Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities : report.
Date: 2023-05-15
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communication
Subjects: EU Member State, Russo-Ukrainian issue, democracy, digital single market, energy policy, environmental standard, free movement of persons, fundamental rights, international affairs, opinion poll, promotion of the European idea, public health, report, sample survey, small and medium-sized enterprises, trade agreement (EU)

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022 – 2023 

Europeans’ opinions about  
the European Union’s priorities 

Report 

Fieldwork: January – February 2023 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Survey conducted by Kantar on behalf of Kantar Belgium  

at the request of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication 

Survey coordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication 

(DG COMM ‘Media monitoring and Eurobarometer’ Unit)) 

Project title 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 – Winter 2022 - 2023  

Europeans’ opinions about the European Union’s priorities 

Language version 

Catalogue number 

ISBN 

ISSN 

© European Union, 2023 

https://www.europa.eu/eurobarometer 

Photo credit: Getty Images 

EN  

NA-AO-23-004-EN-N 

978-92-68-00934-5 

1977-3927 

10.2775/561889 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION 

I. 

A STRONGER EUROPE IN THE WORLD 

II.  A NEW IMPETUS FOR DEMOCRACY 

1. 

The way democracy works 

2.  Are personal and national interests taken into account? 

III.  AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ITS CITIZENS 

IV.  PROMOTING THE EUROPEAN WAY OF LIFE 

1.  Core values of the European Union 

2. 

3. 

Immigration and asylum policy 

Free movement of citizens in the EU 

4.  A common EU health policy 

5.  A wider European political community 

V.  A EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL 

VI.  A DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET WITHIN THE EU 

4 

7 

26 

27 

33 

43 

62 

63 

66 

69 

72 

75 

77 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  Standard  Eurobarometer  98  (EB98)  survey  of  Winter  2022-
2023 was conducted between 12 January 2023 and 6 February 
2023 in 39 countries or territories: the 27 Member States of the 
European Union, seven candidate countries (Albania, Montenegro, 
North  Macedonia,  Moldova,  Serbia,  Türkiye  and  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina),  the  Turkish  Cypriot  Community  in  the  part  of  the 
country  not  controlled  by  the  Government  of  the  Republic  of 
Cyprus, as well as in Kosovo1, Norway, Switzerland and the United 
Kingdom. 

The full report of the Standard Eurobarometer 98 survey consists 
of  multiple  volumes.  The  first  volume  presents  the  results  of 
general questions about the state of public opinion in the European 
Union. Four other volumes present Europeans’ opinions about the 
following  topics:  the  European  Union’s  priorities,  European 
citizenship,  media  uses,  and  opinions  regarding  the  Russian 
invasion of Ukraine.  

This  volume  of  the  winter  2022-2023  Standard  Eurobarometer 
survey  analyses  European  citizens’  opinions  about  the  European 
Union's priorities, and more specifically the six priorities set by the 
European Commission: 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

‘A stronger Europe in the world’: do Europeans think that the 
EU is strong enough in the world, in terms of the economy and 
diplomacy? Should the EU have a common defence, security, 
trade and foreign policies? Should the EU be enlarged in the 
future? 

‘A new impetus for democracy’: are Europeans satisfied with 
how  democracy  works  in  their  country  and  in  the  European 
Union?  Are  the  interests  of  their  country  properly  taken  into 
account  in  the  European  Union?  Are  EU  citizens’  voices 
sufficiently  taken  into  account  in  decisions  relating  to  the 
future of Europe? 

‘An economy that works for its citizens’: do Europeans support 
the economic and monetary union? Are they in favour of every 
new trade agreement concluded by the EU having the highest 
standards  of  climate,  environmental  and  labour  protection? 
Should  public  money  be  used  to  stimulate  private  sector 
investment?  Should  the  EU  build  partnerships  with  other 
countries? Are citizens in favour of various measures aimed at 
reducing  inequalities  within  the  EU  (a  minimum  wage,  fair 
taxation of technology companies)?  

‘Promoting the European way of life’: how do Europeans feel 
about  the  EU's  values,  such  as  fundamental  rights  and 
democracy? How do they view immigration and asylum policy 
at  a  European  level?  How  do  they  feel  about  the  free 
movement of citizens in the EU? Is there support for a common 
EU health policy or a wider European political community? 

‘A  European  Green  Deal’:  do  Europeans  support  a  common 
energy policy for EU Member States?  

‘A digital single market within the EU’: are Europeans in favour 
of a digital single market within the EU? 

1 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line 
with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of 
independence. 

5 

 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

*  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. 

We wish to thank the people throughout Europe who 
have given their time to take part in this survey.  

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

Methodology used for this survey 

The  methodology  used  is  that  of  the  Standard  Eurobarometer 
surveys carried out by the Directorate-General for Communication 
(“Media  monitoring  and  Eurobarometer”  Unit)23.  A  technical  note 
relating  to  the  interviews  carried  out  by  institutes  of  the  Kantar 
network is attached as an appendix to this report. It also specifies 
confidence intervals.  

Following  the  EU  General  Data  Protection  Regulation4  (GDPR), 
respondents  were  asked  whether  or  not  they  would  agree  to  be 
asked questions on issues that could be considered “sensitive”. 

Note: In this report, EU 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 

Republic of Cyprus 

Latvia 

Turkish Cypriot 
Community 

Albania 

Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 

Moldova 

Montenegro 

Norway 

Kosovo5 

BE 

BG 

CZ 

DK 

DE 

EE 

IE 

EL 

ES 

FR 

HR 

IT 

CY* 

LV 

AL 

BA 

MD 

ME 

NO 

XK 

European Union - weighted 
average for the 27 Member 
States of the European Union 

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

Lithuania  

Luxembourg  

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal  

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

LT 

LU 

HU 

MT 

NL 

AT 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SI 

SK 

FI 

SE 

CY 
(tcc) 

North Macedonia  MK 

RS 

TR 

CH 

UK 

Serbia 

Türkiye 

Switzerland 

The United 
Kingdom 

EU27 

Euro area 

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

Outside euro area 

2 https://www.europa.eu/eurobarometer   
3 The results tables are annexed. It should be noted that the total of the 
percentages indicated in the tables in this report may exceed 100% when 
the respondent was able to choose several answers to the same question. 
4 2016/679 

5 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line 
with  UNSCR  1244/99  and  the  ICJ  Opinion  on  the  Kosovo  declaration  of 
independence. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

I. A STRONGER EUROPE IN THE WORLD  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Europeans are less likely to agree the EU’s voice 
counts  in  the  world  than  they  were  in  summer 
2022 

Although the majority of respondents (70%) agree the EU’s 
voice counts in the world, this represents a decline of ten 
percentage points since summer 2022.6 Just over one in five 
(21%, -12 pp) “totally agree”, while 49% (+2 pp) “tend to agree”. 
More than one quarter (26%, +10 pp) disagree, with 18% (+6 pp) 
saying they “tend to disagree” and 8% (+4 pp) that they “totally 
disagree”.  Almost  one  in  twenty  (4%,  no  change)  say  they  don’t 
know. 

Respondents living in euro area countries (69%, -10 pp) are less 
likely to agree the EU’s voice counts in the world than those living 
in countries outside the euro area (73%, -11 pp), but agreement 
has declined considerably in both areas since summer 2022. 

A majority of respondents in every Member State (no change since 
summer  2022)  agree  that  the  EU’s  voice  counts  in  the  world, 
although proportions range from 91% in Sweden, 90% in Denmark 
and 86% in Finland to 58% in Slovakia and 61% in Romania and 
Slovenia. 

6 SD19a.3. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following 
statements.  The EU's voice counts in the world 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The proportion of respondents in  each  Member  State that  agree 
the  EU’s  voice  counts  in  the  world  has  declined  in  26  Member 
States compared to summer 2022. In 12 countries the decline is 
at  least  ten  percentage  points,  with  the  largest  observed  in 
Hungary (69%, -17 percentage points), Spain (69%,  -16 pp) and 
Ireland (77%, -15 pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Denmark (90%). 

9 

EU27DKLUSENLFIELATCYLVBGEELTSIFRITCZMTBEHRPTDESKPLROIEESHUJan/Feb 202370907391838666667072636978616764678471728469587361776969Δ Jun/Jul 2022q10=q2q2q3q3q4q4q5q5q6q6q7q7q8q8q10q10q11q11q11q12q12q14q14q15q16q17Jan/Feb 2023266238151132292720262316352734291227231226352333182728Δ Jun/Jul 2022p10q1p4p2p2p2p4p2p5p2p5p5p7p5p9p9p12p9p10p9p9p10p10p12p13p14p16p15Jan/Feb 202344412325381186462442545746543Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1q2=p1p1=p2=p3p1p1=p2q1q1q2p1p1p2p2p2p2p2p1p1=p2Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowSD19a.3 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.The EU's voice counts in the world (%) 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The socio-demographic analysis shows that a majority in all but 
one socio-demographic group agree the EU’s voice counts in the 
world. 

The strongest support is seen amongst those aged 15-24 (75%), 
managers  (79%),  those  who  never  or  almost  never  have 
difficulties paying bills (75%), those who perceive themselves as 
belonging  to  the  upper  class  (86%),  those  living  in  large  towns 
(74%) and respondents with a positive image of the EU (87%). 

The  exception  is  respondents  with  a  negative  image  of  the  EU, 
where 39% agree and 56% disagree. 

10 

SD19a.3Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2770264Man69283Woman6925615-247519625-397126340-547027355 +6827515-6032816-196729420+77212Still studying77176Self- employed74233Managers79192Other white collars71272Manual workers67303House persons573310Unemployed61327Retired67276Students77176Most of the time53407From time to time64324Almost never/ Never75214The working class61327The lower middle class66304The middle class73243The upper middle class81172The upper class86104Rural village67285Small/ mid size town69274Large town74233Positive87112Neutral65296Negative39565Image of the EUTo what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.  The EU's voice counts in the world (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAge 
  
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

A  large  majority  of  Europeans  think  that  the  EU 
has  sufficient  power  and  tools  to  defend  the 
in  the  global 
economic 
economy 

interests  of  Europe 

Seven in ten respondents (no change since summer 2022) 
think that the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend 
the  economic  interests  of  Europe  in  the  global  economy7, 
with 23% (no change) totally agreeing and 47% (no change) saying 
they  “tend  to  agree”.  Almost  one  quarter  (24%,  no  change) 
disagree, including 19% (no change) who “tend to disagree” and 
5%  (no  change)  who  “totally  disagree”.  Just  over  one  in  twenty 
(6%, no change) say they don’t know. 

Slightly less than seven in ten respondents (68%, no change since 
summer 2022) in euro area countries agree the EU has sufficient 
power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the 
global economy. Agreement is higher in non-euro area countries 
(77%),  representing  an  increase  of  one  percentage  point  since 
summer 2022. 

In  all  27  Member  States  (no  change  since  summer  2022)  a 
majority agrees the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend 
the  economic  interests  of  Europe  in  the  global  economy.  The 
highest levels of agreement are seen in Malta (87%), Poland (86%) 
and Portugal (84%), compared to 51% in France, 61% in Estonia 
and 62% in Czechia.  

7 QB4.1. For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, 
10d to disagree or totally disagree: The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend 
the economic interests of Europe in the global economy 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In 13 Member States the proportion of respondents who think that 
the  EU  has  sufficient  power  and  tools  to  defend  the  economic 
interests  of  Europe  in  the  global  economy  has  increased  since 
summer 2022 (compared with 12 in the previous survey), with the 
largest  increases  seen  amongst  those  in  Latvia  (79%,  +9 
percentage points) and Austria (72%, +7 pp).  

In contrast agreement has declined in nine countries, particularly 
in Sweden (70%, -6 pp). There has been no change in opinion in 
Poland (86%), Greece (81%), Bulgaria (76%), Luxembourg (68%) 
and France (51%). 

12 

EU27LVATCZHRFIBEEEIEITCYLTNLMTBGELFRLUPLHUPTSKSIDKRODEESSEJan/Feb 202370797262817171618177817863877681516886768465657066657670Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p9p7p5p5p5p3p2p2p2p2p2p2p1=====q1q1q1q2q3q3q4q4q6Jan/Feb 202324142428152026298181615339151537241121325292128291924Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q9q7q8q5q7q4q2q2q3=q5q3q3==p1p5p1p1q1q5q1p1p3p3p6=Jan/Feb 20236741049310115374494128331310696656Δ Jun/Jul 2022===p3=p2p1==p1q2p3p1p2==q1q5q1=p2p6p3p2=p1q2p6Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB4.1 For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy (%) 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  the  majority  of 
respondents  in  all  but  one  category  agree  the  EU  has  sufficient 
power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the 
global economy.  

The  highest  levels  of  agreement  can  be  seen  amongst  students 
and  other  white  collar  workers  (both  74%),  those  who  never  or 
almost never have difficulties paying bills (71%), respondents who 
see themselves as belonging to the middle class or higher, those 
living in large towns (75%) and those who have a positive image 
of the EU (83%).  

Respondents with a negative image of the EU are the only group 
that is more likely to disagree (51% disagree vs 42% agree), but 
support is also lower amongst those aged 55 and older (67%), the 
unemployed (64%), housepersons (65%) and those who consider 
they belong to the lower middle (66%) or working class (67%).  

13 

QB4.1Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2770246Man70255Woman7022815-247220825-397224440-547025555 +6725815-66231116-197024620+70255Still studying74197Self- employed72235Managers71254Other white collars74224Manual workers70255House persons65269Unemployed64279Retired67249Students74197Most of the time61309From time to time68266Almost never/ Never71236The working class672310The lower middle class66277The middle class72235The upper middle class71263The upper class73234Positive83143Neutral67249Negative42517For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.  The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAge 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Seven in ten Europeans are in favour of a common 
foreign policy of the Member States of the EU 

Seven in ten Europeans are in favour of a common foreign 
policy of the Member States of the EU.8 This is a stable result 
compared to summer 2022, arresting a trend in declining support 
that started in winter 2020-2021. The positive view remains higher 
than during the period between 2007 and winter 2020-2021.  

The proportion who are against a common foreign policy has also 
remained  stable  at  22%  (no  change)  while  8%  (no  change)  say 
they don’t know or do not give an answer. 

Support in euro area countries has remained stable since summer 
2022 (72%, +1pp), but is higher than in non-euro area countries, 
where support has declined (65%, -2 pp). 

8  QB2.1.  What  is  your  opinion  on  each of  the  following  statements?  Please  tell  for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it: A common foreign policy of the 
Member States of the EU 

14 

QB2.1What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common foreign policy of the Member States of the EU (% - EU)6866696870666664636363666364646565666467676465696768676872706868626564646164646362666663646666666665666871737271707017191717171819222021161616171720182020211922222021212121181720202525262628262727252324262625252525262421202021202222151514151316151416162018211819151814161314141311111112111013121213101010111091013111011109999910119779880%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%FORAGAINSTRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)/Don't know19921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008201020112012201320142015201620172018201920/2121/2220222023 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In  all  27  Member  States  (no  change  since  summer  2022)  the 
majority are for a common foreign policy, with the highest levels 
of  support  seen  amongst  respondents  in  Cyprus  (85%),  Spain 
(81%) and in Germany and Lithuania (both 80%). Sweden (54%), 
Denmark  (56%),  Austria  (58%)  and  France  (59%)  are  the  only 
countries  where  fewer  than  six  in  ten  respondents  are  ‘for’  this 
policy.  

In nine Member States support for a common foreign policy of the 
Member States of the EU has increased (compared to seven in the 
previous survey) with the largest increases seen amongst those in 
Croatia  (72%,  +7  percentage  points),  France  (59%,  +6  pp)  and 
Bulgaria (61%, +5 pp).  

However, in 16 countries respondents are now less likely to agree, 
with the largest declines seen in Malta (66%, -12 pp), Poland (72%, 
-5 pp) and Slovakia (63%, -5 pp).  

There  has  been  no  change  in  opinion  in  Spain  (81%)  or  Estonia 
(66%). 

15 

EU27HRFRBGDKLUITCYDESEEEESIEELLVNLPTFIHUATLTSIBECZROPLSKMTJan/Feb 202370725961567273858054668176737673646467588068746161726366Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p7p6p5p4p3p2p2p1p1==q1q1q1q1q1q1q2q2q3q3q4q4q4q5q5q12Jan/Feb 202322232725351721101640191214221320192229341024222827222827Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q5q6q7q8q3q2==q7q4p1==q3q3q2q5p3=q4=p3p1p1p3p1p9Jan/Feb 20232222222010232322312332135312Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q1p1q1p1p2p1q4q1=p1p2p1p1p2p1p1===p3===p3p1q1p2Jan/Feb 2023631212794536134829514132576387385Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q1q1p3p3q2q1p2=p6p3q3==p2p3p2p6q1p2p4p3p1p3=p1p5p1ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.1 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common foreign policy of the Member States of the EU (%) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

With one exception, a majority in each socio-demographic group 
are for a common foreign policy of the Member States of the EU.  

Support is highest amongst those who completed their education 
aged  20  or  older  (75%),  managers  (78%),  those  who  never  or 
almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  bills  (74%),  those  who 
consider  themselves  as part  of the  upper  middle  class  (77%)  or 
upper class (79%), and those who have a positive image of the EU 
(85%). 

Opinion is divided amongst those with a negative image of the EU, 
with 45% “for” this policy and 45% “against”. Support is also lower 
amongst those who completed their education aged 15 or younger 
(67%),  housepersons  (63%),  those  who  have  difficulties  paying 
bills most of the time (59%) and respondents who say they belong 
to the working class (64%). 

16 

QB2.1ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27702226Man722215Woman69213715-24691921025-3971222540-5471222555 +70222615-672031016-1969242520+751924Still studying721729Self- employed722224Managers781813Other white collars722215Manual workers682435House persons6324310Unemployed662428Retired702127Students721729Most of the time593029From time to time662626Almost never/ Never741925The working class642439The lower middle class672526The middle class742024The upper middle class771814The upper class791632Positive851113Neutral662437Negative454537What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A common foreign policy of the Member States of the EU (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeImage of the EU 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Almost eight in ten are for a common defence and 
security policy among EU Member States 

Support for a common defence and security policy among 
EU Member States has remained stable at 77% for the past 
three  surveys  (since  winter  2021-2022).9  Over  the  longer 
term support has been relatively stable since summer 2021 and 
remains six points higher than the low point of spring 2012. 

9  QB2.2.  What  is  your  opinion  on  each of  the  following  statements?  Please  tell  for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it: A common defence and security 
policy among EU Member States 

17 

QB2.2What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common defence and security policy among EU Member States (% - EU)787777757577767675757574717374737276747274757575757674757778787777771414151516151315161717182020191918161820191918181818181617161617171689810981199888977810888767776896666670%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%FORAGAINSTRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)/ Don't know20042005200620072008201020112012201320142015201620172018201920/2121/2220232022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

A majority of respondents in each Member State are for a common 
defence and security policy among EU Member States. Levels of 
support  range  from  90%  of  respondents  in  Cyprus,  86%  in 
Lithuania and 84% in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands to 58% 
in Austria, 62% in Romania and 66% in Sweden and Bulgaria. 

Compared to summer 2022, support for a common defence and 
security  policy  among  EU  Member  States  has  increased  in  ten 
countries (down from 13 in the previous survey) including Denmark 
(74%, +5 percentage points). However, support has declined in 16 
countries,  most  notably  amongst  respondents  in  Slovakia  (67%,  
-12 percentage points), Sweden (66%, -9 pp) and Malta (75%, -8 
pp).  

There  has  been  no  change  in  opinion  amongst  respondents  in 
Germany (84%). 

18 

EU27DKHRITCYBGFRPTESNLFIDEELLVEELTATPLCZIEHUBELUROSIMTSESKJan/Feb 202377747577906671728484798476837786588176697182836274756667Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p5p4p4p4p2p2p2p1p1p1=q2q2q3q3q3q3q4q4q4q5q5q5q5q8q9q12Jan/Feb 20231622201872218151112121119813734151420251592720182825Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1q5q2q3q2q3q3q4p2q3q4q1=q2p1q2p1p2q1p1p4p4p1p4p3p4p3p7Jan/Feb 20232131022322124222423211252221Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1=p1q1q4=p2p2p1p2=p1p3p2p1p2p1p1p1p1q1=p1p2p1p2p2=Jan/Feb 2023532431091032831785427932664547Δ Jun/Jul 2022==q3=p2p1q1=q4=p3=q1p2p1p3p1=p4p2p1p1p3q1p1p2p4p5ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.2 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common defence and security policy among EU Member States (%) 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  a  majority  of 
respondents in each group are for a common defence and security 
policy among EU Member States, with the highest levels of support 
seen  amongst  those  who  finished  their  education  aged  20  and 
older  (81%), managers  (84%), those who never  or  almost  never 
have difficulties paying bills (81%), respondents who say they are 
part of the upper class (88%) and those who have a positive image 
of the EU (89%). 

The lowest level of support is seen amongst those with a negative 
image of the EU, but this still represents a majority (56%). 

19 

QB2.2ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27771625Man791713Woman76162615-2476162625-3976182440-5478162455 +77162515-75153716-1976182420+811423Still studying771526Self- employed781723Managers841222Other white collars781714Manual workers742024House persons691939Unemployed741727Retired781525Students771526Most of the time682327From time to time712225Almost never/ Never811324The working class721837The lower middle class771724The middle class781624The upper middle class851221The upper class88912Positive89812Neutral741736Negative563635Image of the EUWhat is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A common defence and security policy among EU Member States (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAge 
  
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

More than seven in ten support the EU’s common 
trade policy 

A large majority of respondents (72%, -2 percentage points 
since  summer  2022)  are  in  favour  of  the  EU’s  common 
trade policy while one in five are opposed (+1 pp) and 8% (+1 pp) 
say they don’t know or do not give an answer10.  

Nearly three quarters of respondents living in euro area countries 
support the EU’s common trade policy, a stable result compared to 
summer 2022. However, support within non-euro area countries 
has declined four points to 69%.  

A  majority  in  all  27  Member  States  are  in  favour  of  the  EU’s 
common  trade  policy  (no  change since  summer  2022),  although 
levels of support range from 86% of respondents in Malta, 84% in 
Cyprus and 82% in Lithuania to 55% in Romania, 60% in Czechia 
and 62% in France. 

10 QB2.3. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it: The EU’s common trade policy 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Since summer 2022 support for the EU’s common trade policy has 
increased in two countries (down from 12 in the previous survey): 
France (62%, +2 percentage points) and Malta (86%, +1 pp).  

However,  in  22  countries  support  has  declined,  with  the  largest 
decreases  seen  amongst  those  in  Romania  (55%,  -8  pp),  and  in 
Slovakia (65%, -7 pp), Slovenia (74%, -7 pp), Luxembourg (73%,  
-7 pp) and Lithuania (82%, -7 pp). There has been no change in 
opinion  in  the  Netherlands  (81%),  Croatia  (72%)  and  Bulgaria 
(63%).  

21 

EU27FRMTBGHRNLESATPTCZDKITCYDEELFIIESEBEEELVHUPLLTLUSISKROJan/Feb 202372628663728180638160796884797374817778777972738273746555Δ Jun/Jul 2022q2p2p1===q1q1q1q2q2q2q2q3q3q3q4q4q5q5q5q5q6q7q7q7q7q8Jan/Feb 202320259242315132942913261116231281617121124221018202532Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q2q2=p2q1p4q2q1q1q2p2p4p2p3q4p1q3p3==p5p5p1p5p5p1p6Jan/Feb 20232212222433211231212212232226Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1p1q1q1p1=p2p1=p1q1q4p1p1p1p1p1p1p1p1==p3p2==p2Jan/Feb 202361141132541286543113963992357487Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q1=p1q1=q3p1p1p3p3p1p2=q1p6p2p6p1p4p4=p1p3=p2p6=ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.3 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.The EU’s common trade policy (%) 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  the  majority  in 
each group is for the EU’s common trade policy, with the highest 
levels  of  support  seen  amongst  those  who  completed  their 
education  aged  20  or  older  (78%),  managers  (82%),  those  who 
never or almost never have difficulties paying bills (76%), those 
who consider themselves to be part of the upper middle (82%) or 
upper  class  (80%),  those  living  in  large  towns  (76%)  and 
respondents who have a positive image of the EU (86%). 

The lowest level of support is seen amongst those with a negative 
image of the EU, although a relative majority of this group are for 
the  policy  (47%  vs  44%  ‘against’).  Support  is also  relatively  low 
amongst housepersons and those who have difficulties paying bills 
most of the time (both 61%). 

22 

QB2.3ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27722026Man732124Woman71193715-2474162825-3974202440-5472222455 +71212615-68203916-1969242520+781624Still studying771517Self- employed712234Managers821422Other white collars761824Manual workers692425House persons612649Unemployed662239Retired702127Students771517Most of the time612739From time to time662626Almost never/ Never761725The working class662239The lower middle class712315The middle class741925The upper middle class821512The upper class801514Positive861013Neutral682237Negative474436What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  The EU’s common trade policy (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeImage of the EU 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Support  for  further  enlargement  of  the  EU  has 
declined 

Just over half (52%) are “for” further enlargement of the 
EU to include other countries in future years, a decline of 
five percentage points since summer 2022.11  Almost four in 
ten (38%, +5 pp) are against this idea, while 10% (no change) say 
they don’t know or do not give an answer. 

Support  for  further  enlargement  has  decreased  in  euro  area 
countries  (49%,  -5pp).  Although  support  is  higher  in  non-euro 
area countries, the current result also represents a slight decline 
since summer 2022 (63%, -3 pp). 

11 QB2.6 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  Further enlargement of the EU 
to include other countries in future years 

23 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In 24 Member States (down from 25 in the previous survey) the 
majority of respondents support a further enlargement of the EU, 
but levels vary.  

In three countries support is the minority view: France (33% “for” 
vs 54% “against”), Austria (37% vs 54%) and Germany (40% vs 
52%). 

At least seven in ten in Lithuania and Poland (both 73%) and  in 
Spain, Latvia and Malta (all 71%) support this idea, as do 45% in 
Finland  (vs  37%  “against”),  47%  in  Slovakia  (vs  39%),  47%  in 
Luxembourg (vs 42%) and 49% in Belgium (vs 46%).  

It  is  worth  noting  the  proportion  who  are  unwilling/unable  to 
respond is particularly high in Bulgaria (20%). 

Support  for  a  further  enlargement  of  the  EU  to  include  other 
countries in future years has increased in five Member States since 
summer 2022 (compared with 23 in the previous survey), with the 
largest  seen  in  Austria  (37%,  +4  percentage  points).  However, 
support  has  declined  in  21  countries,  most  notably  in  Slovakia 
(47%, -14 pp), Germany (40%, -12 pp) and Malta (71%, -9 pp).  

The level of support remains unchanged in Latvia (71%). 

Support has become the minority opinion in Germany. 

24 

EU27ATHRCZBGITLVESIEPLHUELROCYNLFIEEFRLUSEBEDKLTPTSIMTDESKJan/Feb 202352376953535371716773675157535345553347554956735562714047Δ Jun/Jul 2022q5p4p3p2p1p1=q1q2q2q3q4q4q5q5q6q7q7q7q7q8q8q8q8q8q9q12q14Jan/Feb 202338542534273717182220274028363937275442364633152829205239Δ Jun/Jul 2022p5q2q2q4==q3p3p1p3p2p4p1p7p3q4p4p8p6q2p7p2=p4p4p4p14p4Jan/Feb 20233423332423246332413122343143Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1=p1=q1p1p1====p2q4p1p2p2q2p1p1=p1p2p2p1==p2Jan/Feb 2023754101771079445985161412883991368411Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q3q1p1q1=p2q3p1q1p1=p1p2p1p8p1p1=p8p1p5p6p2p3p5q2p8ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.6 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.Further enlargement of the EU to include other countries in future years (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

A review of the socio-demographic results shows that a majority 
in  almost  all  groups  support  further  enlargement  of  the  EU  to 
include other countries in future years. 

Support is the minority view amongst those with a negative image 
of  the  EU  (26%  “for”  vs  65%  “against”),  and  those  who  have 
difficulties paying bills most of the time (38% vs 48%). 

The highest levels of support are found amongst those aged 15-
24 (61%), those who completed their education aged 20 or older 
(55%),  students  (64%),  those  who  never  or  almost  never  have 
difficulties paying bills (55%), those who see themselves belonging 
to the middle class or higher, those living in large towns (57%) and 
those who have a positive image of the EU (67%).  

25 

QB2.6ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27523837Man533836Woman50383915-2461273925-3956353640-5453383655 +45433915-463941116-1948423720+553636Still studying642538Self- employed563545Managers553735Other white collars573526Manual workers504037House persons4540411Unemployed4938310Retired444349Students642538Most of the time3848410From time to time494137Almost never/ Never553636The working class4838311The lower middle class484237The middle class543736The upper middle class563446The upper class583543Rural village504037Small/ mid size town494038Large town573337Positive672535Neutral474148Negative266527What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  Further enlargement of the EU to include other countries in future years (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAgeImage of the EUStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

II. A NEW IMPETUS FOR DEMOCRACY

26 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

1.

The way democracy works

Citizens’  satisfaction  with  the  way  democracy 
works in their country has stabilised since summer 
2022 

More  than  half  of  all  Europeans  (58%,  no  change  since 
summer 2022) are satisfied with the way democracy works 
in their country, with 8% (no change) “very satisfied” and 50% 
(no change) “fairly satisfied”.12 Dissatisfaction has also remained 
stable  at  41%  (no  change)  with  30%  (no  change)  “not  very 
satisfied” and 11% (no change) “not at all satisfied”. 

Satisfaction  levels  have  increased  in  non-euro  area  countries 
since  summer  2022  (58%,  +2  percentage  points  since  summer 
2022),  while  the  satisfaction  levels  of  euro  area  countries 
remained unchanged at 59%. 

12 SD18a. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or 
not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR COUNTRY)? 

27 

SD18aOn the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR COUNTRY)? (% - EU)23332222222222323222222111111575356585354525149484650505352515356565757595458555956585840444139454446474950524848454547444242414139444144404341410%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%DON'T KNOWTOTAL 'SATISFIED'TOTAL 'NOT SATISFIED'20042005200620072009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920/2121/2220222023Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

A majority of respondents in 18 countries (down from 21 in the 
previous  survey)  are  satisfied  with  the  way  democracy  works  in 
their country, although levels range from 89% of respondents in 
Denmark,  87%  in  Luxembourg  and  85%  in  Finland  to  50%  in 
France.  

Satisfaction is the minority view in nine countries, with the lowest 
levels seen amongst those in Slovakia (31% ‘satisfied’ vs 68% ‘not 
satisfied’), Greece (37% vs 63%) and Bulgaria (39% vs 59%). 

Satisfaction with the way democracy works at a national level has 
increased in 13 countries since summer 2022 (down from 16 in 
the previous survey), and in three countries the increase is at least 
ten  percentage  points:  Latvia  (62%,  +11  percentage  points), 
Sweden (84%, +11 pp) and the Netherlands (72%, +10 pp).  

Satisfaction has declined in ten countries including Hungary (46%, 
-11 pp), Romania (44%, -8 pp) and Malta (61%, -7 pp). There has
been no change in opinion in Denmark (89%), Estonia (55%), Spain
(51%) and Lithuania (45%).

Dissatisfaction has become the majority view in Hungary, Romania 
and Slovenia.  

28 

EU27LVSENLELHRITPLCZFIBEBGLUATDKEEESLTIEFRCYPTSIDESKMTROHUJan/Feb 202358628472374261585985653987648955514582504862476631614446Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p11p11p10p7p5p5p4p2p2p1p1p1p1====q1q1q1q3q4q5q5q7q8q11Jan/Feb 202341361628635839404014355913361140485115485237513368375453Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q11q11q10q6q4q4q4q2q2q1q2p1==p2=q3=p1p1p3p3p5p4p7p9p10Jan/Feb 20231200000211020005143201211221Δ Jun/Jul 2022====q1q1q1====p1q2q1=q2=p3p1===p1=p1=q1p1Total 'Satisfied'Total 'Not satisfied'Don't knowSD18a On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR COUNTRY)? (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  the  majority  in 
almost all groups are satisfied with the way democracy works in 
their  country,  with  the  highest  satisfaction  levels  seen  amongst 
those  aged  15-24  (64%),  those  who  completed  their  education 
aged  20+  (66%),  managers  (71%),  those  who  never  or  almost 
never  have  difficulties  paying  bills  (65%),  those  who  consider 
belonging  to    the  upper  class  (75%)  and  those  with  a  positive 
image of the EU (76%). 

Satisfaction  is  the  minority  view  amongst  those  who  experience 
difficulties paying bills most of the time (33% ‘satisfied’ vs 65% 
‘not  satisfied’),  those  who  say  they  belong  to  the  working  class 
(46% vs 51%) and those with a negative image of the EU (26% vs 
73%). 

Opinion is divided amongst those who completed their education 
aged 15 or younger (49% ‘satisfied’ vs 49% ‘not satisfied’). 

29 

SD18aTotal 'Satisfied'Total 'Not satisfied'Don't knowEU2758411Man58411Woman5840215-246434225-395742140-545643155 +5940115-4949216-195445120+66340Still studying68302Self- employed59410Managers71281Other white collars60391Manual workers51481House persons51472Unemployed41581Retired58402Students68302Most of the time33652From time to time50491Almost never/ Never65341The working class46513The lower middle class51481The middle class63361The upper middle class70291The upper class75241Rural village57421Small/ mid size town57421Large town62371Positive76231Neutral53461Negative26731Image of the EUOn the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR COUNTRY)?  (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The majority are satisfied with the way democracy 
works in the EU 

More than half of all Europeans (56%, -2 percentage points 
since summer) are satisfied with the way democracy works 
in the EU, with 5% (-1 pp) “very satisfied” and 51% (-1 pp) “fairly 
satisfied”.13 The sight decline in satisfaction means levels are back 
to those seen in summer 2021, although they remain higher than 
during the period between 2004 and summer 2021. 

Almost four in ten (39%, +2 pp) are dissatisfied with 30% (+1 pp) 
“not  very  satisfied”  and 9% (+1  pp)  “not  at  all satisfied”.  One in 
twenty (5%, no change) say they don’t know.  

Satisfaction has slightly decreased in euro area countries since 
summer 2022 (54%, -2pp), as well as in non-euro area countries 
(64%,  -3  pp).  Although  satisfaction  remains  higher  in  non-euro 
area countries, the gap between them and euro area countries has 
decreased.  

13 SD18b. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or 
not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in the EU? 

30 

SD18bAnd how about the way democracy works in the EU? (% - EU)1717161614151212111111131213121010111010998455555484950525450454444434344434643424547484950555253535655585635353432323543444546464345414548454242414136404342394037390%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%DON'T KNOWTOTAL 'SATISFIED'TOTAL 'NOT SATISFIED'2004200520062007200920102011201220142015201620172018201920/2121/22202220132023Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

A majority of respondents in 25 EU Member States (compared with 
26 in summer 2022) are satisfied with the way that democracy 
works in the EU, although proportions vary from 78% in Ireland, 
76% in Denmark and 72% in Luxembourg and Poland to 48% in 
France (vs 44% ‘not satisfied’) and 49% in Austria (vs 47%).  

There  are  two  countries  where  only  a  minority  are  satisfied: 
Slovakia (39% ‘satisfied’ vs 53% not satisfied) and Greece (41% 
vs 55%). 

Satisfaction with the way democracy works in the EU has increased 
in nine EU Member States since summer 2022 (compared to 20 in 
the  previous  survey),  with  the  largest  increases  seen  in  Latvia 
(70%,  +7  percentage  points),  the  Netherlands  (58%,  +6  pp)  and 
Greece (41%, +5 pp).  

In contrast satisfaction has declined in 15 countries, most notably 
in Slovakia (39%, -13 pp) and Malta (65%, -13 pp). There has been 
no  change  in  opinion  in  Italy  (58%),  Estonia  (50%)  and  Austria 
(49%). 

Satisfaction is now the minority opinion in Slovakia. 

31 

EU27LVNLELHRCYFRFISECZEEITATBGESLUBEDKIELTPTDEPLROSIHUMTSKJan/Feb 202356705841625648636758505849505572637678647152725251566539Δ Jun/Jul 2022q2p7p6p5p4p3p2p2p2p1===q1q1q1q2q2q2q2q3q6q6q6q6q7q13q13Jan/Feb 202339233955354144312839353947364127352015272345234145402953Δ Jun/Jul 2022p2q8q6q6q3q3=q4q7q1q1=q1q3p4p3p1==q1p4p7p4p5p3p7p9p9Jan/Feb 2023573433865315341441247963574468Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1=p1q1=q2p2p5=p1=p1p4q3q2p1p2p2p3q1q1p2p1p3=p4p4Total 'Satisfied'Total 'Not satisfied'Don't knowSD18b And how about the way democracy works in the EU? (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The socio-demographic analysis illustrates that satisfaction is 
the  majority  view  in  most  groups,  with  the  highest  levels  seen 
amongst  those  aged  15-24  (64%),  those  who  completed  their 
education  aged  20  or  older  (63%),  managers  (68%),  students 
(67%), those who never or almost never have difficulties paying 
bills  (62%),  those  who  consider  they  belong  to  the  upper  class 
(73%), and those who have a positive image of the EU (82%). 

In contrast, only a minority are satisfied  in the following groups: 
the unemployed (41% ‘satisfied’ vs 54% ‘not satisfied’), those who 
have difficulties paying bills most of the time (34% vs 59%), those 
who consider they are part of the working class (45% vs 47%), and 
those  with  a  neutral  (45%  vs  48%)  or  negative  (16%  vs  80%) 
image of the EU. 

32 

SD18bTotal 'Satisfied'Total 'Not satisfied'Don't knowEU2756395Man56404Woman5638615-246430625-395839340-545641355 +5341615-4645916-195243520+63343Still studying67276Self- employed60382Managers68302Other white collars59383Manual workers51454House persons50428Unemployed41545Retired53407Students67276Most of the time34597From time to time49465Almost never/ Never62344The working class45478The lower middle class51454The middle class61354The upper middle class69292The upper class73270Positive82153Neutral45487Negative16804Image of the EUAnd how about the way democracy works in the EU? (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

2.

Are personal and national
interests taken into account?

Six  in  ten  agree  the  interests  of  their  country  are 
well taken into account in the EU 

Six in ten Europeans (no change since summer 2022) agree 
the interests of their country are well taken into account in 
the EU, with 15% (no change) saying they “totally agree” and 45% 
(no change) that they “tend to agree”. 14  Just over one third (34%, 
no change) disagrees, with 24% (-1 percentage point) tending to 
disagree  and  10%  (+1  pp)  totally  disagreeing.  Just  over  one  in 
twenty (6%, no change) say they don’t know. 

Agreement has increased in the euro area (61%, +1 percentage 
points) and decreased  in non-euro area countries (59%, -2 pp) 
since  summer  2022,  and  as  a  result  agreement  is  now  slightly 
higher in euro area countries. 

14  QB1.1.  To  what  extent  do  you  agree  or  disagree  with  each  of  the  following 
statements.  The interests of (OUR COUNTRY) are well taken into account  in the EU

33 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In  20  Member  States  a  majority  of  respondents  agree  that  the 
interests  of  their  country  are  well  taken  into  account  in  the  EU 
(down from 21 in summer 2022), with proportions ranging from 
77% of respondents in Luxembourg, 76% in Ireland and 74% in 
Denmark and Portugal to 51% in Finland.  

In the remaining seven countries only a minority agree, with the 
lowest  levels  seen  in  Cyprus  (33%  ‘agree’  vs  64%  ‘disagree’), 
Greece (35% vs 61%) and Slovakia (40% vs 53%). 

34 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Since  summer  2022,  agreement  has  increased  in  16  Member 
States (compared to 20 in the previous survey), with the largest 
increases seen in the Netherlands (67%, +9 percentage points) and 
Denmark (74%, +8 pp), Lithuania (65%, +8 pp) and Greece (35%, 
+8 pp).

In  contrast,  agreement  has  declined  in  ten  countries  including 
Malta (68%, -10 pp), Slovakia (40%, -8 pp), Romania (46%, -8 pp) 
and Poland (63%, -8 pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Bulgaria (42%). 

Agreement is now the minority opinion Romania. 

35 

EU27NLDKELLTCZLVHRSEEEESCYFIIEFRITPTBGLUATBEDEHUSIPLROSKMTJan/Feb 202360677435654757657152643351765258744277546868564263464068Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p9p8p8p8p7p7p3p3p2p2p2p2p1p1p1p1=q1q2q3q3q4q4q8q8q8q10Jan/Feb 202334282061284935312338316443173638165014432828415231485329Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q11q9q9q11q4q9q2q9q2=q3q3q1==q2p1p4p5p1p4p4p3p6p7p3p9Jan/Feb 20236564748461053671241089344366673Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p2p1p1p3q3p2q1p6=q2p1p1=q1q1p1q1q3q3p2q1=p1p2p1p5p1Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB1.1 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.The interests of (OUR COUNTRY) are well taken into account in the EU (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Results from the socio-demographic analysis show a majority 
of respondents in almost all groups agree that the interests of their 
country are well taken into account in the EU. 

The highest levels of agreement are seen amongst those aged 15-
24 (64%), those who completed their education aged 20 or older 
(66%), managers (71%), those who see themselves as part of the 
upper middle (75%) or upper classes (76%), those living in large 
towns (65%), and those with a positive image of the EU (81%). 

In contrast, agreement is the minority opinion amongst those who 
experience difficulties paying bills most of the time (41% ‘agree; 
vs  50%  ‘disagree’)  and  those  with  a  negative  image  of  the  EU 
(22%  vs  72%).  Agreement  levels  are  also  low  amongst  the 
unemployed (46% vs 45%) and those who place themselves in the 
working class (49% vs 43%).

36 

QB1.1Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2760346Man60364Woman5933815-2464261025-396234440-546036455 +5835715-51391016-195638620+66304Still studying68239Self- employed63343Managers71254Other white collars61354Manual workers57394House persons503911Unemployed46459Retired56368Students68239Most of the time41509From time to time54415Almost never/ Never65296The working class49438The lower middle class54397The middle class64315The upper middle class75214The upper class76222Rural village57376Small/ mid size town58357Large town65305Positive81154Neutral52408Negative22726To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.  The interests of (OUR COUNTRY) are well taken into account in the EU (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Just over four in ten agree their voice counts in the 
EU 

The proportion of respondents who agree their voice counts 
in  the  EU  has  declined  slightly  since  summer  2022  (43%, 
-3 percentage points). 15 This is the first decline in agreement
since 2020 and the lowest level since summer 2021.

The majority (53%, +3 pp) think their voice does not count, with 
disagreement  increasing  three  points  to  a  level  last  seen  in 
summer 2021. 

‘ 

The  view  that  their  voice  counts  in  the  EU  remains  the  minority 
opinion  for  respondents  in  euro  area  countries  (42%,  -2 
percentage points). This view has also declined in non-euro area 
countries (-4 pp), but remains the majority view by a small margin 
(48% vs 47% ‘disagree’). 

15  SD19a.1.  To  what  extent  do  you  agree  or  disagree  with  each  of  the  following 
statements.  My voice counts in the EU 

37 

SD19a.1To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.My voice counts in the EU (% - EU)x`10971091091299111089655567877666645554444393834363435303130383433302631312829424042393840424445495645424344464352535954575561576153555762656364676652535054555452504947395053535250530%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202021/22DON'T KNOWTOTAL 'AGREE'TOTAL 'DISAGREE'202220231Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In  ten  Member States  a  majority  of  respondents  think  that their 
voice counts in the EU (no change since summer 2022), with the 
largest  proportions  seen  in  Denmark  (71%),  Croatia  (64%)  and 
Sweden (60%). However, in 16 countries agreement is the minority 
opinion with the lowest levels seen in Estonia (17%) and Greece 
and Czechia (both 28%).  

Opinion is divided in Belgium (48% ‘agree’ vs 48% ‘disagree’). 

Compared  to  summer  2022,  the  proportion  of  respondents  who 
think that their voice counts in the EU has increased in 11 Member 
States  (down  from  15  in  the  previous  survey),  with  the  largest 
increases  seen  in  the  Netherlands  (54%,  +7  percentage  points), 
and Denmark (71%, +6 pp), Latvia (34%, +6 pp) and Greece (28%, 
+6 pp).

In  contrast,  agreement  has  declined  in  16  countries,  and 
particularly  amongst  respondents  in  Romania  (36%,  -11  pp), 
Germany (51%, -9 pp), and Malta (58%, -7 pp) and Hungary (38%, 
-7 pp).

Agreement  is  now  the  majority  opinion  in  Ireland  and  the 
Netherlands, but the minority opinion in Portugal.  

38 

EU27NLDKELLVCZCYFISEHRIEFRITATSISKBEBGEEESLTLUPLPTHUMTDEROJan/Feb 202343547128342830466064483735514238484117373256544738585136Δ Jun/Jul 2022q3p7p6p6p6p5p3p3p3p2p1p1q1q1q1q1q2q2q3q5q5q5q6q6q7q7q9q11Jan/Feb 202353442670576968513733465964465456485073595439404959414459Δ Jun/Jul 2022p3q8q7q6q7q4q2q3q6q2q2p2p3p2q1q1=p3=p5q4p6p5p5p7p8p7p10Jan/Feb 2023423293233364134649104145643155Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1p1=p1q1q1=p3=p1q3q2q1p2p2p2q1p3=p9q1p1p1=q1p2p1Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowSD19a.1 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.My voice counts in the EU (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Opinion is divided amongst those who never or almost never have 
difficulty paying bills (48% ‘agree’ vs 48% ‘disagree’). 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  only  a  few  groups 
where  a  majority  agree  their  voice  counts  in  the  EU:  those  who 
completed  their  education  ages  20  or  older  (50%),  managers 
(54%),  students  (48%  vs  46%  ‘disagree’),  those  who  see 
themselves as from the upper middle (56%) or upper class (65%), 
and those who have a positive image of the EU (62%). 

Only a minority of respondents in almost all other groups agree, 
with  the  lowest  levels  see  amongst  those  who  completed  their 
education  aged  15  or  younger  (33%),  the  unemployed  (30%), 
those  who  experience  difficulties  paying  bills  most  of  the  time 
(28%), those who consider themselves as part of the working class 
(32%) and those with a negative image of the EU (15%). 

39 

SD19a.1Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2743534Man44533Woman4352515-244450625-394453340-544552355 +4253515-3361616-194056420+50473Still studying48466Self- employed46513Managers54433Other white collars45532Manual workers41563House persons38548Unemployed30655Retired41545Students48466Most of the time28684From time to time39583Almost never/ Never48484The working class32626The lower middle class39565The middle class47503The upper middle class56413The upper class65287Positive62344Neutral35605Negative15832Image of the EUTo what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.  My voice counts in the EU (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Almost  six  in  ten  Europeans  (58%,  no  change  since  summer 
2022) agree their voice counts in their country, while 40% (no 
change) disagree.16  

Agreement  that  their  voice  counts  in  their  country  is  higher 
amongst respondents in countries outside the euro area, although 
agreement  has  remained  stable  in  the  euro  area  (57%),  and 
decreased slightly in non-euro area countries (61%, -1pp) since 
summer 2022. 

16  SD19a.2.  To  what  extent  do  you  agree  or  disagree  with  each  of  the  following 
statements.  My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY) 

40 

SD19a.2To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - EU)76665333334545444334332222484651565252515047555757565557595961636559575859585845484338434546475042393840403937373634313840403940400%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%DON'T KNOWTOTAL 'AGREE'TOTAL 'DISAGREE'200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202021/2220222023 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In  18  countries  a  majority  of  respondents agree  that  their  voice 
counts in their country (no change since summer 2022), although 
proportions range from 92% in Sweden, 91% in Denmark and 85% 
in Finland to 50% in Bulgaria, 55% in Czechia and 56% in Slovakia. 

In  the  remaining  nine  countries  agreement  is  the  minority  view, 
with the lowest levels seen in Greece (34%), Lithuania (36%) and 
Estonia and Cyprus (both 38%). 

Agreement has become more widespread amongst respondents in 
19 Member States (up from 12 in the previous survey), and this is 
particularly  the  case  in  the  Netherlands  (81%,  +11  percentage 
points), and Finland (85%, +9 pp), Czechia (55%, +9 pp) and Cyprus 
(38%, +9 pp).  

In  contrast  agreement  levels  have  declined  in  seven  countries 
including Hungary (45%, -8 pp) and Romania (40%, -6 pp). There 
has been no change in opinion in Estonia (38%). 

Agreement is now the majority view Czechia but the minority view 
in Hungary. 

41 

EU27NLCZCYFILVHRSKSELUBEELLTATIEMTBGDKESSIEEFRITPTDEPLROHUJan/Feb 202358815538854477569270623436746365509146603857435769634045Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p11p9p9p9p8p7p7p7p5p4p4p3p3p2p2p1p1p1p1=q1q1q1q4q4q6q8Jan/Feb 2023401843611451213982736665624323446853385640564028335653Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q12q8q8q9q9q7q9q7q1q4q3q8q4q3q2p1q1p1q1q1p1p2p1p3p3p5p8Jan/Feb 20232121152503208251411263133442Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1q1q1=p1=p2=q4=q1p5p1p1=q2=q2=p1=q1=p1p1p1=Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowSD19a.2 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY) (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  highlights  that  a  majority  of 
respondents  in  most  groups  agree  their  voice  counts  in  their 
country,  with  the  highest  levels  seen  amongst  those  who 
completed  their  education  aged  20  or  older  (67%),  managers 
(71%), those who never or almost never have difficulties paying 
bills (65%), respondents who consider they belong to  the upper 
class (83%) and those with a positive image of the EU (73%). 

Agreement is the minority view in the following groups: those who 
completed  their  education  aged  15  or  younger  (46%  ‘agree’  vs 
51% ‘disagree), the unemployed (40% vs 57%), those who have 
difficulties paying bills most of the time (35% vs 63%), those who 
consider belonging to the working class (46% vs 51%) and those 
with a negative image of the EU (33% vs 66%). 

Opinion is divided amongst those who have difficulties paying bills 
from time to time (49% ‘agree’ vs 49% ‘disagree’). 

42 

SD19a.2Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2758402Man59392Woman5740315-245739425-395741240-545840255 +5840215-4651316-195543220+67321Still studying60355Self- employed57412Managers71272Other white collars59401Manual workers54451House persons48466Unemployed40573Retired60382Students60355Most of the time35632From time to time49492Almost never/ Never65332The working class46513The lower middle class52453The middle class62362The upper middle class72262The upper class83143Positive73252Neutral52453Negative33661Image of the EUTo what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.  My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

III. AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ITS

CITIZENS

43 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Just over seven in ten support a European economic 
and  monetary  union  with  one  single  currency,  the 
euro 

Support for a European economic and monetary union with 
one single currency, the euro has declined one percentage 
point  in  the  EU  as  a  whole  since  summer  2022  (71%).  17 
Opposition to the euro has increased slightly (23%, +1 percentage 
point). 

Within the euro area support has also declined slightly (79%, -1 
percentage point), while opposition has increased marginally (16%, 
+1pp).18

17 QB3.1: What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each  statement,  whether  you  are  for  it  or  against  it.  A  European  economic  and 
monetary union with one single currency, the euro 

18  Croatia  joined  the  eurozone  on  1  January  2023  so  is  included  in  the  euro  area 
statistics for the first time. 

44 

QB3.1What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A European economic and monetary union with one single currency, the euro (% - EU)6359605960636160616160565856535253515255565756555860616162626267707069727170666865687069677069676568666463666263676769686870737474757676757979778079313534343331313332333337353740404042413636363738363433323230292523242422232530272827252427252627292628293028313126262526262522212020181817151516151666776687767777787779877766676898767660%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%21/2220/21200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019FORFOR (EURO AREA)AGAINSTAGAINST (EURO AREA)DON'T KNOW/ REFUSAL200420222023Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In  22  Member  States  the  majority  of  respondents  are  “for”  a 
European economic and monetary union with one single currency, 
the euro (down from 23 in summer 2022). Respondents in Malta 
(89%) and in Ireland, Cyprus and Slovenia (87% each) are the most 
likely  to  think  this  way,  but  there  are  a  further  eight  countries 
where at least eight in ten are for the single currency and economic 
union:  Estonia, Spain  and  Luxembourg  (86%  each),  Portugal  and 
Finland  (both  84%),  the  Netherlands  (83%),  and  Germany  and 
Latvia (both 82%).  

Although  outside  the  euro  area,  the  majority  of  respondents  in 
Hungary  (66%)  and  Romania  (51%)  are  also  for  a  European 
economic and monetary union with one single currency, the euro. 

In five countries (all outside the euro area) a majority are against 
the euro: Sweden (68%), Czechia (63%), Denmark (62%), Bulgaria 
(49% “against” vs 36% “for”) and Poland (47% vs 44%).  

Support for the single currency and economic union has declined 
in 22 Member States since summer 2022, with the largest seen in 
Slovakia (74%, -10 percentage points), Belgium (79%, -9 pp) and 
Lithuania (76%, -9 pp). In the remaining five countries support has 
increased, most notably in Croatia (63%, +11 pp). 

The majority in Poland are now against a European economic and 
monetary union with one single currency, the euro. 

45 

EU27HRDKITCYFIDEEEESFRHUMTSISEELNLPTIEATROBGLVPLLUCZBELTSKJan/Feb 202371633275878482868673668987277583848768513682448626797674Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1p11p6p4p3p2q1q1q1q1q1q1q1q1q2q2q2q3q3q3q4q5q5q6q7q9q9q10Jan/Feb 202323326221109148101829101068191467253749947963171717Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q8q7q2=q5p1p1p2q1p3p1p1q4p1p1=p2p2p2p3=p3p5p4p7p4p4Jan/Feb 20232211002111200031314521323122Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q1=q1q4=p1===q1=q2=p1=p1=p1p2q1p1p1p1p1=p2=Jan/Feb 202343533725383135327537138638357Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q2p1q1p1p3q1=q1p2q1=p2p5=p1p1p1=q1p2p4p1=p2p2p3p6ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB3.1 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A European economic and monetary union with one single currency, the euro (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  a  majority  of 
respondents  in  each  group  are  “for”  a  European  economic  and 
monetary union with one single currency, the euro. 

The highest levels of support are found amongst those aged 15-
24 (76%), those who completed their education aged 20 or older 
(75%),  students  (79%),  managers  (78%),  those  who  consider 
belonging to the upper middle class (79%) and respondents with a 
positive view of the EU (83%). 

Respondents with a negative image of the EU are the only group 
where  fewer  than  six  in  ten  support  a  European  economic  and 
monetary union, although a majority are still in favour (48% “for” 
vs 45% “against”). 

46 

QB3.1ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27712324Man722224Woman69242515-2476162625-3970242440-5472232355 +69242515-69212816-1967272420+752023Still studying791425Self- employed712324Managers781822Other white collars702523Manual workers662725House persons652726Unemployed682228Retired692326Students791425Most of the time622927From time to time672724Almost never/ Never742114The working class622927The lower middle class702325The middle class732223The upper middle class791722The upper class752212Positive831313Neutral682525Negative484525What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A European economic and monetary union with one single currency, the euro (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeImage of the EUStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Almost eight in ten Europeans are in favour of every 
new trade agreement concluded by the EU having the 
highest  standards  of  climate,  environmental  and 
labour protection 

The  proportion  of  respondents  who  are  for  every  new  trade 
agreement concluded by the EU having the highest standards of 
climate, environmental and labour protection has declined slightly 
since  summer  2022  but  remains  high  at  79%  (-2  percentage 
points).19 Just over one in ten are “against” this idea (13%, +1 pp), 
while almost one in ten (8%) say they don’t know or don’t provide 
an answer. 

At a national level, at least six in ten respondents in each Member 
State support new trade agreement concluded by the EU having 
the  highest  standards  of  climate,  environmental  and  labour 
protection  (no  change  since  summer  2022),  with  proportions 
ranging  from  96%  in  Malta,  92%  in  Cyprus  and  89%  in  Greece, 
Spain and Sweden to 60% in Romania, 64% in Czechia and 68% 
in Austria.  

19 QB3.3: What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it. The insurance that every new 

trade  agreement  concluded  by  the  EU  will  have  the  highest  standards  of  climate, 
environmental and labour protection 

47 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Support  for  every  new  trade  agreement  concluded  by  the  EU 
having the highest standards of climate, environmental and labour 
protection  has  increased  in  six  countries  since  summer  2022 
(compared to 12 in the previous survey), with the largest seen in 
Malta (96%, +3 percentage points) and Sweden (89%, +3 pp). 

In contrast, support has declined in 19 countries including Ireland 
(79%, -9 pp) and Slovakia (75%, -7 pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Cyprus (92%) and Denmark 
(86%). 

48 

EU27MTSEESHRITNLDKCYFRFIELLVHUPTBEBGCZDELUEELTSIATPLROSKIEJan/Feb 202379968989808084869277728974858785706479877284836877607579Δ Jun/Jul 2022q2p3p3p2p2p2p1==q1q1q2q2q2q2q3q3q3q3q3q4q4q4q5q5q5q7q9Jan/Feb 2023132761516121051117711122111122147116122416301310Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q2q7p2q1=q3q1p2=q4p1q5p1=p1=q3p3p3=q2p2p4p3p5q1p5Jan/Feb 20232011212100132221332222133422Δ Jun/Jul 2022==p1q1=q1p1p1q3q1=p1p2p1p1=p1p1=p1p1p2===p1p1p1Jan/Feb 202362343323312101131931611541584546109Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q1p3q3q1q1p1=p1p2p5=p5=p1p2p2p5=q1p3p4p2p1p2q1p7p3ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB3.3 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.The insurance that every new trade agreement concluded by the EU will have the highest standards of climate, environmental and labour protection (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  lowest  levels  of  support  are  seen  amongst  those  with  a 
negative image of the EU (62%) and housepersons (65%).  

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  more  than  six  in 
ten in each group are for every new trade agreement concluded by 
the EU having the highest standards of climate, environmental and 
labour protection. 

The highest level of support can be found amongst those aged 15-
24 (82%), those who completed their education aged 20 or older 
(83%),  managers  and  students  (both  85%),  those  who  never  or 
almost never experience difficulties paying bills (83%), those who 
say they belong to the upper middle class (85%), those living in 
large towns (84%) and respondents who have a positive image of 
the EU (89%). 

49 

QB3.3ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27791326Man791425Woman79122715-2482102625-3980141540-5480142455 +78132715-741331016-1976162620+831124Still studying85915Self- employed791524Managers851113Other white collars831214Manual workers751735House persons6518314Unemployed781138Retired781228Students85915Most of the time711739From time to time741826Almost never/ Never831115The working class741439The lower middle class781327The middle class811414The upper middle class851023The upper class831313Rural village781426Small/ mid size town771427Large town841114Positive89713Neutral771427Negative622828What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  The insurance that every new trade agreement concluded by the EU will have the highest standards of climate, environmental and labour protection (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAgeImage of the EUStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

There  has  been  a  decline  in  the  proportion  of 
Europeans who agree  public money  should  be used 
to stimulate private sector investment at EU level 

More than six in ten Europeans (63%, -3 percentage points since 
summer 2022)  agree  public  money  should  be  used  to stimulate 
private sector investment at EU level, while 28% (+3 pp) disagree 
and 9% say they don’t know.20 

Support for this idea has dropped since summer 2022 in both non-
euro area countries (71%, -3 pp) and euro area countries (62%, 
-2pp).

A  majority  of  respondents  in  25  Member  States  agree  public 
money should be used to stimulate private sector investment at 
EU  level,  with  the  most  widespread  agreement  seen  amongst 
respondents  in  Poland  (86%),  Malta  (85%),  Croatia  (82%)  and 
Hungary (81%)  

There  are  only  two  Member  States  where  a  majority  disagrees: 
Sweden (55% ‘disagree’ vs 38% ‘agree’) and the Netherlands (50% 
vs 44%). 

20 QB4.2. For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, 
tend to disagree or totally disagree.  Public money should be used to stimulate private 
sector investment at EU level 

50 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The proportion of respondents who think that public money should 
be  used  to  stimulate  private  sector  investment  at  EU  level  has 
increased in eight countries since summer 2022 (compared to 13 
in  the  previous  survey),  with  the  largest  increase  seen  in  Latvia 
(75%, +5 pp). 

In  contrast,  the  level  of  agreement  has  declined  in  18  countries 
including Sweden (38%, -10 pp), Spain (53%,  -9 pp) and Cyprus 
(76%, -8 pp) and Luxembourg (58%, -8 pp).   

51 

EU27LVDKIEITNLBELTFIHRHUBGFRDEPLEEELMTATROSISKCZPTCYLUESSEJan/Feb 202363754969794467704682817342718660768561656162506476585338Δ Jun/Jul 2022q3p5p3p3p3p2p1p1p1=q1q2q2q3q3q4q4q4q4q5q5q5q6q7q8q8q9q10Jan/Feb 202328133620175028193715151641211022201131263127381821324055Δ Jun/Jul 2022p3q8q11q3q1q3q4q7q7p1p1=p3p3p3=p4p2p4p2p2q2p1p2p9p12p13p4Jan/Feb 20239121511465111734111784184489811121831077Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p3p8=q2p1p3p6p6q1=p2q1==p4=p2=p3p3p7p5p5q1q4q4p6Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB4.2 For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.Public money should be used to stimulate private sector investment at EU level (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

In almost all socio-demographic groups at least six in ten agree 
public  money  should  be  used  to  stimulate  private  sector 
investment at EU level, with highest levels of agreement amongst 
men (67%), those aged 40-54 (66%), those who completed their 
education  aged  16-19  years  of  age  (69%),  the  self-employed 
(69%),  other  white  collar  workers  (68%)  and  managers  (67%), 
those  who  have  difficulty  paying  bills  from  time  to  time  (66%), 
those who consider being part of the upper class (68%), and those 
with a positive image of the EU (71%). 

The lowest levels of agreement are seen amongst the unemployed 
(55%), respondents who have difficulties paying bills most of the 
time (58%), and those with a negative view of the EU (47% vs 44% 
‘disagree’). 

52 

QB4.2Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2763289Man67267Woman61291015-2460291125-396528740-546629555 +62271115-62251316-196924720+60328Still studying602911Self- employed69256Managers67285Other white collars68275Manual workers66277House persons612811Unemployed553213Retired602812Students6029114+65287Most of the time58339From time to time66268Almost never/ Never63289The working class612712The lower middle class63298The middle class66277The upper middle class59347The upper class68275Positive71227Neutral632710Negative47449For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.  Public money should be used to stimulate private sector investment at EU level (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

More than three quarters of Europeans agree the EU 
should build partnerships with countries outside the 
EU  to  invest  in  sustainable  infrastructure  and 
connect people and countries around the world 

Almost eight in ten respondents (77%, -2 percentage points since 
summer  2022)  agree  the  EU  should  build  partnerships  with 
countries outside the EU to invest in sustainable infrastructure and 
connect people and countries around the world. 21 Around one in six 
(16%, +1 pp) disagree and 7% say they don’t know. 

More than six in ten respondents in each Member State agree that 
the EU should build partnerships with countries outside the EU to 
invest  in  sustainable  infrastructure  and  connect  people  and 
countries around the world (no change since the previous survey), 
although proportions range from 93% in Malta, 90% in Cyprus and 
89% in Lithuania to 63% in France, 68% in Romania and 71% in 
Czechia. 

21 QB4.3 For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, 
tend to disagree or totally disagree.  The EU should build partnerships with countries 

outside  the  EU  to  invest  in  sustainable  infrastructure  and  connect  people  and 
countries around the world 

53 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Agreement  has  increased  in  ten  countries  since  summer  2022 
(compared  to  three  in  the  previous  survey),  with  the  largest 
increases  seen  in  Lithuania  (89%,  +6  percentage  points)  and 
Greece (86%, +5 pp). 

In  contrast  agreement  levels  have  declined  in  15  countries 
including  Portugal  (81%,  -7  pp),  Slovakia  (77%,  -6  pp)  and 
Germany (76%, -6 pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Malta (93%) or Bulgaria 
(78%). 

54 

EU27LTELNLSEDKCYATITLUFIBGMTCZFRLVSIBEHRPLIEESEEROHUDESKPTJan/Feb 202377898682868190747980817893716382838182888577726883767781Δ Jun/Jul 2022q2p6p5p4p4p3p3p3p2p2p2==q1q1q1q1q2q2q2q3q3q4q4q5q6q6q7Jan/Feb 202316510151014719151388420239121614871717251418134Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q8q5q5q7q4q2q4q3q1q4q4q1q1p1q1=p1p3=p1p5p4p4p5p5q1p3Jan/Feb 20237643453767111439149534486117361015Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1p2=p1p3p1q1p1p1q1p2p4p1p2=p2p1p1q1p2p2q2===p1p7p4Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB4.3 For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.The EU should build partnerships with countries outside the EU to invest in sustainable infrastructure and connect people and countries around the world (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  a  majority  in  every 
group  agrees  the  EU  should  build  partnerships  with  countries 
outside the EU to invest in sustainable infrastructure and connect 
people and countries around the world. 

The  lowest  level  of  agreement  is  seen  amongst  those  with  a 
negative image of the EU (57%) and those who have difficulties 
paying  bills  most  of  the  time  (65%).  These  are  the  only  groups 
where fewer than two thirds agree.  

The highest agreement levels are seen amongst those aged 15-24 
(81%),  those  who  completed  their  education  aged  20  or  older 
(82%),  managers  and  students  (both  84%),  those  who  never  or 
almost  never  have  difficulties  paying  bills  (80%),  those  who 
consider themselves part of the upper middle class (86%), those 
living in large towns (82%) and respondents with a positive image 
of the EU (87%). 

55 

QB4.3Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU2777167Man79165Woman7516915-248111825-397916540-547817555 +7417915-66211316-197518720+82135Still studying84106Self- employed79156Managers84124Other white collars81154Manual workers74206House persons682210Unemployed692110Retired731611Students841064+77176Most of the time652510From time to time72217Almost never/ Never80137The working class691912The lower middle class74197The middle class80155The upper middle class86113The upper class81163Rural village75187Small/ mid size town75178Large town82126Positive8785Neutral74179Negative57358For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.  The EU should build partnerships with countries outside the EU to invest in sustainable infrastructure and connect people and countries around the world (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAge 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Almost nine in ten Europeans agree each EU Member 
State should have a minimum wage for workers 

A large majority of respondents (88%, -1 percentage point 
since summer 2022) agree EU Member State should have a 
minimum  wage  for  workers,  with  55%  (+3  pp)  saying  they 
‘totally agree’ and 33% (-4 pp) that they ‘tend to agree’.22 Fewer 
than  one  in  ten  disagrees  (8%,  no change),  and  4%  (+1 pp) say 
they don’t know. 

Historically there has been a high level of support in each country 
for each EU Member State to have a minimum wage for workers, 
and this trend continues in the current survey. More than seven in 
ten  in  every  country  agree  (unchanged  since  spring  2021),  and 
more than four in ten in every Member State totally agrees with 
this  idea.  Agreement  is  almost  universal  in  Cyprus  (96%)  and  in 
Luxembourg and Malta (both 95%), and is also high in Romania 
(73%), Sweden (78%) and Denmark (81%). 

22 QB4.4: For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, 
tend to disagree or totally disagree: Each EU Member State should have a minimum 
wage for workers 

56 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Compared  to  summer  2022  the  proportion  of  respondents  who 
agree  each  EU Member  State should  have a  minimum  wage for 
workers has increased in seven Member States (compared to ten 
in the previous survey), with the largest increases seen in Greece 
(90%, +5 percentage points) and Lithuania (89%, +5 pp).  

In  contrast,  agreement  has  declined  in  16  countries  including 
Portugal  (86%,  -5  pp),  and  has  remained  unchanged 
in 
Luxembourg  (95%),  Slovakia  (89%),  Estonia  (88%)  and  Czechia 
(85%). 

57 

EU27ELLTSEHRITBGNLCZEELUSKESCYHUMTATPLFIBEDKIESIFRLVDEROPTJan/Feb 202388908978919186938588958992969095878983908193868588887386Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1p5p5p4p3p3p1p1====q1q1q1q1q1q1q1q2q2q2q2q3q3q4q4q5Jan/Feb 20238862076869646638411812915411879233Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q6q8q6q3q3q1q2q2q1p1q3p3=p1p1p1=q1p2p1p2p1p2p1p3p4p2Jan/Feb 202342522361661521212351433753411Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1p1p3p2===p1p2p1q1p3q2p1===p1p2=p1=p1p1p2p1=p3Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB4.4 For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.Each EU Member State should have a minimum wage for workers (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Given the high level of agreement overall, it is not surprising there 
are  consistently  high  levels  of  agreement  across  all  socio-
demographic groups.  

The  lowest  level  of  agreement  is  seen  amongst  those  with  a 
negative  image  of  the  EU  (82%),  but  this  still  represents  a 
considerable majority. 

The  strongest  support  is  seen  amongst  those  aged  40-54  years 
(90%),  managers  (90%),  those  living  in  large  towns  (90%)  and 
those with a positive image of the EU (92%).  

58 

QB4.4Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU278884Man87103Woman888415-24859625-398711240-54908255 +887515-886616-19879420+8992Still studying8875Self- employed86113Managers9091Other white collars88102Manual workers87103House persons86104Unemployed8866Retired8776Students88754+8893Most of the time8686From time to time86113Almost never/ Never8974The working class8776The lower middle class8983The middle class8893The upper middle class88111The upper class85132Positive9262Neutral8695Negative82144For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.  Each EU Member State should have a minimum wage for workers (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Almost nine in ten Europeans agree there should be 
a fair taxation of large technology companies in the 
EU 

A large majority of respondents (89%, stable since summer 2022) 
agree  there  should  be  a  fair  taxation  of  large  technology 
companies in the EU.23 Almost six in ten “totally agree” (57%, +3 
percentage points) and 32% (-3 pp) “tend to agree”. Just over one 
in twenty (7%, +1 pp) disagree while 4% say they don’t know. 

Agreement is higher amongst respondents in countries in the euro 
area  (90%,  no  change),  than  amongst  those  in  non-euro  area 
countries (87%, -1 pp). 

In  every  EU  Member  State  more  than  seven  in  ten  respondents 
agree  there  should  be  a  fair  taxation  of  large  technology 
companies in the EU (no change since summer 2022), and in 17 
countries  at  least  nine  in  ten  agree.  The  highest  levels  of 
agreement  are  seen  in  Cyprus  (97%)  and  Greece  and  Lithuania 
(both  96%),  with  Romania  (72%)  the  only  country  where  fewer 
than eight in ten agree. 

23 QB4.5: For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, 
tend to disagree or totally disagree: There should be a fair taxation of large technology 
companies in the EU 

59 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

Compared  to  summer  2022,  respondents  in  seven  countries  are 
now more likely to agree there should be a fair taxation of large 
technology companies in the EU (compared to 25 in the previous 
survey),  with  the  largest  increase  seen  in  Croatia  (91%,  +4 
percentage  points).  In  contrast,  agreement  has  declined  in  17 
countries  including  Denmark  (85%,  -6  pp)  and  Estonia  (87%,  -5 
pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Malta (93%), Ireland (92%), 
and Hungary (91%). 

60 

EU27HRLTESITCYFRNLIEHUMTBEELLUROSKFIBGDESISELVPLPTCZATEEDKJan/Feb 202389919691899786959291939296907291908891939188918583868785Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p4p3p2p2p2p1p1===q1q1q1q1q1q1q2q2q2q2q3q3q3q4q4q5q6Jan/Feb 202377158263385625223255444711010510Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q3q4p2q1q1p1q2q1p1p1==p1=q2q2q1p1p1q3=p3=p2p2p2p4Jan/Feb 202342343182512225668743582147485Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1q1p1q4q1q1q2p1p1q1q1p1p1=p1p3p3p3p1p1p5p3=p3p2p2p3p2Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB4.5 For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.There should be a fair taxation of large technology companies in the EU (%) 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

The results of the socio-demographic analysis reflect the high 
level of agreement overall, with more than eight in ten respondents 
in  each  group  agreeing.  The  highest  levels  are  found  amongst 
those  who  completed  their  education  aged  20  or  older  (92%), 
managers (93%), those who consider themselves part of the upper 
middle  class  (93%),  and  those  with  a  positive  image  of  the  EU 
(93%). 

The lowest levels of agreement are seen amongst housepersons 
(82%) and those with a negative image of the EU (85%). 

61 

QB4.5Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU278974Man8974Woman887515-24858725-39907340-54907355 +895615-847916-19897420+9253Still studying8677Self- employed8983Managers9352Other white collars9073Manual workers8893House persons8299Unemployed8956Retired8956Students86774+8974Most of the time8686From time to time8695Almost never/ Never9154The working class8857The lower middle class8956The middle class8983The upper middle class9352The upper class8884Positive9343Neutral8776Negative85114For each of the following statements, do you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.  There should be a fair taxation of large technology companies in the EU (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

IV. PROMOTING THE EUROPEAN WAY OF

LIFE

62 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

1. Core values of the European

Union

A large majority of Europeans agree all EU Member 
States should respect the core values of the EU, such 
as fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy 

Almost  nine  in  ten  respondents  (89%,  -1  percentage  point  since 
summer 2022) agree all EU Member States should respect the core 
values  of  the  EU,  such  as  fundamental  rights,  rule  of  law  and 
democracy, with 55% (no change) saying they “totally agree” and 
34% (-1 pp) that they “tend to agree”.24 Almost one in ten (8%, +1 
pp) disagree, while 3% say they don’t know. 

In 26 Member States at least eight in ten respondents think that 
all  EU  Member  States  should  respect  the  core  values  of  the  EU. 
This view is almost universal in Sweden (97%) and in Cyprus and 
the Netherlands (both 96%) and this is also the majority view in 
Romania (73%), Bulgaria (81%) as well as in Czechia and Austria 
(both 85%).  

It is worth noting that at more than eight in ten in Sweden (89%), 
Cyprus (84%), Finland (82%) and the Netherlands (81%) say they 
“totally agree”. 

24  QB1.2.  To  what  extent  do  you  agree  or  disagree  with  each  of  the  following 
statements.  All EU Member States should respect the core values of the EU, such as 

fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy 

63 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

In 14 countries (up from seven in the previous survey) respondents 
are  now  more  likely  to  agree  that  all  EU  Member  States  should 
respect the core values of the EU, and this is particularly the case 
in  Portugal  (90%,  +7  percentage  points).  On  the  other  hand, 
agreement has declined in 11 countries including Romania (73%, 
-4 pp) and Czechia (85%, -4 pp).

There  has  been  no  change  in  opinion  in  Lithuania  (92%)  and 
Hungary (89%). 

64 

EU27PTHRBGDKEEITMTNLSKSEBEFRCYFILTHUIEESLUPLSIELDELVATCZROJan/Feb 202389909181959086959689979288969592899289959092929388858573Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1p7p4p3p2p2p2p2p2p2p2p1p1p1p1==q1q1q1q1q1q2q3q3q3q4q4Jan/Feb 20238581337113362663241057386657131323Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q7q3q3q2q1q2q3q3q6q3q2=q1q1q2p1==p1p1=p1p2p1p3p5p4Jan/Feb 20233516233215126134134222225224Δ Jun/Jul 2022==q1==q1=p1p1p4p1p1q1==p2q1p1p1==p1p1p1p2=q1=Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowQB1.2 To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.All EU Member States should respect the core values of the EU, such as fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  in  all  but  two 
groups  more  than  eight  in  ten  respondents  agree  that  all  EU 
Member States should respect the core values of the EU.  

The  exceptions  are  those  with  a  negative  image  of  the  EU  and 
housepersons (both 79%) but this still represents a large majority 
in each group. 

The strongest support is seen amongst those who completed their 
education aged 20 or older (94%), managers (95%), those who say 
they  belong  to  the  upper  class  (97%),  and  those  with  a  positive 
image of the EU (96%). 

65 

QB1.2Total 'Agree'Total 'Disagree'Don't knowEU278983Man9082Woman897415-24887525-39908240-54908255 +897415-849716-19889320+9451Still studying9064Self- employed9262Managers9541Other white collars9082Manual workers88102House persons79138Unemployed8596Retired8974Students9064Most of the time84115From time to time84133Almost never/ Never9253The working class8785The lower middle class8893The middle class9082The upper middle class9541The upper class9721Positive9631Neutral87103Negative79165To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.  All EU Member States should respect the core values of the EU, such as fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy (% - EU)Image of the EUSocio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAge 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

2.

Immigration and asylum policy

Seven in ten Europeans are “for” a common European 
policy on migration 

Support  for  a  common  migration  policy  has  remained  stable  at 
70% since summer 2022, as has the proportion who are against it 
(23%, no change).25 Just over one in twenty (7%, no change) do 
not give an answer or say they don’t know. 

Support  for  a  common  European  policy  on  migration  is  much 
higher in euro area countries. More than two thirds of respondents 
in euro area countries support it (73%, no change), compared to 
59% of those in non-euro area countries (-4 pp).  

In  25  Member  States  a  majority  support  a  common  European 
policy on migration (no change since the previous survey) although 
the  proportions  range  from  82%  in  Spain,  Luxembourg  and  the 
Netherlands  to  47%  in  Estonia  (vs  39%  “against”)  and  49%  in 
Hungary (vs 48%).  

The  exceptions  are  Czechia  (43%  “for”  vs  47%  “against”)  and 
Slovakia (44% vs 47%) where only a minority support a common 
European policy on migration. 

25 QB2.4. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it. A common European policy on 
migration 

66 

 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

Compared  to  summer  2022,  respondents  in  ten  Member  States 
(the same as in the previous survey) are now more likely to be “for” 
a common European policy on migration, with the largest increases 
seen in Austria (54%, +8 percentage points) and the Netherlands 
(82%, +6 pp) and Portugal (73%, +6 pp). In contrast support has 
declined in 15 countries including Poland (62%, -9 pp), and Malta 
(75%, -7 pp), Slovenia (60%, -7 pp), Finland (56%, -7 pp), Romania 
(53%, -7 pp), Hungary (49%, -7 pp) and Slovakia (44%, -7 pp).  

Compared to summer 2022, “for” is now the view of the majority 
Austria but has become the minority view in Slovakia.  

67 

EU27ATNLPTBGFRDKHRCZITLVESLUELCYSELTDEEEBEIEHUMTROSISKFIPLJan/Feb 202370548273636463684376658282797874707647747549755360445662Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p8p6p6p5p5p3p3p1p1p1==q1q1q1q2q3q3q4q5q7q7q7q7q7q7q9Jan/Feb 202323391514272530274720221312181623221939221548203331472631Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q9q7q7q3q4q7q1q4=q6p3q2p1p2q2q3p2q1p3p1p7p5p3p2p3q3p8Jan/Feb 20232313211331222230222221163113Δ Jun/Jul 2022===p1==p1=p1=p1p1p1p1q2=p1p1p1p1p1=p1p2p2q1=p1Jan/Feb 2023542108106273113413363122824868174Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1p1=q2q1p3q2p2q1p4q4p1q1p1p3p4=p3=p3=p1p2p3p5p10=ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.4 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common European policy on migration (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  a  majority  of 
respondents in all groups support a common European policy on 
migration. 

The lowest level of support is seen amongst those with a negative 
image of the EU (47% “for” vs 46% “against”), and those who have 
difficulties paying their bills most of the time (59%). 

The  highest  levels  of  support  are  seen  amongst  those  who 
completed  their  education  aged  20  or  older  (76%),  managers 
(80%), those who consider to be part of the upper middle or upper 
class (both 80%), those living in large towns (75%) and those with 
a positive image of the EU (83%). 

68 

QB2.4ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27702325Man712414Woman69232615-2472182825-3969252440-5471242355 +69242515-68222816-1966282420+761914Still studying761626Self- employed702523Managers801613Other white collars712423Manual workers652924House persons622639Unemployed672418Retired682426Students761626Most of the time593227From time to time662725Almost never/ Never732124The working class632827The lower middle class702415The middle class722224The upper middle class801712The upper class801514Rural village672625Small/ mid size town692425Large town751924Positive831313Neutral662536Negative474625What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A common European policy on migration (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAgeImage of the EUStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

3.

Free movement of citizens in the
EU

More than eight in ten Europeans are in favour of the 
free  movement  of  EU  citizens  who  can  live,  work, 
study and do business anywhere in the EU 

Support for the free movement of EU citizens who can live, work, 
study and do business anywhere in the EU has increased slightly 
since summer 2022 and is now at 85% (+1 percentage point). 26 
Just over one in ten (12%, no change) are “against” this idea, while 
3% (-1 pp) say they don’t know.  

Support for the free movement of EU citizens within the EU has 
remained relatively stable since summer 2020 and is higher than 
the period 2015-2020. 

26 QB2.7. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it. The free movement of EU citizens 

who can live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU 

69 

QB2.7Whatisyouropiniononeachofthefollowingstatements?Pleasetellforeachstatement,whetheryouareforitor against it.The free movement of EU citizens who can live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU(% - EU)7879818181828381828485868584851616141414141313121111111112126555544665434430%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%FORAGAINSTRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)/ Don't know2015201620172018201920/2121/2220222023Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

More  than  two  thirds  of  respondents  in  each  Member  State  are 
“for” the free movement of EU citizens within the EU (no change 
since summer 2022), with levels of support ranging from 96% in 
Lithuania and 94% in Estonia and Luxembourg to 68% in Romania, 
70% in Austria and 81% in Italy.  

Since summer 2022 support for the free movement of EU citizens 
within  the  EU  has  increased  in  12  Member  States  (compared  to 
seven  in  the  previous  survey),  with  the  largest  seen  in  Denmark 
(87%, +6 percentage points) and Sweden (90%, +5 pp). In contrast, 
support has declined in 14 countries including Ireland (89%, -4 pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Austria )70%). 

70 

EU27DKSEHRCYMTNLBGESFRITFILTATCZEEELHUPTSKDEROSIBELVLUPLIEJan/Feb 202385879083939190889282819296708794908587908668858293948289Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1p6p5p3p3p3p3p2p2p2p2p2p1=q1q1q1q1q1q1q2q2q2q3q3q3q3q4Jan/Feb 20231210813568861315522363714471123121643167Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q7q7q2q1q3q3=p1q1q2q2q2q2q2==p1=q1p2=p1p2p2p1p3p3Jan/Feb 20231102011111100421213114100211Δ Jun/Jul 2022====q3p1=q1==q1==p2p1p1p1p1p1==p2===p2=p1Jan/Feb 20232222221314332352106225223113Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1p1p2q1p1q1=q1q3q1p1=p1=p2==q1=p2==p1p1p1===ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.7 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.The free movement of EU citizens who can live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

The socio-demographic analysis shows more than seven in ten 
in each group is “for” the free movement of EU citizens within the 
EU.  

The  lowest  levels  of  support  are  seen  amongst  those  with  a 
negative image of the EU (71%) and housepersons (73%), but this 
still represents a considerable majority of each group. 

The strongest support is seen amongst those who completed their 
education  aged  20  or  older  (90%),  students  (91%),  managers 
(90%), those who consider themselves as part of the upper middle 
class (91%) and those who have a positive image of the EU (93%). 

71 

QB2.7ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27851212Man861112Woman84121315-248881325-3985121240-5485131155 +83122315-78152516-1982151220+90811Still studying91612Self- employed89911Managers90811Other white collars851212Manual workers811522House persons732214Unemployed831115Retired831214Students91612Most of the time761824From time to time781723Almost never/ Never89812The working class821314The lower middle class841312The middle class851212The upper middle class91810The upper class861112Positive93511Neutral821323Negative712423Image of the EUWhat is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  The free movement of EU citizens who can live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

4.

A common EU health policy

Support for a common EU health policy has declined 
since summer 2022 

Just  over  two  thirds  (67%)  of  respondents  are  “for”  a 
common EU health policy  – a decline of three  percentage 
points since summer 2022.27 Just over one quarter (26%, +2 pp) 
are “against” this idea, while 7% (+1 pp) say they don’t know or 
don’t give an answer. 

In all but one Member State, a majority of respondents are “for” a 
common health policy, but proportions vary considerably. Levels of 
support  range  from  92%  in  Malta,  91%  in  Cyprus  and  81%  in 
Portugal to 49% in Sweden (vs 46% “against”) and Finland (49% 
vs 36%). 

The  exception  is  Denmark,  where  only  a  minority  are  in  favour 
(35% “for” vs 54% “against”).  

27 QB2.8. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A common EU health policy 

72 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

Support  for  a  common  EU  health  policy  has  increased  in  three 
Member States since summer 2022: Malta (92%, +4 percentage 
points), Bulgaria (68%, +2 pp) and Croatia (68%, +1 pp). In contrast 
it has declined in 23 countries, most notably in Luxembourg (69%, 
-10 pp), Slovakia (69%, -9 pp) and Ireland (78%, -7 pp).

There has been no change in the level of support in Italy (70%). 

73 

EU27MTBGHRITFRCYATSEBEHUDELTNLROCZDKEEELESPTLVPLSIFIIESKLUJan/Feb 202367926868706491524975746777566152356874748180756449786969Δ Jun/Jul 2022q3p4p2p1=q1q1q1q1q2q2q3q3q3q3q4q4q4q4q4q4q5q5q6q6q7q9q10Jan/Feb 202326523282526638462123281535283754182318811202936142224Δ Jun/Jul 2022p2q4p1p2q1q1p1q1q4=p3p4q1q2=p1q2q2p3p5p2p2p4p4=p4p3p7Jan/Feb 20232111111412223453233421231222Δ Jun/Jul 2022=p1q2q2==q2p1p1p1==p2p2p2p1p1p2p2p2p1==p1=p2p1p2Jan/Feb 2023528349264213556891104983414675Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q1q1q1p1p2p2p1p4p1q1q1p2p3p1p2p5p4q1q3p1p3p1p1p6p1p5p1ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.8 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common EU health policy (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  shows  that  the  majority  in 
almost all groups are  “for” a common EU health policy, with the 
strongest  support  seen  amongst  those  aged  15-24  (71%), 
students (72%), those living in large towns (70%) and those with 
a positive image of the EU (79%).  

In contrast only a minority of respondents with a negative image 
of  the  EU  support  this  idea  (44%  “for”  vs  48%  “against”),  and 
support  is  also  low  amongst  those  who  have  difficulties  paying 
bills most of the time (57%). 

74 

QB2.8ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27672625Man682624Woman67252615-2471202725-3967272440-5466282455 +67252615-67233716-1967262520+672724Still studying722026Self- employed652834Managers682822Other white collars672625Manual workers662824House persons632539Unemployed642637Retired672427Students722026Most of the time573337From time to time662725Almost never/ Never692425The working class642637The lower middle class672625The middle class692524The upper middle class672823The upper class623233Rural village662635Small/ mid size town662725Large town702325Positive791623Neutral652636Negative444826Image of the EUWhat is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A common EU health policy (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAge 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

5.

A wider European political
community

A majority of Europeans are ‘for’ a European Political 
Community  which  brings  together  leaders  of  the 
European continent, be they from EU Member States 
or from other European countries 

Two  thirds  of  Europeans  are  “for”  a  European  Political 
Community which brings together leaders of the European 
continent,  be  they  from  EU  Member  States  or  from  other 
European countries.28 Just over one in five (21%) are “against” 
this idea, while 13% say they don’t know or don’t give an answer. 

Although a majority of respondents in each Member State support 
a European Political Community which brings together leaders of 
the  European  continent,  there  is  considerable  national  variation. 
Support ranges from 86% of respondents in Malta, 81% in Greece 
and 79% in Hungary to 49% in France (vs 31% “against”), 53% in 
Estonia and 54% in Slovakia. 

28 QB3.4 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it. A European Political Community 

which brings together leaders of the European continent, be they from EU Member 
States or from other European countries 

75 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

The socio-demographic analysis shows that in all but one group 
a majority are “for” a European Political Community which brings 
together leaders of the European continent. 

The strongest support is seen amongst those aged 15-24 (71%), 
those  who  completed  their  education  aged  20  or  older  (70%), 
students  and  managers  (both  73%),  other  white  collar  workers 
(71%),  those  who  consider  belonging  to  the  upper  middle  class 
(73%),  those  living  in  large  towns  (71%)  and  those  who  have  a 
positive image of the EU (80%). 

The exception is those who have a negative image of the EU. In 
this  group  opinion  is  divided  with  43%  “for”  and  43%  “against”. 
Support is also relatively low amongst those who have difficulty 
paying bills most of the time (56%). 

76 

QB3.4ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU276621310Man672328Woman652031215-24711631025-3967223840-5467232855 +632231215-602041616-19642421020+701929Still studying731539Self- employed691948Managers731926Other white collars711928Manual workers622738House persons5724316Unemployed6122314Retired6122314Students731539Most of the time5629312From time to time622639Almost never/ Never6919210The working class6023413The lower middle class6224410The middle class682129The upper middle class731926The upper class672535Rural village6423310Small/ mid size town6423211Large town711739Positive801226Neutral6123313Negative4343311Image of the EUWhat is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A European Political Community which brings together leaders of the European continent, be they from EU Member States or from other European countries (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAgeStandard Eurobarometer 98 
Winter 2022-2023 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 

V. A EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

Almost  three  quarters  are  in  favour  of  a  common 
energy policy amongst EU Member States 

Almost three quarters of respondents (74%, -1 percentage 
point since summer 2022) are “for” a common energy policy 
among EU Member States.29 Although only a slight decline since 
summer 2022, this is the lowest level of support since spring 2019. 
However, support remains higher than in the period between 2014 
and spring 2019. 

Almost one in five (19%, no change) are “against” this policy, while 
7% (+1 pp) either say they don’t know or do not give an answer. 

Support  remains  higher  in  euro  area  countries  (77%,  +1 
percentage  points)  than  in  non-euro  area  countries,  where  the 
decline has been larger (65%, -4 pp). 

29 QB2.5. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it. A common energy policy among 
EU Member States 

78 

QB2.5Whatisyouropiniononeachofthefollowingstatements?Pleasetellforeachstatement,whetheryouareforitor against it.A common energy policy among EU Member States (% - EU)7372707073727273747275777776757574171820201819191818181615161717191910101010999981098778670%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%FORAGAINSTRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)/ Don't know20142015201620172018201920/2121/2220222023Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

More than half of all respondents in each of the 27 Member States 
of  the  EU  are  for  a  common  energy  policy  (unchanged  since 
summer  2022),  although  levels  of  support  range  from  89%  in 
Malta, 88% in Cyprus and 83% in Germany, Luxembourg and the 
Netherlands to 54% in Romania and 55% in Bulgaria and Czechia. 

However, it is worth noting that at least one third of respondents 
in Czechia (35%), Sweden (34%) and Romania (33%) are against 
a common energy policy, and overall, there are 14 countries where 
at least one in five are against it. 

Since summer 2022, support for a common energy policy among 
EU  Member  States  has  increased  in  eight  Member  States 
(compared to ten in the previous survey), with the largest seen in 
Austria  (63%,  +7  percentage  points).  In  contrast,  support  has 
declined in 16 countries, and particularly in Slovakia (60%, -8 pp), 
Slovenia (69%, -8 pp) and Romania (54%, -8 pp). 

There has been no change in opinion in Greece (79%), Latvia (74%) 
or Bulgaria (55%). 

79 

EU27ATHRMTNLDEFRITCYBGELLVESBECZDKHUIELTFIEEPLPTLUSEROSISKJan/Feb 202374637489838367758855797482815575688178576172808360546960Δ Jun/Jul 2022q1p7p4p3p3p1p1p1p1===q1q2q2q3q3q4q4q4q5q5q5q6q6q8q8q8Jan/Feb 202319302171313222083218151315351929121530232171034332531Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q6q2q3q5q1q2q1p2=p1q4p4=q2=p3p2q1q2q1p2p3p2=p4p5p2Jan/Feb 20232331211112212232111223221621Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1=p1p1p1q1==q4q1p1p1p1p1p1p1==p1p2p1p1p1p1p1p3p1=Jan/Feb 20235423231043111103274266111441155748Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q1q3q1p1p1p1=p1p1q2p3q4p1p3p2=p2p4p4p5p2p1p3p5p1p2p6ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB2.5 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A common energy policy among EU Member States (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

The  socio-demographic  analysis  illustrates  that  a  majority  in 
each group are “for” a common energy policy.  

Support is lowest amongst respondents with a negative image of 
the EU (49% “for” vs 43% “against”). 

Support is highest amongst managers and students (both 80%), 
those  who  consider  they  are  part  of  the  upper  middle  (83%)  or 
upper class (81%) and those with a positive image of the EU (88%).  

80 

QB2.5ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU27741925Man752023Woman73192615-2477142725-3974202440-5474212355 +72202615-69193916-1971232420+791713Still studying801316Self- employed742123Managers801622Other white collars761914Manual workers712324House persons652348Unemployed702028Retired721927Students801316Most of the time632728From time to time692425Almost never/ Never781624The working class672337The lower middle class732025The middle class761824The upper middle class831412The upper class811612Positive88912Neutral702127Negative494326Image of the EUWhat is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A common energy policy among EU Member States (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toEducation (End of)GenderAge 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

VI. A DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET WITHIN

THE EU

81 

Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

Almost  two  thirds  are  “for”  a  digital  single  market 
within the EU 

The  proportion  of  Europeans  in  favour  of  a  single  digital 
market  within  the  EU  has  declined  slightly  since  summer 
2022 to just under two thirds (65%, -3 percentage points), 
although support remains relatively high compared to the period 
2015 – summer 2020.30  

The proportion “against” a digital single market has increased one 
percentage point to 20%, while 15% (+2 pp) say they don’t know 
or do not give an answer. 

A majority of respondents in each Member State (no change since 
summer  2022)  are  “for”  a  single  digital  market  within  the  EU, 
although  proportions  range  from  87%  in  Malta  and  76%  in 
Slovenia,  Cyprus  and  Lithuania  to  45%  in  Sweden  (vs  28% 
“against”),  46%  in  Bulgaria  (vs  28%)  and  47%  in  Romania  (vs 
35%).  

It is worth noting that the proportion of respondents who say they 
don’t know or do not answer is particularly high in Finland (29%), 
Sweden (27%), Bulgaria (26%) as well as in Portugal and France 
(both 23%).

30 QB3.2. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for 
each statement, whether you are for it or against it. A digital single market within the 
EU 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

There are only three countries where support for a single digital 
market has increased since summer 2022 (compared to 20 in the 
previous survey): Croatia (73%, +5 percentage points), Italy (68%, 
+2 pp) and Malta (87%, +1 pp).

In the remaining 24 Member States support has declined, and in 
six  countries  the  decline  is  of  at  least  ten  percentage  points: 
Slovakia (62%, -16 pp), Belgium (67%, -13 pp), Finland (61%, -13 
pp),  Sweden  (45%,  -11  pp),  the  Netherlands  (60%,  -11  pp)  and 
Romania (47%, -10 pp). 

83 

EU27HRITMTDEEEESDKFRBGELHUPLPTLVATSICYLTLUCZIERONLSEBEFISKJan/Feb 202365736887757269595146727568727554767676625168476045676162Δ Jun/Jul 2022q3p5p2p1q2q2q2q3q3q4q4q4q6q6q7q7q7q8q8q8q9q9q10q11q11q13q13q16Jan/Feb 20232021256149152326281718225830161510212914352328261020Δ Jun/Jul 2022p1q2=q3p2q2p5q5q1p3p4p3p5p2=p5p3p9=p7p3p4p4p4q15p9q4p3Jan/Feb 20233222223223524425112253652223Δ Jun/Jul 2022=q1=p2q1p1q1p1=q1p1=p1p3p2p1q1q4p1=p2p2p2p3p2p2p1p1Jan/Feb 20231245591713162123656191511781215151512122552715Δ Jun/Jul 2022p2q2q2=p1p3q2p7p4p2q1p1=p1p5p1p5p3p7p1p4p3p4p4p24p2p16p12ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowQB3.2 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.A digital single market within the EU (%)Standard Eurobarometer 98 
Europeans' opinions about the European Union's priorities 
Winter 2022-2023 

A  majority  of  respondents  in  all  but  one  socio-demographic 
group  are  “for”  a  digital  single  market  within  the  EU,  with  the 
strongest  support  seen  amongst  those  aged  25-39  (70%), 
managers  (75%),  other  white  collar  workers  (71%),  those  who 
consider themselves as part of the upper middle class (72%), those 
living in large towns (70%) and those with a positive image of the 
EU (79%). 

The exception is those with a negative image of the EU, where 41% 
are “for” and 42% “against” a digital single market. 

84 

QB3.2ForAgainstRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)Don't knowEU276520312Man682129Woman622031515-24671931125-3970202840-5466232955 +602041615-561942116-19642331020+6918310Still studying7017211Self- employed672229Managers751627Other white collars711928Manual workers622738House persons5326318Unemployed5823316Retired5919418Students7017211Most of the time5428315From time to time5927311Almost never/ Never6917311The working class5922415The lower middle class6222313The middle class6720310The upper middle class721738The upper class6916510Rural village6421312Small/ mid size town6223312Large town7016311Positive791128Neutral6022414Negative4142314Image of the EUWhat is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell for each statement, whether you are for it or against it.  A digital single market within the EU (% - EU)Socio-professional categoryDifficulties paying billsConsider belonging toSubjective urbanisationEducation (End of)GenderAge