Future of Europe : first results : report.
Date: 2021-06-28
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: EU aid, EU policy, European Union, coronavirus disease, democracy, image, opinion poll, participatory democracy, sample survey

Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results

Future of Europe

Survey requested and co-ordinated by the  
European Commission’s and European Parliament’s 
Directorates-General for Communication

Fieldwork: October-November 2020

This document has been prepared by the European Commission and the European Parliament 
however it reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission and the European 
Parliament are not liable for any consequence stemming from the reuse of this publication.  
More information on the European Union is available on the Internet  
(http://www.europa.eu).

Wave EB94.1 – Kantar

Project title 

Special Eurobarometer 500 – October-November 2020

Language version

Catalogue number

ISBN 

ISSN 

Future of Europe, First Results

EN

NA-AX-21-001-EN-N

978-92-76-30814-0

2600-2825 

10.2775/971646

© European Union, 2021
https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/en/be-heard/eurobarometer

Photo credit: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 

I. EU CITIZENS AND THE EU

1. Image of the EU

2. Evolution of the EU’s image

3. Reflection on the future of the European Union

II. ARE CITIZENS HEARD?

1. Perception of citizens’ voices within the EU

2. Best ways to ensure people’s voices are heard at EU level

III. CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

1. A progress for democracy within the EU

2. Who should be involved?

3. Willingness to participate

4. Ways of contributing to the activities of the Conference on the Future of Europe

IV. FUTURE OF EUROPE

1. Main assets of the EU

2. Main challenges for the future of the EU

3. What would be the most helpful for the future of Europe?

V. THE EU AND THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

1. Priorities of the EU in its response to the pandemic

2. EU financial support

CONCLUSION

ANNEX

    Technical Specifications

4

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

17

18

19

22

23

25

26

28

30

32

33

35

39

3

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsIntroduction

Introduction

This  report  presents  the  first  results  of 
the  Special  Eurobarometer  survey  n°  500 
(EB94.1) on the Future of Europe (FoE), which 
was  carried  out  between  22  October  and  20 
November 2020 in the 27 EU Member States. 

This  is  the  ninth  report  in  the  “Future  of 
Europe” (FoE) series, and follows from previous 
surveys  in  2006(1),  2009(2),  2011(3),  2012(4), 
2014(5),  2016(6),  2017(7)  and  2018(8),  which 
were  conducted  on  behalf  of  the  Commission 
presenting  a  snapshot  of  the  way  Europeans 
perceive the EU and its future. 

It  is  the  first  Future  of  Europe  (FoE)  survey 
since the European Parliament elections in May 
2019 and the new European Commission took 
office with Ursula von der Leyen as President in 
December  2019.  This  Special  Eurobarometer 
is  however  different  from  previous  surveys  in 
the  FoE  series,  as  it  is  an  inter-institutional 
survey  conducted  jointly  for  the  European 
Commission  and  the  European  Parliament.  Its 
questionnaire  contains  questions  from  both 
institutions.

legislative  term  until  2024,  the 
For  the 
European  Parliament,  the  Council  of  the 
European Union and the European Commission 
agreed  to  deliver  an  ambitious  political  and 
legislative  agenda  for  recovery  and  renewed 
vitality(9).  Inspired  by  European  Commission 
President Ursula von der Leyen’s policy agenda 
document(10),  the  three  Institutions  have  set 
out six strategic policy goals for the European 

the 

over 

five-year 

Union 
period 
2019-2024(11),  stipulated  as  follows:  i)  to 
implement  the  European  Green  Deal;  ii)  to 
shape Europe’s Digital Decade; iii) to deliver an 
economy  that  works  for  people;  iv)  to  make 
Europe  stronger  in  the  world;  v)  to  promote  a 
free  and  safe  Europe;  vi)  to  protect  and 
strengthen  our  democracy  and  defend  our 
common European values. 

As  part  of  the  ‘strengthening  democracy  and 
defending  European  values’ 
strand,  EU 
common legislative priorities set out a proposal 
for  a  Conference  on  the  Future  of  Europe  to 
provide  an  opportunity  to  hear  citizens’  views 
and  hold  discussions  on  the  way  forward  for 
the  European  project,  its  institutions  and  core 
the 
mission.  However, 
coronavirus  pandemic 
further 
below)  has  meant  that  this  Conference  has 
been delayed for the time being. 

the  advent  of 
(discussed 

Therefore,  this  survey  has  an  important  focus 
on  the  Conference  on  the  future  of  Europe, 
measuring  attitudes  towards  the  project  and 
some of the key themes to be covered by the 
Conference. 

The  fieldwork  was  conducted  during  the 
thus  some 
coronavirus  global  pandemic, 
questions  were  specifically  developed 
to 
measure  attitudes  towards  the  future  of 
Europe in the light of this. Consequently, many 
questions  on  this  survey  were  developed  to 
reflect  these  unique  circumstances,   and  as

1 Special Eurobarometer 251:
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/586/p/4
2 Standard Eurobarometer 71 Spring 2009 – Future of Europe report:
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/STANDARD/surveyKy/829
3 Special Eurobarometer 379:
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/1059/p/2
4 Special Eurobarometer 394:
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/search/future/surveyKy/1070
5 Special Eurobarometer 413:
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/2038
6 Special Eurobarometer 451:
 http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/2131
7 Special Eurobarometer 467:
 http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/2179
8 Special Eurobarometer 479: https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/search/future/surveyKy/2217
9 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/media/20201217RES94217/20201217RES94217.pdf
10 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/political-guidelines-next-commission_en_0.pdf
11 Joint Declaration of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission EU Legislative Priorities for 2021  
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/media/20201217RES94218/20201217RES94218.pdf

5

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Resultssuch  there  is  only  a  limited  number  of  trend 
questions  which  can  be  compared  against 
previous FoE surveys. 

The  survey  was  conducted  at  a  time  when 
the  coronavirus  pandemic  was  still  widely 
prevalent  across  all  European  countries,  with 
continuing impacts on health, the economy and 
restrictions  on  multiple  aspects  of  everyday 
life of European citizens. Several countries had, 
around mid-March 2020, established a range 
of  public  health  measures,  including  physical 
distancing,  and  in  some  cases  the  closure  of 
schools,  businesses,  and  lockdowns  limiting 
the  movement  of  citizens.  Many  countries 
also  closed  their  borders(12).  Many  of  the 
most  stringent  public  health  measures  were 
gradually  phased  out  across  the  EU  between 
April  and  June,  including  the  re-opening  of 
borders.  However,  cases  began  to  rise  again 
from  August  2020.  Consequently,  new  public 
health measures had to be taken again in an 
attempt to minimise the rise in cases.

On 30 November(13), i.e. shortly after the end of 
the fieldwork, the European Centre for Disease 
Prevention  and  Control 
reported 
322,000  deaths  in  Europe  as  a  whole  and 
more than 1.4 million deaths worldwide.

(ECDC) 

The  impact  of  restriction  measures  to  fight 
the pandemic have had a major impact on the 
economies of all EU Member States with many 
people’s incomes and jobs negatively impacted. 
These  impacts  have  been  reflected  in  public 
opinion  data.  The  Standard  Eurobarometer 
survey of summer 2020(14) documented a sharp 
decline in the public perception of the state of 
the  economy,  following  a  period  of  stability 
between  2017  and  2019.  The  proportion  of 
Europeans  who  thought  the  current  situation 
of their national economy was “good” fell from 
47% to 34% (-13 percentage points) between 
autumn  2019  and  summer  2020.  Moreover, 
most  Europeans  in  summer  2020  had  a 
pessimistic outlook about the future prospects 
of  their  country’s  economy;  more  than  four 
in  ten  thought  that  their  country’s  economy 
would not recover from the adverse effects of 

the  coronavirus  outbreak  until  2023  or  later 
(42%), while  a  further  7%  felt  that  it  will  never 
recover. 

The  aim  of  this  survey  was  to  measure  the 
opinions of Europeans, in the EU as a whole and 
in  each    Member  State,  on  political  participation 
and  democracy, 
in 
participating  in  the  Conference  on  the  future  of 
Europe, the future of Europe and the EU, and the 
role  of  the  EU 
in  tackling  the  coronavirus 
pandemic. 

level  of 

interest 

their 

TOPICS
This  First  Results  report  is  structured 
around the following topics:

I.

Attitudes towards the EU including public 
its  future; 
image  and  reflecting  on 
Opinions  on  how  EU  citizens  can  best 
make  their  voices  heard,  and  the  extent 
to  which  people  feel  their  voices  should 
be taken into consideration by the EU;

II.

III.

IV.

Opinions  on  the  Conference  on  the 
future of Europe, including willingness to 
participate and methods of participation;

Attitudes  towards  the  future  of  Europe, 
including  assets,  global  challenges  and 
future progress;

Attitudes  towards  the  EU’s  response  to 
the  coronavirus  pandemic, 
including 
priorities and financial support.

Note

As  a  result  of  the  UK  leaving  the  European 
Union  on  31  January  2020,  the  Union  now 
has  27  Member  States.  The  overall  EU  level 
results  presented  in  this  report  are  therefore 
based on EU27, and not EU28 as was the case 
in  previous  waves.  Care  should  therefore  be 
taken interpreting the results from the current 
wave with previous results.

  12 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus/event-background-2019 
  13 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/cases-2019-ncov-eueea 
  14 https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/survey/getsurveydetail/instruments/standard/surveyky/2262

6

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsFor  trend  questions,  the  evolution  of  results 
from the previous survey is sometimes shown 
with EU28 and sometimes with EU27.

interviews were not enough to reach to target 
or  were  not  feasible  at  all,  interviews  were 
conducted online with Computer-Assisted Web 
Interviewing (CAWI) technique.  

Consequences of the 
coronavirus pandemic 
on fieldwork

for 

The methodology used is that of Eurobarometer 
surveys  as  carried  out  by  the  European 
Commission’s  and  European  Parliament’s 
Communication 
Directorates-General 
(“Media  monitoring  and  Eurobarometer”  Unit 
and  “Public  Opinion  Monitoring”  Unit).  Given 
the  impact  of  COVID-19  and  subsequent 
health  safety  measures,  the  face-to-face 
methodology  was  either  not  possible  or  only 
to  a  certain  extent  in  some  countries.  In 
Denmark, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Malta, the 
Netherlands,  Slovenia,  Slovakia  and  Sweden, 
a  share  of  interviews  were  conducted  online, 
while the rest were conducted as normal, via 
face-to-face  interviews.  In  Belgium,  Czechia, 
Estonia, 
Ireland,  Lithuania,  Luxembourg 
and  Finland,  all  interviews  were  conducted 
online(15).  A  technical  note  on  the  manner 
in  which  the  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  the 
confidence intervals.

Where  feasible,  interviews  were  conducted 
face-to-face  in  people’s  homes  or  on  their 
doorstep  and  in  the  appropriate  national 
language. In all countries where face-to-face 
interviewing  was  feasible  CAPI  (Computer 
Assisted  Personal  Interviewing)  was  used. 
For  all  interviews  conducted  face  to  face, 
hygiene  and  physical  distancing  measures 
have  always  been  respected  in  line  with 
regulations,  and  whenever 
government 
possible,  interviews  were  conducted  outside 
homes, on doorsteps, to remain in open air and 
maintain  social  distance.  Where  face-to-face 

Note 

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

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

Czechia 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Croatia 

Italy 

BE 

BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

HR 

IT 

Republic 
of Cyprus 

Latvia 

CY * 

LV 

Lithuania 

   LT

Luxembourg 

   LU

Hungary 

Malta 

   HU

   MT

The Netherlands  NL

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

   AT

   PL

   PT

   RO

   SI

   SK

   FI

   SE

   hu   

European Union – weighted 
average for the 27  
Member States 

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

EU27

Euro area

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

Non euro area

* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 27 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 EU27 average.

15 Online interviewing took the form of probabilistic panels and access panels, depending on what is available in the country.

7

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsWe wish to thank the people throughout the European Union 
who have given their time to take part in this survey.

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

8

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsI. EU citizens
and the EU

1. Image of the EU

Almost half of Europeans hold 
a positive image of the EU, and 
citizens are more likely to give a 
positive than a negative response 
in all EU Member States 

Almost  half  (47%)  of  Europeans  hold  a 
positive image of the EU, while just 14% hold a 
negative image. Around four in ten Europeans 
have a ‘neutral’ image (39%) of the EU.

SD16   In general does the EU conjure up for you a very 

positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very 
negative image ? 
(% - EU)

SD16   In general does the EU conjure up for you a very 

positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very 
negative image ? 
(% - EU)

In  every  country,  more  people  perceive 
the  EU  positively  than  negatively.  In  12 
of  the  27  EU  Member  States,  at  least  half 
have a positive image of the EU. The countries 
with  the  most  positive  rating  of  the  EU  are 
Ireland  (74%),  Portugal  (64%)  and  Lithuania 
(61%),  with  more  than  six  in  ten  in  each  of 
these  countries  giving  a  positive  rating.  The 
countries with the least positive image of the 
EU are Slovakia (34%), Austria (36%), Greece 
and Italy (both 38%), with less than four in ten 
in each giving a positive rating.

In  most  countries,  a  positive  rating  is  the 
predominant  viewpoint.  However, 
in  five 
countries  the  pattern  is  different.  A  neutral 
rating  is  the  majority  view  in  Spain  (47%), 
Slovakia 
(both 
42%)  and  the  neutral  and  positive  ratings 
are  equally  balanced in Greece (38%).

Italy  and  Austria 

(46%), 

10

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results2. Evolution of

the EU’s image

Six in ten Europeans have not 
changed their opinion of the EU in 
the last six months. Among those 
whose perception has changed, 
respondents are more likely to 
say their image has got worse 
than better and this is reflected 
across most Member States 

Respondents  were  asked  to  reflect  on  their 
image of the EU over the past six months, 
which broadly covered the period May 2020 - 
October 2020 which was during the period of 
the pandemic. Most Europeans (60%) say that 
the image they have of the EU has stayed the 
same  in  the  past  six  months,  while  26%  say 
the image they have of the EU has got worse 
and 13% say it has improved. 

The most dominant opinion in all countries is 
that respondents’ image of the EU has stayed 
the  same  over  the  past  six  months:  between 
46%  and  79%  give  this  response.  However, 
on  balance,  in  most  countries,  respondents 
are  more  likely  to  say  that  their  opinion 
of  the EU had got worse rather than better. 

The  only  exceptions  to  this  are  Ireland, 
Portugal,  Hungary  and  Lithuania,  where 
the  opposite  pattern  occurs  and  a  higher 
proportion  say  their  image  has  improved; 
evenly 
and  Croatia,  where  views  are 
balanced.  Respondents  in  Ireland,  Portugal, 
Hungary  and  Romania  are  most  likely  to 
say  their  image  of  the  EU  has  improved, 
(24%-28%)  giving 
around  one 
this  response.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
following  countries  are  most 
to 
say  that  their  image  of  the  EU  has  got 
worse:  Luxembourg  (43%),  France  (34%), 
Belgium  (31%) and Finland (30%).

in  four 

likely 

QA27   In the past six months, would you say that this image 

you have of the EU improved, got worse or stayed 
about the same ? 
(% - EU)

QA27   In the past six months, would you say that this image 

you have of the EU improved, got worse or stayed 
about the same ? 
(% - EU)

11

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results3. Reflection on the future
of the European Union

Six in ten Europeans say that the 
pandemic has made them reflect 
on the future of the EU and this  
is the majority opinion in most  
EU countries 

Six  in  ten  Europeans  (60%)  agree  that  the 
coronavirus  crisis  has  made  them  reflect 
on  the  future  of  the  European  Union 
‘tend  to 
(19% 
agree’)  while  39%  disagree  with  this  (23% 
‘tend to disagree’ and 16% ‘totally disagree’). 

‘totally  agree’  and  41% 

In all but four Member States (Netherlands, 
Denmark,  France  and  Finland),  a  majority 
agree  that  the  crisis  has  made  them 
reflect on the future of the EU. The countries 
most  likely  to  say  that  the  crisis  has  made 
them  reflect  are  Italy  (79%),  Hungary  (78%), 
Luxembourg  (73%)  and  Belgium  (71%),  with 
more than seven in ten stating this viewpoint.

QA14   The Coronavirus crisis made you reflect on the future 

of the European Union : 
(% - EU)

QA14   The Coronavirus crisis made you reflect on the future 

of the European Union : 
(% - EU)

12

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsII. Are citizens
heard?

1. Perception of citizens’
voices within the EU

There is very strong support  
for EU citizens to have more  
of a voice in decisions relating 
to the future of Europe and  
this is reflected across all  
Member States

A  very  large  majority  of  Europeans  (92%) 
agree  that  EU  citizens’  voices  should  be 
taken  more  into  account  for  decisions 
relating  to  the  future  of  Europe.  Overall, 
more than half (55%) ‘totally agree’ with this 
statement while 37% ‘tend to agree’ and only 
6% disagree with it. 

This strong desire for EU citizens’ voices 
to be taken more into account is reflected 
across all Member States. In fact, in every 
country,  with  the  sole  exception  of  Romania, 
more  than  eight  in  ten  agree  with  this.  This 
viewpoint  is  most  strongly  held  in  Greece, 
Slovenia  and  Ireland  (all  97%).  The  lowest 
level  of  agreement  to  this  statement  is 
found  in  Romania  (76%),  although  this  still 
represents a large majority.

QA4.1   Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree 
with each of the following statements. EU citizens’ 
voice should be more taken into account for 
decisions relating to the future of Europe  
(% - EU)

QA4.1   Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree 
with each of the following statements. EU citizens’ 
voice should be more taken into account for 
decisions relating to the future of Europe  
(% - EU)

14

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results2. Best ways to ensure
people’s voices are
heard at EU level

Europeans consider voting in 
European elections as the most 
effective way of ensuring their 
voices are heard at EU level, with 
this viewpoint being particularly 
prevalent in Nordic countries

Respondents were presented with a range of 
ways  in  which  EU  citizens  could  potentially 
make sure their voices are heard by decision-
makers at EU level and were able to select up 
to three responses to describe which they felt 
were the best methods.

Voting  in  European  elections  is  clearly 
regarded  as  the  most  effective  way  of 
ensuring voices are heard by decision-makers 
at EU level, with 55% of Europeans choosing 
this  response  as  one  of  the  best  methods. 
Other  popular  choices  mentioned  by  around 

a  quarter  of  respondents  are  voting  in  other 
elections (26%) and signing a petition (23%).

of 

types 

political 

citizens’  assemblies 

Other 
participation 
mentioned  by  more  than  10%  of  Europeans 
are: taking part in events such as citizens’ 
(15%), 
debates, 
joining  a  demonstration  (14%),  joining  or 
supporting  a  political  party  or  going  on 
strike 
joining  or 
supporting  a  civil  society  organisation, 
such as a non-governmental organisation 
(11%).

(both  12%),  and 

Around  one  in  ten  think  their  voice  is  best 
heard  through  taking  part  in  European 
online consultations (10%), taking part in 
debates on the internet or through online 
social  networks 
or 
supporting a trade union (9%), or joining a 
European  Citizens’  Initiative  (9%).  Overall, 
4% of Europeans feel they either wouldn’t be 
heard anyway or that they have no interest in 
being heard.

joining 

(10%), 

QA2   Which of the following do you think are the best ways 

of ensuring your voice is heard by decision-makers 
at EU level?  
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS) 
(% - EU)

15

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Resultsin European elections as a way of making your 
voice heard is lower in Cyprus (32%), Slovakia 
(32%),  where  petitions  are  slightly  more 
popular (33%), and Poland (37%).

Voting  in  European  elections  is  the  top 
ranked answer among all Europeans in terms 
of  the  best  way  of  ensuring  their  voice  is 
heard.  This  is  also  the  top  ranked  answer  in 
all Member States with the sole exception of 
Slovakia, where signing a petition is the top 
ranked choice. 

Although  voting  in  European  elections  leads 
in  almost  all  Member  States,  there  is  wide 
variation  by  country.  The  highest  rates  are 
found in Nordic EU countries: 87% in Sweden, 
84%  in  Finland  and  83%  in  Denmark.  While  
still the top ranked choice, support for voting 

QA2   Which of the following do you think are the best ways 

of ensuring your voice is heard by decision-makers  
at EU level? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) 
(% - THE MOST MENTIONED ANSWER BY COUNTRY)

16

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsIII. Conference on
the future of Europe

1. A progress for democracy

within the EU

Three-quarters of Europeans 
feel that the Conference on the 
future of Europe will represent 
significant progress for EU 
democracy and this is a majority 
viewpoint in all Member States

Three-quarters  of  Europeans  consider  that 
the Conference on the future of Europe(16) will 
have  a  positive  impact  on  democracy  within 
the EU: 76% agree that it would represent 
significant progress for democracy within 
the EU (25% ‘totally agree’ and 51% ‘tend to 
agree’).

In  every  country,  a  clear  majority  agree 
that the Conference on the future of Europe 
would  represent  significant  progress  for 
democracy. The strongest levels of agreement 
are  found  in  Ireland  (90%),  Sweden  (88%), 
Belgium  (88%)  and  Lithuania  (87%)  where 
more  than  85%  hold  this  view.  The  lowest 
levels of agreement are found in Latvia (61%) 
and Romania (67%) where less than seven in 
ten agree.

QA6.2   To what extent do you agree or disagree with the 
following statements about the Conference on the 
future of Europe: 
The Conference would represent significant 
progress for democracy within the EU  
(% - EU)

QA6.2   To what extent do you agree or disagree with the 
following statements about the Conference on the 
future of Europe: 
The Conference would represent significant 
progress for democracy within the EU  
(% - EU)

16 Before being asked questions on this topic, respondents were informed about the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFE) by being presented with the 
following explanation: The EU is working towards launching a multitude of events, debates, and consultations over a two year period. This will be called the 
“Conference on the Future of Europe”. The aim is to debate and shape the future of Europe and of the EU. The Conference should identify what the EU does 
well, what it should do, and what it needs to do better, in order to increase its capacity to act, and to make it more democratic”.

18

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results2. Who should
be involved?

Europeans mostly favour the 
involvement of ordinary citizens, 
young people, national governments 
and academics/experts in the 
Conference on the future of Europe 

Respondents  were  presented  with  a  list  of 
possible contributors to the Conference on the 
future  of  Europe  and  were  asked  who  they 
thought should have an active role in it. Most 
of  these  possible  contributors  are  selected 
by  at  least  two  in  ten  Europeans  suggesting 
a  desire  for  the  involvement  of  a  range 
of contributors to the Conference on the 
future of Europe, including citizens, experts, 
journalists and various organisations at local, 
national and EU level. 

QA5   Who do you think should be actively involved in the 

Conference on the Future of Europe? 
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 
(% - EU)

51%  of  the  respondents  think  that  ordinary 
citizens,  people  like  you  should  be  actively 
involved. Other contributors which Europeans are 
most likely to think should be involved, include 
young people (47%), national governments 
(42%),  academics,  experts,  intellectuals 
and scientists (40%), EU institutions (31%), 
national  parliaments  (30%)  and  regional 
and local public authorities (29%).

One  fourth  of  respondents  feel  that  the 
Conference  on  the  future  of  Europe  should 
include  the  active  involvement  of  consumer 
organisations and civil society associations, 
such  as  community-based  organisations, 
non-governmental  organisations,  faith-based 
organisations. 

There is relatively less support among Europeans 
for  the  active  involvement  of  business 
associations  (21%),  journalists  (18%) 
and  celebrities  such  as  actors,  artists,  and 
sportspeople (10%). 

19

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsAcademics, experts, intellectuals, scientists 
is  the  top  ranked  choice  in  four  countries,  and 
the  involvement  of  this  group  was  especially 
favoured by Estonia (68%) and Sweden (65%).

EU  institutions  is  the  fifth  choice  among 
Europeans in terms of who should be involved 
in  the  Conference  on  the  Future  of  Europe, 
ranking  third  in  Slovenia  alongside  national 
governments (34%).

The top five choices out of a list of 15 among 
all  Europeans  in  terms  of  who  should  be 
involved in the EU are ordinary citizens (first), 
young people (second), national governments 
(third)  and  academics,  experts,  intellectuals, 
scientists (fourth), EU institutions (fifth). 

Ordinary  citizens,  people  like  you,  is  also 
the top ranked (or joint top ranked) choice in 
ten countries, and in each of these countries at 
least half think this group should be involved. 
The  highest  ratings  on  this  measure  can  be 
found in Ireland (70%), France (67%) and the 
Netherlands (65%). 

Young  people  is  the  top  ranked  (or  joint 
top  ranked)  choice  in  eight  countries,  and 
preference  for  the  involvement  of  this  group 
is highest in Cyprus (78%), Bulgaria (72%) and 
Greece (68%).

National governments is the top (or joint 
top)  ranked  choice  in  seven  countries,  led  by 
Denmark (63%).

20

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA5   Who do you think should be actively involved in the 

Conference on the Future of Europe? 
(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 
(% - EU)

21

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results3. Willingness
to participate

Around half of Europeans would 
definitely or probably like to get 
involved in the Conference on the 
future of Europe, although this 
varies considerably by country 

51%  of  respondents  say  they  would  be 
willing  to  take  part,  as  a  citizen,  in  the 
activities of the Conference on the future 
of Europe, although only 14% say that they 
would definitely take part, while 37% say they 
would  probably  take  part.  This  leaves  48%, 
who are less inclined to get involved: 28% say 
they would probably not participate and 20% 
say they would definitely not participate.

There is a wide variation between EU Member 
States  in  the  willingness  to  get  involved 
in  the  Conference  on  the  future  of 
Europe. Respondents in Ireland are the most 
enthusiastic  (81%  would  like  to  be  involved) 
followed  by  Belgium  (64%),  Luxembourg 
(63%) and Slovenia (63%). Citizens in Portugal 
(34%), Bulgaria (34%) and Finland (38%) are 
least enthusiastic about getting involved in the 
Conference on the future of Europe.

QA7   Would you personally be willing to take part, as a citizen, 
in the activities of the Conference on the Future of 
Europe?  
(% - EU)

QA7   Would you personally be willing to take part, as a citizen, 
in the activities of the Conference on the Future of 
Europe?  
(% - EU)

22

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results4. Ways of contributing
to the activities of the
Conference on the
Future of Europe

Europeans who expressed a 
willingness to be involved in 
the Conference on the future of 
Europe would prefer to participate 
through local meetings, surveys, 
by putting forward proposals to 
EU and national politicians, and 
through online consultations 

Respondents  who  expressed  willingness  to  be 
involved  in  the  Conference  on  the  future  of 
Europe  were  presented  with  a  list  of  possible 
ways to get involved and were asked to select 
the first way in which they would most like to get 
involved, and then to pick a second option. The 
chart  below  shows  the  combined  proportions 
of each item mentioned in either question.

QA8T  How would you like to contribute to the activities of the 
Conference on the Future of Europe? Firsly? And then? 
(MAX. 2 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

The  clear  top  preference  among  Europeans 
willing  to  get  involved  is  to  take  part  in 
meetings  in  their  local  area,  for  example 
citizens’ debates or assemblies (44%). The next 
most popular methods of involvement among 
this group are by answering a survey (34%), 
putting  forward  ideas  and  proposals 
to  European  and  national  politicians  (in 
person,  by  email,  online,  by  post  etc.)  (31%) 
and taking part in online consultations via 
discussion platforms (30%).

Other  options  selected  by  a  lower  proportion 
of  Europeans  willing  to  get  involved  include 
taking  part  in  such  meetings  in  another 
EU Member State, as well as in Brussels or 
Strasbourg (23%), taking part in European 
cultural  and  sports  events  linked  to  the 
Conference on the future of Europe (18%) and 
being  active  on  online  social  networks 
(17%).

Base: All respondents who expressed willingness to be personally involved in the Conference on the future of Europe (N = 13766)

23

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsAnswering  a  survey,  the  second  ranked 
choice among all Europeans, is the top choice 
in 14 Member States, and this was especially 
favoured in Finland (62%) and Sweden (58%). 

In  Austria,  neither  of  these  is  ranked  highest 
and Austrians are instead most likely to want 
to take part by putting  forward  ideas  and 
proposals  to  European  and  national 
politicians (39%).

The  two  most  preferred  ways  of  getting 
involved, among Europeans who expressed an 
interest  in  getting  involved,  are  to  take  part 
in meetings in their local area and answering 
a  survey.  These  are  also  featured  as  the  top 
ranked preference in all Member States, except 
for Austria. 

Taking  part  in  meetings,  for  example 
citizens’  debates  or  assemblies,  the  top 
ranked choice among all respondents, is also 
the top choice in 12 EU countries, and support 
for this is highest in France (55%) and Estonia 
(51%).

QA8T  How would you like to contribute to the activities of the 
Conference on the Future of Europe? Firsly? And then? 
(MAX. 2 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

Base: All respondents who expressed willingness to be personally involved in the Conference on the future of Europe (N = 13766)

24

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsIV. Future of Europe

1. Main assets of the EU

Europeans consider that the EU’s 
respect for democracy, human 
rights and the rule of law as well 
as its economic, industrial and 
trading power are EU main assets

Europeans consider that the EU’s respect for 
democracy, human rights and the rule of 
law (32%) and its economic, industrial and 
trading power (30%) are the main assets of 
the EU.

Other  assets  considered  relatively  important 
to  Europeans  include  the  standard  of 
living  of  EU  citizens  (23%),  the  good 
relationship  and  solidarity  between  the 
EU’s Member States (23%), the EU’s ability 
to promote peace and democracy outside 
its  borders  (18%),  the  social  protection 
systems in the Member States (16%) and 
the  EU’s  commitment  to  environmental 
responsibility (13%).

Finally, around one in ten Europeans mention 
the EU’s capacity for research and innovation 
(12%), the quality of infrastructure in the 
EU  (11%)  and  the  skills  of  talents  of  EU 
citizens (10%).

This  question  was  also  asked  in  the  Special 
Eurobarometer survey “ Europeans in 2019 ”, 
conducted in M arch  2019(17).  However,  the 
question  was  adapted  for  the  October/
November 2020 Future of Europe survey, to 
take account of the coronavirus crisis; one new 
item was added, and another item was slightly 
modified(18). Therefore, only broad comparisons 
can be made with March 2019, and analysis of 
change  over  time  should  be  interpreted  with 
some caution. 

law; 

results 

However,  overall, 
remain 
the 
very  similar  to  those  recorded  in  March 
2019.  The  top  two  assets  mentioned  by 
Europeans  –  the  EU’s  respect  for  democracy, 
human  rights  and  the  rule  of 
its 
economic,  industrial  and  trading  power,  and 
the  standard  of  living  of  EU  citizens(19)  - 
remain  the  same  and  in  the  same  order  of 
prevalence. Only two small increases between 
March  2019  and  October/November  2020  in 
perceptions  of  the  EU’s  main  assets  are 
observed:  economic,  industrial  and  trading 
power  (30%,  +3  percentage  points  since 
March 2019) and the standard of living of EU 
citizens (23%, +3pp).

17 Special Eurobarometer 486 “Europeans in 2019” https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/survey/getsurveydetail/instruments/
special/surveyky/2225
18 One new item was included in the present October/November 2020 FoE survey: ‘The social protection systems in the Member States’ and one item was 
slightly reworded from ‘The good relationship between the EU’s member states’ to ‘The good relationship and solidarity between the EU’s member states’. 
19 The good relationship and solidarity between the EU’s Member States’ ranked equal third in October/November 2020; however this item has been slightly 
modified since the previous survey.

26

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA10T  In your opinion, what are the main assets of the EU? 
Firstly? And then?  
(MAX. 2 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

* Statement modified (see footnote) ** Statement was included for the first time in Oct/Nov 2020 (see footnote)

Europeans  consider  that  the  EU’s  respect 
for  democracy,  human  rights  and  the 
rule  of  law  and  its  economic,  industrial 
and trading power are the EU’s main assets. 
These  assets  are also ranked highest in most 
Member States. 

respect 

for  democracy, 
The  EU’s 
human  rights  and  the  rule  of  law  is 
ranked  as  the  most important (or joint most 
important)  asset  in  14  countries,  and  this 
viewpoint  is  especially  prominent  in  Sweden 
where 58% see this as a key asset. 

The EU’s economic, industrial and trading 
power  is  ranked  as  the  most  important  (or 
joint most important) asset in nine countries, 
led by Finland (45%) and Estonia (44%).

Four countries see the EU’s main asset as the 
standard of living of EU citizens, especially 
Croatia  (45%),  Latvia  (43%)  and  Bulgaria 
(41%).  Finally,  just  two  countries,  Czechia 
(36%) and Cyprus (29%), think the EU’s main 
asset is its good relationship and solidarity 
between the Member States.

27

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA10T  In your opinion, what are the main assets of the EU? 
Firstly? And then?  
(MAX. 2 ANSWERS)  
(% - THE MOST MENTIONED ANSWER BY COUNTRY)

2. Main challenges for
the future of the EU

Europeans see climate change, 
terrorism, health-related risks 
and forced migration and 
displacement as the main global 
challenges for the future  
of the EU

Climate  change  is  clearly  regarded  as  the 
main global challenge affecting the future of 
the EU, with 45% of Europeans selecting this 
as  the  main  challenge.  The  second  and  third 
most mentioned issues, mentioned by a similar 
proportion of Europeans are terrorism (38%) 
and health-related  risks (37%). The fourth 
most cited challenge, mentioned by just over 
a quarter of Europeans, is forced migration 
and displacement (27%).

Other challenges mentioned by just under one 
in  five  Europeans  include  organised  crime 
(19%),  breakdown 
in  global  relations 
between  countries  (18%),  and  the  further 
rise of populism (17%).

Challenges considered relatively less important 
to  Europeans  include  cyber  war  and  new 
forms  of  conflicts  (13%),  rapid  changes  in 
the population (12%), risks arising from new 
technologies  (11%),  and  the  decline  of  the 
share of the European population compared to 
the rest of the world (10%).

28

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA12  Which of the following do you think are the main global 
challenges for the future of the EU? 
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

Risks  related  to  health  is  seen  as  a  core 
is 
in  nine  countries,  and 
challenge 
especially prominent in Portugal (71%). 
Finally, two Member States – Malta (54%) and 
Estonia  (48%)  -  see  as  EU’s  main  challenge 
forced migration and displacement.

this 

Europeans  see  climate  change  and  the 
environment, terrorism, health-related risks, 
and  forced  migration  and  displacement  as 
the main global challenges for the future of the 
EU.  These  challenges  are  also  reflected  in  the 
opinions of Member States.

Climate change is considered the main global 
challenge for the future of the EU among all 
Europeans  and  this  is  also  seen  as  the  main 
challenge  (or  joint  main  challenge)  in  11 
countries.  Climate  change  is  most  frequently 
cited  as  a  challenge  in  Sweden  (64%),  and 
Denmark,  Germany,  Luxembourg  and  the 
Netherlands (all 60%). 

Terrorism  is  regarded  as  a  main  global 
challenge  (or  joint  main  challenge)  in  seven 
countries,  and  especially  in  France(20)  (59%) 
and Czechia (51%).

20 The fieldwork took place during the “Charlie-Hebdo” terror attacks trial, which took place from September to December, and shortly after the murder of the 
school teacher Samuel Paty (16 October).

29

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA12  Which of the following do you think are the main global 
challenges for the future of the EU? 
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

3. What would be the most
helpful for the future
of Europe?

Comparable living standards, 
stronger solidarity among 
Member States and a common 
health policy are regarded as  
the most helpful developments 
for the future of Europe

living 

standards 

(35%) 
Comparable 
and  stronger  solidarity  among  Member 
States  (30%) are regarded as the two most 
helpful developments for the future of Europe. 
Europeans  also  prioritise  the  development 
of  a  common  health  policy  (25%)  and 
comparable  education  standards  (22%). 
Lower ranked priorities, mentioned by less than 
two  in  ten,  include  energy  independence 

(19%), deeper economic integration (17%), 
a stronger industrial capacity (16%), and a 
common army (10%). Finally, less than one in 
ten respondents mention the introduction of 
the euro in all EU countries (7%).

30

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA18  Which two of the following would you consider to be 
most helpful for the future of Europe? 
(MAX. 2 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

A  desire  for  comparable  living  standards 
is  seen  as  the  most  helpful  development  for 
the future of Europe among Europeans overall, 
and  this  is  also  the  top  priority  (or  joint  top 
priority) in 15 Member States, led by Bulgaria 
(61%), Lithuania (56%) and Czechia (55%).  

Stronger  solidarity  among  the  EU 
Member  States  is  selected  as  the  highest 
ranked (or joint highest ranked) answer in 11 
countries,  and  higher  scores  can  be  found  in 
the  Netherlands  and  Sweden  (52%  in  both 
countries) and Luxembourg (50%). 

In  some  countries,  a  different  pattern  of  first 
ranked reponses is observed. In Italy, the most 
helpful development is a common health policy 
(31%),  and  in  Hungary  it  is  deeper  economic 
integration (31%). Greece gives jointly priority 
to  comparable  living  standards  and  stronger 
solidarity among Member States (40% each), 
Estonia  gives  jointly  priority  to  comparable 
living  standards  and  energy  independence 
(39% each), and Germany gives jointly priority 
to  stronger  solidarity  among  Member  States 
and  comparable  education  standards  (39% 
each).

QA18  Which two of the following would you consider to be 
most helpful for the future of Europe? 
(MAX. 2 ANSWERS)  
(% - THE MOST MENTIONED ANSWER BY COUNTRY)

31

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsV. The EU and the
Coronavirus pandemic

1. Priorities of the EU in its

response to the pandemic

In its response to the pandemic, 
Europeans would most like the 
EU to prioritise a European health 
policy, investment for treatments 
and vaccinations, and a European 
strategy to tackle a similar crisis  
in the future

When asked about what the EU should prioritise 
in  its  response  to  the  coronavirus  pandemic, 
the  three  main  priorities  for  Europeans  are 
to  develop  a  European  health  policy 
(32%),  to  invest  more  money  to  find  a 
treatment or vaccine (30%) and to establish 
a  comprehensive  European  strategy  for 
facing a similar crisis  in the future (26%). 

Further  priorities  mentioned  by  at  least  15% 
of  all  Europeans  include  investing  more 
money  in  the  economy  for  a  sustainable 
and fair recovery in all the EU Member States 
(18%),  enforcing  a  stricter  control  of  the 
EU’s  external  borders  (18%),  ensuring  the 
management and coordination of a stockpile 
of  strategic  medical  equipment  common 
to  the  EU  Member  States  (18%),  providing 
more financial support to the most affected 
regions  in  the  EU  (17%),  ensuring  that 
people in developing countries outside the 
EU  will  also  have  access  to  coronavirus 
vaccine and treatment when available (16%) 
and  ensuring  coordination  between  the  EU 
Member  States  on  the  financial  level  to  help 
economic recovery (15%). 

Other priorities of relatively lower importance 
to Europeans, still mentioned by at least 10%, 
include enabling EU Member States to do more 
to  support  their  economy,  including  by 
providing more public funds to businesses 
(state aid) (14%), encouraging the relocation 
of industries back to the EU from abroad 
(13%), encouraging dialogue and solidarity 
between the EU Member States (13%), and 
increasing the EU budget (11%). 

Finally, less than 10% of Europeans consider that 
reviewing  the  principle  of  free  movement 
of people between the EU Member States (8%) 
and encouraging dialogue and solidarity with 
neighbouring countries outside the EU (7%) 
should be a top priority for the EU in its response 
to the pandemic. 

33

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA31  And what should the European Union now prioritise in 
its response to the Coronavirus Pandemic? 
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS)  
(% - EU)

Developing a European health policy, the 
top ranked choice among all EU respondents, 
is the top choice (or joint top choice) in seven 
EU Member States, led by Hungary (39%). 

Investing money in treatments and vaccines, 
the second ranked choice, is the top choice (or joint 
top  choice)  in  eight  Member  States,  especially 
favoured in Portugal (48%) and Cyprus (46%). 

Establishing  a  comprehensive  European 
strategy for facing a similar crisis in the 
future,  the  third  ranked  choice,  is  the  top 
choice in ten Member States, and especially in 
Sweden where nearly half (49%) select this as 
a top priority.

There are three countries which have a different 
top  priority.  In  Greece  and  Austria  the  top 
ranked  priority  is  investing  more  money  in 
the  economy  for  a  sustainable  and  fair 
recovery  in  all  EU  Member  States  (34% 
in  Greece  and  25%  in  Austria),  while  Latvian 
respondents are most in favour of enforcing a 
stricter control of the EU’s external border 
(30%).

34

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA31  And what should the European Union now prioritise in 
its response to the Coronavirus Pandemic? 
(MAX. 3 ANSWERS)  
(% - THE MOST MENTIONED ANSWER BY COUNTRY)

2. EU financial support

Most Europeans consider that  
the various economic measures 
taken by the EU in response  
to the pandemic are effective 

Respondents  were  asked  to  rate  their  views 
on  the  effectiveness  of  four  measures  taken 
by  the  European  Union  to  respond  to  the 
economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

 Overall, these different measures are considered 
effective  by  large  majorities  of  EU  citizens. 
Almost  three-quarters  of  respondents  consider 
EU  financial  support  to  keep  people  in 
jobs  to  be  effective  (74%,  of  which  27%  say 
‘very  effective’  and  47%  ‘fairly  effective’).  An 
almost  equal  proportion  of  Europeans  rate  the 
effectiveness of public subsidies to companies 
facing  difficulties  (72%,  of  which  24%  say 
‘very effective’ and 48% ‘fairly effective’).

Around  two  in  three  Europeans  consider  that 
the recovery plan of 750 billion euros to 
support  the  economy  (‘Next  Generation 
EU’)  is  effective  (68%,  of  which  22%  say 
‘very  effective’  and  46%  ‘fairly  effective’), 
while  a  similar  proportion  of  Europeans  rate 
the  effectiveness  of  allowing  national 
governments  to  make  public  deficit  to 
support  the  economy  in  these  exceptional 
circumstances (67%, of which 20% say ‘very 
effective’ and 47% ‘fairly effective’).

35

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsQA32  How effective or not do you think that each of the 
following measures decided by the European Union is, to 
respond to the economic effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic? 
(% - EU)

A majority of citizens in all 
countries rate these EU  
economic policies in response 
to the pandemic as effective

QA32.2  How effective or not do you think that each of the 
following measures decided by the European Union is, to 
respond to the economic effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic? 
(% - EU financial support to keep people in jobs)

At least six in ten in each country say that EU 
financial support to keep people in jobs is 
an  effective  measure,  and  this  rises  to  more 
than  eight  in  ten  in  Ireland  (86%),  Cyprus 
(84%),  Spain,  Luxembourg  and  Estonia  (all 
83%),  and  Malta  (82%).  At  the  other  end  of 
the scale, less than seven in ten respondents 
find  this  measure  effective  in  Finland  (60%), 
and Slovenia, Portugal, France (all 68%). 

36

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsSimilarly,  more  than  six  in  ten  respondents 
in  each  country  think  public  subsidies  for 
companies  that  face  difficulties  are 
effective,  rising  to  more  than  eight  in  ten  in 
Ireland  (85%),  Cyprus  (83%),  Luxembourg 
(82%),  Malta  and  Spain  (both  81%).  The 
countries  which  are  least  likely  to  rate  this 
policy  as  effective  are  Finland  (63%),  France 
(64%), Bulgaria and Latvia (both 66%).

QA32.4  How effective or not do you think that each of the 
following measures decided by the European Union is, to 
respond to the economic effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic?  
(% - Public subsidies to companies that face difficulties)

A  majority  in  all  Member  States  (at  least 
55%)  rate  the  EU  recovery  plan  of  750 
billion  euros  to  support  the  economy  as 
an  effective  measure.  Respondents  in  Ireland 
(88%),  Cyprus  (83%)  and  Malta  (80%)  are 
again most positive, at least eight in ten rating 
this measure as effective. At the other end of 
the scale, less than six in ten of the following 
countries  rate  this  plan  as  effective:  Latvia 
and  France  (both  55%),  Finland  (56%)  and 
Slovakia (58%).

QA32.1  How effective or not do you think that each of the 
following measures decided by the European Union is, to 
respond to the economic effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic?  
(% - A recovery plan of 750 billion euros supporting the 
economy through grants and loans - Next Generation 
EU)

37

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsThere are varying levels of support when it 
comes to allowing governments to make 
public  deficit  to  support  the  economy 
in  these  exceptional  circumstances, 
although  again  a  majority  in  all  countries 
are  supportive.  Ratings  of  effectiveness 
vary  from  89%  in  Ireland  and  84%  in  the 
to  53% 
Netherlands 
in  Bulgaria,  Latvia  and  Lithuania  (least 
supportive).

(most  supportive) 

QA32.3  How effective or not do you think that each of the 
following measures decided by the European Union is, to 
respond to the economic effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic? 
(% - Allowing national governments to make public 
deficit to support the economy in these exceptional 
circumstances)

38

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsConclusion

This  survey  took  place 
in  October  and 
November  2020  amidst  the  second  wave  of 
the  coronavirus  global  pandemic,  at  a  time 
when citizens had been living with the virus for 
several months. This experience of living with 
the  pandemic  over  the  longer-term,  and  the 
impact  on  citizens’  health,  financial  security 
and personal freedoms, has clearly shaped the 
views  of  European  citizens  in  terms  of  their 
attitudes towards the future of Europe.

Six  in  ten  Europeans  say  that  the  pandemic 
has  made  them  reflect  on  the  future 
of  the  EU  and  this  is  the  majority  opinion 
in  most  Member  States.  Europeans  are 
largely  supportive  of  the  economic 
measures  taken  by  the  EU  in  response 
to  the  pandemic,  especially  EU  support  to 
keep  people  in  jobs  and  public  subsidies  to 
support  businesses,  with  over  seven  in  ten 
(72%)  rating  these  measures  as  effective. 
On balance, Europeans  feel  more  positive 
than  negative  about  the  EU.  Almost  half 
(47%)  of  Europeans  hold  a  positive  image 

of  the  EU,  while  just  14%  are  negative,  the 
remainder (39%) holding a neutral stance.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, there is a 
strong desire for more citizen participation 
when  making  decisions  about  the  future 
of the EU, and evidence shows that this desire 
has strengthened over the past 12 months. 
A majority of Europeans agree (92% overall and 
55% strongly) that EU citizens’ voices should be 
more taken into account in decisions relating to 
the future of Europe. 

In this context, there is a high level of positive 
support for the Conference on the future 
of Europe, recognized as a priority by President 
von  der  Leyen  at  the  beginning  of  her  term 
of office, and requested by the newly elected 
European  Parliament(21).  More  specifically,  
three-quarters  of  Europeans  believe  that  the 
Conference on the future of Europe will have 
a positive impact on democracy. When asked 
about who should participate in the Conference 
on the future of Europe, respondents prioritise 

21 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2020-0010_EN.html

40

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Resultsto  the  pandemic  a  European  health 
policy,  investment  for  treatments  and 
vaccinations  and  an  EU-wide  strategy 
to  tackle  a  similar  crisis  in  the  future, 
each  of  these  mentioned  by  at  least  one  in 
four  Europeans.  More  generally,  beyond  the 
more  immediate  concerns  of  the  pandemic, 
Europeans would mainly like to see the EU 
develop  more  parity  in  living  standards 
and stronger solidarity between Member 
States, each of these mentioned by at least 
three in ten respondents. 

the involvement of ordinary citizens and 
young  people.  However,  at  a  broader  level, 
there  is  a  desire  for  the  involvement  of  a 
range  of  contributors  to  the  Conference 
on the future of Europe, including citizens, 
experts, businesses, and various organisations 
at EU, national and local levels. Europeans are 
divided  in  terms  of  their  desire  for  personal 
involvement  in  the  Conference  on  the  future 
of Europe. Half of the respondents overall 
in  taking  part 
express  an 
personally.  These  participants  mention  a 
range of ways in which they would like to get 
involved  including  participation  through  local 
meetings,  surveys,  putting  forward  proposals 
to politicians, and online consultations. 

interest 

The EU’s respect for democratic principles 
and human rights, as well as EU’s economic, 
industrial and trading power are the EU’s 
main  assets  according  to  respondents,  with 
these  issues  mentioned  by  at  least  three  in 
ten  Europeans.  Europeans  are  also  aware 
of  the  global  challenges  facing  the  EU,  and 
climate  change  is  considered  the  leading 
global challenge to the future of the EU 
(45%  mention  this),  despite  recent  attention 
being  focused  on 
immediate 
problems of the coronavirus pandemic. Other 
challenges noted by significant proportions of 
respondents  include  terrorism  and  health-
related risks, each mentioned by over one in 
three Europeans. 

the  more 

Looking  to  the  future,  Europeans  would 
like  the  EU  to  prioritise  in  its  response 

41

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsAnnex
Technical Specifications

Between 
the  22nd  October  and  20th 
November  2020,  Kantar  carried  out  the 
Special  Eurobarometer  survey  no  500 
(EB94.1) on the Future of Europe (FoE), at the 
request  of  the  European  Commission’s  and 
European  Parliament’s  Directorates-General 
for  Communication  (“Media  monitoring  and 
Eurobarometer”  Unit  and  “Public  Opinion 
Monitoring” Unit). 

The  wave  94.1  covers  the  population  of  the 
respective nationalities of the European Union 
Member  States,  resident  in  each  of  the  27 
Member States and aged 15 years and over. 

The basic sample design applied in all States 
where a face to face mode of data collection 
has  been  feasible  is  a  multi-stage,  random 
(probability) one. In each country, a number of 
sampling  points  were  drawn  with  probability 
proportional to their population size. 

The sampling points were drawn systematically 
from  each  of  the  «administrative  regional 
units», after stratification by individual unit and 
type  of  area.  They  thus  represent  the  whole 
territory  of  the  countries  surveyed  according 
to  the  EUROSTAT  NUTS  II  (or  equivalent)  and 
according  to  the  distribution  of  the  resident 
population  of  the  respective  nationalities  in 
terms of metropolitan, urban and rural areas . 

In  each  of  the  selected  sampling  points,  a 
starting address was drawn, at random. Further 
addresses  (every  Nth  address)  were  selected 
by standard «random route» procedures, from 
the  initial  address.  In  each  household,  the 
respondent  was  drawn,  at  random  (following 
the  «last  birthday  rule»).  If  no  one  answered 
the  interviewer  in  a  household,  or  if  the 
respondent  selected  was  not  available  (not 
present or busy), the interviewer revisited the 
same household up to three additional times 
(four  contact  attempts  in  total).  Interviewers 
never  indicate  that  the  survey  is  conducted 
on  behalf  of  the  European  Commission 
beforehand;  they  may  give  this  information 
once the survey is completed, upon request.

The  recruitment  phase  was  slightly  different 
in  the  Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Denmark. 
In  these  countries,  a  sample  of  addresses 
within each areal sampling point (1km2 grid) 
were selected from the address or population 
register. The selection of addresses was done 
in  a  random  manner.  Households  were  then 
contacted by telephone and recruited to take 
part in the survey. 

1 Urban Rural classification based on DEGURBA (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/degree-of-urbanisation/background) 

42

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results43

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsConsequences of the coronavirus pandemic 
on fieldwork

Where  feasible,  interviews  were  conducted 
face-to-face  in  people’s  homes  or  on  their 
doorstep  and  in  the  appropriate  national 
language. In all countries where face-to-face 
interviewing  was  feasible  CAPI  (Computer 
Assisted Personal Interviewing) was used. For 
all interviews conducted face to face, hygiene 
and physical distancing measures have always 
been  respected 
line  with  government 
regulations, and whenever possible, interviews 
were conducted outside homes, on doorsteps, 
to  remain  in  open  air  and  maintain  social 
distance.  Where  face-to-face  interviews 
were  not  enough  to  reach  to  target  or 
were  not  feasible  at  all,  interviews  were 
conducted online with Computer-Assisted Web 
Interviewing (CAWI) technique.  

in 

In  Sweden,  Netherlands  and  Denmark, 
face-to-face  interviewing  was  feasible,  but  it 
was not possible to reach the target number 
of  interviews  within  the  fieldwork  period. 
Therefore, to hit the target number of interviews 
within  the  fieldwork  period  an  online  survey 
was  offered  to  those  who  refused  the  face-
to-face  option  at  the  telephone  recruitment 
stage.  As  a  result,  data  collection  was  made 
through interviews via CAPI and CAWI modes. 

The  face-to-face  interviews  alone  were 
not  enough  to  reach  to  target  in  Germany, 
Greece,  Latvia,  Malta,  Slovenia  and 
Slovakia.    In  these  countries,  additional 
interviews  were  conducted  online  with  CAWI 
technique.  Moreover,  face-to-face  interviews 
were not feasible at all in Belgium, Czechia, 
Estonia,  Finland,  Ireland,  Lithuania  and 
Luxembourg.  In  these  countries,  interviews 
were conducted only online. 

44

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsThe  online  design  in  each  country  differed 
based  on  what  was  feasible  within  the 
fieldwork period. In principle, the online sample 
was  based  on  a  probabilistic  sample  design: 
respondents  were  recruited  in  a  probabilistic 
random  manner,  ensuring  that  all  individuals 
in  this  country  have  an  equal  chance  to  be 
interviewed. 

In Belgium, Czechia, Luxembourg, Ireland 
and  Slovakia  respondents  were  recruited 
by  telephone  via  a  dual  frame  RDD  sample 
design. Telephone numbers were drawn from 
the national telephone numbering plans. 

In  these  countries,  the  response  rates 
were  not  sufficiently  large  to  achieve  the 
target sample size in the fieldwork period, so 
this  sample  was  supplemented  with  a  non-
probabilistic  sample  randomly  drawn  from 
Kantar’s  LifePoints  panel.  Also,  in  Germany, 
Greece  and  Malta,  where  face-to-face 
interviews  were  not  enough  to  reach  the 
target,  LifePoints  panel  sample  was  used  as 
a supplement.  

In  Estonia,  Denmark,  Finland,  Sweden, 
Latvia  and  Slovenia,  only  people  randomly 
selected  through  a  probabilistically  drawn 
sample were interviewed online. In Lithuania 
the same approach was used but there were 
insufficient  numbers  to  reach  the  target 

sample  size.  This  sample  was  supplemented 
with  a  non-probabilistic  sample  drawn  from 
Norstat’s panel.   

In  Estonia  and  Finland,  the  respondents  are 
recruited  through  a  telephone  survey.  In 
Estonia a dual frame random sample is drawn 
from the national telephone numbering plans 
whilst in Finland and Sweden a random sample 
is drawn from the telephone register. 

Response rates

For  each  country  a  comparison  between 
the  responding  sample  and  the  universe  is 
carried  out.  Weights  are  used  to  match  the 
responding sample to the universe on gender 
by  age,  region  and  degree  of  urbanisation. 
For  European  estimates  (i.e.  EU  average),  an 
adjustment is made to the individual country 
weights, weighting them up or down to reflect 
their 15+ population as a proportion of the EU 
15+ population. 

The response rates are calculated by dividing 
the total number of complete interviews with 
the number of all the addresses visited, apart 
from  ones  that  are  not  eligible  but  including 
those  where  eligibility 
is  unknown.  For 
Eurobarometer  94.1,  the  response  rates  for 
the EU27, calculated by Kantar, are:

45

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First ResultsMargins of error

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:

46

FUTURE OF EUROPE - Special Eurobarometer 500 - First Results