) and 
10% (unchanged) give the wrong answer. A majority of respondents in all Member States know how 
many EU Member States there are, with scores ranging from 55% in the United Kingdom and the 
Netherlands to 84% in Luxembourg. 

126 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

“Switzerland is a member of the EU” 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

More  than  seven  in  ten  Europeans  (71%,  unchanged  since  spring  2015)  know  that 
Switzerland  is  not  a  member  of  the  European  Union, while 16% (+1 percentage point) think 
the opposite and 13% (-1) do not know.  

A majority of respondents in Romania are unaware of Switzerland’s status (45% versus 55% when 
“wrong”  and  “DK”  answers  are  aggregated).  Right  and  wrong  answers  are  evenly divided  in  Latvia 
(50%  versus  50%).  In  the  remaining  26  Member  States,  a  majority  of  respondents  know  that 
Switzerland  is  not  a  member  of  the  EU,  with  scores  ranging  from  53%  in  Cyprus  to  94%  in 
Luxembourg. 

127 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA14

For	each	of	the	following	statements	about	the	EU	could	you	please	tell	me	whether	you	think	it	is	true	or	false.	(%)

The	EU	currently	consists	of	
28	Member	States

The	members	of	the	
European	Parliament	are	
directly	elected	by	the	
citizens	of	each	Member	State

Switzerland	is	a	Member	
State	
of	the	EU

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

e
u
r
T

58

55
65

58
86
60
71
52
57
71
86
60
45
78
54
84
60
81
62
62
88
43
47
67
58
74
73
77
72
69
57

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

3
5
=
=
8
5
5
7
2
3
1
=
1
6
=
5
4
4
3
2
9
3
7
6
5
11
1
1
5
4

e
s
l
a
F

71

76
61

79
56
74
74
89
58
62
64
55
79
76
72
53
50
65
94
75
59
85
93
61
74
45
81
71
66
74
59

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

=
1
1

1
=
1
1
=
1
6
1
5
=
3
5
3
1
1
1
1
9
3
1
4
1
8
3
5
1
4
=

e
u
r
T

66

67
65

67
73
77
64
70
63
69
77
58
64
79
66
68
61
72
84
81
67
55
82
69
79
69
68
81
61
64
55

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

1
2

1
2
4
1
2
=
2
=
2
=
=
1
4
3
2
5
2
3
2
3
4
6
1
11
1
2
1
2

128 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

4.  Democracy in the EU 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

a.  The way in which democracy works 

National democracy 

52%  of  Europeans  (-1  percentage  point  since  spring  2015)  are  satisfied  with  the  way 
democracy  works  in  their  country,  while  45%  (unchanged)  are  dissatisfied.43 At  +7,  the 
satisfaction index remains just short of the highest level measured since 2010.  

QA17a

On	the	whole,	are	you	very	satisfied,	fairly	satisfied,	not	very	satisfied	or	not	at	all	satisfied	with	the	way	democracy	works	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)?
	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

57

50%

40%

40

30%

20%

10%

2

0%

53

44

56

41

58

39

53

45

54

44

52

46

51

47

49

49

50

48

52

46

50

48

50

48

53

52

TOTAL	'SATISFIED'

TOTAL	'NOT	SATISFIED'

45

45

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

DON'T	KNOW

2004

2005

2006

2007

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Satisfaction  with  the  way  national  democracy  works  has  been  confirmed  in  the  non-euro  area 
countries  (57%,  +2  percentage  points).  On  the  other  hand,  opinions  are  now  evenly  divided  in  the 
euro  area  countries  (49%  versus  49%),  whereas  the  ratio  of  satisfaction  to  dissatisfaction  was 
positive (52% versus 46%) in spring 2015. 

43 QA17a. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in 
(OUR COUNTRY)?  

129 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A majority of respondents are satisfied with the way democracy works in their country in 
14  Member  States,  led  by  the  Nordic  countries  (87%  in  Denmark,  80%  in  Sweden  and  72%  in 
Finland), the Benelux countries (77% in Luxembourg, 73% in the Netherlands and 68% in Belgium) 
and Malta (70%).  

Respondents  are  predominantly  dissatisfied  in  13  EU  countries,  most  notably  in  Cyprus 
(75%), Greece (73%), Bulgaria (69%) and Slovenia (68%). Positive and negative opinions are evenly 
divided in the Czech Republic (49% versus 49%). 

130 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA17a

On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at
all	satisfied	with	the	way	democracy	works	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)?	
(%	-	EU)

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

'

d
e
i
f
s
i
t
a
s

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

45

49
39

46
46

41
46
45
47

54
49
38
39

46
33
42
49
47
58
47
39

68
54
39

51
48
43
31
26

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

3

2
4

1
4

3
3
2
3

5
2
1
3

3
0
1
2
6
2
3
3

4
3
2

4
2
1
1
5

'

d
e
i
f
s
i
t
a
S

'

l

a
t
o
T

52

49
57

53
50

56
51
53
50

41
49
61
58

51
67
57
49
47
40
50
58

28
43
59

45
50
56
68
69

131 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA17a

On	the	whole,	are	you	very	satisfied,	fairly	satisfied,	not	very	satisfied	or	not	at	all	satisfied	with	the	way	democracy	works	in	(OUR	
COUNTRY)?
(% - TOTAL 'SATISFIED')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

52

53
50

56
51
53
50

41
49
61
58

51
67
57
49
47
40
50
58

63

64
62

65
59
64
64

62
59
70
68

64
73
58
58
73
42
62
68

ES

38

38
36

35
32
34
43

38
34
41
31

30
30
48
34
39
36
45
31

FR

49

51
49

44
46
55
49

46
43
59
52

41
65
51
45
33
44
52
52

IT

35

37
33

46
42
39
26

21
34
47
48

40
56
42
35
32
24
23
48

PL

62

61
63

63
66
66
56

36
59
68
68

61
78
69
60
69
47
53
68

UK

62

66
59

69
58
61
62

55
59
73
65

61
71
78
52
48
55
64
65

EL

27

28
27

36
28
27
23

25
26
27
34

31
14
25
32
21
26
25
34

PT

36

39
32

44
36
34
32

30
43
42
46

47
47
37
30
25
31
31
46

IE

63

62
64

67
59
64
64

50
61
68
75

62
73
64
62
56
49
60
75

CY

23

27
20

31
14
22
27

23
20
27
32

28
29
18
16
20
13
34
32

132 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Democracy in the European Union 

45%  of  Europeans  (+4  percentage  points  since  spring  2015)  are  dissatisfied  with  the  way 
democracy works in the EU, while 43% (-3) are satisfied and 12% (-1) expressed no opinion. At  
-2, the satisfaction index is negative again, whereas it was positive in spring 2015 (+5). This index 
has shifted between negative and positive in each new survey since autumn 2013.  

QA17b

And	how	about	the	way	democracy	works	in	the	EU?
	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

48

50%

40%

35

30%

20%

17

10%

0%

54

52

49

50

35

17

34

16

32

16

32

14

50

35

15

45

43

44

44

45

44

46

43

46

43

44

43

45

43

46

41

45

43

TOTAL	'NOT	SATISFIED'
TOTAL	'SATISFIED'

12

12

11

11

11

13

12

13

12

DON'T	KNOW

2004

2005

2006

2007

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Already  negative,  the  ratio  of  satisfaction  to  dissatisfaction  has  deteriorated  sharply  in  the  euro 
area  countries  (39%  versus  50%,  compared  with  43%  versus  46%  in  spring  2015).  However, 
despite some erosion this ratio remains positive in the non-euro area countries (50% versus 34%, 
compared with 52% versus 31% in spring 2015). 

133 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A majority of respondents in 13 Member States are dissatisfied with the way European 
democracy  works, compared with seven in spring 2015. Respondents remain mostly dissatisfied 
in Greece (66%), Cyprus (63%), Austria (60%), Spain (52%), Portugal (51%), Italy (48% versus 39%) 
and France (44% versus 41%), and these countries have now been joined by Germany (58%), the 
Netherlands (51%), Slovakia (50%), Slovenia (50%), the Czech Republic (48% versus 44%) and the 
United Kingdom (43% versus 37%).  

Respondents are predominantly satisfied in 15 Member States, most notably in Poland (65%), Malta 
(64%), Denmark (62%), Romania (62%) and Luxembourg (61%); opinions are closer in Estonia (43% 
versus 35%) and Hungary (47% versus 45%).  

Dissatisfaction  with  the  way  democracy  works  in  the  EU  have  increased  much  more  sharply  than 
the  European  average  (45%,  +4  percentage  points)  in  Germany  (58%,  +14),  the  Czech  Republic 
(48%,  +14)  and  Austria  (60%,  +10).  It  has  gained  ground  in  20  Member  States,  is  stable  in  four 
countries and has declined in the remaining four.  

134 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  most  advantaged  categories  of  the  population  (52%  of  managers  and  50%  of  those  who 
studied up to the age of 20 and beyond) remain satisfied with the way European democracy 
works,  compared  with  only  a  minority  of  the  most  disadvantaged  categories  (37%  versus  49% 
among  unemployed  people,  40%  versus  49%  among  manual  workers,  31%  versus  50%  among 
those who left school at the age of 15 or earlier). 

15-24  year-olds  (53%)  are  most  likely  to  be  satisfied,  but  all  the  other  age  groups  are 
predominantly dissatisfied (44% versus 46% among 25-54 year-olds and 38% versus 46% in the 
55+ age group). 

QA17b

On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at
all	satisfied	with	the	way	democracy	works	in	the	EU?	
(%	-	EU)

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

'

d
e
i
f
s
i
t
a
s

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

45

50
34

46
44

35
46
46
46

50
47
42
34

47
42
43
49
40
49
46
34

54
48
42

45
49
44
40
39

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

12

11
16

9
15

12
10
10
16

19
13
8
9

10
6
9
11
21
14
17
9

18
12
11

18
12
9
5
9

'

d
e
i
f
s
i
t
a
S

'

l

a
t
o
T

43

39
50

45
41

53
44
44
38

31
40
50
57

43
52
48
40
39
37
37
57

28
40
47

37
39
47
55
52

135 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis.  

QA17b

And	how	about	the	way	democracy	works	in	the	EU?
(% - TOTAL 'SATISFIED')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

43

45
41

53
44
44
38

31
40
50
57

43
52
48
40
39
37
37
57

36

35
37

39
35
34
37

37
34
37
42

28
40
32
32
54
26
37
42

ES

33

37
31

34
29
32
39

30
33
41
36

32
31
58
28
31
31
38
36

FR

41

43
39

50
41
46
35

36
32
52
53

36
61
46
36
34
37
37
53

IT

39

43
36

62
42
45
28

25
38
49
68

43
60
45
35
29
31
26
68

PL

65

66
65

67
69
70
59

31
66
70
72

66
76
74
64
65
59
55
72

UK

37

40
35

56
36
39
29

29
34
43
63

38
43
36
36
21
39
29
63

EL

27

30
26

44
28
26
24

21
23
34
47

29
16
30
34
15
22
27
47

PT

40

44
35

49
41
41
34

31
46
50
53

49
52
49
36
29
30
31
53

IE

52

50
53

57
49
51
52

42
52
55
52

48
59
52
52
45
45
54
52

CY

25

28
23

35
21
24
24

22
24
29
39

19
24
30
22
15
18
32
39

136 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  Taking personal interests into account nationally and at EU level 

 “My voice counts in the EU” 

39% of Europeans (-3 percentage points since spring 2015) say that their voice counts in the 
EU, while 54% (+4) disagree and 7% (-1) expressed no opinion. 

The gap between those who feel their voice counts and those who say that it does not is now -15 
percentage points, wider than in spring 2015, when it reached -8, the narrowest difference recorded 
for this indicator since autumn 200444.  

D72.1

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.
My	voice	counts	in	the	EU	(%	-	EU)

80%

70%

60%

50%

52

53

39

40%

38

30%

20%

59

34

54

36

65

63

64

62

67

66

61

61

57

55

57

57

55

53

38

34

35

30

31

30

34

33

30

26

31

31

28

29

52

42

53

40

50

42

54

39

TOTAL	'DISAGREE'

TOTAL	'AGREE'

10

10%

9

7

10

9

10

9

12

9

9

11

10

8

9

6

5

5

5

6

7

8

7

DON'T	KNOW

0%

There are very significant differences between countries on this indicator. A majority of 
respondents  in  11  Member  States  (Belgium,  Denmark,  Germany,  Croatia,  Luxembourg,  Malta, 
the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Finland and Sweden) say that their voice counts in the EU. 
This  view  is  particularly  widespread  in  Denmark  (72%),  Sweden  (69%)  and  Croatia 
(68%).  

Although this is still the majority view in Malta (50%, -10 percentage points) and Germany (49%,    
-9), respondents are far less convinced than in spring 2015.  

A  majority  of  respondents  consider  that  their  voice  does  not  count  in  the  EU  in  the 
remaining  17  Member  States,  led by Greece (83%), Cyprus (81%), Latvia (76%) and the Czech 
Republic (71%).  

This  opinion  has  gained  significant  ground  in  Hungary  (62%,  +14  percentage  points)  and  Estonia 
(69%, +11).  

44 QD72.1. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. My voice counts in the EU.  

137 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

“My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY)” 

56%  of  Europeans  (-1  percentage  point  since  spring  2015)  feel  that  their  voice  counts  in 
their  country,  while  40%  (+2)  disagree  and  4%  (-1)  expressed  no  opinion45.  As  in  previous 
Standard Eurobarometer surveys, respondents are far more likely to feel that their voice counts in 
their country than in the European Union. 

A majority of respondents in 19 Member States feel that their voice counts in their country, most 
notably in Sweden (93%), Denmark (91%), Finland (81%) and Croatia (80%).  

However,  a  majority  of  respondents  feel  that  they  have  no  voice  as  citizens  of  their  country  in 
Cyprus  (76%),  Greece  (73%),  Italy  (64%),  Latvia  (63%),  Lithuania  (60%),  Estonia  (57%),  Spain 
(56%), Hungary (55%) and the Czech Republic (54%.).  

This feeling has gained ground very significantly since spring 2015 in Greece (73%, +13 percentage 
points).  

D72.2

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.
My	voice	counts	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

48

50%

45

40%

30%

20%

10%

7

0%

48

46

51

43

56

38

52

52

45

43

51

46

50

47

50

47

55

42

57

57

56

TOTAL	'AGREE'

39

38

40

TOTAL	'DISAGREE'

6

6

6

5

3

3

3

3

3

4

5

4

DON'T	KNOW

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

45 QD72.2. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY) 

138 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

D72

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.	(%)

My	voice	counts	in	(OUR	
COUNTRY)

My	voice	counts	
in	the	EU

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

54

56
50

28
23
44
26
38
47
50
38
51
43
41
47
39
58
51
43
44
62
58
71
62
61
69
55
76
69
83
81

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

-
e
e
r
g
A

-15

-18
-8

+41
+49
+8
+42
+19
+2
-5
+11
-10
+11
+9
-2
+14
-24
-14
+4
-3
-29
-20
-49
-29
-30
-52
-25
-61
-46
-67
-66

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

56

55
57

93
91
81
80
78
70
70
65
66
66
64
62
57
55
51
50
48
51
49
42
42
40
33
32
31
30
26
21

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

SE
DK
FI
HR
NL
DE
AT
PL
FR
BE
MT
IE
LU
SK
SI
RO
BG
UK
PT
CZ
HU
ES
EE
LT
LV
IT
EL
CY

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

-
e
e
r
g
A

+16

+14
+19

+86
+85
+64
+62
+58
+42
+42
+38
+36
+33
+33
+30
+25
+15
+11
+7
+5
+5
+1
-12
-13
-16
-24
-28
-32
-34
-47
-55

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

39

38
42

69
72
52
68
57
49
45
49
41
54
50
45
53
34
37
47
41
33
38
22
33
31
17
30
15
23
16
15

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

40

41
38

7
6
17
18
20
28
28
27
30
33
31
32
32
40
40
43
43
46
48
54
55
56
57
60
63
64
73
76

139 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  feeling  that  EU’s  voice  counts  in  the  world,  and  how  far  national  interests  are  taken  into 
account by the EU 

As  in  all  the  previous  Standard  Eurobarometer  surveys,  there  is  a  broad  consensus 
among  Europeans  regarding  the  importance  of  the  EU’s  international  role:  68%  of 
Europeans (-1 percentage point since spring 2015) agree that “the EU’s voice counts in the world”, 
while 25% (+2) disagree and 7% (-1) expressed no opinion46. 

However,  a  majority  of  respondents  continue  to  believe  that  national  interests  are  not 
properly taken into account by the European Union. Half of Europeans (50%, +3 percentage 
points  since  spring  2015)  share  this  opinion,  while  41%  (-2)  disagree  and  9%  (-1)  did  not 
answer47. 

46 QA18a.3.  Please  tell  me  to  what  extent  you  agree  or  disagree  with  each  of  the  following  statements.  The  EU’s  voice  counts  in  the 
world.  
47 QA18a.2. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. The interests of (OUR COUNTRY) 
are well taken into account in the EU.  

140 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

An absolute majority of respondents in all Member States believe that the European Union plays an 
important  role  on  the  international  stage,  with  scores  ranging  from  52%  in  Cyprus  to  85%  in 
Sweden.  

A majority of respondents think that national interests are properly taken into account 
by  the  European  Union  in  11  Member  States,  led  by  Luxembourg  (71%),  Malta  (61%)  and 
Ireland (57%).  

Since  spring  2015,  the  balance  of  opinion  has  become  positive  in  Croatia  (49%  versus  44%, 
compared  with  44%  versus  50%  in  spring  2015),  but  it  is  now  negative  in  Romania  (40%  versus 
48%, compared with 51% versus 40%) and Estonia (37% versus 51%, compared with 48% versus 
41%).  

Within this group of countries, this view is much less widespread in Germany (52%, -13 percentage 
points), but has gained considerable ground in Luxembourg (71%, +12) and Malta (61%, +10).  

A majority of respondents say that national interests are not properly taken into account by the EU 
in 17 Member States, led by Greece (84%), Cyprus (77%) and the Czech Republic (67%).  

141 

 
	
 
	
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

5.  Political and economic issues  

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

a.  Evaluation of economic and political terms and concepts 

In  this  Standard  Eurobarometer  of  autumn  2015,  respondents  were  presented  with  thirteen 
economic and political terms and concepts and asked to indicate whether each item had “positive” 
or “negative” connotations for them.  

Most  of  these  terms  were  tested  in  the  Standard  Eurobarometer  surveys  of  autumn  2014  and 
autumn  2009.  There  have  been  few  changes  since  autumn  2014,  with  the  sole  exception  of  the 
sharp  increase  in  positive  impressions  of  “small  and  medium-sized  companies”,  already  high  in 
autumn 2014, and now up 14 percentage points over the year. 

The  results  show  that  Europeans  remain  broadly  committed  to  the  market  economy 
(“entrepreneurship” and “competition”), but also to concepts such as “public service” and “solidarity”. 
Among economic players, “small and medium-sized companies” are seen in a far more positive light 
than “large companies”. Lastly, Europeans continue to be generally in favour of “free trade”, while 
“protectionism” was the only word in the list to have mostly negative connotations48. 

A detailed analysis shows that:  

§  More than eight in ten Europeans (84%) have a positive impression of the term “small and 

medium-sized companies”; 	

§  For  at 

least 

three-quarters  of 

respondents 

the 

terms 

“solidarity” 

(77%), 

“entrepreneurship” (75%) and “security” (75%) have positive connotations; 	

§  Two-thirds or more of respondents see the terms “competition” (69%), “free trade” (69%) 

and “public service” (66%) in a positive light; 	

§  More  than  half  the  respondents  react  positively  to  the  terms  “reforms”  (56%),  “large 

companies” (55%), “liberalisation” (54%) and “trade unions” (52%); 	

§  A  relative  majority  of  respondents  (46%  versus  39%)  see  the  term  “globalisation”  in  a 

positive light; 	

§  Lastly,  the  term  “protectionism”  evokes  something  negative  for  a  relative  majority  of 

respondents (41% versus 38%).	

48 QA10. Could you please tell me for each of the following whether the term brings to mind something very positive, fairly positive, fairly 
negative or very negative?   

142 

 
	
 
	
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

143 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Market economy values and players 

There  is  still  a  broad  consensus  among  Europeans  about  the  fundamental  values  of  the  market 
economy:  

§  The term “entrepreneurship” evokes a positive impression for 75% of Europeans, while for 
17% it is negative and 8% expressed no opinion. This is a new item, introduced for the first 
time in this survey;	

§  For 69% of Europeans, the term “competition” brings something positive to mind, while for 
23%  it  evokes  something  negative  and  8%  expressed  no  opinion.  The  proportion  for  whom 
the term is positive is unchanged since autumn 2014, but is lower (-8 percentage points) than 
in autumn 2009.	

On the question of the main market economy players, while both large and small companies have a 
positive image, Europeans have a clear preference for SMEs: 

§  84% of Europeans see “small and medium-sized companies” in a positive light while 11% 
have a negative impression and 5% expressed no opinion. The proportion of respondents for 
whom  the  term  has  positive  connotations  has  increased  by  14  percentage  points  since 
autumn  2014.  Small  and  medium-sized  companies  score  far  more  highly  than  large 
companies (difference of 29 percentage points); 	

§  For 55% of Europeans “large companies” have positive connotations, while 37% see them 
in  a  negative  light  and  8%  expressed  no  opinion.  The  proportion  of  positive  answers  has 
increased  by  two  percentage  points  since  autumn  2014,  when  this  term  was  tested  for  the 
first time. 	

QA10

Could	you	please	tell	me	for	each	of	the	following,	whether	the	term	brings	to	mind	something	very	positive,	fairly	positive,	fairly	
negative	or	very	negative?
(%	-	EU)

Total	'Positive'

Total	'Negative'

Don't	know

SMALL	AND	MEDIUM-SIZED	 COMPANIES

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

ENTREPRENEURSHIP*

Autumn	2015

COMPETITION

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

LARGE	COMPANIES

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

84

70

75

69

69

77

55

53

*New item 

37

39

11

5

14

16

17

23

23

18

8

8

8

8

8

5

144 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

An absolute majority of respondents are positive about the term “entrepreneurship” in all Member 
States, led by the Nordic countries (94% in Finland, 90% in Sweden and 88% in Denmark), Greece 
(88%), Estonia (86%), the Netherlands (85%) and Lithuania (85%). The lowest scores were recorded 
in Romania and Malta (55% in both countries); note that both countries have a high “DK” rate for 
this indicator (38% in Malta and 24% in Romania).  

A majority of respondents in all Member States are also positive about the term “competition”, with 
the  highest  scores  in  Sweden  (85%),  Denmark  (82%),  Malta  (81%),  Germany  (81%)  and  Portugal 
(80%). The lowest scores were recorded in the Czech Republic (52%) and Slovakia (58%).   

145 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The term “small and medium-sized companies” brings to mind something positive for more than six 
in ten Europeans in all EU countries, and has positive connotations for more than three-quarters of 
respondents  in  25  countries,  with  scores  ranging  from  63%  in  Hungary  to  96%  in  Finland  and 
Sweden. 

In  contrast,  there  is  no  such  consensus  around  the  term  “large  companies”.  This  has  negative 
connotations  for  a  majority  of  respondents  in  three  EU  countries,  namely  Cyprus  (49%  “negative” 
versus  46%),  Hungary  (47%  versus  45%)  and  the  Netherlands  (48%  versus  47%).  It  is  seen  in  a 
positive  light  by  a  relative  majority  of  respondents  in  Slovakia  (47%  versus  45%)  and  by  an 
absolute  majority  in  the  remaining  24  Member  States,  most  notably  in  Portugal  (77%),  Lithuania 
(76%), Malta (75%) and Denmark (74%). 

146 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Free trade and protectionism 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In proportions similar to those recorded for the other fundamental market economy principles, the 
term “free trade” evokes something positive for 69% of Europeans, while 21% take the opposite 
view  and  10%  expressed  no  opinion.  Although  the  score  for  this  term  is  more  or  less  unchanged 
since autumn 2014 (-1 percentage point), it has declined more markedly over a longer period, and 
is down by eight percentage points on autumn 2009. 

However, this decline in the popularity of the concept of free trade has not resulted in an increase in 
enthusiasm for the opposing concept of “protectionism”: 38% of Europeans (+1 percentage point 
since autumn 2014) see this term in a positive light, while 41% (unchanged) view it negatively and 
21% (-1) expressed no opinion. The ratio of positive to negative connotations has remained broadly 
unchanged  since  autumn  2014,  but  over  a  longer  period  positive  perceptions  of  this  term  have 
declined,  since  in  spring  2007  it  had  positive  connotations  for  a  relative  majority  of  respondents. 
“Protectionism” is the only concept or term tested in this survey to be perceived in a negative light 
by a majority of respondents. 

QA10

Could you please tell me for each of the following, whether
positive,	fairly	negative	or	very	negative?
(%	-	EU)

the term brings to mind something

very positive,

fairly

Total	'Positive'

Total	'Negative'

Don't	know

FREE	TRADE

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

Spring	2007

Spring	2006

Spring	2005

PROTECTIONISM

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

Spring	2007

Spring	2006

Spring	2005

69

70

77

76

71

70

38

37

38

41

35

33

41

41

45

38

43

46

21

21

19

20

17

16

10

9

6

8

10

10

21

22

17

21

22

22

147 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Like  the  other  market  economy  terms  (“entrepreneurship”,  “competition”),  the  term  “free  trade” 
commands a consensus, evoking something positive for an absolute majority of respondents in all 
Member  States,  led  by  Lithuania  (85%),  Poland  (80%),  Denmark  (79%),  Sweden  (79%),  Bulgaria 
(79%),  Ireland  (78%)  and  the  Netherlands  (78%).  At  the  other  end  of  the  scale,  respondents  in 
France  (57%),  Cyprus  (56%),  Hungary  (55%)  and  Austria  (53%)  are  the  least  likely  to  see  it  in  a 
positive light. 

There are significant national differences in perceptions of the term “protectionism”. It has positive 
connotations  for  a  majority  of  respondents  in  12  Member  States,  namely  Greece  (62%),  Malta 
(59%),  Cyprus  (59%),  Portugal  (53%),  Luxembourg  (52%),  Spain  (50%),  Romania,  (50%),  Ireland 
(47% versus 29%), the United Kingdom (46% versus 34%), Italy (44% versus 38%), Slovenia (42% 
versus  36%)  and  Finland  (34%  versus  30%,  with  a  high  “DK”  rate  (36%)  in  this  country),  but 
predominantly  evokes  something  negative  in  16  Member  States,  led  by  Slovakia  (83%),  Hungary 
(65%) and the Czech Republic (58%). 

148 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Liberalisation, globalisation and reforms 

For 56% of Europeans, the term “reforms” brings to mind something positive, while for 32% it has 
negative  connotations  and  12%  expressed  no  opinion.  The  proportion  of  positive  answers  has 
changed little since autumn 2014 (-1 percentage point), but has declined considerably over a longer 
period (-14 since autumn 2009). 

For 54% of Europeans, the term “liberalisation” has positive connotations, while 29% see it in a 
negative light and 17% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers has changed little 
since  autumn  2014  (+1  percentage  point),  but  has  declined  somewhat  over  a  longer  period  (-6 
since autumn 2009). 

For 46% of Europeans, the term “globalisation” has positive connotations, while 39% see it in a 
negative  light  and  15%  expressed  no  opinion.  The  proportion  of  respondents  for  whom  the  term 
evokes something positive has increased by three percentage points since autumn 2014. While still 
lower than in autumn 2009 (52%), it has returned to its   spring 2007 level (46%). 

QA10

Could	you	please	tell	me	for	each	of	the	following,	whether	the	term	brings	to	mind	something	very	positive,	fairly	
positive,	fairly	negative	or	very	negative?
(%	-	EU)

Total	'Positive'

Total	'Negative'

Don't	know

32

32

29

29

22

26

29

29

27

25

39

42

39

37

43

46

12

11

8

10

12

12

17

18

13

17

15

15

11

15

16

17

REFORMS

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

Spring	2007

Spring	2006

Spring	2005

LIBERALISATION

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

Spring	2007

GLOBALISATION

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

Spring	2007

Spring	2006

Spring	2005

56

57

59

59

70

64

54

53

60

58

46

43

52

46

41

37

149 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  predominantly  positive  about  the  term  “reforms”  in  24  EU  Member  States,  most 
notably  in  Finland  (85%),  Malta  (74%)  and  Sweden  (73%),  while  a  majority  of  respondents  are 
negative  about  the  term  in  the  Czech  Republic  (47%  versus  44%),  Latvia  (45%  versus  37%)  and 
France  (44%  versus  43%).  Positive  and  negative  impressions  are  evenly  divided  in  Slovenia  (45% 
versus 45%). 

The term “liberalisation” has positive connotations for a majority of respondents in 25 EU Member 
States, most notably in Portugal (69%), Malta (67%), Sweden (65%) and Italy (63%). Positive and 
negative  impressions  are  more  evenly  balanced  in  France  (43%  versus  39%)  and  Latvia  (28% 
versus 24%, with a very high “DK” rate of 48%). A majority of respondents in Hungary (47% versus 
40%),  Slovakia  (42%  versus  40%)  and  the  Czech  Republic  (38%  versus  37%)  see  the  term  in  a 
negative  light.  The  “DK”  rate  exceeds  20%  in  nine  Member  States:  Latvia  (48%),  Estonia  (44%), 
Poland  (29%),  Bulgaria  (27%),  the  Czech  Republic  (25%),  Spain  (23%),  Ireland  (22%),  Lithuania 
(22%) and the United Kingdom (22%).  

150 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  term  “globalisation”  brings  to  mind  something  positive  for  a  majority  of  respondents  in  18 
Member States, most notably in the Nordic countries (73% in Sweden, 72% in Denmark and 60% in 
Finland), Portugal (63%) and Malta (63%).  

It is perceived in a negative light by a majority of respondents in ten Member States, namely Greece 
(68%),  the  Czech  Republic  (61%),  Cyprus  (53%),  France  (53%),  Hungary  (52%),  Slovenia  (48% 
versus 37%), Belgium (47% versus 44%), Slovakia (46% versus 37%), Romania (42% versus 36%) 
and Latvia (39% versus 32%). The “DK” rate exceeds 20% in seven Member States, namely Estonia 
(38%),  Latvia  (29%),  Spain  (25%),  Bulgaria  (24%),  Poland  (23%),  Romania  (22%)  and  Lithuania 
(21%).  

151 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Public service and trade unions  

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

For two-thirds of European the term “public service” has positive connotations, while 28% see it 
in a negative light and 6% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers is more or less 
unchanged since autumn 2014 (+1 percentage point). 

The term “trade unions” evokes something positive for 52% of Europeans, while 38% see it in a 
negative  light  and  10%  expressed  no  opinion.  The  proportion  of  positive  answers  for  this  term  is 
more or less unchanged since autumn 2014 (+1 percentage point) but has decreased over a longer 
period (-11 compared with autumn 2009).  

QA10

Could	you	please	tell	me	for	each	of	the	following,	whether	the	term	brings	to	mind	something	very	positive,	fairly	positive,	fairly	
negative	or	very	negative?
(%	-	EU)

Total	'Positive'

Total	'Negative'

Don't	know

28

29

31

38

39

30

29

33

33

6

6

6

10

10

7

10

10

10

PUBLIC	SERVICE

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Spring	2005

TRADE	UNIONS

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

Spring	2007

Spring	2006

Spring	2005

66

65

62

52

51

63

61

57

57

152 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  term  “public  service”  has  a  negative  image  for  a  majority  of  respondents  in  three  Member 
States,  namely  the  Czech  Republic  (56%),  Greece  (54%)  and  Cyprus  (54%).  Opinions  are  evenly 
divided  in  Italy  (47%  versus  47%).  The  term  brings  to  mind  something  positive  for  a  majority  of 
respondents in the remaining 24 Member States, with an absolute majority in 23 countries, led by 
Luxembourg (91%), Finland (87%), Sweden (85%), Lithuania (77%), Estonia (77%) and Spain (77%).  

The  term  “trade  unions”  has  positive  connotations  for  a  majority  of  respondents  in  21  Member 
States,  including  an  absolute  majority  in  18  countries.  The  highest  scores  were  recorded  in  the 
Nordic countries (78% in Denmark and Sweden, and 70% in Finland), Lithuania (73%) and Germany 
(66%).  

Respondents see this term in a predominantly negative light in Slovenia (55%), Greece (54%), Italy 
(51%), Cyprus (49% versus 37%), Spain (49% versus 39%), France (47% versus 42%) and Hungary 
(46% versus 41%). 

153 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Solidarity and security  

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The values of solidarity and security continue to be widely endorsed by Europeans, with positive 
scores of 77% for the first and 75% for the second.  

QA10

Could	you	please	tell	me	for	each	of	the	following,	whether	the	term	brings	to	mind	something	very	positive,	fairly	positive,	fairly	
negative	or	very	negative?
(%	-	EU)

Total	'Positive'

Total	'Negative'

Don't	know

SOLIDARITY

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

SECURITY

Autumn	2015

Autumn	2014

Autumn	2009

77

78

84

75

78

83

17

16

6

6

12

4

21

18

14

4

4

3

Solidarity has positive connotations for more than six in ten respondents in all Member States, and 
for three-quarters or more in 20 countries, led by Greece (95%), Portugal (92%), Sweden (91%) and 
Cyprus (87%). The lowest scores were recorded in the United Kingdom (63%), Latvia (66%) and the 
Netherlands (66%). 

154 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Security  brings  to  mind  something  positive  for  majorities  in  every  country,  ranging  from  62%  in 
Romania  to  95%  in  Sweden.  The  term  has  positive  connotations  for  at  least  three-quarters  of 
respondents in 18 Member States, but fewer than seven in ten respondents see it in a positive light 
in Italy (67%), the United Kingdom (67%), Hungary (67%), France (65%) and Romania (62%).  

Note  also  that  this  term  evokes  something  negative  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  respondents  in 
seven  countries:  Hungary  (31%),  France  (31%),  Italy  (28%),  Belgium  (27%),  the  Czech  Republic 
(27%), the United Kingdom (27%) and Romania (27%).  

155 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

b.  Europeans and globalisation  

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

An absolute majority of Europeans see globalisation as an opportunity 

The way that respondents see the economic dimension of globalisation is more or less unchanged 
since spring 2015: 56%  of  Europeans (-1 percentage point) consider that  “globalisation  is  an 
opportunity for economic growth”, while 29% (+1 percentage point) take the opposite view and 
15%  (unchanged)  expressed  no  opinion49.  The  balance  of  opinion  on  the  economic  role  of 
globalisation is therefore positive (+27), and very close to the level of spring 2015 (+29), which was 
the highest recorded for this indicator since spring 2010. 

QA18a.4

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.
Globalisation	is	an	opportunity	for	economic	growth	(%	-	EU)

80%

70%

60%

56

50%

40%

59

61

30%

27

27

17

14

20%

10%

0%

26

13

56

27

17

50

32

47

35

51

52

52

49

35

35

34

34

53

55

57

56

TOTAL	'AGREE'

31

30

28

29

TOTAL	'DISAGREE'

18

18

16

14

14

14

16

15

15

15

DON'T	KNOW

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

56%  of  non-euro  area  respondents  (-4  percentage  points)  and  55%  of  euro  area  respondents    
(-2) see globalisation as an opportunity for economic growth.  

49 QA18a.4 Please tell me for each statement, whether you tend to agree or tend to disagree. Globalisation is an opportunity for 
economic growth. 

156 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Since  spring  2015,  the  belief  that  globalisation  does  not  represent  an  opportunity  for  economic 
growth is again the predominant view in the Czech Republic (50% versus 37%, compared with 40% 
versus  44%  in  spring  2015).  As  a  result,  there  are  now  three  Member  States  where  a  majority  of 
respondents take this view, the other two countries being Greece (63%) and Cyprus (50%).  

A majority of respondents in the remaining 25 Member States see globalisation as an opportunity for 
economic growth, most notably in the Nordic countries (81% in Sweden, 76% in Denmark and 71% in 
Finland), Malta (79%), the Netherlands (74%) and Germany (69%).  

Opinions are more evenly balanced in Romania (39% versus 36%, with a “DK” rate of 25%).  

157 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

6.  The European Union today and tomorrow 

a.  Support for a European army 

Although  lower  than  in  spring  2015,  there  is  still majority  support  for  the  creation  of  an  EU 
army: 53% of Europeans (-2 percentage points) are in favour, while 39% (+2) are opposed and 8% 
(unchanged) expressed no opinion50. 

QA16

Thinking about the future of the EU, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed to the following
statement:	the	creation	of	an	EU	army.
(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
8	(=)

Total	'Opposed'
39	(+2)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'In	favour'
53	(-2)

Although the creation of an EU army is still approved by a majority of respondents in the euro area 
countries,  support  has  weakened  slightly  (54%,  -2  percentage  points),  and  has  declined  more 
sharply in the non-euro area countries (49%, -6 percentage points, versus 41%, +4). 

50 QA16. Thinking about the future of the EU, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed to the following statement: the 
creation of an EU army.  

158 

 
	
 
	
 
 
	
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A majority of respondents support the creation of an EU army in 21 Member States, led 
by  Belgium  (73%),  Lithuania  (68%),  the  Netherlands  (68%),  Romania  (68%),  Luxembourg  (64%) 
and  Croatia  (63%).  The  balance  of  opinion  is  narrowly  positive  in  Greece  (47%  versus  46%)  and 
Portugal (44% versus 43%).  

A  majority  of  respondents  in  seven  Member  States  are  opposed  to  the  creation  of  a 
European army, up from four in spring 2015. Opposition persists in Sweden (64%), the United 
Kingdom (58%), Austria (53%) and Finland (51%), and these countires have been joined by Ireland 
(55%), Cyprus (53%) and Denmark (51%). 

159 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Support  for  an  EU  army  has  declined  since  spring  2015  in  22  Member  States,  most  notably  in 
Ireland  (37%, -11  percentage  points),  Cyprus  (44%, -8),  Poland  (61%,  -8)  and  Portugal  (44%,  -7), 
while  it  has  increased  slightly  in  Austria,  Estonia,  Spain  and  Finland,  and  is  stable  in  Belgium  and 
Hungary. 

QA16

Thinking about the future of the EU, please tell me whether you are in favour or
opposed	to	the	following	statement:	the	creation	of	an	EU	army.	(%)

EU28

AT
EE
ES
FI
BE
HU
LT
LU
LV
SI
FR
DE
EL
CZ
SK
BG
IT
UK
HR
MT
SE
NL
RO
DK
PT
PL
CY
IE

'

d
e
s
o
p
p
O

'

l

a
t
o
T

39

53
33
42
51
24
34
26
33
32
37
31
44
46
38
41
24
37
58
31
31
64
31
22
51
43
23
53
55

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

3
2
1
4
2
=
1
2
2
2
4
3
=
3
1
3
4
4
3
7
5
7
3
5
7
4
11
10

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

8

4
11
11
5
3
5
6
3
6
7
7
6
7
5
8
15
7
8
6
8
2
1
10
5
13
16
3
8

'
r
u
o
v
a
f
n

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

53

43
56
47
44
73
61
68
64
62
56
62
50
47
57
51
61
56
34
63
61
34
68
68
44
44
61
44
37

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

3
2
1
1
=
=
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8
8
11

160 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

b.  A stronger European Union?  

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

There  have  been  no  significant  changes  since  spring  2015:  52%  of  Europeans  (-1  percentage 
point) say  that  “more  decisions  should  be  taken  at  EU  level”, while 37% (+1) disagree and 
11% (unchanged) expressed no opinion51.  

QA18a.6

Please	tell	me	to	what	extent	you	agree	or	disagree	with	each	of	the	following	statements.
More	decisions	should	be	taken	at	EU	level	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
11	(=)

Total	'Disagree'
37	(+1)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'Agree'
52	(-1)

51 QA18a.6. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. More decisions should be taken at 
EU level.  

161 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In  comparison  with  spring  2015,  the  balance  of  opinion  in  favour  of  more  decision-making  at  EU 
level is now positive in Germany (51% versus 41%, compared with 44% versus 46%) and Greece 
(51%  versus  45%,  compared  with  47%  versus  48%).  However,  it  has  become  negative  in  Ireland 
(43%  versus  46%,  compared  with  45%  versus  45%)  and  Slovakia  (43%  versus  48%,  compared 
with 48% versus 38%). 

In total, eight Member States are predominantly opposed to increased decision-making at EU level, 
with  continued  opposition  in  the  Nordic  countries  (67%  in  Sweden,  62%  in  Finland  and  58%  in 
Denmark), Austria (57%), the United Kingdom (57%) and the Czech Republic (54%).  

A majority of respondents in 20 Member States want “more Europe”, most notably in Spain (68%), 
Portugal (67%), Belgium (66%), Croatia (64%), Luxembourg (63%), Italy (60%) and Romania (60%).  

162 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Support for more decision-making at EU level has increased since spring 2015 in nine EU countries, 
led by Germany (51%, +7 percentage points) and Austria (38%, +7). It is unchanged in four Member 
States (Spain, the United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden) and has decreased in the remaining 15, in 
particular in Romania (60%, -13 percentage points), Lithuania (53%, -13) and Bulgaria (51%, -10).  

QA18a.6

Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements.
More	decisions	should	be	taken	at	EU	level	(%)

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

52

51
38
51
67
66
31
63
59
58
68
32
30
26
64
52
49
43
54
54
60
43
59
53
40
36
51
60
53

EU28

DE
AT
EL
PT
BE
DK
LU
FR
MT
ES
UK
FI
SE
HR
LV
NL
IE
SI
HU
IT
SK
CY
PL
EE
CZ
BG
RO
LT

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

37

41
57
45
24
27
58
28
29
31
16
57
62
67
28
35
43
46
36
36
29
48
31
30
37
54
34
28
34

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

5
7
3
1
1
1
1
=
=
=
1
2
=
1
4
1
1
1
3
4
10
5
3
5
6
7
12
10

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

11

8
5
4
9
7
11
9
12
11
16
11
8
7
8
13
8
11
10
10
11
9
10
17
23
10
15
12
13

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

7
7
4
2
2
2
1
1
1
=
=
=
=
1
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
7
8
10
13
13

163 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QA18a.6

Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the
following	statements.	
More	decisions	should	be	taken	at	EU	level	(%	-	EU)

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

37

37
37

28
33
39
40

40
39
38
30

40
38
37
25

39
41
38
36
33
34
40
25

40
43
32
34
51

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

11

8
14

11
11
9
13

16
10
9
11

15
10
9
11

9
6
8
10
17
14
13
11

15
9
9
8
9

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Generation
Total	'Before	1946'
1946	-	1964	"BB"
1965	-	1980	"X"
After	1980	"Y"

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

l

a
t
o
T

52

55
49

61
56
52
47

44
51
53
59

45
52
54
64

52
53
54
54
50
52
47
64

45
48
59
58
40

164 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

c.  The future of the European Union 

After  four  consecutive  Standard  Eurobarometer  surveys  characterised  by  renewed  optimism,  the 
ratio of optimism to pessimism about the future of the European Union has deteriorated 
in this survey. Optimism has decreased by five percentage points since spring 2015 (53%), while 
pessimism has seen a 5-point rise (41%)52. 

QA19 Would	you	say	that	you	are	very	optimistic,	fairly	optimistic,	fairly	pessimistic	or	very	pessimistic	about	the	future	of	the	EU?

	(%	-	EU)

80%

69

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

24

10%

7

0%

66

63

64

66

57

37

59

58

34

36

48

46

49

46

50

45

49

46

51

43

56

56

58

38

37

36

TOTAL	'OPTIMISTIC'

TOTAL	'PESSIMISTIC'

53

41

29

27

7

7

6

7

6

6

5

5

5

6

6

7

6

6

DON'T	KNOW

26

8

28

9

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

52 QA19. Would you say that you are very optimistic, fairly optimistic, fairly pessimistic or very pessimistic about the future of the EU?  

165 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The optimism index53 has fallen by ten index points since spring 2015, from +22 to +12.  

This index is below the levels recorded in spring 2014 (+18), autumn 2014 (+19) and spring 2015 
(+22).  It  is  far  lower  than  the  levels  recorded  during  the  period  2007-2010  (for  example,  +40  in 
autumn 2007 and +39 in autumn 2009), but still above the levels found between 2011 and 2013 
(for example, +2 in autumn 2011, +3 in spring 2013).  

QA19 Would	you	say	that	you	are	very	optimistic,	fairly	optimistic,	fairly	pessimistic	or	very	pessimistic	about	the	future	of	the	EU?

	(%	-	EU)

+40

+39

+35

+35

60%

50%

+45

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

+25

+22

+20

+22

+18

+19

+2

+3

+5

+3

+8

+12

OPTIMISM	INDEX	
(TOTAL	'OPTIMISTIC'	- TOTAL	'PESSIMISTIC')

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Optimism has declined more sharply in the euro  area countries (50%, -7 percentage points since 
spring 2015) than in the non-euro area countries (57%, -4). Since spring 2015, the optimism index 
has  fallen  by  14  index  points  inside  the  euro  area  countries  (from  +19  to  +5)  and  by  six  index 
points outside the euro area (from +28 to +22). 

53 Difference between the “optimistic” and “pessimistic” answers  

166 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

Respondents  are  predominantly  optimistic  in  22  Member  States,  led  by  Ireland  (76%), 
Romania  (73%),  Poland  (70%),  Croatia  (69%)  and  Malta  (69%),  and  by  a  narrower  margin  in  the 
United Kingdom (46% versus 44%) and Hungary (50% versus 47%). 

However, a majority of respondents are pessimistic about the future of the European Union in six 
Member States, compared with two in spring 2015. The mood remains gloomy in Greece (63%) 
and  Cyprus  (58%),  and  this  mood  has  now  spread  to  Austria  (56%),  France  (52%),  the 
Czech Republic (51%) and Germany (48% versus 46%). 

Compared with spring 2015, a pessimistic outlook has gained ground in 25 Member States, and by 
at  least  ten  percentage  points  in  seven:  Germany  (48%,  +14  percentage  points),  Hungary  (47%, 
+13),  the  Netherlands  (40%,  +13),  Slovakia  (46%,  +12),  the  Czech  Republic  (51%,  +10),  Slovenia 
(45%,  +10)  and  Estonia  (37%,  +10).  However,  it  has  lost  ground  slightly  in  Poland  (21%,  -4)  and 
Italy (41%, -1), and is unchanged in Portugal (39%). 

The optimism index on the future of the European Union has deteriorated in 24 Member States, and 
significantly  more  than  the  European  average    of  -10  index  points  in  Germany  (-28),  the 
Netherlands  (-26),  Hungary  (-24),  Slovakia  (-23),  Estonia  (-22),  Slovenia  (-20),  the  Czech  Republic   
(-20),  Austria  (-17)  and  Latvia  (-17).  Spain,  Italy,  Poland  and  Portugal  are  the  exceptions  to  this 
overall trend, with a stable or slightly improved index. 

167 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A  socio-demographic  analysis  reveals  that  respondents  are  predominantly  optimistic  in  all 
age  categories,  but  that  optimism  declines  with  age:  65%  of  15-24  year-olds,  56%  of  25-39 
year-olds,  53%  of  40-54  year-olds  and  47%  of  those  aged  55  or  over  (of  whom  46%  are 
pessimistic).  Optimism  about  the  future  of  Europe  is  generally  widespread  among  the  most 
advantaged categories, both culturally (60% of those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond) 
and socially (66% of those who see themselves as upper middle class; 57% of those who never or 
almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  their  bills).  In  contrast,  housepersons  (46%  versus  44% 
“optimistic”)  and  those  who  regularly  struggle  to  pay  their  bills  (59%  versus  33%)  remain 
predominantly pessimistic.  

QA19

Would you say that you are very optimistic, fairly optimistic,
pessimistic	or	very	pessimistic	about	the	future	of	the	EU?	
(%	-	EU)

fairly

'
c
i
t
s
i

m

i
s
s
e
P

'

l

a
t
o
T

41

41
41

30
39
42
46

46
46
40
34

48
44
37
26

39
34
38
43
46
45
46
26

59
44
37

45
47
37
31
39

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

6

4
8

5
5
5
7

10
5
5
5

10
6
3
5

7
4
3
6
10
6
8
5

8
6
6

8
6
4
3
8

'
c
i
t
s
i

m

i
t
p
O

'

l

a
t
o
T

53

55
51

65
56
53
47

44
49
55
61

42
50
60
69

54
62
59
51
44
49
46
69

33
50
57

47
47
59
66
53

168 

EU28

Gender

Man
Woman

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Generation

Total	'Before	1946'
1946	-	1964	"BB"
1965	-	1980	"X"
After	1980	"Y"

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

Difficulties	paying	bills

Most	of	the	time
From	time	to	time
Almost	never/	Never

Consider	belonging	to

The	working	class
The	lower	middle	class
The	middle	class
The	upper	middle	class
The	upper	class

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QA19

Would	you	say	that	you	are	very	optimistic,	fairly	optimistic,	fairly	pessimistic	or	very	pessimistic	about	the	future	of	the	EU?
(% - TOTAL 'OPTIMISTIC')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

53

55
51

65
56
53
47

42
50
60
69

54
62
59
51
44
49
46
69

46

47
45

60
42
43
46

40
44
50
61

46
51
42
39
48
50
45
61

ES

60

65
56

70
63
63
54

54
59
71
78

60
70
82
63
47
52
56
78

FR

44

47
43

46
45
46
43

40
38
53
55

43
61
44
40
27
43
43
55

IT

52

56
48

76
61
55
39

34
54
62
78

57
70
63
43
40
47
37
78

PL

70

72
68

81
77
73
60

45
68
77
76

64
83
75
74
74
75
57
76

UK

46

48
44

66
49
47
36

32
44
56
70

54
57
56
43
23
48
33
70

EL

34

37
33

55
42
31
26

23
32
41
63

32
33
44
45
16
26
30
63

PT

57

61
54

77
59
57
50

50
64
67
78

61
64
68
55
58
50
48
78

IE

76

78
74

76
74
80
75

65
76
80
73

72
86
80
74
71
74
75
73

QA19

Would	you	say	that	you	are	very	optimistic,	fairly	optimistic,	fairly	pessimistic	or	very	pessimistic	about	the	future	of	the	EU?
(% - TOTAL 'PESSIMISTIC')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

41

41
41

30
39
42
46

48
44
37
26

39
34
38
43
46
45
46
26

48

48
48

33
53
50
49

51
51
45
33

49
42
57
53
45
45
49
33

ES

33

29
35

25
33
31
35

35
36
26
15

25
25
18
33
41
44
33
15

PL

21

22
20

13
17
20
27

34
21
19
14

22
13
21
18
16
18
29
14

UK

44

46
42

28
39
45
53

52
46
39
27

38
39
38
48
49
38
53
27

EL

63

61
63

43
56
67
69

70
66
58
36

67
63
55
54
74
70
66
36

PT

39

36
40

20
37
40
45

45
32
31
20

36
33
27
39
42
48
46
20

IE

20

20
20

21
21
17
20

24
21
17
24

23
13
16
21
20
21
23
24

FR

52

50
53

48
54
51
52

53
58
45
39

57
38
54
56
67
55
52
39

IT

41

39
44

19
36
39
52

55
40
35
18

34
29
32
53
52
47
54
18

169 

CY

37

37
37

50
34
30
38

38
32
42
59

33
51
28
37
22
29
41
59

CY

58

57
58

40
62
67
56

55
64
54
30

62
49
62
59
78
68
52
30

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

III.  ECONOMIC ISSUES IN THE EU  

1.  The impact of the economic situation on the job market  

The ratio of optimism to pessimism has fallen back to autumn 2014 levels 

Whereas a majority of respondents were optimistic about the impact of the economic crisis on the 
job market in the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83), in this survey a slender 
majority of respondents say “the worst is still to come” (46%, +4 percentage points)54. At the 
same time, the proportion of respondents who say “the impact of the economic crisis on 
the job market has already reached its peak” has fallen by four percentage points (44%). 
Nevertheless, it remains at a high level, with the third highest score recorded since the question was 
first asked in the Special Eurobarometer survey of May-June 200955), below the levels recorded in 
spring 2014 and 2015, but equal with autumn 2014.  

In general, public opinion, as measured by the Standard Eurobarometer, can see no clear way out of 
the  crisis  in the near future.  Since  the  survey  of  autumn  2013,  opinions  have  shifted  with 
each new survey. While a majority respondents believed that “the impact of the crisis on the job 
market  had  reached  its  peak”  in  spring  2014  (47%  versus  44%)  and  more  clearly  in  spring  2015 
(48% versus 42%), pessimism took over again in the surveys of autumn 2014 (46% “the worst is 
still to come” versus 44%) and autumn 2015 (46% versus 44%).  

QC1

Some	analysts	say	that	the	impact	of	the	economic	crisis	on	the	job	market	has	already	reached	its	peak	and	things	will	recover	little	by	little.	Others,	on	the	contrary,	say	that	the	worst	is	still	to	come.	
Which	of	the	two	statements	is	closer	to	your	opinion?
	(%	-	EU)

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

61

28

11

54

55

38

37

48

47

42

43

8

8

10

10

68

23

9

62

60

55

36

29

50

40

47

44

46

44

48

42

46

44

THE	WORST IS	STILL	TO	COME
THE	IMPACT	OF	THE	CRISIS	ON	JOBS	HAS	ALREADY	
REACHED	ITS	PEAK

9

9

10

9

10

10

10

DON'T	KNOW

30

10

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

54 QC1. Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak 
and things will recover little by little. Others, on the contrary, say that the worst is still to come. Which of the 
two statements is closer to you opinion? 
55 http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/820/p/3  

170 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In  16  Member  States  (compared  with  eight  in  spring  2015,  and  12  in  autumn  2014,  when  the 
Europe-wide  results  were  the  same  in  this  autumn  2015  survey),  a  majority  of  respondents 
believe  that  “the  worst  is  still  to  come”  in  terms  of  the  impact  of  the  crisis  on 
employment.  In  the  remaining  12  Member  States,  a  majority  say  that  it  has  “already 
reached  its  peak”,  with  an  absolute  majority  in  nine  countries.  Therefore,  the  impact  of  the 
economic crisis on the job market is perceived very differently from one Member State to another: 
pessimism is the most widespread in Greece (70%), and the least so in Ireland (21%). 

Since  spring  2015,  optimism  about  the  impact  of  the  crisis  on  the  job  market  has  declined  in  25 
Member  States,  most  markedly  in  Greece  (28%,  -16  percentage  points),  Slovenia  (38%,  -14), 
Slovakia  (43%,  -12),  Bulgaria  (37%,  -11)  and  Finland  (41%,  -10).  As  a  result  of  these  evolutions, 
pessimism  is  now  stronger  than  optimism  in  eight  countries:  Slovenia,  Slovakia,  Bulgaria,  Finland, 
Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia and the United Kingdom. In contrast, the feeling that the impact of the 
crisis  on  jobs  has  already  peaked  has  gained  ground  in  three  countries:  Italy  (57%,  +7),  Croatia 
(59%, +3) and Ireland (75%, +1). 

171 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC1

Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already
reached its peak and things will recover little by little. Others, on the contrary, say that	the
worst	is	still	to	come.	Which	of	the	two	statements	is	closer	to	your	opinion?	(%)

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

s
i

t
s
r
o
w
e
h
T

e
m
o
c
o
t

l
l
i
t
s

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

3
4

7
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
11
12
14
16

46

48
42

35
36
21
40
29
54
57
28
29
51
37
58
56
45
42
40
51
25
48
63
53
52
64
56
39
47
57
70

4

3
4

7
3
=
1
7
2
=
2
2
9
1
6
4
5
5
7
7
9
6
8
7
7
8
11
8
10
12
16

s
b
o

j

n
o
s
i
s
i
r
c
e
h
t

f
o
t
c
a
p
m

i

e
h
T

k
a
e
p
s
t
i

d
e
h
c
a
e
r
y
d
a
e
r
l
a
s
a
h

44

44
45

57
59
75
55
46
42
38
70
57
40
54
38
33
49
48
54
33
70
37
30
41
40
31
41
37
43
38
28

172 

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

10

8
13

8
5
4
5
25
4
5
2
14
9
9
4
11
6
10
6
16
5
15
7
6
8
5
3
24
10
5
2

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

IT
HR
IE
ES
PL
AT
CY
NL
MT
UK
PT
BE
LV
HU
RO
CZ
DE
DK
EE
FR
SE
LT
LU
FI
BG
SK
SI
EL

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QC1

Some	analysts	say	that	the	impact	of	the	economic	crisis	on	the	job	market	has	already	reached	its	peak	and	things	will	recover	little	by	
little.	Others,	on	the	contrary,	say	that	the	worst	is	still	to	come.	Which	of	the	two	statements	is	closer	to	your	opinion?
(% - THE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS ON JOBS HAS ALREADY REACHED ITS PEAK)

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

44

46
42

45
49
45
40

36
42
50
51

52
53
53
41
36
36
39
51

33

36
31

23
32
34
37

28
31
42
32

38
42
34
27
23
18
37
32

ES

55

55
54

54
65
54
49

48
56
67
61

58
56
79
61
46
47
49
61

FR

30

31
29

23
35
34
28

20
27
41
25

47
50
38
29
13
19
28
25

IT

57

60
55

67
66
59
49

47
60
68
69

64
74
65
45
47
62
49
69

PL

46

51
41

49
50
48
41

29
44
47
51

46
57
59
46
35
30
36
51

UK

40

44
36

47
42
38
36

27
41
45
48

46
48
48
37
25
35
33
48

EL

28

30
26

32
31
29
24

22
26
34
31

26
26
33
33
23
27
25
31

PT

54

56
52

59
58
55
48

44
59
63
64

59
63
68
55
60
37
46
64

QC1

Some	analysts	say	that	the	impact	of	the	economic	crisis	on	the	job	market	has	already	reached	its	peak	and	things	
will	recover	little	by	little.	Others,	on	the	contrary,	say	that	the	worst	is	still	to	come.	Which	of	the	two	statements	is	
closer	to	your	opinion?
(% - THE WORST IS STILL TO COME)

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

46

45
47

44
42
46
49

54
48
40
38

39
37
40
49
52
56
50
38

51

50
51

53
50
52
49

57
55
41
45

51
39
55
58
51
63
50
45

40

40
40

41
32
43
44

47
40
28
34

33
41
21
36
43
50
45
34

63

62
65

73
59
61
63

73
68
51
69

45
43
58
66
83
77
63
69

PL

UK

EL

PT

29

29
29

27
30
25
31

29
31
29
24

29
23
21
29
33
45
35
24

51

50
52

43
49
55
54

64
50
47
42

47
46
51
51
66
59
54
42

70

69
71

65
67
69
75

75
73
65
65

73
74
65
64
73
72
73
65

37

36
38

32
33
34
43

47
30
27
29

28
24
24
38
36
54
44
29

IT

35

33
36

26
30
33
40

42
32
28
22

26
26
29
48
46
35
39
22

173 

IE

75

78
72

76
75
78
71

60
72
84
77

85
84
86
79
61
60
72
77

IE

21

18
24

20
21
19
23

31
24
13
19

9
14
12
18
30
34
25
19

CY

38

40
35

30
37
36
43

42
34
47
22

31
42
50
37
36
33
46
22

CY

57

56
60

55
62
59
54

53
65
48
58

69
50
48
61
54
65
49
58

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

2.  A still-important role for the European Union in the global 

economy  

Six in ten Europeans consider that the “EU has sufficient power and tools to defend its 
economic  interests  in  the  global  economy”56,  with  little  change  since  spring  2015  (60%,  -1 
percentage  point).  Of  these,  18%  (+1)  “totally  agree”  with  this  statement.  However,  just  over  a 
quarter of respondents disagree (27%, +1) and 13% (unchanged) expressed no opinion. 

A majority of respondents agree that “the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend 
the economic interests of Europe in the global economy” in all 28 Member States, led by 
Portugal (82%). Respondents in Estonia (46%) and the United Kingdom (48%) are the least likely to 
agree with this statement. 

In terms of evolutions since spring 2015, support for this statement has decreased in 18 Member 
States, risen in nine other countries and is unchanged in Greece. It has lost at least ten percentage 
points in four Member States: Hungary (57%, -13 percentage points), Slovenia (56%, -12), Romania 
(61%, -11) and Estonia (46%, -10). 

56 QC2a.3.  For  each  of  the  following  statements,  please  tell  me  whether  you  totally  agree,  tend  to  agree,  tend  to  disagree  or  totally 
disagree: The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy 

174 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC2a.3

For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend
to	disagree	or	totally	disagree.
The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global
economy	(%)

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

60

61
56

57
82
59
59
74
66
68
62
52
71
74
72
70
65
61
57
51
63
62
59
48
70
58
50
46
61
56
57

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

SE
PT
BE
LU
MT
CY
ES
IT
FR
EL
LT
HR
IE
PL
DE
DK
NL
LV
SK
FI
UK
BG
AT
CZ
EE
RO
SI
HU

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

1
5

5
4
4
4
2
2
1
1
1
=
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
6
6
10
11
12
13

175 

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

27

28
27

29
9
32
32
12
24
17
25
33
24
14
19
14
20
32
26
39
22
25
30
31
15
36
37
30
21
33
33

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

2
3

9
3
3
3
2
1
=
1
2
1
1
4
2
1
4
2
1
2
2
2
3
2
6
5
6
6
11
10

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

13

11
17

14
9
9
9
14
10
15
13
15
5
12
9
16
15
7
17
10
15
13
11
21
15
6
13
24
18
11
10

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QC2a.3

For	each	of	the	following	statements,	please	tell	me	whether	you	totally	agree,	tend	to	agree,	tend	to	disagree	or	
totally	disagree.
The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy
(% - TOTAL 'AGREE')

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

60

63
56

64
64
61
54

53
60
62
64

65
63
62
62
51
60
53
64

61

62
59

59
64
62
60

58
64
63
51

64
64
64
61
67
64
60
51

68

76
61

58
73
75
62

64
74
78
59

81
72
79
76
49
64
68
59

52

55
48

59
57
50
46

45
51
53
59

54
52
58
53
34
56
48
59

IT

62

69
55

72
63
65
56

51
64
68
75

71
76
66
52
50
59
56
75

PL

UK

EL

PT

65

66
63

74
69
64
58

45
65
68
72

65
67
67
68
69
62
56
72

48

53
43

58
56
48
37

35
48
53
60

50
52
45
59
21
55
33
60

71

71
71

79
78
76
62

63
72
75
81

72
72
77
79
65
70
65
81

82

82
81

87
84
88
75

74
87
89
88

85
85
92
83
74
85
71
88

IE

70

76
65

65
74
74
66

62
71
74
70

75
82
75
69
63
66
68
70

CY

66

68
64

74
59
69
65

69
68
61
76

69
63
59
64
73
64
67
76

176 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
	
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

3.  The roles of the public and private sectors in revitalising the 

economy 

A large majority of Europeans believe that public money should be used to stimulate 
private sector investment, which is better placed to create new jobs 

Respondents  were  then  asked  for  their  opinion  on  the  respective  roles  of  the  public  and  private 
sectors in terms of job creation and investment, particularly with reference to certain strands of the 
Juncker investment plan57: 

Almost  two-thirds  of  Europeans  agree  that  “the  private  sector  is  better  placed  than 
the  public  sector  to  create  new  jobs”  (64%,  +2  percentage  points  since  spring  2015), 
while less than a quarter of respondents disagree (23%, -2) and 13% (unchanged) expressed 
no opinion; 

An absolute majority of respondents also agree that “public money should be used to 
stimulate private sector investment at EU level” (58%, -1), while more than a quarter 
of respondents disagree (28%, =) and 14% (+1) were unable to answer. 

QC2a.4

For each of the followingstatements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree
or	totally	disagree.
The	private	sector	is	better	placed	than	the	public	sector	to	create	new	jobs	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
13	(=)

Total	'Disagree'
23	(-2)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'Agree'
64	(+2)

57 QC2a.4-5. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally 
disagree: The private sector is better placed than the public sector to create new jobs; Public money should be used to stimulate private 
sector investment at EU level. 

177 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC2a.5

For each of the followingstatements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree
or	totally	disagree.
Public	money	should	be	used	to	stimulate	private	sector	investment	at	EU	level
(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
14	(+1)

Total	'Disagree'
28	(=)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'Agree'
58	(-1)

A majority of respondents in all 28 Member States agree that “the private sector is better 
placed  than  the  public  sector  to  create  new  jobs”.  However,  support  varies  considerably 
between countries, ranging from 82% in Malta to 46% in Estonia. 

178 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In 26 Member States, a majority of respondents agree that “public money should be used 
to  stimulate  private  sector  investment  at  EU  level”.  The  two  exceptions  are  the  United 
Kingdom (44% “disagree” versus 41% “agree”) and Sweden (46% versus 44%). In the 26 Member 
States where a majority of respondents support this idea, support nevertheless varies significantly, 
ranging from 77% in Cyprus and Malta to 46% in Spain. 

The proportion of respondents supporting the use of public money in this way has decreased in 14 
Member States since spring 2015, especially in Romania (57%, -12 percentage points). In contrast, 
it has increased in nine countries and is stable in the remaining five. 

179 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC2a

For	each	of	the	following	statements,	please	tell	me	whether	you	totally	agree,	tend	to	agree,	
tend	to	disagree	or	totally	disagree.	(%)

The	private	sector	is	better	placed	
than	the	public	sector	to	create	new	
jobs

Public	money	should	
be	used	to	stimulate	
private	sector	investment	
at	EU	level

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

64

70
64
65
74
76
46
73
68
62
58
64
54
60
51
55
64
57
82
64
67
60
76
65
55
68
77
65
62

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

7
3
4
=
5
7
1
5
3
1
3
4
5
2
7
3
1
4
=
6
4
5
8
5
3
3
6
1

180 

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

58

66
58
59
55
76
52
64
72
46
48
75
67
77
62
67
61
66
77
47
62
62
63
57
65
64
58
44
41

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

1
3
1
1
6
9
1
=
=
1
=
2
6
=
3
2
5
=
1
6
6
3
12
1
4
2
2
1

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
 
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

4.  Reforms for the economic and financial system? 

a.  Reducing the public deficit and debt 

Europeans are divided as to whether measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in 
their country are a priority 

To discover whether Europeans think urgent measures are needed to reduce the public deficit and 
debt  in  their  country,  we  divided  respondents  into  two  groups.  Each  group  was  asked  a  slightly 
differently worded question58: 

§  A  positive  wording  (SPLIT  A  –  “Measures  to  reduce  the  public  deficit  and  debt  in 

(OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed”); 

§  A  negative  wording  (SPLIT  B  –  “Measures  to  reduce  the  public  deficit  and  debt  in 

(OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now”). 

Positive wording 

More than seven in ten respondents consider that “measures to reduce the public deficit 
and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed” (72%, -1 percentage point since spring 2015, 
and  -4  compared  with  autumn  2014),  while  only  18%  (+1)  disagree,  and  10%  (unchanged) 
expressed no opinion. 

QC2a.1

For each of the followingstatements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree
or	totally	disagree.
Measures	to	reduce	the	public	deficit	and	debt	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	cannot	be	delayed	(%	-	EU)

Don't	know
10	(=)

Total	'Disagree'
18	(+1)

(Autumn	2015	-	Spring	2015)

Total	'Agree'
72	(-1)

58 QC2a.1-2. For the following statement, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree. 
(SPLIT A) Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed; (SPLIT B) Measures to reduce the public 
deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now. 

181 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

A  majority  of  respondents  agree  with  this  statement  in  all  28  Member  States,  with  the 
highest score in Malta (90%) and the lowest in Estonia (47% versus 21% “disagree”). 

Since spring 2015, agreement with this statement has increased in ten countries, in particular in the 
Netherlands (73%, +11 percentage points), while it has decreased in 15 other Member States (75%, 
-11). It is unchanged in three countries. 

182 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Negative wording 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

However,  these  results  must  be  seen  in  the  light  of  the  answers  obtained  using  the  negative 
wording.  Respondents  are  evenly  divided  as  to  the  statement  “measures  to  reduce  the 
public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now”: 44% (+2 percentage 
points  since  spring  2015)  agree  with  the  statement  and  44%  disagree  -4),  while  12%  (+2) 
expressed no opinion. 

Since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2010 (EB73) when the question was first asked, 
this  is  only  the  second  time  (after  autumn  2014)  that  opinions  have  been  divided.  In  the  other 
surveys, a majority of respondents disagreed with the statement, meaning that they saw measures 
to reduce the public deficit and debt as a priority. 

QC2a.2

For	each	of	the	following	statements,	please	tell	me	whether	you	totally	agree,	tend	to	agree,	tend	to	disagree	or	totally	disagree.
Measures	to	reduce	the	public	deficit	and	debt	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	are	not	a	priority	for	now	(%	-	EU)

70%

60%

50%

40%

53

53

49

41

35

30%

36

51

53

53

51

50

40

40

40

42

42

55

35

45

45

48

42

TOTAL	'DISAGREE'
TOTAL	'AGREE'

44

44

20%

10%

0%

12

11

10

9

7

7

7

8

10

10

10

12

DON'T	KNOW

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

183 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In  15  Member  States,  a  majority  of  respondents  agree  that  “measures  to  reduce  the 
public  deficit  and  debt  in  (OUR  COUNTRY)  are  not  a  priority  for  now”.  In  12  other 
countries, respondents predominantly take the opposite view - that measures to reduce 
the  deficit  and  debt  are  a  priority.  Lastly,  respondents  in  Finland  are  evenly  divided  on  this 
question  (46%  “agree”  and  46%  “disagree”).  The  proportion  of  respondents  who  agree  with  this 
statement therefore varies considerably from one Member State to another. Support is strongest in 
Sweden (61%) and weakest in France (31%). 

In terms of evolutions since spring 2015, agreement with the negative wording has fallen in nine 
counties, especially in Poland (44%, -14 percentage points), and in Portugal (38%, -11) where only 
a minority now agree. However, agreement with this statement has increased in 18 countries and is 
unchanged in Spain. 

184 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  differences  found  by  previous  surveys  between  countries  within  the  euro  area  and  those 
outside  the  euro  area  have  decreased  in  this  Standard  Eurobarometer  survey  of  autumn  2015 
(EB84). Certainly, a majority of euro area respondents still think that measures to reduce the public 
deficit  and  debt  in  their  country  are  a  priority  (46%  “disagree”,  -4  percentage  points  since  spring 
2015,  versus  43%,  +3),  while  the  majority  of  non-euro  area  respondents  take  the  opposite  view 
(44% “agree”, -3, versus 41%, -1); but the divergence of opinion between euro area and non-euro 
area countries has narrowed significantly. 

QC2a.2

For each ofthe following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend
to	disagree	or	totally	disagree.
Measures	to	reduce	the	public	deficit	and	debt	in	(OUR	COUNTRY)	are	not	a	priority	for	now	(%)

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

44

43
44

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

3
3

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

44

46
41

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

4

4
1

w
o
n
k
t
'
n
o
D

12

11
15

It  is  interesting  to  compare  the  results  obtained  for  the  positive  and  negative  wordings  for  any 
consistency between the answers given by the two groups of respondents (split A and split B). This 
consistency,  which  is  not  reflected  in  the  European  average,  does  in  fact  exist  in  twelve  Member 
States  (compared  with  16  in  spring  2015).  In  these  countries,  a  majority  of  respondents  say 
that measures to reduce the deficit and debt need to be taken rapidly, regardless of the 
wording  used:  the  countries  in  question  are  France,  the  Czech  Republic,  Luxembourg,  Portugal, 
Cyprus, Malta, the United Kingdom, Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium. 

In 15 other countries, the results for the two groups differ and are therefore contradictory: while a 
majority  of  respondents  in  split  A  believe  that  “measures  to  reduce  the  public  deficit  and  debt  in 
(OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed”, those in split B say that these measures “are not a priority for 
now”. This is the case in Lithuania, Slovenia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Hungary, Estonia, Denmark, Ireland, 
Romania, Poland, Latvia, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia and Italy. 

Lastly, in Finland, as in Europe as whole, a large majority of respondents in split A believe that these 
measures cannot be delayed (83% “agree”), while those in split B are evenly divided on the question 
(46% “agree” and 46% “disagree”). 

185 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC2a

For	each	of	the	following	statements,	please	tell	me	whether	you	totally	agree,	tend	to	agree,	
tend	to	disagree	or	totally	disagree.	(%)

Measures	to	reduce	
the	public	deficit	and	debt	in	(OUR	
COUNTRY)	
cannot	be	delayed

Measures	to	reduce	
the	public	deficit	and	debt	in	(OUR	
COUNTRY)	are	not	a	priority	for	now

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

72

77
62
77
71
80
47
76
64
56
75
88
72
69
72
77
64
77
90
73
75
68
77
62
81
76
83
77
70

EU28

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1
=
7
1
4
3
4
=
3
9
6
3
2
4
1
1
5
1
4
11
11
6
3
9
4
1
2
=
9

186 

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

44

47
54
35
50
49
45
51
46
39
31
47
45
41
45
59
36
56
38
46
46
44
38
45
58
45
46
61
41

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

4
7
2
2
8
4
1
2
=
2
9
3
2
1
1
2
4
2
3
3
14
11
6
4
7
9
4
3

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis. 

QC2a.1

For	each	of	the	following	statements,	please	tell	me	whether	you	totally	agree,	tend	to	agree,	tend	to	disagree	or	
totally	disagree.
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed
(% - TOTAL 'AGREE')

EU28

DE

ES

FR

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

72

73
71

74
74
71
72

68
72
75
75

72
79
74
71
61
67
72
75

80

81
80

82
81
78
81

79
82
77
84

61
79
85
81
80
84
81
84

56

58
54

52
60
57
53

51
60
66
50

56
69
61
57
35
60
61
50

75

79
70

75
78
75
74

69
72
83
74

96
89
68
72
81
71
72
74

IT

72

73
70

80
79
67
71

72
67
79
79

75
93
71
60
56
77
73
79

PL

UK

EL

PT

68

66
70

75
74
68
62

58
65
74
75

78
81
65
68
64
56
64
75

70

67
73

71
71
67
71

72
70
67
74

64
72
78
70
60
58
73
74

64

71
58

76
67
67
57

53
63
69
81

65
62
66
79
57
51
61
81

77

79
76

75
79
89
69

72
81
84
71

88
88
78
85
76
73
64
71

IE

76

77
75

72
75
80
75

85
70
78
79

72
80
67
75
78
74
76
79

QC2a.2

For	each	of	the	following	statements,	please	tell	me	whether	you	totally	agree,	tend	to	agree,	tend	to	disagree	or	totally	disagree.
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now
(% - TOTAL 'AGREE')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

44

46
41

43
47
44
41

39
44
46
46

42
45
48
45
42
44
41
46

49

51
47

29
49
53
52

50
48
53
46

57
45
57
47
54
44
50
46

ES

39

44
34

35
46
45
32

37
42
47
36

28
40
46
54
26
38
32
36

PL

44

43
44

51
45
41
42

35
42
44
47

33
42
47
42
57
53
43
47

UK

41

41
41

44
44
42
37

43
42
36
53

35
41
43
43
57
40
35
53

EL

46

46
46

54
48
45
43

47
49
37
59

41
47
51
39
53
44
45
59

PT

38

40
37

42
36
34
41

35
42
44
38

31
41
42
35
43
33
42
38

IE

51

54
47

46
53
46
54

48
53
50
46

60
51
60
49
38
57
53
46

FR

31

31
31

30
41
28
27

26
30
36
23

32
40
32
33
18
42
27
23

IT

45

53
40

59
48
44
40

39
46
49
59

43
54
49
40
44
47
40
59

187 

CY

69

69
68

61
64
77
70

60
84
64
52

74
64
73
61
84
73
73
52

CY

41

41
40

51
33
45
39

38
40
43
58

61
35
45
41
41
30
37
58

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

b.  What measures should be taken to reform the economic and 

financial system? 

Respondents  were  asked  whether  they  support  or  are  opposed  to  the  following  four  measures 
intended to reform the economic and financial system59: 

§  Almost  nine  in  ten  Europeans  support  “tougher  rules  on  tax  avoidance  and  tax 

havens” (87%, unchanged since spring 2015); 

§  More  than  seven  in  ten  respondents  are  in  favour  of  “the  regulation  of  wages  in 
the financial sector (for example traders’ bonuses)” (71%,  -2 percentage points); 

§  An  absolute  majority  of  Europeans  agree  with  “the  introduction  of  a  tax  on 

financial transactions” (53%, -1); 

§  Lastly,  only  a  relative  majority  of  respondents  support  “the  introduction  of 
Eurobonds (European bonds)” (37%, -1, versus 31%, =, who do not support the idea, 
and 32%, +1, who expressed no opinion). 

59 QC3.  Thinking  about  reforming  the  global  financial  markets,  please  tell  me  whether  you  are  in  favour  or  opposed  to  the  following 
measures to be taken by the EU: The introduction of a tax on financial transactions; The introduction of Eurobonds (European bonds); The 
regulation of wages in the financial sector (e.g. traders’ bonuses); Tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax havens 

188 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
																																																								
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

In all 28 Member States, the introduction of “tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax havens” 
is supported by a large majority of respondents, with the highest support in Greece (95%) and the 
lowest in Estonia (65%). 
A majority of respondents in all 28 Member States are also in favour of “the regulation of wages 
in  the  financial  sector”, with an absolute majority in 26 countries. This idea is supported by as 
many as 84% of respondents in Portugal (the country with the highest score), but by only 46% in 
Cyprus and 49% in Estonia (where the scores are lowest). 

Since spring 2015, support for this measure has decreased sharply in Cyprus (46%, -15 percentage 
points), Romania (57%, -12) and Slovenia (61%, -10). 

“The  introduction  of  a  tax  on  financial  transactions”  is  supported  by  a  majority  of 
respondents in 20 Member States, while a majority of respondents are opposed in eight countries. 
Support is as high as 72% in Germany (the highest score) and as low as 24% in Estonia. 

In terms of evolutions, support for a tax on financial transactions has lost 13 percentage points in 
Bulgaria  (33%). 

Lastly, “the  introduction  of  Eurobonds” is seen as a good idea by a majority of respondents in 
17  Member  States.  In  the  other  11  countries,  a  majority  of  respondents  are  against  such  a 
measure. The rate of approval for this measure ranges from 57% in Portugal to 21% in Germany. 

Approval  has  gained  ground  significantly  in  Luxembourg  (54%,  +10  percentage  points),  but  has 
decreased sharply in Romania (39%, -12) and Slovenia (27%, -10). 

189 

 
	
 
	
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC3

Thinking	about	reforming	global	financial	markets,	please	tell	me	whether	you	are	in	favour	or	opposed	
to	the	following	measures	to	be	taken	by	the	EU.	(%)

Tougher	rules	on	tax	avoidance	and	
tax	havens

The	regulation	of	wages	
in	the	financial	sector	
(e.g.	traders'	bonuses)

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

'
r
u
o
v
a
f
n

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

71

75
64

75
66
68
51
77
49
75
69
82
74
75
68
46
59
68
76
71
62
77
80
58
84
57
61
76
68
66
70

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

2

1
5

3
5
1
=
=
7
5
3
4
2
5
3
15
=
2
1
3
2
=
1
4
5
12
10
2
6
9
1

'
r
u
o
v
a
f
n

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

87

89
82

91
80
88
90
94
65
83
95
92
86
82
83
86
75
77
80
83
82
93
85
69
91
76
83
91
89
94
88

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

=
1
2

3
3
=
1
=
6
2
1
1
=
6
1
6
=
1
=
3
1
1
3
4
=
8
2
=
1
1
1

190 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC3

Thinking	about	reforming	global	financial	markets,	please	tell	me	whether	you	are	in	favour	or	opposed	
to	the	following	measures	to	be	taken	by	the	EU.	(%)

The	introduction	of	a	tax	
on	financial	transactions

The	introduction	
of	Eurobonds	
(European	bonds)

EU28

EURO	AREA
NON-EURO	AREA

BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK

'
r
u
o
v
a
f
n

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

37

38
36

56
27
37
37
21
22
41
53
50
38
54
43
28
28
35
54
52
51
31
30
41
57
39
27
46
25
27
31

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

1
3

1
5
2
1
=
7
2
2
3
1
=
1
5
=
5
10
1
2
4
3
1
4
12
10
5
1
4
1

'
r
u
o
v
a
f
n

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

53

58
42

58
33
52
54
72
24
39
46
54
57
58
53
30
41
54
51
35
27
30
69
44
71
41
44
65
41
49
39

-
5
1
0
2
.
t
u
A

5
1
0
2
p
S

.

1

1
=
7
13
3
7
1
8
1
5
4
=
5
1
7
3
4
7
4
3
3
1
3
2
4
8
6
9
=
1

191 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

The  following  tables  show  the  results  by  socio-demographic  criteria  in  the  European  Union  as  a 
whole  (EU28  average),  in  the  six  largest  EU  countries  and  in  the  countries  benefiting  or  having 
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis 

QC3.4

Thinking	about	reforming	global	financial	markets,	please	tell	me	whether	you	are	in	favour	or	opposed	to	the	following	measures	to	be	
taken	by	the	EU.
Tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax havens (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

87

87
86

81
87
89
87

86
86
90
83

87
93
88
86
84
84
87
83

94

94
94

83
96
96
95

96
94
97
83

90
98
94
97
94
90
95
83

ES

92

93
91

82
95
96
89

91
94
97
81

96
100
97
94
85
92
92
81

FR

86

86
86

79
85
88
89

83
84
91
86

87
96
84
85
67
79
89
86

IT

83

86
80

82
88
84
80

78
85
87
87

85
90
88
78
81
77
81
87

PL

69

70
67

75
71
70
64

51
66
74
77

71
75
72
64
69
65
66
77

UK

88

88
87

82
83
92
90

87
89
90
77

87
93
89
90
93
80
88
77

EL

95

95
95

93
94
96
95

94
97
93
96

93
100
93
92
96
94
97
96

PT

91

92
91

93
92
92
90

89
94
95
93

95
94
93
90
94
91
89
93

IE

83

85
82

68
82
89
85

80
84
86
72

86
88
87
80
84
76
87
72

CY

86

88
83

69
89
87
89

93
84
90
73

92
94
89
86
75
78
91
73

QC3.3

Thinking	about	reforming	global	financial	markets,	please	tell	me	whether	you	are	in	favour	or	opposed	to	the	following	measures	to	be	
taken	by	the	EU.
The regulation of wages in the financial sector (e.g. traders' bonuses) (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

71

74
70

68
73
74
70

69
72
74
69

75
76
74
71
67
71
69
69

77

77
76

67
81
78
76

77
76
80
67

80
80
77
76
72
80
77
67

ES

82

84
81

76
86
85
79

82
87
81
75

87
78
89
86
75
85
80
75

PL

58

60
56

61
60
62
53

39
58
59
63

66
61
66
60
48
42
51
63

UK

70

70
70

73
69
70
70

65
70
75
68

73
77
76
67
70
66
68
68

EL

69

72
67

68
70
73
66

57
73
76
69

72
83
77
65
58
63
71
69

PT

84

86
82

84
83
89
80

83
87
87
85

90
83
85
84
83
90
78
85

IE

75

78
73

72
72
79
77

69
77
76
75

77
75
78
79
69
71
78
75

CY

46

47
45

40
51
49
41

49
46
51
44

55
38
49
52
39
44
41
44

FR

74

78
71

61
75
77
77

72
71
83
68

82
82
75
71
64
69
77
68

IT

68

74
63

74
70
71
64

57
69
78
80

75
82
76
57
65
62
60
80

192 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Report 

QC3.1

Thinking	about	reforming	global	financial	markets,	please	tell	me	whether	you	are	in	favour	or	opposed	to	the	following	measures	to	be	
taken	by	the	EU.
The introduction of a tax on financial transactions (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female
Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

53

57
50

45
53
56
53

51
52
56
47

51
61
57
52
45
50
53
47

72

73
71

62
71
75
74

73
72
75
58

70
78
76
69
69
70
75
58

ES

54

59
48

50
55
56
51

53
57
54
48

47
60
71
57
31
61
53
48

FR

57

65
50

31
56
63
64

56
55
66
34

64
75
47
55
33
52
65
34

IT

53

58
49

60
56
58
47

44
53
65
69

57
87
62
42
45
41
45
69

PL

44

44
44

49
45
49
38

26
41
48
48

38
45
56
43
44
33
39
48

UK

39

43
34

34
42
40
38

38
36
45
36

39
42
46
37
44
37
36
36

EL

46

50
42

42
51
48
42

33
47
54
44

50
54
51
43
44
43
43
44

PT

71

73
71

64
76
77
68

69
77
76
61

78
76
83
73
69
66
68
61

IE

39

45
32

32
38
41
39

39
37
40
35

29
43
37
40
35
38
43
35

CY

30

34
28

29
26
32
34

34
29
30
35

29
31
24
29
16
34
34
35

QC3.2

Thinking	about	reforming	global	financial	markets,	please	tell	me	whether	you	are	in	favour	or	opposed	to	the	following	measures	to	be	
taken	by	the	EU.
The introduction of Eurobonds (European bonds) (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')

EU28

DE

TOTAL

Gender

Male
Female

Age

15-24
25-39
40-54
55	+

Education	(End	of)

15-
16-19
20+
Still	studying

Socio-professional	category

Self-employed
Managers
Other	white	collars
Manual	workers
House	persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students

37

41
33

39
41
41
32

29
36
43
41

43
44
43
36
30
37
31
41

21

26
17

26
20
24
19

17
20
26
22

23
29
17
22
27
20
17
22

ES

50

55
43

45
50
57
44

45
51
57
50

56
50
72
49
25
56
49
50

PL

41

42
41

50
45
43
34

25
37
45
50

41
44
40
46
38
29
35
50

UK

31

36
27

35
36
35
24

22
30
43
25

37
46
39
31
17
34
20
25

EL

53

58
48

52
55
62
47

33
57
63
61

64
67
60
54
42
39
51
61

PT

57

61
54

59
62
63
51

49
61
69
59

67
69
69
60
71
49
44
59

IE

41

48
35

34
42
48
38

34
40
47
41

52
56
47
36
31
33
39
41

CY

28

33
24

28
25
27
29

22
28
34
33

23
32
32
29
18
18
32
33

FR

38

43
34

34
41
45
34

29
36
46
38

36
46
46
38
32
40
35
38

IT

43

50
37

50
50
46
37

25
42
61
59

51
73
51
26
36
26
37
59

193 

 
	
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Technical 
specifications 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Between the 7TH and the 17TH November 2015, TNS opinion & social, a consortium created between 
TNS political & social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the wave 84.3 of the EUROBAROMETER 
survey,  on  request  of  the  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION,  Directorate-General  for  Communication, 
“Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” Unit.  

The wave 84.3 is the STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 84 and covers the population of the respective 
nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 28 Member States and 
aged 15 years and over.  

The  STANDARD  EUROBAROMETER  84  survey  has  also  been  conducted  in  five  candidate  countries 
(Turkey,  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of  Macedonia,  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.  

TS 1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Public opinion in the European Union 

Autumn 2015 

Standard Eurobarometer 84 

Technical 
specifications 

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  II1 (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 
here. 

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: 

1 Figures updated in August 2015 

TS 2