The euro area : report.
Date: 2019-12-02
Institutions: Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs
Subjects: EU Member State, economic consequence, economic policy, economic reform, euro, euro area, household income, inflation, monetary union, report, sample survey

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Report 

The euro area 

Fieldwork 
October 2019 
Publication 
November 2019 

Survey requested by the European Commission,  
Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs 
and co-ordinated by the 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. 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 – Kantar 

 
Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Report 

The euro area 

October 2019 

Survey conducted by Kantar on behalf of TNS Political & Social at the request of  
the European Commission, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) 

Survey co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication 
(DG COMM “Media Monitoring and Eurobarometer” Unit)

Project title 

Linguistic version 
Catalogue number 
ISBN 

© European Union, 2019 

Flash 481 Eurobarometer survey about the views and 
attitudes related to the euro in the 19 euro area countries - 
Autumn 2019 
Report 
EN 
KC-01-19-815-EN-N 
978-92-76-12185-5 
doi:10.2765/775049 

https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion 

The euro area 

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Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Report 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 

KEY FINDINGS 

I. 

SUPPORT FOR THE EURO 

1  The impact of the euro on the country 

2  The impact of the euro on the European Union 

3  The euro and European identity 

II.

EURO COINS AND BANKNOTES

1  Distinguishing and handling euro coins 

a. Difficulties with euro coins

b.

c.

Satisfaction with the current selection of euro coins

Attitudes towards the abolition of 1- and 2-cent coins

2  Distinguishing and handling euro banknotes 

III.

THE IMPACT OF THE EURO ON PRICES AND OTHER MACROECONOMIC
ASSESSMENTS

1  The impact of the euro on prices 

a.

The impact of the euro on travelling abroad

b. Converting prices in euro to old national currencies

2  Economic policy coordination in the euro area 

3  Expectation for this year’s inflation rate 

IV. ECONOMIC REFORMS AND OTHER SECTORIAL REFORMS TO BOOST GROWTH

AND EMPLOYMENT

1  Economic reforms in euro area countries 

2  Evaluation of sectorial reforms 

ANNEXES 

Technical specifications 

Questionnaire 

Tables  

3 

5 

7 

7 

11 

15 

18 

18 

22 

26 

29 

32 

35 

35 

35 

45 

49 

53 

 56
56 

64 

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INTRODUCTION 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Report 

The euro area consists of those European Union Member States that have adopted the euro as their 
common currency and sole legal tender. The euro was introduced to world financial markets as an 
accounting currency on 1 January 1999. After a transitional period of three years when the euro was 
the official currency but only existed as ‘book money’, euro bank notes and coins were adopted and 
became the official currency on 1 January 2002 in 12 Member States1. Since then, a further seven 
Member States have adopted the currency, with the euro area now made up of the following countries: 
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, 
Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. 

While all EU Member States are part of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and coordinate their 
economic policy-making to support the economic aims of the EU, the economies of the euro area 
Member States are more integrated. In order to realise the full benefits of the single currency, the 
management of monetary and economic policy within the euro area is different. The European Central 
Bank (ECB) is the governing authority that defines the single monetary policy of the euro area, with 
the  primary  objective  of  keeping  prices  stable.  Economic  policy  is  largely  the  responsibility  of 
individual euro area countries, but national governments must coordinate their respective economic 
policies to accomplish the common objectives of stability, growth and employment. The coordination 
of national fiscal policies is ensured principally through limits on government debt and deficit along 
with  guidance  on  how  to  strengthen  the  link  between  structural  reforms,  investment  and  fiscal 
responsibility in support of growth and jobs. 

Since the introduction of the euro in 2002, the European Commission has regularly conducted surveys 
measuring public perceptions of the currency among citizens living in the euro area countries. This 
Flash Eurobarometer survey represents the 18th in the series of surveys. It includes evaluation of: 





Support  for the  euro  at  national  and  at  the  EU level  and views  on  its impact  on  European
identity;

The perceived ease of handling and distinguishing between euro coins and banknotes, views
on the number of different value coins available and attitudes towards the abolition of 1- and
2-cent euro coins;

 Whether  or  not  citizens  convert  prices  from  euros  to  their  former  national  currency  when

making purchases;









The impact the euro has had in relation to travelling abroad in other EU countries – whether it
has made it easier and less costly, whether it has reduced banking charges or not, whether it
makes doing business easier in the EU and whether it makes it easier to compare prices and
shop in different EU countries;

In  relation  to  economic  policy:  perceptions  of  whether  there  is  the  appropriate  amount  of
coordination among euro area governments;

Expectations about the current year’s inflation rate;

Views on the need for economic reforms.

This survey was carried out by the Kantar network in the 19 Member States of the euro area between 
the 14th and 18th of October 2019. Some 17,551 respondents from different social and demographic 
groups were interviewed via telephone (landline and mobile phone) in their mother tongue, on behalf 
of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN). The 
methodology used is  that of  Eurobarometer  surveys as carried  out  by the Directorate-General for 
Communication  “Media  Monitoring  and  Eurobarometer”  Unit)2..  A  technical  note  on  the  manner  in 

1 Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. 
2 https://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm 

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which interviews were conducted by the Institutes within the Kantar network is appended as an annex 
to this report. Also included are the interview methods and confidence intervals3. 

Note: In this report, countries are referred to by their official abbreviation. The abbreviations used in 
this report correspond to: 

Belgium 
Germany 
Estonia 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Republic of Cyprus 
Lithuania 

BE 
DE 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
IE 
IT 
CY * 
LT 

Latvia 
Luxembourg  
Malta 
The Netherlands 
Austria 
Portugal  
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
Finland 

LV 
LU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PT 
SI 
SK 
FI 

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

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 which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. For practical 
reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus 
are included in the ‘CY’ category and in the Euro Area average. 

We wish to thank the people throughout the euro area who have given their time to take part in this 
survey. Without their active participation, this study would not have been possible. 

3 The results tables are included in the annex. It should be noted that the total of the percentages in the tables of this report may exceed 
100% when the respondent has the possibility of giving several answers to the question. 

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KEY FINDINGS 

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Support for the euro 



Around two-thirds of respondents (65%, stable since 2018) think having the euro is a good
thing for their country. This is the highest proportion since 2002 when the question was first
asked. It is also the majority view in 18 euro area countries.

 Over three-quarters of respondents (76%, +2 percentage points since 2018) say that having
the euro is a good thing for the EU. This is the highest proportion since this question was first
asked in 2010, and this view is shared by more than seven in ten respondents in all euro area
countries, with the exception of those in Italy (69%).

 Nearly three in ten respondents (28%, stable since 2018) say that the euro makes them feel
more European than before. Although still the minority view in every euro area country, this is
the highest overall share since 2007.

Euro coins and banknotes 

 More than eight in ten respondents (83%) find euro coins easy to distinguish and to handle
when paying cash, with more than seven in ten respondents saying so in every country.



The lowest value cent coins cause the most difficulties: among those who have difficulties
distinguishing and handling euro coins, respondents particularly struggle with the 2-cent coin
(68%) and 1-cent coin (65%) cause the most difficulties.

 Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) think that there are the right number of euro coins

with different values, while three in ten think there are too many.

 Nevertheless,  a  similar  proportion  (65%,  +1  percentage  point  since  2018)  are  in  favour  of
abolishing 1-cent and 2-cent euro coins. This is the majority view in all 19 euro area countries.











Almost all respondents (95%) find euro banknotes easy to distinguish and handle when paying
cash, which is 12 percentage points higher than for euro coins. This is the majority view in
every euro area country, with at least nine in ten respondents thinking this way all 19 countries.

Perceived impact of the euro on travelling abroad 

A majority of respondents (52%, +2 pp) believe the euro has made travelling easier and less
costly. A relative majority of respondents take this view in 16 of the euro area countries.

Respondents are divided between those who think that the euro has reduced banking charges
when travelling in different EU countries (39%) and those who thinks it has not (34%).

A large majority of respondents (80%) believe the euro has made it easier to do business in
the EU and this view is held by a majority of those surveyed in all 19 euro area countries.

A large share (80%) also say they think the euro has made it easier to compare prices and
shop in different countries, which is the majority view in all euro area countries.

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Converting prices in euro to former national currencies 

 Over two-thirds of respondents (68%) do not convert prices in euro to their former national
currency  when  shopping.  However,  12%  do  so  for  common  purchases  such  as  day-to-day
shopping, while 16% do so for exceptional purchases such as the purchase of a car or a house.

Views on economic policy coordination 

 Nearly seven in ten respondents (69%) believe there should be more coordination on economic

policy among euro area governments, the same level as in 2018.

Expectations about the current year’s inflation rate 



Four in ten respondents (an increase of 7 percentage points since 2018) believe the inflation
rate this year will be the same as last year, just under four in ten (38%, -11 pp) think that it
will be higher and just over a tenth (12%, +3 pp) expect it to be lower than last year’s inflation
rate.

Views on the need for economic reforms and the importance of introducing reforms in 
specific public services and utility services 













Eight  in  ten  respondents  agree  that  there  is  a  need  for  significant  reforms  to  improve  the
performance of our economy.

Three-quarters of those surveyed agree that governments need to save more today in order
to  prepare  public finances  for  the  ageing  of  populations.  However,  more than seven  in  ten
respondents  (73%)  disagree  that  the  retirement  age  should  be  increased  to  ensure
sustainability of the pension system.

Respondents are divided when it comes to the view that successful reforms in other euro area
countries have facilitated reforms in our country, 46% agreeing with this statement vs. 42%
disagreeing.

Large  proportions  of  respondents  believe  it  is  important  that  their  government  introduce
reforms  in  the  seven  areas,  ranging  from  the  health  system  to  market  reforms,  to  help
increase growth and employment.

Around nine in ten respondents think that their government should introduce reforms in the
health  system  (92%),  education  system  (91%),  the  labour  market  (90%)  and  the  pension
system (89%), while over eight in ten say the same about the social security system (86%).

Eight in ten respondents think the same about taxation (81%).

 Over six in ten respondents (63%) believe it is important that the government introduce market

reforms, such as in the telecom, gas or electricity industries.

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I.  SUPPORT FOR THE EURO 

The first chapter of this report focuses on whether respondents think having the euro has been a 
good or a bad thing, firstly for their country and secondly for the EU. It then evaluates whether having 
the euro has made respondents feel more European or not. The report looks at long-term trends at 
the euro area level and the most recent year-on-year changes at national level. Socio-demographic 
and key variable analyses focus on this latest wave of research. 

1  The impact of the euro on the country 

Two-thirds of respondents think having the euro is a good thing for their country  

Nearly two-thirds of respondents think that having the euro is a good thing for their country, while 
just over a quarter say they think it is a bad thing. 6% spontaneously answer they can’t decide whether 
it is a good or a bad thing4.  

These results are virtually the same as those reported in 2018, following a notable increase in the 
proportion thinking that the euro is a good thing for their country between 2016 and 2017 (+8 pp) 
and a drop in the proportion thinking it is a bad thing (-8 pp).  

Since  2011,  the  proportion  of  respondents  saying  they  believe  the  euro  is  a  good  thing  for  their 
country has risen by 9 pp from 56% in 2011 to 65% in 2019.  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

4 Generally speaking, do you think that...? Having the euro is a good or a bad thing for your country (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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Over the longer term, the trend since 2002 shows the proportion of respondents who think having 
the euro is a good thing for their country has increased by 20 pp since 2007, with this positive image 
of the euro now at its highest point since the study began5.  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

At national level, there are significant variations in terms of whether respondents say they think the 
euro is a good or a bad thing for their country.  

In all but one country of the euro area, the majority of respondents say they believe having the euro 
is a good thing for their country, with the highest proportions found in Ireland (88%), Luxembourg 
(81%) and Finland (79%). In Lithuania a minority of respondents – just under half – say having the 
euro is a good thing for their country (49%), though this proportion has increased since 2018 (+7 pp). 
This has now also become the majority view in Cyprus, which was not the case in 2018 (55%, +8pp). 

When compared with the results from 2018, the proportion of respondents who say the euro is a 
good thing for their country has increased in 13 euro area countries, with the largest increases seen 
in both Cyprus (+8 pp), Lithuania (+7 pp) and Greece (+6 pp). Conversely, this proportion has fallen in 
four euro area countries: Estonia and Italy (both -2 pp) and Austria and Slovenia (both -1 pp). 

5 Prior to 2007, the question text was.: It’s one, two, three, four, five years since we have been using the euro instead of (NATIONAL 
CURRENCY). Today, would you say that the euro continues to cause you (a lot of difficulty, some difficulty or) no difficulty at all? 

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Base: all respondents (17,551) 

The socio-demographic analysis reveals a range of interesting variations in responses to this question 
from the different groups, notably: 

•  Men are more likely than women to say they think the euro is a good thing for their country 

(70% vs. 61%). 

•  The younger the respondent, the more likely they are to believe the euro is a good thing for 
their country. Those aged 15-24 (84%) are the most likely to say this, while those aged 40-
54 and those over 55 are the least likely (both 62%). 

•  Those surveyed who completed their full-time education aged 20 or older (73%) are the most 
likely to say they think the euro is a good thing for their country, while those who left school 
before the age of 16 are the least likely (42%). 

•  Employees are the most likely to say they believe the euro is a good thing for their country 

(69%), while manual workers are the least (52%). 

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•  Respondents who say the euro is good for the EU are much more likely than those who say 

it is not good for the EU to think the euro is good for their country (81% vs. 14%) 

•  Those who believe the euro has made travelling easier/less costly are more likely to say they 

believe the euro is good for their country than those who disagree (79% vs. 47%). 

•  Respondents who say banking charges have been reduced as a result of the euro are more 
likely than those who say they have not to think the euro is good for their country (78% vs. 
54%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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2  The impact of the euro on the European Union 

Three-quarters of respondents believe that having the euro is a good thing for the EU 

A higher proportion of respondents think having the euro is a good thing for the EU than think it is a 
good thing for their country. Three-quarter of respondents (76%) say that having the euro is a good 
thing for the EU, while under a fifth (16%) think that it is a bad thing and 4% spontaneously say they 
can’t decide whether it is a good or a bad thing 6.  

Overall, the proportion of respondents that think that the euro is a good thing for the EU has remained 
relatively stable since 2010, when 72% held this view. It has now reached its highest point, while its 
lowest was in 2011, 2012 and 2016 (67%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

6 Generally speaking, do you think that...? Having the euro is a good or a bad thing for the EU (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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In all but one of the euro area countries, at least seven in ten respondents agree that having the euro 
is  a  good  thing  for  the  EU,  with  the  highest  proportions  of  respondents  found  in  Ireland  (90%), 
Luxembourg (84%), and Austria, Finland, Latvia, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia (all 81%). Only in 
Italy do less than seven in ten respondents hold this view (69%), while there are also comparatively 
low  proportions  who  think  this  in  Cyprus  (70%),  and  Belgium,  France  and  Greece  (all  75%). 
Respondents in these latter countries are however more likely to think that having the euro is good 
for the EU than in 2018. 

Since 2018, the proportion of respondents who believe having the euro is a good thing for the EU has 
increased in 14 countries, with the largest increases seen in Cyprus and Malta (both +5 pp), followed 
by Austria, Finland, Greece and Portugal (+4 pp).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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The socio-demographic analysis reveals the following variations: 

•  Men are more likely than women to say they think the euro is a good thing for the EU (78% 

vs. 73%). 

•  Younger respondents are more likely to believe that the euro is a good thing for the EU. Those 
aged 15-24 (85%) are the most likely to say this, while those aged 55 or over are the least 
likely (both 72%). 

•  Those who completed their education aged 20 or older are the most likely to say they think 
the euro is a good thing for the EU (82%), while those who left school before the age of 16 
are the least likely (56%). 

•  Employees are the most likely to say they believe the euro is a good thing for the EU (80%), 

while manual workers are the least likely (66%). 

•  Respondents who say the euro is good for their country are much more likely to also think 
the euro is good for the EU (94% compared with 36% of those who think it is bad for their 
country). 

•  Those who believe the euro has made travelling easier/less costly are more likely to say they 

believe the euro is good for their country than those who disagree (86% vs. 62%). 

•  Respondents who say banking charges have been reduced as a result of the euro are more 
likely than those who say they have not to think the euro is good for their country (85% vs. 
69%). 

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Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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3  The euro and European identity 

Respondents were asked whether or not the euro made them personally feel more European than 
before7.  

Seven in ten respondents say that the euro has not changed  
their feeling of being European 

Nearly seven in ten respondents say their feeling of being European has not changed following the 
introduction of the  euro. However,  just under three in ten respondents (28%) say  the euro makes 
them feel more European than before. 

These proportions have remained largely unchanged since 2018, following a small increase in the 
proportion of respondents who say the euro makes them feel more European than before between 
2016 and 2017 (+3 pp), and a slight fall in the proportion saying that the euro has not changed their 
feeling of being European (-4 pp). 

Looking at the longer-term picture, just over one in five respondents said that the euro made them 
feel  more  European  between  2007  and  2010.  Since  then,  the  proportion  has  remained  relatively 
stable at around a quarter, with the current proportion (28%) being the highest since the first survey 
of this kind. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

7 Does the euro make you personally feel more European than before or would you say that your feeling of being European has not changed? 
(ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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A majority of respondents in every  euro area country  say  their feeling of being  European  has  not 
changed following the introduction of the euro, with the highest proportions observed in Cyprus (77%), 
Belgium and France (both 76%), and Greece (75%). 

However, over four in ten respondents in Malta (44%), just under in Luxembourg (39%) and over a 
third in Austria (37%), Slovenia (36%) and Ireland (37%) believe that the euro makes them personally 
feel more European than before. Those surveyed in Belgium (21%), and Cyprus, France and Greece 
(all 22%) are the least likely to hold this view. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

Respondents who think the euro has made them feel more European are more likely to be: 

•  Men (32%) rather than women (25%); 

•  Those who completed their full-time education aged 20 or over (37%), as opposed to those 

who finished aged 16-19 (21%) and those who finished aged 15 or under (17%);  

•  People who live in large towns (32%), particularly when compared with those living in rural 

areas (25%);  

•  Self-employed  people  and  employees  (respectively  35%  and  34%),  particularly  when 

compared to manual workers and the unemployed (both 23%). 

As with previous questions, respondents who are favourable towards the euro on other measures are 
also more likely to say the euro has made them feel more European: 

•  People who think having the euro is good for the country (38%), as opposed to those who say 

the euro is bad for the country (8%); 

•  Those who think having the euro is good for the EU (34%), compared with those who say the 

euro is bad for the EU (9%); 

•  Respondents  who  think  the  euro  has  made  travelling  abroad  easier/less  costly  (37%), 

compared with those who do not (17%); 

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•  People who think the euro has reduced banking charges (39%), as opposed to those who do 

not (19%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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II. EURO COINS AND BANKNOTES

This section of the report looks at respondents’ views on euro coins and banknotes: how easy they 
find  it  to  distinguish  and  handle  each  format  when  making  cash  purchases;  which,  if  any,  coin 
denominations  cause 
the  overall  number  of  coin 
denominations/values (eight) is the right number; and whether the smallest value coins (1- and 2- 
cents) should be abolished, with prices rounded to the nearest 5 cents. In the 2018 edition of the 
survey, the question text was amended slightly to help improve understanding. 

the  greatest  difficulty;  whether 

1  Distinguishing and handling euro coins 

More than eight in ten respondents find euro coins easy to distinguish and handle 

Over eight in ten respondents say they think it is easy (either ‘very easy’ or ‘rather easy’) to distinguish 
and handle euro coins when paying cash8. Almost half (47%) say it is ‘very easy’, while over a third 
(36%) say it is ‘rather easy’. Less than a fifth of respondents (15%) find it difficult to distinguish and 
handle euro coins, with over a tenth (12%) saying it is ‘rather difficult’ and only 3% ‘very difficult’. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

8 When you pay cash, would you say that it is: very easy, rather easy, rather difficult or very difficult to distinguish and handle … Euro 
coins (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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Looking at the longer-term picture, the proportion of respondents saying that they find euro coins 
easy to distinguish and handle has gained 12 percentage points between 2003 and 2019, up from 
71% in 2003 to 83% in 2019, the highest figure since the survey began. This proportion gradually 
increased from 2003 to 2008 - when it stood at 78%. This was followed by a slight dip between 
2008 and 2010, with the proportion dropping back to 72%. In 2011 there was a notable increase (+6 
pp) and a return to the proportions seen in 2008. The trend was relatively stable after that, hovering 
around 80%, before rising slightly to its current level. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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In every euro area country, more than seven in ten respondents believe that it is easy to distinguish 
and handle euro coins when they pay cash. 

The highest incidence of respondents who say it is easy can be found in Finland and Malta (both 95%) 
and Greece (93%). Moreover, in 11 euro area countries9, at least half of respondents answer it is ‘very 
easy’ to distinguish and handle euro coins, though under a fifth say this in Portugal (19%) and no 
more than four in ten agree in France (38%) and Estonia (40%). 

On the other hand, a quarter of respondents in Lithuania (24%) and at least a fifth in France and 
Slovakia (both 22%) and Austria (20%) say they find it difficult to distinguish and handle euro coins, 
and in every euro area country, only a tiny minority of respondents – no more than 5% – say they 
find it ‘very difficult’. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

9 Malta (86%), Cyprus (76%), Finland (73%), Ireland (69%), Greece (66%), Slovenia (62%), Luxembourg (60%), Italy and Spain (both 
52%), Austria and Slovakia (both 50%). 

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The socio-demographic analysis reveals the respondents most likely to find it easy to distinguish and 
handle euro coins are: 

•  Aged 25-39 (92%) or 15-24 (91%), particularly when compared with those aged 55 or over 

(76%); 

•  Those  who  completed  their  full-time  education  aged  20  or  over  (85%),  particularly  when 

compared with those who finished aged 15 or under (78%); 

•  Respondents who think having the euro is a good thing for their country (85%), as opposed 

to those who say it is a bad thing for their country (77%); 

•  People who think having the euro is a good thing for the EU (85%), rather than those who say 

the euro is a bad thing for the EU (77%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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a.  Difficulties with euro coins 

Respondents who said that they find it difficult to distinguish and handle euro coins when paying cash 
(15%  of  all  those  surveyed  in  the  euro  area)  were  asked  with  which  coins  they  have  particular 
difficulties10. 

The lowest cent euro coins cause the most difficulties 

Most of those surveyed who say they find it difficult to distinguish and handle euro coins experience 
particular difficulties with lower denomination coins rather than with higher value euro coins.  

Nearly seven in ten respondents (68%) say they have particular difficulties with the 2-cent coin, and 
a similar share (65%) say they experience such difficulties with the 1-cent coin. 

Just over half (53%) cite the 5-cent coin as being difficult to distinguish and handle; four in ten cite 
the 20-cent coin; more than a third (35%) the 10-cent coin; and more than a quarter (26%) cite the 
50-cent  coin.  Only  around  one  in  ten  respondents  have  particular  difficulties  with  higher 
denominations. 

These results are very similar to those of 2018: the proportion of respondents experiencing difficulties 
with the 5-cent euro coin sees the biggest evolution, with a 4 percentage point increase compared to 
2018. 

Base: respondents who find it difficult to distinguish between euro coins (2,659) 

10 With which of the following euro coins do you have particular difficulties? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 

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There are important national variations, although caution is advised due to relatively small sample 
sizes in some countries. It is also worth noting when interpreting these results that, while 1-cent and 
2-cent coins are legal tender in all euro area countries, there are various forms of national legislation 
that enforce or encourage the rounding of euro coins to 5 cents in Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium 
and Ireland. 

•  The 1-cent coin causes difficulties for at least two-thirds of respondents in 12 countries, with 
the highest proportions in Slovakia (88%), Lithuania (86%) and Belgium (85%). Across the 
euro  area,  respondents  are  least  likely  to  say  they  have  difficulties  with  that  coin  in  the 
Netherlands (18%) and Finland (22%). 

•  The  2-cent  coin  is  seen  as  difficult  to  distinguish  and  handle  by  more  than  two-thirds  of 
respondents in 11 countries, most notably in Lithuania (91%), Slovakia (87%), and Belgium 
and Luxembourg (both 83%) and least of all in the Netherlands (21%) and Finland (22%). 

•  The 5-cent coin causes difficulties for at least half of respondents in 12 countries, with this 
view  most  widespread  in  Cyprus  and  Luxembourg  (both  66%)  and  Lithuania  (65%). 
Respondents are least likely to say they have difficulties with this coin in the Netherlands 
(20%) and Malta (22%). 

•  The 10-cent coin is difficult to distinguish and handle for more than half of respondents in 
only one country: the Netherlands (59%). Only a minority of respondents express difficulties 
with  that  coin  in  all  the  other  euro  area  countries,  with  the  lowest  proportions  found  in 
Portugal (16%), Slovakia (17%) and Lithuania (18%). 

• 

In  six  countries,  at  least  half  of  respondents  report  difficulties  with  the  20-cent  coin, 
particularly in Malta (80%), the Netherlands (75%) and Finland  (67%). On the other hand, 
respondents are least likely to have difficulties with that coin in Slovakia (18%), and Latvia 
and Luxembourg (both 21%). 

•  Finland,  the  Netherlands  and  Malta  are  the  only  countries  where  an  absolute  majority  of 
respondents (62%, 55% and 54% respectively) express difficulties with the 50-cent coin. By 
contrast, less than a fifth of respondents report difficulties with that coin in eight countries, 
with the lowest proportions in Slovakia (9%), Slovenia (10%) and Cyprus (13%).  

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Base: respondents who find it difficult to distinguish between euro coins (2,659) 

The socio-demographic analysis reveals only a few notable differences in relation to the coins that 
respondents have difficulties handling and distinguishing, principally with regards to the 1-cent and 
20-cent coins: 

•  Those aged 15-24 are the most likely to report difficulties with the 1-cent coin (82%), while 
those  aged  55  or  over  are  the  least  likely  to  mention  such  difficulties  (62%).  However, 
respondents aged 40 or over are more likely to report difficulties with the 20-cent coin, with 
those aged 40-54 (43%) and 55 or over (41%) the most likely and those aged 25-39 (30%) 
and those aged 15-24 (34%) the least. likely.   

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•  Those  who  completed  their  education  aged  20  or  older  (45%)  are  most  likely  to  express 
difficulties  with  the  20-cent  coin,  particularly  when  compared  to  those  who  left  full-time 
education before the age of 16 (31%). A similar pattern is also observed for the 10-cent coin. 

•  Manual workers are the least likely to express difficulties with the 20-cent coin (30%), while 

the self-employed are the most likely (52%).  

•  Respondents who say they think the euro is a good thing for their country are less likely to 
report difficulties with the 1-cent coin (61%) than those who think it is a bad thing (71%), 
though the reverse is true with the 20-cent coin (44% vs. 34%). 

Base: respondents who find it difficult to distinguish between euro coins (2,659) 

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b.  Satisfaction with the current selection of euro coins 

Respondents were asked whether they considered that there are too many, not enough or just the 
right number of euro coins with different values11. 

Nearly two-thirds of respondents believe that there are the right number of euro coins, 
while around a third think there are too many  

More than six in ten respondents (63%) say the number of euro coins with different values is just 
right, while three in ten think there are too many euro coins and just 4% believe there are not enough. 

Looking at the longer-term picture, there was a broadly upward trend between 2003 (56%) and 2011 
(68%) in the proportion of respondents who said that the number of euro coins was just right. Between 
2011 and 2017, there has been a more gradual downward trend in this proportion, with the 2017 
figure of 60% being the lowest since 2011. This downward trend stopped in the 2018 survey with a 
3 percentage point increase compared to 2017 and has now stabilised at 63%. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

At least half of the respondents in all but two euro area countries say they think the number of euro 
coins  with  different  values  is  just  right,  the  exceptions  being  Italy  and  Slovakia  (both  49%).  The 
highest  proportions  saying  this  are  found  in  in  Finland  (88%),  Latvia  (81%)  and  the  Netherlands 
(80%), with at least two-thirds of respondents holding this view in a further six countries. In contrast, 
the lowest proportions saying this alongside Italy and Slovakia are found in Austria (50%) and Cyprus 
(52%). 

Overall, national results are similar to the ones observed in 2018. Some notable variations at country 
level can be seen in: 

11 Do you consider that there are too many or, on the contrary, not enough euro coins with different values or do you consider that there 
are just the right number? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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•  Cyprus, with 52% (-11 pp since 2018) thinking the number is right and 38% (+8 pp) thinking 

there are too many; 

•  Malta, with 63% (-8 pp) thinking the number is right and 28% (+7 pp) thinking there are too 

many; 

•  Slovakia, where 39% (+6 pp) think there are too many euro coins with different values and 

49% (-4 pp) think there is the right number; 

•  Austria, where 50% (-5 pp) think there is the right number of euro coins with different values 

and 47% (+5 pp) think there are too many; 

•  Spain, where 67% (-6 pp) think there is the right number of euro coins with different values. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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A look at the socio-demographic analysis shows there are only limited differences between the key 
variable groups. However, respondents who think that there is just the right amount of euro coins 
with different values are more likely to be:  

•  Women (65%) rather than men (61%); 

•  15-24 years old (67%), compared with people aged 25-39 and 55 and over (both 62%); 

•  Those who completed their full-time education aged 20 or over (65%), compared with those 

who finished before the age of 16 (57%);  

•  Employees (65%), particularly when compared to manual workers (58%) or the self-employed 

(59%); 

•  Respondents who think the euro is a good thing for their country (65%) rather than those who 

do not (55%); 

•  Those who believe having the euro is a good thing for the EU (65%) compared with those 

who do not (53%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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c.  Attitudes towards the abolition of 1- and 2-cent coins 

Respondents were asked whether they were in favour of abolishing the smallest denomination 1- and 
2-euro cent coins and applying mandatory rounding up or down to the nearest 5 cents12. 

Nearly two-thirds of respondents are in favour of abolishing 1-cent  
and 2-cent euro coins  

As seen in the previous section, 63% of respondents  say the number of euro coins with different 
values is just right. Nevertheless, when asked whether they are in favour of abolishing 1- and 2-euro 
cent coins with prices rounded to the nearest 5 cents, a similar proportion of those surveyed (65%) 
respond positively, while just under a third (32%) are opposed to this measure. 

These results are practically the same as those reported in 2018, with only a one percentage point 
difference either way. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

12 Are you in favour of abolishing 1- and 2-euro cent coins in the euro area and making it obligatory to round the final sum of purchase in 
shops and supermarkets up or down (i.e. prices can still be set at any cent amount but the final sum of purchase is rounded at the tills to 
0 or 5 cents, depending on whether the sum is closer to 0 or to 5)? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At country level, at least half of respondents in 17 euro area countries are in favour of abolishing the 
1-cent and 2-cent coins. This view is the most widespread in the Netherlands (77%) and Italy (76%), 
closely  followed  by  the  three  countries  where  there  is  active  legislation  enforcing  or  encouraging 
retailers to round prices up or down: Finland (75%), Ireland (74%), Slovakia (where there is no such 
legislation 74%) and Belgium (73%). 

In the two countries where under half the respondents support such a measure, slightly more are in 
favour of abolishing the coins than against it: Latvia (48% ‘yes’ vs. 46% ‘no’) and Greece (48% vs. 
47%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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Again,  the  socio-demographic  analysis  reveals  few  differences  between  groups.  However, 
respondents who are in favour of abolishing the two smallest value coins are slightly more likely to 
be: 

•  Men (68%), compared with women (61%); 

•  Those aged 15-24 (68%), compared with those who are aged 40-54 (61%);  

•  People who are manual workers (70%), particularly compared with employees (62%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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2  Distinguishing and handling euro banknotes 

This section focuses on how easy respondents find it to distinguish and handle euro banknotes when 
they pay with cash. 

More than nine in ten respondents find it easy to distinguish and handle euro banknotes 

The  proportion  of  respondents  finding  it  easy  to  distinguish  and  handle  euro  banknotes  is  12 
percentage points higher than the proportion that find it easy to distinguish and handle euro coins. 

Almost all respondents  (95%) consider  that euro  banknotes are easy (either  ‘very easy’ or  ‘rather 
easy’) to distinguish and handle when they pay cash13. Around six in ten (62%) find it ‘very easy’ and 
a third ‘rather easy’. 3% answer that they find it difficult to distinguish and handle euro banknotes. 

The results are very similar to those observed in 2018. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

13 When you pay cash, would you say that it is: very easy, rather easy, rather difficult or very difficult to distinguish and handle Euro bank 
notes (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At country level, in all euro area countries, at least nine in ten respondents say euro banknotes are 
easy  to distinguish  and  handle  when  paying  cash, with the  highest  proportions  observed  in Malta 
(98%),  Ireland  (97%)  and  Austria,  Cyprus,  Finland,  Germany,  Greece,  Italy,  Latvia,  Portugal  and 
Slovenia (all 96%). 

Moreover, in all euro area countries, more than half of respondents find euro banknotes ‘very easy’ 
to distinguish and handle, with respondents in Malta (91%), Cyprus (86%) and Finland (82%) being 
the most likely to say so. Respondents in Portugal (20%) are by far the least likely to think that way, 
followed by those in Latvia (55%) and Spain (56%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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The  socio-demographic  analysis  again  shows  limited  differences  between  groups.  However,  some 
groups are slightly more likely than others to say euro banknotes are easy to distinguish and handle 
when paying cash, in particular: 

•  25-39 year olds (98%), compared with just over nine in ten people aged 55 or over (93%); 

•  People who finished their full-time education aged 20 or over (97%), compared with 90% of 

those who finished aged 15 or under; 

•  Respondents who are employees (97%) rather than those who are not working (93%); 

•  People who think that having the euro is good for their country (97%), compared with those 

who say that it is bad for their country (93%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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III. THE  IMPACT  OF  THE  EURO  ON  PRICES  AND  OTHER  MACROECONOMIC

ASSESSMENTS

This section examines the perception of respondents within the euro area on the impact the euro has 
had on prices and other macroeconomic assessments since its introduction. 

1  The impact of the euro on prices 

a. The impact of the euro on travelling abroad

Respondents in the euro area were asked about the impact of the euro on travelling abroad, to know 
whether the euro has made travelling easier and less costly14.  

Half of respondents think that the euro has made travelling easier and less costly 

A majority of respondents (52%) believe the euro has made travelling easier and less costly, while 
just over a third (35%) don’t think it has. More than one tenth of respondents (13%) answer that they 
don’t know whether the euro has made travelling easier and less costly. 

Between 2010 and 2019, the proportion of respondents reporting that the euro has made travelling 
easier and less costly has remained relatively stable, at around half, with the lowest level recorded 
in 2016 (47%) and the highest in 2019 (52%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

14 Do you think that the euro...? Has made travelling easier and less costly (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At national level, the notion that the euro has made travelling easier and less costly is the majority 
view in 16 euro area countries, with the highest scores in Ireland (89%), Latvia (79%), and Estonia 
and Finland (both 71%). 

In the three other countries, the respondents thinking that the euro has not made travelling easier 
and  less  costly  outnumber  the  respondents  thinking  the  opposite:  Italy  (51%  ‘no’  vs.  39%  ‘yes’), 
Luxembourg (42% vs. 36%) and France (47% vs. 43%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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Respondents  were  also  asked  whether  the  euro  has  reduced  banking  charges  when  travelling  in 
different EU countries (for example, when withdrawing money from an ATM)15. 

Opinion is divided between those who think the euro has reduced banking charges when 
travelling in different EU countries and those who think the opposite 

Respondents  are  divided  on  whether  the  euro  has  reduced  banking  charges  when  travelling  in 
different EU countries or not. Nearly four in ten of those surveyed (39%) believe the euro has reduced 
banking charges, while just over a third (34%) think it has not. Finally, over a quarter of respondents 
(27%) are unable to form an opinion on that matter. 

A look at the longer-term analysis shows a continuation of the trend, which began in 2018, where the 
majority view among respondents is that the euro has reduced banking charges when travelling in 
different EU countries. The proportion of respondents sharing this opinion remained stable at around 
three in ten between 2010 and 2015. Since then it has increased slightly year on year to the current 
level of 39%, the highest it has been since the survey began in 2010. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

15 Do you think that the euro...? Has reduced banking charges when travelling in different EU countries (e.g. when withdrawing money 
from an ATM) (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At  national  level,  respondents  who  say  they  believe  the  euro  has  reduced  banking  charges  when 
travelling  outnumber  those  who  think  that  it  has  not  in  16  euro  area  countries,  with  the  highest 
proportions found in Ireland (69%), Malta (68%) and the Netherlands (53%). The opposite is true in 
three countries: France (36% ‘yes’ vs. 47% ‘no’), Lithuania (25% vs. 32%) and Portugal (33% vs. 36%). 

However, caution is advised due to the high proportion of respondents who were unable to share their 
opinion in many countries: in 15 euro area countries, at least a fifth of respondents are unable to say 
whether the euro  has reduced  banking charges when travelling in different EU  countries,  with  the 
highest rates seen in Estonia (56%), Lithuania (43%) and Germany (41%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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Respondents in the euro area were asked about the impact of the euro on doing business in the EU 
to ascertain whether it has made it easier16.  

A large majority of respondents think the euro has made doing business in the EU easier 

Eight in ten respondents believe the euro has made doing business in the EU easier, while less than 
a tenth (9%) hold the opposite view. Just over a tenth of those surveyed (11%) say that they don’t 
know whether the euro has made doing business in the EU easier or not. 

This is the first time respondents have been asked this question and, therefore, there are no previous 
figures with which to compare this result. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

16 Do you think the euro… Has made it easier to do business in different EU countries? Yes; No; DK.  

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At least seven in ten respondents in all but one of the euro area countries say they consider the euro 
has made it easier to  do business  within the EU, with the exception being Lithuania (58%)  where 
those who think this are still in the majority. The highest incidences of respondents who hold this view 
can be found in Ireland (92%), Austria (90%) and Slovenia (89%), while – alongside Lithuania – the 
lowest proportions are in Estonia and Slovakia (both 70%) and Cyprus (71%). 

In  contrast,  only  just  over  a  tenth  of  respondents  in  Italy  (13%),  Cyprus  (12%),  and  France  and 
Portugal (both 11%) say they believe the euro has not made doing business in the EU easier. More 
than a third of those surveyed in Lithuania (34%), under three in ten in Estonia (28%) and a fifth in 
Malta and Slovakia (both 20%) were unable to give an opinion. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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Respondents in the euro area were asked whether the euro has made it easier to compare prices and 
shop in different countries, including online17.  

Eight in ten respondents think that the euro has made it easier to compare prices and 
shop in different countries 

A large majority of respondents say they think the euro has made it easier to compare prices and 
shop in different countries, while only a tenth hold the opposite view or say they don’t know. 

This is the first time respondents have been asked this question and, therefore, there are no previous 
figures with which to compare this result. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

17 Do you think that the euro...? Has made it easier to compare prices and shop in different EU countries, including online? Yes; No; DK. 

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At least seven in ten respondents in all 19 euro area countries say they think the euro has made it 
easier to compare prices and shop in different EU countries. The highest proportions saying this are 
found in Ireland (94%), Luxembourg (93%) and Austria (89%) while the lowest proportions are found 
in Italy (70%), Lithuania (74%) and Greece and Slovakia (both 78%). 

By contrast, just over a tenth of respondents in Italy (16%), France (13%) and Portugal (11%) say 
they believe  the  euro has not made it easier to compare prices or shop in different  EU  countries. 
Nearly a fifth of those surveyed in Lithuania (18%) and over a tenth in Italy and Slovakia (both 14%) 
and Malta (13%) say they don’t know whether or not the euro has made comparing prices or shopping 
in the EU easier. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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The  socio-demographic  analysis  reveals  some  significant  variations  among  the  different  groups 
regarding  the  perceived  impact  of  the  euro  on  travelling,  banking  charges,  doing  business  and 
shopping. Most notable are:  

•  Respondents aged 15-24 are the most likely to say the euro has made it easier and cheaper 
to travel (59%), while those aged 40-54 are the least likely to say so (49%). The youngest 
group is also the most likely to say the euro has reduced banking charges (53%) and made 
it easier to do business (86%), while those aged 25-39 are the most likely to say the euro 
has made it easier compare prices and shop in different EU countries (88%). Those aged 55 
and over are the least likely to say any of these things about the euro. 

•  Those who finished education at the age of 20 or older are the most likely to say the euro 
has made it easier to compare prices and shop in different EU countries (89%). Respondents 
whose education finished before the age of 16 are the least likely group to agree with any of 
these statements. 

•  Employees are the most likely to say the euro has made it easier and cheaper to travel (55%), 
reduced  banking  charges  (44%),  made  doing  business  in  the  EU  easier  (86%)  and  made 
comparing prices and shopping in different EU countries easier (89%). Manual workers are 
the least likely to hold these views with the exception of made comparing prices and shopping 
easier, which is the least shared among the unemployed (72%). 

•  Those surveyed who think having the euro is good for their country are more likely than those 
who do not to say that the euro has made travelling easier and less costly (63% vs. 30%), 
has reduced banking charges (46% vs. 24%), has made it easier to do business in the EU 
(88% vs. 62%) and has made it easier to compare prices and shop in different EU countries 
(89% vs. 63%). 

•  Respondents who think having the euro is good for the EU are more likely than those who 
think it is bad for the EU to say that the euro has made travelling easier and less costly (60% 
vs. 29%), has reduced banking charges (43% vs. 27%), has made it easier to do business in 
the EU (87% vs. 60%) and has made it easier to compare prices and shop in different EU 
countries (86% vs. 63%). 

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b.  Converting prices in euro to old national currencies 

Respondents were then asked whether they tend to convert from the price in euro to their old national 
currency when they are buying things18. 

Over two-thirds of respondents do not convert from prices in euro 
to their former national currency when they are buying things 

Over two-thirds  of  respondents  (68%)  say they do not convert  from the  price in  euro  to their old 
national currency when they are buying things. However, just under three in ten of those surveyed 
(28%) say they do convert euro prices into their former currency: among them, more than a tenth do 
so  for  common  purchases  such  as  day-to-day  shopping  (12%),  while  just  under  a  fifth  do  so  for 
exceptional purchases such as the purchase of a car or a house (16%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

18 Today, when you are buying things, do you tend to convert from the price in euro to the [OLD NATIONAL CURRENCY] when it concerns: 

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In every euro area country, at least half of respondents say they do not convert from the price in euro 
to their former national currency when they are buying things, with the highest proportions being in 
Latvia (87%), and Ireland and Slovenia (both 85%). 

However, at least three in ten respondents say they do convert prices from euro to their old currency 
in  five  euro  area  countries:  Belgium  (45%),  Austria  and  France  (both  35%),  Germany  (31%)  and 
Luxembourg (30%). 

For common purchases such as day-to-day shopping, national proportions of respondents saying they 
convert from the price in euro to their former national currency vary between over a fifth in France 
(24%) and Belgium (21%) to just 4% in Estonia, Finland and Ireland. 

For exceptional purchases such as the purchase of a car or a house, these proportions range from a 
quarter in Austria and Belgium (both 24%) to 5% in Cyprus, Greece, Latvia and Slovenia. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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Examination of the socio-demographic analysis reveals that for all purchases, respondents aged 55 
or over are the most likely to convert the price in euro to their old national currency (35%), while 
those aged 15-24 (10%) are the least likely. 

Focusing on common purchases such as day-to-day shopping, respondents who are more likely to 
convert from the price in euro to their former currency are: 

•  Those aged 55 or over (21%), especially when compared with 15-24 year olds (7%); 

•  Those who finished their full-time education aged 15 or under (27%), compared with those 

who finished their full-time education aged 20 or over (11%); 

•  Those not working (20%), particularly when compared with employees (12%); 

•  Respondents who think that the euro is a bad thing for the country (31%), compared with 

those who believe that the euro is a good thing for the country (9%); 

•  People who say that having the euro is bad for the EU (29%), compared with those who think 

that having the euro is good for the EU (12%); 

•  Respondents who do not think the euro has made  travelling  easier and less costly (23%), 

compared with those who think it has made travelling easier and less costly (11%); 

•  Those who do not think that the euro has reduced banking charges when travelling in other 
EU countries (20%), compared with those who think it has reduced banking charges (11%). 

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2  Economic policy coordination in the euro area 

Respondents were asked whether they think the degree to which economic policy, including budgetary 
policies,  is  coordinated  in  the  euro  area  is  appropriate  or  whether  there  should  be  more  or  less 
coordination among euro area governments19. 

Nearly seven in ten respondents think there should be more economic policy coordination 
among euro area governments 

More than two-thirds of respondents (69%) think that there should be more coordination on economic 
policy among euro area governments. Just over a tenth of respondents (11%) believe the level of 
economic policy coordination in the euro area is appropriate, while less than a tenth (7%) think there 
should  be  less  coordination  among  euro  area  governments.  The  overall  picture  remains  broadly 
unchanged compared to 2018. 

Looking at the longer-term picture, the proportion of respondents who believe that there should be 
more coordination on economic policy among euro area governments gradually decreased between 
2011 and 2017, down from 76% to 67%, but has since stabilised. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

19 Do you think that the degree to which economic policy, including budgetary policies, is coordinated in the euro area is appropriate? 
Should there be more or less coordination among euro area governments? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At national level, the view that there should be more economic policy coordination among euro area 
governments is held by a majority in all euro area countries except in Finland, with the largest shares 
of respondents observed in Italy (81%), Spain (80%) and Greece (79%). This view is least common in 
Estonia  (31%),  where  a  large  share  of  respondents  were  also  unable  to  give their  opinion  (40%), 
Finland (37%), where it is not the majority view, and Lithuania (41%). In contrast, the proportion of 
respondents who believe there should be less coordination ranges from 12% in Germany, Ireland and 
the Netherlands to just 1% in Spain and 2% in Italy and Portugal. 

The  view  that  the  level  of  economic  policy  coordination  in  the  euro  area  is  appropriate  is  most 
prevalent in Ireland (32%), Finland (29%) and Austria (25%), while this opinion is least held in France 
(4%), and Greece and Italy (both 6%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

Since  2018,  the  proportion  of  respondents  who  think  the  degree  to  which  economic  policy  is 
coordinated in the euro area is appropriate has decreased in five euro area countries, most notably 
in Latvia and Slovakia (both -4 pp) and Belgium and France (both -3 pp). By contrast, it has increased 
in 11 other countries, in particular in Ireland (+6 pp), Luxembourg (+5 pp) and Malta (+4 pp). In the 
three remaining countries, the proportion who think this way remains unchanged: Cyprus, Germany 
and Portugal. 

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Base: all respondents (17,551) 

The socio-demographic analysis reveals a range of variations among responses from the different 
groups. Those who believe there should be more economic policy coordination are most likely to be: 

•  Men (72%) rather than women (66%); 

•  Aged 25 or over (69%-70% across the three age bands), compared with those aged 15-24 

(65%); 

•  Those  who  finished  their  full-time  education  aged  20  or  older  (73%),  particularly  when 

compared with those who finished their full-time education aged 15 or under (64%). 

Respondents  who  say  the  degree  to  which  economic  policy  is  coordinated  in  the  euro  area  is 
appropriate are more likely to be: 

•  Aged 15-24 (16%) compared to those aged 55 or over (10%); 

•  People who think having the euro is good for their country (14%), compared with those who 

say the euro is bad for their country (6%); 

•  Respondents who think having the euro is good for the EU (13%), compared with those who 

say the euro is bad for the EU (6%); 

•  Those who think the euro has made travelling abroad easier and less costly (14%) rather than 

those who do not (7%). 

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3  Expectation for this year’s inflation rate 

Respondents were asked whether they expected the inflation rate this year to be higher, lower or the 
same compared with last year.20  

Four in ten respondents believe the inflation rate will stay the same as last year 

Four in ten respondents say they think the inflation rate this year will remain the same as last year. 
Nearly the same proportion (38%) believe the inflation rate will be higher than last year, while just 
over a tenth of those surveyed (12%) expect this year’s inflation rate to be lower than last year’s. 
One in ten are unable to give an answer. 

Since 2018, respondents’ expectations regarding the inflation rate have changed considerably: the 
proportion of respondents who think that the inflation rate this year will be higher compared to last 
year has decreased by 11 percentage points. At the same time, the proportions of respondents who 
think  that  the  inflation  rate  will  stay  the  same  or  be  lower  have  increased,  by  seven  and  three 
percentage points respectively. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

20 What is your expectation regarding the inflation rate this year? Compared to last year, will it be: (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At the national level, respondents who expect the inflation rate will be higher this year compared to 
last year form a majority in just five euro area countries, with at least half taking this view in Latvia 
(54%) and Ireland and Slovakia (both 50%). 

In six other countries, the feeling that this year’s inflation rate will remain the same as last year’s is 
predominant,  most  notably  in  Austria,  Finland  and  Portugal  (all  50%).  Across  all  the  euro  area 
countries with the exception of Slovakia (26%) and Malta (29%), at least three in ten respondents 
share this expectation. 

Finally, the proportion of respondents expecting a lower inflation rate this year compared with last 
year ranges from a high of 22% in Greece to a low of 6% in Estonia, Latvia and Malta. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

In the socio-demographic analysis, the most notable differences between groups are: 

•  Men are more likely than women to think the inflation rate will stay the same (43% vs. 37%); 

•  Those aged 25-39 are the most likely to think the inflation rate will be higher (42%), while 

those aged 40-54 are the least likely to agree with this opinion (36%); 

•  Those  who  completed their  full-time  education  aged  20  or  older (42%)  are  most  likely to 
think that the inflation rate will remain the same, particularly when compared to those who 
completed their education aged 15 or younger (37%); 

•  Respondents who think having the euro is good for the country are more likely than those 
who say it is bad for the country to think the inflation rate will stay the same (44% vs. 31%); 

•  Those who think having the euro is good for the EU are more likely than those who do not to 

believe that the inflation rate will remain the same (42% vs. 33%). 

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IV.  ECONOMIC REFORMS AND OTHER SECTORIAL REFORMS TO BOOST GROWTH 

AND EMPLOYMENT 

The final chapter of the report assesses respondents’ views on the need for economic reforms and 
the importance of introducing reforms in specific public services and utility services to help increase 
growth and employment21. 

1  Economic reforms in euro area countries 

Interviewers explained to respondents that governments in all euro area countries are implementing 
various  economic  reforms  to  the  labour  market,  pensions,  social  security,  the  healthcare  and 
education systems, and to improve the economic performance of all sectors. Interviewers then read 
out a series of four statements about such reforms and asked respondents to what extent they agreed 
or disagreed with each. 

Eight in ten respondents agree there is a need for significant reforms to improve the 
performance of the economy  

The main findings at the euro area level can be summarized as follows: 

  Eight  in  ten  respondents  agree  there  is  a  need  for  significant  reforms  to  improve  the 

performance of our economy”, with four in ten ‘totally’ agreeing. 

  Three-quarters of those surveyed agree with the statement that governments need to save 
more today in order to prepare public finances for the ageing of populations, with more than 
four in ten (46%) saying they ‘totally agree’. 

  However, respondents are divided on whether successful reforms in other euro area countries 
have facilitated reforms in our country: more than four in ten respondents (46%) agree with 
this statement, while a slightly smaller share proportion disagree (42%). 

  Finally, nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) disagree that the retirement age should 
be increased to ensure sustainability of the pension system, with just over half (51%) ‘totally’ 
disagreeing. In contrast, just under a quarter of respondents (24%) agree with this statement. 

21 Governments in all euro area countries are implementing various economic reforms, such as labour market reforms, pension, social 
security or healthcare reforms, reforms of education systems or market reforms to open sectors to competition. Would you agree or 
disagree with the following statements related to such reforms? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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At national level, there are significant variations between euro area countries in terms of responses 
to  these  four  statements,  in  particular  that  successful  reforms  in  other  euro  area  countries  have 
facilitated reforms in their own country, and that the retirement age should be increased to ensure 
sustainability of the pension system.  

In all but one of the euro area countries, at least seven in ten respondents agree with the statement 
there is a need for significant reforms to improve the performance of our economy, with the highest 
proportions  found  in  Italy  (90%),  Slovenia  (87%)  and  Portugal  (86%),  and  the  lowest  in  the 
Netherlands (65%), Estonia (70%) and Luxembourg (71%). 

By contrast, over a quarter of respondents in the Netherlands (28%) and a fifth in Luxembourg and 
Germany disagree with this statement, though this view is held by less than a tenth of those surveyed 
in Italy (6%), Cyprus (7%) and Lithuania (8%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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In  all  but  one  euro  area  country,  at  least  seven  in  ten  respondents  agree  with  the  statement 
governments  need  to  save  more  today  in  order  to  prepare  public  finances  for  the  ageing  of 
populations. This view is most prevalent in Ireland (90%), Malta (89%) and Portugal (86%) and least 
common in Germany (67%) and Estonia and Italy (both 71%). 

Over a quarter of those surveyed in Germany (27%) and just under that proportion in Italy and the 
Netherlands (both 24%) say they disagree with this statement, though this view is shared by less 
than a tenth in Malta (6%) and Ireland (7%) and just over a tenth in Portugal (11%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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A majority of respondents in ten euro area countries and a relative majority in six more agree that 
successful  reforms  in  other  euro  area  countries  have  facilitated  reforms  in  our  country,  with  the 
highest proportions of respondents agreeing with this found in Ireland (72%) and Lithuania and Malta 
(both  58%).  By  contrast,  the  majority  of  respondents  in  Italy  (50%)  and  France  (47%)  think  that 
successful reforms in other euro area countries, haven’t facilitated reforms in their own countries, 
while opinion is equally divided on the issue in Greece.  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

In  all  but  one  euro  area  country,  more  than  half  of  respondents  disagree  with  the  statement  the 
retirement age should be increased to ensure sustainability of the pension system, most notably in 
Germany  (81%)  and  in  Greece  and  Portugal  (both  79%).  However,  nearly  half  the  respondents  in 
Ireland (48%), four in ten in Austria and over a third in Belgium and Luxembourg (both 35%) and 
Finland  (34%)  believe  the  retirement  age  should  be  increased  to  ensure  the  sustainability  of  the 
pension system. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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The socio-demographic analysis of the results for those who agree with the statement that successful 
reforms  in  other  euro  area  countries have facilitated  reforms in  our  country  reveals the  following 
variations: 

•  The younger the respondent, the more likely they are to agree successful reforms in other 
euro area countries have facilitated reforms in their country. Those aged 15-24 are the most 
likely to agree with this statement (57%), whereas those aged 55 or over are the least likely 
to agree (42%). 

•  Respondents who completed their full-time education aged 20 or older (47%) are the most 
likely to agree with this statement, while those who have completed education aged 16 or 
less are the least likely (35%). 

•  Respondents who are employees are the most likely to agree that successful reforms in other 
euro area countries have facilitated reforms in their country (48%), while manual workers 
(39%) are the least likely to agree. 

•  Those who say having the euro is a good thing for their country (54%) are much more likely 

than those who say it is a bad thing (29%) to agree with this statement. 

•  Respondents who say having the euro is a good thing for the EU (51%) are more likely than 
their counterparts who say having the euro is a bad thing for the EU (30%) to agree with this 
statement. 

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When  it  comes  to  examining  the  socio-demographic  analysis  for  those  who  disagree  with  the 
statement the retirement age should be increased to ensure sustainability of the pension system the 
following differences can be seen: 

•  Women are more likely to disagree than men (76% vs. 70%); 

•  Those  surveyed  aged  25-39  are  most  likely  to  disagree  the  retirement  age  should  be 

increased (81%), while those aged 55 or over are the least likely to disagree (66%); 

•  Manual workers (85%) are the most likely to disagree with this statement, whereas those not 

working (68%) are the least likely to disagree; 

•  Respondents who say having the euro is a good thing for their country (69%) are much less 

likely than those who say it is a bad thing (84%) to disagree with this statement; 

•  Those who say having the euro is a good thing for the EU (71%) are less likely than their 
counterparts who say having the euro is a bad thing for the EU (83%) to disagree with this 
statement. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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2  Evaluation of sectorial reforms 

Respondents  were  asked how  important  they  believe  it is  their  government  introduces  reforms in 
seven particular areas to help increase growth and employment22. 

Large shares of respondents say it is important their government introduces reforms in 
the seven areas tested to help increase growth and employment 

Overall, the majority of respondents believe it is important their government introduces reforms in 
each of the seven areas asked about to help increase growth and employment. 

In detail, at least nine in ten respondents think that it is important reforms should be introduced in 
the health  system (92%), education system  (91%) and the  labour market (90%),  while nearly  the 
same proportion say the same for the pension system (89%) and the social security system (86%). 

Over  eight  in  ten  respondents  think  the  same  about  taxation  (81%),  while  just  over  six  in  ten 
respondents (63%) believe it is important the government introduces market reforms, as in telecom, 
gas/electricity. 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

22 In your opinion, how important is it that the government in [OUR COUNTRY] should introduce reforms in each of the following areas to 
help increase growth and employment? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

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For each of the seven areas tested, a national-level analysis highlights some important differences 
between euro area countries. 

With the exception of Luxembourg (84%) and Estonia (83%), at least nine in ten respondents in the 
euro area believe  the  health  system  should be  reformed. This view  is most widespread in Ireland 
(96%) and in Slovenia, Latvia and Portugal (all 95%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

Large shares of respondents in all euro area countries believe it is important for their government to 
introduce reforms in education systems to help increase growth and employment. In 17 countries, 
more than eight in ten respondents share this opinion, with the highest proportions found in Portugal 
and Spain (both 95%) and in Germany (94%). This view is least widespread in Estonia (58%) and 
Finland (73%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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In all euro area countries, at least three-quarters of respondents consider it is important that their 
government introduces reforms in the labour market to help increase growth and employment, with 
the  highest  proportions  of  respondents  holding  this  view  found  in  Italy  (95%),  Spain  (94%)  and 
Portugal (93%) and the lowest in Estonia (75%), Luxembourg (85%) and in Germany, the Netherlands, 
Ireland, Malta and Slovakia (all 86%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

More than seven in ten respondents in every euro area country say they think it is important their 
government introduces reforms in the pension system to help increase growth and employment, with 
the highest proportions found in Spain (95%), Slovenia (94%) and Ireland (93%) and the lowest in 
Estonia (71%), Finland (76%), and Luxembourg (78%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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More  than  seven  in  ten  respondents  in  all  countries  in  the  euro  area  believe  it  is  important  their 
government introduces reforms in the social security system. This feeling is most common in Spain 
(94%),  Portugal  (93%)  and  Italy,  Malta  and  Greece  (all  89%)  and  least  prevalent  in  Luxembourg 
(73%), Estonia (76%) and in Austria and the Netherlands (both 80%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

In the 19 euro area countries, at least six in ten respondents say it is important for their government 
to introduce reforms in taxation to help increase growth and employment. This opinion is most shared 
by  respondents  in  Italy (89%),  Latvia  (87%)  and  in  Ireland  and  Spain  (both  85%)  and  least  so  in 
Estonia (60%), Luxembourg (72%) and Cyprus (74%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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A  majority  of  respondents  in  17  euro  area  countries  and  a  relative  majority  in  two  believe  it  is 
important  for  their  government  to  introduce  market  reforms,  as  in  telecom,  gas/electricity  (e.g. 
opening sectors for free competition, privatisation) to help stimulate growth and employment. This 
view is most shared by those surveyed in Malta (86%), Portugal (78%) and Ireland (77%), while the 
lowest proportions agreeing with this statement are found in Estonia (46% ‘important’ vs. 29% ‘not 
important’ and 25% ‘don’t know’), Austria (48% vs. 47%) and France and the Netherlands (both 52%).  

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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The following table shows, for every euro area country, which of the seven reforms was cited most 
frequently as important by respondents, as well as the second and third most frequently mentioned 
items. 

In 14 of the euro area’s 19 countries, the most frequently mentioned reform is the health system, 
most notably in Ireland (96%) and in Latvia, Portugal and Slovenia (all 95%).   

In five countries, the most frequently mentioned reform is the education system, while in Italy (95%), 
Austria  (92%)  and  Luxembourg  (85%)  is  the  Labour  market.  Spain  is  the  only  country  where  the 
respondents consider as the most important the reform of the pension system (95%). 

Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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The  socio-demographic  analysis  for  responses  to this  question  reveals  few  significant  differences 
among the groups. Among the most marked are: 

•  Women are more likely than men to mention reform of the labour market (92% vs. 87%) and 

the pension system (91% vs. 86%). 

•  Respondents  aged  25-39  and  those  55  or  over  are  the  most  likely  to  say  health  system 
reform is required (both 93%), whereas those aged 15-24 are the least likely to say so (88%). 
This younger group is also the least likely to say the pension system and taxation should be 
reformed (84% and 77% respectively), while those aged between 25 and 54 are the most 
likely to agree on pensions (both 90%) and those aged 40-54 are most likely to agree on 
taxation (83%). Older respondents are slightly more likely to say the social security system 
needs  reform  than  their  younger  counterparts,  with  those  aged  over  40  most  likely  (both 
groups 88%) and those aged 25-39 least likely (84%), closely followed by those aged 15-24 
(85%). 

•  Respondents who completed their full-time education at the age of 20 or older are less likely 
to  think  that  the  government  should  introduce  market  reforms  (61%)  than  those  who 
completed their full-time education aged 15 or younger (67%). 

•  Employees are the most likely to say labour market reform is needed (92%), while the self-
employed are the least likely (84%), though this latter group is the most likely to say taxation 
reform is needed (84%) as opposed to manual workers, who are the least likely to say this 
(75%). 

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Base: all respondents (17,551) 

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Technical 
Specifications 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

Between the 14th and the 18th  October 2019, Kantar on behalf of TNS Political & Social carried out 
the  survey  FLASH  EUROBAROMETER  481  survey  on  request  of  the  EUROPEAN  COMMISSION, 
Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. It is a general public survey co-ordinated by 
the Directorate-General for Communication, “Media monitoring and Eurobarometer” Unit. 

The FLASH EUROBAROMETER 481 survey covers the population of the respective nationalities of the 
19 Member States of the euro area, resident in each of the 19 Member States and aged 15 years 
and over.  

All  interviews  were  carried  using  the  Kantar  e-Call  center  (our  centralized  CATI  system).  In  every 
country  respondents  were  called both  on  fixed  lines  and  mobile  phones.  The basic  sample  design 
applied in all states is multi-stage random (probability). In each household, the respondent was drawn 
at random following the "last birthday rule". 

TS1 

The euro area 

October 2019 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Technical 
Specifications 

Kantar has developed its own RDD sample generation capabilities based on using contact telephone 
numbers from responders to random probability or random location face to face surveys, such as 
Eurobarometer, as seed numbers. The approach works because the seed number identifies a working 
block of telephone numbers and reduces the volume of numbers generated that will be ineffective. 
The seed numbers are stratified by NUTS2 region and urbanisation to approximate a geographically 
representative sample. From each seed number the required sample of numbers are generated by 
randomly replacing the last two digits. The sample is then screened against business databases in 
order  to  exclude  as  many  of  these  numbers  as  possible  before  going  into  field.  This  approach  is 
consistent across all countries. 

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: 

TS2 

The euro area 

October 2019 

QUESTIONNAIRE 

ASK ALL 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Questionnaire 

Dx1  Do you travel at least once a year outside your country? 

(READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Yes 
No 
DK/NA 

TrendFL473 Dx1 

Dx2  How has your household income changed since last year? Has it: 

(READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Increased 
Decreased 
Stayed the same 
DK/NA 

Trend FL473 Dx2 

1 
2 
3 

1 
2 
3 
4 

Dx3  What is your expectation regarding your household income this year? Will it: 

(READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Increase 
Decrease 
Stay the same 
DK/NA 

Trend FL473 Dx3 

Q1 

Generally speaking, do you think that...? 
(READ OUT – ONE ANSWER PER LINE) 

1 

2 

Having the euro is a good or a bad thing 
for your country 

Having the euro is a good or a bad thing 
for the EU 

Trend FL473 Q1 

1 
2 
3 
4 

g
n
h
t

i

d
o
o
g
A

1 

1 

g
n
h
t

i

d
a
b
A

2 

2 

e
d
i
c
e
d

t
’
n
a
C

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

3 

3 

A
N
K
D

/

4 

4 

Q1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The euro area 

October 2019 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Questionnaire 

Q2 

Does the euro make you personally feel more European than before or would 
you say that your feeling of being European has not changed? 
(ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Yes, more European 
Nothing has changed 
DK/NA 

1 
2 
3 

Trend FL473 Q2 

Q3a  When you pay cash, would you say that it is: very easy, rather easy, rather 

difficult or very difficult to distinguish and handle….. 
(ONE ANSWER PER LINE) 

y
s
a
e

y
r
e
V

1 

1 

y
s
a
e

r
e
h
t
a
R

2 

2 

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d

r
e
h
t
a
R

3 

3 

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d

y
r
e
V

4 

4 

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d

r
o
n

y
s
a
e

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

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

5 

5 

A
N
K
D

/

6 

6 

1 

2 

Euro bank notes  

Euro coins 

Trend FL473 Q3a 

ASK Q3b IF ‘RATHER’ OR ‘VERY DIFFICULT’ IN Q3a.2, CODES 3 OR 4 in Q3a2, 
OTHERS GOT TO Q4a 

Q3b  With which of the following euro coins do you have particular difficulties? 

(READ OUT – MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 
1-cent euro coin 
2-cent euro coin 
5-cent euro coin 
10-cent euro coin 
20-cent euro coin 
50-cent euro coin 
1-euro coin 
2-euro coin 
DK/NA 

Trend FL473 Q3b 

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

Q2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The euro area 

October 2019 

ASK ALL 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Questionnaire 

Q4 

Do you consider that there are too many or, on the contrary, not enough euro 
coins with different values or do you consider that there are just the right 
number? 
(ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Too many 
Not enough 
Just the right number 
DK/NA 

1 
2 
3 
4 

Trend FL473 Q4a 

Q5 

Are you in favour of abolishing 1- and 2-euro cent coins in the euro area 
and making it obligatory to round the final sum of purchase in shops and 
supermarkets up or down (i.e. prices can still be set at any cent amount but the 
final sum of purchase is rounded at the tills to 0 or 5 cents, depending on 
whether the sum is closer to 0 or to 5)? 
(ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Yes 
No 
DK/NA 

1 
2 
3 

Trend FL473 Q5 

Q6 

Today, when you are buying things, do you tend to convert from the price in euro 
to the (NATIONAL CURRENCY)? (M)  

(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Yes, for common purchases such as day-to-day shopping  
Yes, for exceptional purchases such as the purchase of a car or a house  
No, not at all  
It depends (DO NOT READ OUT)  
You don't remember the value of the previous currency (DO NOT READ 
OUT)  
DK/NA 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 

6 

Trend FL473 Q6  

Q3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The euro area 

October 2019 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Questionnaire 

Q7 

Do you think that the euro...? 
(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Has made travelling easier and less costly 

Has reduced banking charges when travelling in 
different EU countries (e.g. when withdrawing money 
from an ATM) (N) 
Has made it easier to do business in different EU 
countries (N) 

Has made it easier to compare prices and shop in 
different EU countries, including online 

Trend FL473 Q8 MODIFIED 

s
e
Y

1 

1 

1 

1 

o
N

2 

2 

2 

2 

/

A
N
K
D
3 

3 

3 

3 

Q8 

Do you think that the degree to which economic policy, including budgetary 
policies, is coordinated in the euro area is appropriate? Should there be more or 
less coordination among euro-area governments? 

(READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Appropriate 
There should be more coordination 
There should be less coordination 
DK/NA 

Trend FL473 Q9 

1 
2 
3 
4 

Q9 

Governments in all euro-area countries are implementing various economic 
reforms, such as labour market reforms, pension, social security or healthcare 
reforms, reforms of education systems or market reforms to open sectors to 
competition. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements related 
to such reforms? 
(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

1 

2 

There is a need for 
significant reforms to 
improve the performance of 
our economy 
I think successful reforms in 
other euro-area countries 
have facilitated reforms in 
our country 

o
t

d
n
e
T

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d

3 

3 

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d

4 

4 

A
N
K
D

/

5 

5 

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

e
e
r
g
a

o
t

d
n
e
T

e
e
r
g
a

2 

2 

1 

1 

Q4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The euro area 

October 2019 

3 

4 

Governments need to save 
more today in order to 
prepare public finances for 
the ageing of populations 

The retirement age should 
be increased to ensure 
sustainability of the pension 
system 

Trend FL473 Q11 

Flash Eurobarometer 481 

Questionnaire 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Q10 

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) 
should introduce reforms in each of the following areas to help increase growth 
and employment? 

(READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY) 

1 

2 

3 

4 

Labour market 

Health system 

Pension system 

Social security system 

5  Market reforms, as in 

telecom, gas/electricity (e.g. 
opening sectors for free 
competition, privatisation) 

6 

7 

Taxation 

Education systems 

Trend FL473 Q12 

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

A
N
K
D

/

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

Q11  What is your expectation regarding the inflation rate this year? Compared to 

last year, will it be: 

(READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY) 
Higher 
Lower 
The same 
DK/NA 

Trend FL473 Q13 

1 
2 
3 
4 

Q5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DX1

Do you travel at least once a year outside your country?
(%)

s
e
Y

o
N

1
8
4
L
F

48

65

51

64

72

32

37

41

41

61

57

52

90

56

76

67

40

80

63

53

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-1

-7

5

-2

4

1

-1

4

-1

0

2

-4

2

3

-4

4

-2

-3

-6

1
8
4
L
F

52

34

49

36

27

68

62

59

59

39

43

48

10

44

24

33

60

20

37

46

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

0

7

-5

2

-4

-2

1

-4

1

0

-2

4

-2

-3

4

-4

2

3

5

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

0

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T1 
 
 
 
 
DX2

How has your household income changed since last year? Has it:
(%)

d
e
s
a
e
r
c
n

I

d
e
s
a
e
r
c
e
D

e
m
a
s

e
h
t
d
e
y
a
t
S

1
8
4
L
F

20

21

35

38

24

11

12

16

7

16

28

27

30

29

28

26

15

21

31

22

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

0

3

-1

1

5

-1

4

1

-3

-2

-7

5

-3

0

0

1

-1

2

2

1
8
4
L
F

19

11

11

11

10

27

21

29

23

21

15

15

12

7

16

15

15

14

16

18

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-4

-4

-3

-4

-3

-21

3

-14

1

-2

1

0

-1

-2

1

3

-1

2

0

0

1
8
4
L
F

58

62

51

48

62

60

64

53

67

60

54

55

52

59

51

58

68

64

50

59

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

3

0

4

0

15

-4

12

-1

5

0

7

-6

6

-1

0

0

0

-2

-2

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

6

3

3

4

2

3

2

3

3

3

3

6

5

5

1

2

1

3

1

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DX3

What is your expectation regarding your household income this year? Will it:
(%)

e
s
a
e
r
c
n

I

e
s
a
e
r
c
e
D

1
8
4
L
F

20

22

20

34

20

21

19

25

14

19

23

32

23

30

22

26

18

19

30

18

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-1

-4

0

-10

11

-3

13

0

-2

-3

4

-5

-16

-2

2

-3

-3

-1

-1

1
8
4
L
F

12

5

7

4

8

14

11

16

16

10

11

9

6

7

15

7

9

8

10

12

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-4

-2

-2

-2

1

-22

1

-17

1

-2

3

-1

0

4

3

-2

1

0

2

1

e
m
a
s

e
h
t

y
a
t
S

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

3

4

8

2

7

7

-1

4

1

2

0

-3

3

7

-1

2

1

0

-2

-1

1
8
4
L
F

63

66

71

56

67

57

63

54

64

60

61

50

64

48

57

64

66

68

52

67

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

5

7

2

6

5

8

7

5

6

11

5

9

7

15

6

3

7

5

8

3

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q1.1

Generally speaking, do you think that...?
Having the euro is a good or a bad thing for your country (%)

i

g
n
h
t
d
o
o
g
A

i

g
n
h
t
d
a
b
A

e
d
i
c
e
d
t
'
n
a
C

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

1
8
4
L
F

65

62

71

69

88

66

64

64

55

55

63

49

81

67

70

75

68

71

68

79

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

2

1

-2

3

6

2

5

-2

8

0

7

1

4

1

-1

4

-1

0

4

1
8
4
L
F

26

29

22

11

7

23

24

28

36

34

20

37

12

18

21

17

21

19

17

12

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-4

1

1

-1

-3

-3

-1

6

-6

1

-3

-5

0

0

1

-3

-1

-3

-3

1
8
4
L
F

6

7

4

16

3

9

6

5

8

9

12

12

6

7

6

6

8

9

11

7

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

1

-3

2

-2

-1

0

-1

-3

-1

0

-5

4

-6

0

1

1

3

2

0

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

2

3

4

2

2

6

3

1

2

5

2

1

8

3

2

3

1

4

2

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q1.2

Generally speaking, do you think that...?
Having the euro is a good or a bad thing for the EU (%)

i

g
n
h
t
d
o
o
g
A

i

g
n
h
t
d
a
b
A

e
d
i
c
e
d
t
'
n
a
C

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

1
8
4
L
F

76

75

76

79

90

75

78

75

69

70

81

76

84

80

76

81

81

81

81

81

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

3

0

0

3

4

-2

3

1

5

2

3

2

5

-2

4

4

0

2

4

1
8
4
L
F

16

17

17

3

6

13

12

17

21

20

5

6

10

6

15

13

10

9

8

7

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-4

2

0

-1

-3

0

-2

3

-2

-1

0

-4

-2

1

0

-2

-1

-1

-4

1
8
4
L
F

4

6

3

12

2

6

2

4

7

5

6

11

4

5

5

4

6

7

6

9

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

1

-1

1

-1

0

-1

1

-4

-3

0

-6

2

-2

1

0

-1

3

-2

0

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

4

2

4

6

2

6

8

4

3

5

8

7

2

9

4

2

3

3

5

3

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q2

Does the euro make you personally feel more European than before or would you say that your feeling of being European
has not changed?
(%)

n
a
e
p
o
r
u
E

e
r
o
m

,
s
e
Y

d
e
g
n
a
h
c

s
a
h
g
n
h
t
o
N

i

1
8
4
L
F

28

21

31

32

35

22

28

22

33

22

30

31

39

44

23

37

29

36

28

30

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-5

0

1

0

2

5

4

-1

3

0

4

3

4

2

-1

1

2

1

2

1
8
4
L
F

69

76

66

64

64

75

71

76

65

77

68

65

57

53

74

62

69

63

68

67

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

4

1

-3

0

-3

-5

-4

2

-3

1

-5

-6

-2

-2

5

-1

-1

-2

-2

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

3

3

4

1

3

1

2

2

1

2

4

4

3

3

1

2

1

4

3

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q3a.1

When you pay cash, would you say that it is: very easy, rather easy, rather difficult or very difficult to distinguish and
handle...
Euro bank notes (%)

y
s
a
e

y
r
e
V

y
s
a
e

r
e
h
t
a
R

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d
r
e
h
t
a
R

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d
y
r
e
V

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

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

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

1
8
4
L
F

62

67

66

69

79

70

56

57

62

86

55

61

76

91

67

79

20

77

67

82

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

7

-2

0

0

3

3

6

0

-4

1

6

11

1

-2

13

-1

5

1

0

1
8
4
L
F

33

28

30

24

18

26

38

36

34

10

41

32

19

7

28

17

76

19

23

14

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-4

3

-2

2

-3

-6

-5

3

4

2

-2

-9

1

3

-12

-1

-4

-1

-2

2

3

2

2

1

2

2

3

1

1

2

2

2

1

2

4

2

2

4

1

-1

0

-2

0

-1

0

1

0

-3

-1

-1

0

-2

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

2

0

0

-2

-1

0

-1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

-1

-1

-1

-1

1

-1

1

0

1

1

1

3

0

0

1

2

1

2

1

3

1

0

1

0

1

1

2

1

0

-1

1

1

-1

0

0

1

-1

1

-1

-4

0

-1

-1

0

1

0

-1

1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

1

1

1

2

2

1

2

1

1

0

0

1

2

1

2

0

0

1

2

2

'

y
s
a
E

'

l

a
t
o
T

'
t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i

D

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

3

1

-2

2

0

-3

1

3

0

3

4

2

2

1

1

-2

1

0

-2

3

3

2

2

1

3

3

4

2

2

3

3

2

1

2

4

3

2

6

1

-1

-2

-3

0

-2

0

1

0

-3

-1

-1

0

-3

-1

-1

0

1

-1

1

0

1
8
4
L
F

95

95

96

93

97

96

94

93

96

96

96

93

95

98

95

96

96

96

90

96

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q3a.2

When you pay cash, would you say that it is: very easy, rather easy, rather difficult or very difficult to distinguish and
handle...
Euro coins (%)

y
s
a
e

y
r
e
V

y
s
a
e

r
e
h
t
a
R

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d
r
e
h
t
a
R

t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i
d
y
r
e
V

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

r
e
h
t
i
e
N

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

1
8
4
L
F

47

44

45

40

69

66

52

38

52

76

42

45

60

86

44

50

19

62

50

73

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

4

8

5

2

4

4

3

0

5

-6

2

7

13

8

3

7

-2

1

0

2

1
8
4
L
F

36

36

36

37

23

27

39

38

35

12

41

28

25

9

35

30

73

25

25

22

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-3

-6

-1

0

-1

-3

-4

-5

-1

4

2

-2

-11

-6

-1

-7

0

-3

0

-1

1
8
4
L
F

12

15

16

17

5

4

4

17

10

10

13

19

12

4

17

18

5

10

17

4

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

-2

-2

-2

-1

-1

4

-2

4

-3

-1

-1

-1

-2

1

1

1

2

-1

3

3

2

1

1

1

2

5

2

1

3

5

1

1

2

2

1

2

5

0

0

0

-2

-2

-1

-1

0

2

-1

-2

0

0

-1

0

0

-1

0

1

-1

0

1

1

0

3

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

2

1

0

1

0

1

1

2

0

0

-1

0

1

0

0

1

0

-1

0

0

-4

0

-1

0

0

0

0

-1

0

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

1

1

0

1

0

1

0

1

1

'

y
s
a
E

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

2

4

2

3

1

-1

-5

4

-2

4

5

2

2

2

0

-2

-2

0

1

1
8
4
L
F

83

80

81

77

92

93

91

76

87

88

83

73

85

95

79

80

92

87

75

95

1
8
4
L
F

15

18

18

18

6

5

6

22

12

11

16

24

13

5

19

20

6

12

22

4

'
t
l
u
c
i
f
f
i

D

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

-4

-4

-3

-2

-1

6

-3

2

-3

-1

-2

-1

-2

0

1

2

1

-1

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q3b

With which of the following euro coins do you have particular difficulties? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)
(%)

 (IF 'RATHER OR VERY DIFFICULT' CODE 3 OR 4 IN Q3a2)

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e

t
n
e
c
-
1

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e

t
n
e
c
-
2

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e

t
n
e
c
-
5

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e

t
n
e
c
-
0
1

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e

t
n
e
c
-
0
2

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e

t
n
e
c
-
0
5

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e
-
1

i

n
o
c
o
r
u
e
-
2

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

4

3

7

0

9

-15

5

-5

-6

0

-1

8

-21

-1

-2

-14

-10

-3

7

1
8
4
L
F

68

83

65

80

50

71

58

79

68

74

81

91

83

37

21

75

59

63

87

22

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

-3

1

8

1

10

-17

-5

-15

-8

-6

0

13

-19

2

6

-11

-21

1

13

1
8
4
L
F

53

54

53

54

46

63

40

62

55

66

58

65

66

22

20

53

24

41

53

31

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

4

-2

7

4

-2

3

-11

3

3

11

2

5

13

-32

7

4

-15

-11

-8

5

1
8
4
L
F

35

28

37

24

47

43

32

33

28

40

29

18

28

49

59

39

16

28

17

41

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-2

-4

5

9

9

0

0

1

-2

0

-5

-11

-6

6

8

-10

17

-2

-2

1
8
4
L
F

40

29

50

34

56

39

42

31

24

39

21

22

21

80

75

50

44

24

18

67

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

-4

-3

-8

14

11

8

-1

-3

-2

-6

-3

-19

14

-4

4

11

11

3

8

1
8
4
L
F

26

18

32

29

34

18

22

20

15

13

20

16

19

54

55

28

36

10

9

62

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

3

-2

-11

5

0

-2

-1

-3

-12

1

1

-3

1

11

-1

18

2

-2

16

1
8
4
L
F

14

7

16

7

15

7

18

12

3

9

10

7

12

6

36

9

14

13

6

39

1
8
4
L
F

65

85

50

74

56

71

53

82

79

77

79

86

80

34

18

66

52

73

88

22

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

-5

2

-4

-1

1

7

-1

1

2

4

-1

0

-6

6

-3

9

5

0

19

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-3

2

0

2

-14

14

-1

1

-2

4

0

-6

-7

2

-2

3

7

0

8

1
8
4
L
F

12

9

15

3

14

5

23

10

4

6

7

6

5

3

30

7

14

11

6

23

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

1

3

1

2

0

0

1

0

3

2

2

1

1

0

0

1

1

2

3

5

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q4

Do you consider that there are too many or, on the contrary, not enough euro coins with different values or do you
consider that there are just the right number?
(%)

y
n
a
m
o
o
T

h
g
u
o
n
e

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-1

-2

-2

-2

3

2

-1

0

8

-1

-3

3

7

-2

5

0

-1

6

1

4

2

3

1

2

7

6

2

4

6

2

2

2

5

4

2

4

3

3

2

1

-1

-1

-1

1

0

2

0

0

3

0

0

-1

2

0

0

-1

-2

-2

1

1
8
4
L
F

30

42

30

39

24

27

22

29

44

38

14

19

39

28

14

47

17

20

39

7

r
e
b
m
u
n
t
h
g
i
r

e
h
t

t
s
u
J

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

1

1

2

1

-1

-6

2

0

-11

1

4

-3

-8

3

-5

2

3

-4

-3

1
8
4
L
F

63

53

63

54

72

62

67

68

49

52

81

73

56

63

80

50

76

75

49

88

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

3

4

6

2

4

5

1

3

4

3

6

3

4

2

1

3

2

9

3

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q5

Are you in favour of abolishing 1- and 2 euro cent coins in the Euro area and applying mandatory up- and down-rounding
of the final sum of purchase in shops and supermarkets (i.e. prices can still be set at any cent amount but the final sum of
purchase is rounded at the tills to 0 or 5 cent, depending on whether the sum is closer to 0 or to 5)?
(%)

s
e
Y

o
N

1
8
4
L
F

65

73

63

65

74

48

57

60

76

62

48

59

68

62

77

63

50

65

74

75

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

3

1

-6

-2

1

0

-3

2

4

-1

2

-1

1

4

2

1

0

1

-11

1
8
4
L
F

32

25

34

28

23

47

40

38

21

34

46

34

28

28

20

34

46

32

21

17

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-4

0

6

3

-1

-1

3

-2

-4

0

-2

-1

-4

-5

-1

-2

0

-1

6

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

2

3

7

3

5

3

2

3

4

6

7

4

10

3

3

4

3

5

8

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T11 
 
 
 
 
Q6

Today, when you are buying things, do you tend to convert from the price in euro to the (OLD NATIONAL CURRENCY)?
(%)

s
e
s
a
h
c
r
u
p
n
o
m
m
o
c

r
o
f

,
s
e
Y

i

g
n
p
p
o
h
s

y
a
d
-
o
t
-
y
a
d
s
a
h
c
u
s

s
e
s
a
h
c
r
u
p

l

a
n
o
i
t
p
e
c
x
e

r
o
f

,
s
e
Y

e
s
a
h
c
r
u
p
e
h
t

s
a
h
c
u
s

e
s
u
o
h
a

r
o
r
a
c

a

f
o

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
n

,

o
N

s
d
n
e
p
e
d
t
I

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

e
u
a
v

l

e
h
t

r
e
b
m
e
m
e
r

t
'
n
o
d
u
o
Y

y
c
n
e
r
r
u
c

s
u
o
i
v
e
r
p
e
h
t

f
o

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

1
8
4
L
F

16

21

15

4

4

12

11

24

18

10

5

17

12

14

11

11

18

7

17

4

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-1

-2

-1

-2

-4

2

6

0

0

0

-3

-9

3

3

-2

2

-1

-7

1

1
8
4
L
F

12

24

16

8

7

5

15

11

7

5

5

11

18

14

14

24

9

5

11

10

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-3

1

-4

0

5

-2

-6

-4

1

-1

-3

-2

3

3

-1

3

0

1

0

-3

1
8
4
L
F

68

51

65

84

85

80

70

61

73

84

87

64

64

71

70

62

70

85

67

82

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

3

1

7

2

-4

7

2

1

3

3

1

4

6

0

-1

0

-1

-1

5

1

2

2

2

4

2

1

2

1

1

1

3

8

3

1

4

3

1

3

4

3

-1

0

-1

-1

2

-1

1

-2

-2

0

2

1

-1

-5

0

1

0

2

1

1

1

1

2

0

0

2

0

1

1

0

0

0

2

0

1

0

1

0

0

1

0

-1

1

0

-1

1

-1

-1

-1

-1

0

0

1

-1

0

-1

-1

-1

0

1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

1

1

0

0

2

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

'
s
e
Y

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

0

-6

-1

3

-6

-4

2

1

-1

-3

-5

-6

6

2

1

2

0

-7

-2

1
8
4
L
F

28

45

31

12

11

17

26

35

25

15

10

28

30

28

25

35

27

12

28

14

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T12 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q7.1

Do you think that the euro...?
Has made travelling easier and less costly (%)

s
e
Y

o
N

1
8
4
L
F

52

50

61

71

89

48

58

43

39

55

79

58

36

63

53

67

50

54

46

71

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

-1

1

6

3

1

5

3

3

-3

8

4

-29

4

-3

0

-1

7

7

1

1
8
4
L
F

35

40

24

11

4

38

29

47

51

31

10

25

42

19

35

21

33

35

36

12

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

0

-2

0

-4

-2

-7

-4

1

3

-5

-2

13

-2

3

-1

2

-4

-4

-4

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

13

10

15

18

7

14

13

10

10

14

11

17

22

18

12

12

17

11

18

17

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T13 
 
 
 
 
Q7.2

Do you think that the euro...?
Has reduced banking charges when travelling in different EU countries (e.g. when withdrawing money from an
ATM) (%)

s
e
Y

o
N

1
8
4
L
F

39

43

31

32

69

33

43

36

40

49

39

25

37

68

53

49

33

42

35

43

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

3

-3

-2

5

7

-4

4

0

9

6

3

3

-4

6

3

5

1

-1

1

-4

1
8
4
L
F

34

40

28

12

15

30

33

47

36

26

23

32

35

10

33

27

36

37

33

19

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

4

-3

-3

-3

2

-7

6

1

-6

2

3

-6

-1

3

-2

0

1

0

-4

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

27

17

41

56

16

37

24

17

24

25

38

43

28

22

14

24

31

21

32

38

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T14 
 
 
 
 
Q7.3

Do you think that the euro...?
Has made it easier to do business in different EU countries (%)

s
e
Y

80

84

81

70

92

73

76

85

72

71

79

58

88

75

87

90

81

89

70

77

o
N

9

9

6

2

3

10

9

11

13

12

5

8

6

5

6

6

11

4

10

4

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

11

7

13

28

5

17

15

4

15

17

16

34

6

20

7

4

8

7

20

19

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T15 
Q7.4

Do you think that the euro...?
Has made it easier to compare prices and shop in different EU countries, including online (%)

s
e
Y

80

87

79

86

94

78

84

82

70

79

84

74

93

83

88

89

79

85

78

88

o
N

10

9

9

2

3

10

7

13

16

10

7

8

3

4

6

7

11

7

8

4

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

10

4

12

12

3

12

9

5

14

11

9

18

4

13

6

4

10

8

14

8

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T16 
Q8

Do you think that the degree to which economic policy, including budgetary policies, is coordinated in the euro area is
appropriate? Should there be more or less coordination among euro-area governments?
(%)

e
t
a
i
r
p
o
r
p
p
A

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-3

0

2

6

2

2

-3

1

0

-4

1

5

4

-1

1

0

1

-4

2

1
8
4
L
F

11

12

16

19

32

6

10

4

6

10

14

18

18

21

24

25

11

14

13

29

l

e
b
d
u
o
h
s

e
r
e
h
T

n
o
i
t
a
n
d
r
o
o
c

i

e
r
o
m

l

e
b
d
u
o
h
s

e
r
e
h
T

n
o
i
t
a
n
d
r
o
o
c

i

s
s
e

l

1
8
4
L
F

69

64

59

31

44

79

80

76

81

68

61

41

51

47

48

54

75

67

48

37

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-1

-1

-6

-3

0

-2

2

2

2

3

2

-15

-6

-2

1

0

-3

-5

-6

1
8
4
L
F

7

11

12

10

12

4

1

8

2

4

6

8

9

4

12

8

2

4

8

8

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

1

1

3

-5

-2

0

-1

-2

1

1

0

2

1

2

-3

0

0

-2

-1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

13

13

13

40

12

11

9

12

11

18

19

33

22

28

16

13

12

15

31

26

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q9.1

Governments in all euro-area countries are implementing various economic reforms, such as labour market reforms,
pension, social security or healthcare reforms, reforms of education systems or market reforms to open sectors to
competition. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements related to such reforms?
There is a need for significant reforms to improve the performance of our economy (%)

e
e
r
g
a

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

4

5

-7

-7

4

1

0

2

-11

-5

-11

-9

-2

-7

10

-8

1

1

-1

1
8
4
L
F

40

34

30

28

25

58

49

28

61

59

37

42

25

55

20

38

46

53

42

18

1
8
4
L
F

40

45

43

42

52

22

33

49

29

26

46

42

46

19

45

43

40

34

37

54

e
e
r
g
a
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-2

-3

-3

5

1

-3

4

-2

10

3

7

-6

2

3

-6

7

0

1

0

1
8
4
L
F

9

9

15

11

10

5

7

9

3

2

10

5

14

5

21

11

4

7

8

17

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

-3

-2

2

-1

-1

0

-1

-2

-1

2

1

8

-2

2

-2

-1

0

-3

-1

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

0

-1

0

0

-3

-1

-1

1

0

0

0

2

0

1

-1

2

-2

-2

-1

1
8
4
L
F

6

6

5

4

6

11

5

10

3

5

3

3

6

6

7

5

5

2

3

1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

5

6

7

15

7

4

6

4

4

8

4

8

9

15

7

3

5

4

10

10

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

2

2

-10

-2

5

-2

4

0

-1

-2

-4

-15

0

-4

4

-1

1

2

-1

1
8
4
L
F

80

79

73

70

77

80

82

77

90

85

83

84

71

74

65

81

86

87

79

72

1
8
4
L
F

15

15

20

15

16

16

12

19

6

7

13

8

20

11

28

16

9

9

11

18

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

-3

-3

2

-1

-4

-1

-2

-1

-1

2

1

10

-2

3

-3

1

-2

-5

-2

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q9.2

Governments in all euro-area countries are implementing various economic reforms, such as labour market reforms,
pension, social security or healthcare reforms, reforms of education systems or market reforms to open sectors to
competition. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements related to such reforms?
I think successful reforms in other euro-area countries have facilitated reforms in our country (%)

e
e
r
g
a

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

5

3

1

2

9

0

-2

3

-8

-3

-3

-2

4

-2

2

0

-3

0

1

1
8
4
L
F

12

16

10

12

21

24

14

8

11

27

9

15

15

40

15

14

21

16

19

5

e
e
r
g
a
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

-5

2

0

6

1

0

3

2

1

-1

8

-10

-1

-1

1

5

-1

1

3

1
8
4
L
F

34

38

33

32

51

21

35

38

27

22

42

43

36

18

36

41

35

33

33

45

1
8
4
L
F

26

23

31

15

12

18

21

26

29

16

29

15

22

9

25

27

17

28

20

26

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

-4

-2

-5

-2

-1

5

-2

6

4

-5

4

-1

0

-1

-1

2

-3

-7

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

-1

-2

-2

-3

-9

-3

-4

-1

-1

-1

-2

-4

-4

2

-3

-2

-2

-2

-3

1
8
4
L
F

16

12

11

7

5

27

16

21

21

16

11

9

7

6

14

7

18

14

10

4

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

12

11

15

34

11

10

14

7

12

19

9

18

20

27

10

11

9

9

18

20

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

3

0

5

1

8

10

0

1

5

-7

-4

5

-12

3

-3

3

5

-4

1

4

1
8
4
L
F

46

54

43

44

72

45

49

46

38

49

51

58

51

58

51

55

56

49

52

50

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-3

-3

-6

-4

-8

-11

-4

1

-3

5

3

-7

0

-5

2

-4

-3

0

-5

-10

1
8
4
L
F

42

35

42

22

17

45

37

47

50

32

40

24

29

15

39

34

35

42

30

30

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q9.3

Governments in all euro-area countries are implementing various economic reforms, such as labour market reforms,
pension, social security or healthcare reforms, reforms of education systems or market reforms to open sectors to
competition. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements related to such reforms?
Governments need to save more today in order to prepare public finances for the ageing of populations
(%)

e
e
r
g
a

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

3

-8

-8

-2

10

-1

-3

3

-10

-1

-2

-1

3

-9

11

-2

1

1

2

1
8
4
L
F

46

51

39

37

62

54

62

43

42

56

47

50

42

79

40

50

66

55

50

29

e
e
r
g
a
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-4

1

5

1

-3

1

2

-2

8

3

3

-11

-1

1

-5

3

1

4

-1

1
8
4
L
F

29

29

28

34

28

20

21

35

29

22

35

32

31

10

33

31

20

26

26

49

1
8
4
L
F

11

10

16

13

5

6

7

9

13

7

11

7

13

3

16

9

5

10

10

14

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

2

3

1

1

-4

0

1

-1

4

0

0

5

-2

7

-5

-1

1

-1

-1

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-2

2

-1

-2

-5

-2

2

0

-2

-1

0

0

1

2

0

1

-3

-5

-1

1
8
4
L
F

10

7

11

7

2

13

6

11

11

8

5

6

5

3

8

8

6

7

7

3

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

4

3

6

9

3

7

4

2

5

7

2

5

9

5

3

2

3

2

7

5

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

-1

-7

-3

-1

7

0

-1

1

-2

2

1

-12

2

-8

6

1

2

5

1

1
8
4
L
F

75

80

67

71

90

74

83

78

71

78

82

82

73

89

73

81

86

81

76

78

1
8
4
L
F

21

17

27

20

7

19

13

20

24

15

16

13

18

6

24

17

11

17

17

17

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

0

5

0

-1

-9

-2

3

-1

2

-1

0

5

-1

9

-5

0

-2

-6

-2

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q9.4

Governments in all euro-area countries are implementing various economic reforms, such as labour market reforms,
pension, social security or healthcare reforms, reforms of education systems or market reforms to open sectors to
competition. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements related to such reforms?
The retirement age should be increased to ensure sustainability of the pension system (%)

e
e
r
g
a

y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

2

-2

-3

-2

1

-1

4

2

-11

-1

-2

-2

2

0

2

-2

-2

1

0

1
8
4
L
F

12

15

9

6

21

11

12

15

10

12

5

9

11

15

13

19

9

10

10

8

1
8
4
L
F

12

20

8

19

27

8

12

17

10

10

8

10

24

7

16

21

10

13

9

26

e
e
r
g
a
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-3

1

-4

3

5

1

-1

-6

0

5

-1

5

1

1

-2

1

-1

-2

-1

2

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
o
t
d
n
e
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

0

-1

0

-3

-1

1

-4

6

0

-1

-1

-7

0

-2

-3

2

-1

0

1
8
4
L
F

22

23

27

23

20

11

17

20

21

15

24

16

22

7

25

25

15

21

18

43

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
d
y
l
l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

3

-1

7

-1

-3

1

2

2

4

0

3

-3

0

5

1

1

6

2

1

-3

1
8
4
L
F

51

40

54

46

29

68

56

45

57

59

62

61

39

67

42

33

64

54

57

19

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

2

2

6

3

2

3

3

2

4

1

4

4

4

4

2

2

2

6

4

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

'

e
e
r
g
A

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-2

3

-6

0

3

2

-2

-2

2

-6

-2

3

-1

3

-2

3

-3

-4

0

2

1
8
4
L
F

24

35

17

25

48

19

24

32

20

22

13

19

35

22

29

40

19

23

19

34

1
8
4
L
F

73

63

81

69

49

79

73

65

78

74

86

77

61

74

67

58

79

75

75

62

'

e
e
r
g
a
s
i
D

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

-3

7

-2

-3

-2

1

3

0

6

3

-4

-1

-2

1

-1

3

4

0

-3

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T21 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.1

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Labour market (%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

59

61

49

29

50

58

71

47

82

63

48

57

40

71

44

60

58

66

61

50

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

1

-4

-5

-9

-2

5

-7

2

-1

-6

-6

-15

-4

-1

8

-6

4

-2

7

1
8
4
L
F

31

31

37

46

36

30

23

42

13

27

41

30

45

15

42

32

35

25

25

39

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-3

1

2

7

1

-5

6

-3

4

4

4

10

4

-2

-4

3

-4

1

-3

5

4

8

8

8

2

1

4

1

3

4

4

6

3

8

4

3

3

5

4

1

0

1

0

1

-1

-1

0

0

1

0

1

0

-2

1

-1

1

-2

0

-4

2

1

2

2

2

6

1

4

2

2

3

4

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

0

0

0

-2

0

1

-1

2

1

-2

1

1

1

2

2

-1

1

0

-1

-1

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

-3

-3

-2

-1

0

-1

-1

3

-2

-2

-5

0

-3

4

-3

0

-1

4

1
8
4
L
F

90

92

86

75

86

88

94

89

95

90

89

87

85

86

86

92

93

91

86

89

1
8
4
L
F

7

5

10

10

10

8

2

8

3

5

7

8

9

6

11

6

5

5

7

6

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

0

1

-2

1

0

-2

2

1

-1

1

2

1

0

3

-2

2

-2

-1

-5

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

3

4

15

4

4

4

3

2

5

4

5

6

8

3

2

2

4

7

5

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T22 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.2

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Health system (%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

67

71

64

47

86

72

73

59

72

73

73

67

52

79

63

70

72

80

80

61

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

1

-3

-7

-2

3

2

-4

0

-4

2

2

-13

4

-3

8

1

2

-3

11

1
8
4
L
F

25

22

30

36

10

20

20

31

19

20

22

23

32

12

28

20

23

15

14

29

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-1

5

6

1

-2

-3

4

-1

3

-1

-1

8

-3

4

-4

-1

-3

3

-8

5

3

4

8

2

2

4

6

5

2

3

3

10

4

6

7

3

2

2

6

1

0

-1

1

1

0

2

3

1

1

0

-1

2

0

0

-1

1

0

0

-2

2

2

1

1

1

4

1

3

3

1

1

3

1

3

1

2

1

1

1

2

0

-1

0

-2

0

-1

-2

-1

1

-1

0

0

-1

1

0

-2

0

0

0

-1

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

92

93

94

83

96

92

93

90

91

93

95

90

84

91

91

90

95

95

94

90

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

0

2

-1

-1

1

-1

0

-1

-1

1

1

-5

1

1

4

0

-1

0

3

7

5

5

9

3

6

5

9

8

3

4

6

11

7

7

9

4

3

3

8

1

-1

-1

-1

1

-1

0

2

2

0

0

-1

1

1

0

-3

1

0

0

-3

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

1

2

1

8

1

2

2

1

1

4

1

4

5

2

2

1

1

2

3

2

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T23 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.3

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Pension system (%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

58

62

59

29

59

60

71

49

62

62

53

61

45

78

42

55

51

70

68

33

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

4

-2

-10

-3

2

0

-4

-3

-5

-1

0

-8

4

0

4

-1

10

-1

3

1
8
4
L
F

31

30

31

42

34

27

24

36

25

27

37

26

33

12

42

32

41

24

22

43

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-2

0

5

6

0

-1

1

1

8

0

1

-4

-6

2

-2

0

-6

1

-3

1
8
4
L
F

6

3

7

12

4

4

2

8

6

5

5

5

10

4

10

8

5

3

4

13

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-3

3

2

-3

-1

1

3

1

1

0

0

4

1

0

0

2

-2

0

-2

3

2

2

5

1

6

1

5

4

1

2

3

4

3

3

3

1

1

1

4

0

0

1

1

0

0

-1

1

1

-3

0

0

2

2

0

-1

0

-2

-1

0

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

89

92

90

71

93

87

95

85

87

89

90

87

78

90

84

87

92

94

90

76

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

2

-2

-5

3

2

-1

-3

-2

3

-1

1

-12

-2

2

2

-1

4

0

0

1
8
4
L
F

9

5

9

17

5

10

3

13

10

6

7

8

14

7

13

11

6

4

5

17

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-3

4

3

-3

-1

0

4

2

-2

0

0

6

3

0

-1

2

-4

-1

-2

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

2

3

1

12

2

3

2

2

3

5

3

5

8

3

3

2

2

2

5

7

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T24 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.4

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Social security system (%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

53

57

47

31

48

63

69

47

60

59

46

54

39

75

39

46

52

58

62

40

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

1

2

-7

-4

3

2

-6

2

-5

1

0

-15

5

0

2

-1

7

-1

0

1
8
4
L
F

33

31

38

45

35

26

25

36

29

29

42

33

34

14

41

34

41

30

26

43

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

1

7

1

0

-2

4

-2

7

0

2

1

-3

-3

2

2

-2

0

0

1
8
4
L
F

8

7

12

11

12

3

3

10

5

5

8

6

15

4

13

13

4

7

4

10

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

0

-2

1

3

-2

0

3

0

0

0

0

7

1

1

0

0

-5

0

-2

3

2

1

1

2

5

1

6

3

1

1

2

4

2

3

4

1

3

1

3

1

-1

0

-2

0

0

-1

2

1

-2

0

-1

0

0

1

-2

0

-1

-1

1

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

86

88

85

76

83

89

94

83

89

88

88

87

73

89

80

80

93

88

88

83

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-1

3

0

-3

3

0

-2

0

2

1

2

-14

2

-3

4

1

5

-1

0

1
8
4
L
F

11

9

13

12

14

8

4

16

8

6

9

8

19

6

16

17

5

10

5

13

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

-1

-2

-1

3

-2

-1

5

1

-2

0

-1

7

1

2

-2

0

-6

-1

-1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

3

2

12

3

3

2

1

3

6

3

5

8

5

4

3

2

2

7

4

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.5

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Market reforms, as in telecom, gas/electricity (e.g. opening sectors for free competition, privatisation)
(%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

1
8
4
L
F

30

38

25

12

42

42

43

16

40

46

27

35

22

70

15

19

32

35

34

15

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

2

-2

-3

0

-5

-6

2

-17

-1

-5

-5

3

-6

3

-7

6

-4

0

1
8
4
L
F

33

36

29

34

35

33

29

36

34

29

46

35

38

16

37

29

46

37

32

40

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

0

-1

-1

2

0

-1

-1

2

10

3

4

3

0

-1

0

6

-1

5

0

1
8
4
L
F

20

17

28

21

15

11

13

22

13

9

17

15

25

6

32

29

14

18

17

23

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

2

-2

3

0

0

3

6

-3

3

-2

1

1

0

5

-4

1

-3

-2

-7

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-2

0

-5

0

0

0

4

0

2

1

0

-4

1

3

2

1

-4

-2

3

1
8
4
L
F

11

4

12

8

4

9

8

22

7

6

5

6

6

3

11

18

4

5

4

12

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

6

5

6

25

4

5

7

4

6

10

5

9

9

5

5

5

4

5

13

10

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-1

-2

1

-3

-1

0

-6

-7

4

-7

2

-1

-2

3

-7

3

-1

5

1

0

1
8
4
L
F

63

74

54

46

77

75

72

52

74

75

73

70

60

86

52

48

78

72

66

55

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1

0

-2

-2

0

0

3

10

-3

5

-1

1

-3

1

8

-2

2

-7

-4

-4

1
8
4
L
F

31

21

40

29

19

20

21

44

20

15

22

21

31

9

43

47

18

23

21

35

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T26 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.6

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Taxation (%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

47

44

43

20

48

56

51

34

68

48

48

52

30

64

32

39

41

51

49

30

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

6

4

-12

-3

-2

2

0

0

-7

-3

-6

-10

5

3

7

2

12

-2

-2

1
8
4
L
F

34

39

32

40

37

28

34

43

21

26

39

31

42

18

44

37

42

28

30

44

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-3

-1

2

1

5

0

2

-1

8

3

5

5

3

0

1

-2

-7

4

-2

1
8
4
L
F

9

11

13

17

9

5

6

10

4

10

7

7

12

5

16

15

9

11

9

18

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-3

-1

-7

5

0

-1

-3

0

0

-2

0

1

-2

-5

-2

-5

0

-4

-1

3

5

2

6

7

2

6

4

7

4

4

1

4

4

5

3

5

4

6

3

3

0

-2

3

3

0

-2

-1

-2

1

-3

-1

1

-2

-1

0

-1

0

-2

-2

0

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

81

83

75

60

85

84

85

77

89

74

87

83

72

82

76

76

83

79

79

74

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

2

3

3

-10

-2

3

2

2

-1

1

0

-1

-5

8

3

8

0

5

2

-4

1
8
4
L
F

14

13

19

24

11

11

10

17

8

14

8

11

16

10

19

20

13

17

12

21

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-3

-3

-4

8

0

-3

-4

-2

1

-5

-1

2

-4

-6

-2

-6

0

-6

-3

3

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

5

4

6

16

4

5

5

6

3

12

5

6

12

8

5

4

4

4

9

5

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T27 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q10.7

In your opinion, how important is it that the government in (OUR COUNTRY) should introduce reforms in each of the
following areas to help increase growth and employment?
Education systems (%)

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
V

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

e
t
i
u
Q

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

y
r
e
v

t
o
N

t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

l
l

a

t
a

t
o
N

1
8
4
L
F

70

66

76

25

71

68

77

60

74

70

54

65

60

83

63

71

65

59

74

39

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

-3

1

-3

-3

1

2

-4

2

-7

2

4

-14

7

-1

1

-2

3

-1

1

1
8
4
L
F

21

24

18

33

22

20

18

26

17

20

34

22

23

10

24

21

30

27

16

34

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

4

-1

-1

2

-1

-1

1

-1

8

-1

-1

4

0

-2

-1

2

-3

0

-1

1
8
4
L
F

4

6

3

20

5

2

1

7

4

2

8

5

6

2

9

5

2

7

4

18

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

1
8
4
L
F

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

0

-1

2

1

-1

-1

4

0

-1

2

0

2

-3

3

1

0

-1

1

1

2

2

1

8

1

6

2

5

1

1

2

3

4

2

2

1

1

3

1

4

0

0

1

-1

0

1

-1

2

-1

-1

-1

0

3

0

1

-1

0

-1

-1

-2

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I
'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

91

90

94

58

93

88

95

86

91

90

88

87

83

93

87

92

95

86

90

73

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

1

0

-4

-1

0

1

-3

1

1

1

3

-10

7

-3

0

0

0

-1

0

1
8
4
L
F

6

8

4

28

6

8

3

12

5

3

10

8

10

4

11

6

3

10

5

22

'
t
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

i

t
o
N

'

l

a
t
o
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

0

0

0

1

1

0

-2

6

-1

-2

1

0

5

-3

4

0

0

-2

0

-1

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

3

2

2

14

1

4

2

2

4

7

2

5

7

3

2

2

2

4

5

5

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T28 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q11

What is your expectation regarding the inflation rate this year? Compared to last year, will it be:
(%)

r
e
h
g
H

i

r
e
w
o
L

1
8
4
L
F

38

35

47

39

50

23

42

29

39

36

54

41

38

44

34

34

29

35

50

28

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

-11

-9

-7

-8

0

-13

-8

-24

-5

-2

1

-2

-7

0

-11

-15

-6

-1

7

-12

1
8
4
L
F

12

10

8

6

7

22

16

12

11

9

6

10

7

6

14

10

11

8

7

9

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

3

1

2

1

3

4

7

3

0

-6

-1

-1

2

0

4

4

-2

-2

0

3

e
m
a
s

e
h
T

1
8
4
L
F

.
f
f
i

D

3
7
4
L
F

-

7

6

5

4

-5

8

0

20

4

7

1

2

1

3

4

12

8

0

-8

4

1
8
4
L
F

40

46

38

36

35

43

31

48

37

38

34

36

44

29

44

50

50

47

26

50

w
o
n
k

t
'
n
o
D

1
8
4
L
F

10

9

7

19

8

12

11

11

13

17

6

13

11

21

8

6

10

10

17

13

EURO AREA

BE

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

MT

NL

AT

PT

SI

SK

FI

The euro area October 2019 TablesFlash Eurobarometer 481 T29