Eurobarometer: Europeans expect more decisive action from the EU

TALLINN - According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, nearly three-quarters, or 74 percent, of EU citizens believe that EU membership is beneficial for their country. In Estonia, this figure is 82 percent.

Support for the euro and for the common defence and security policy is at one of its highest levels ever. In a volatile geopolitical environment, Europeans increasingly want the EU to act more decisively and forcefully to achieve greater economic independence and implement a common defence and security policy.

Nearly six in ten EU citizens (59 percent), and the same proportion in Estonia, are optimistic about the future of the EU. Almost three-quarters of respondents (73 percent), and 78 percent in Estonia, feel they are citizens of the EU. Trust in the EU remains high at 48 percent, rising to 52 percent in Estonia.

Europeans expect unity and more decisive action from the EU

There is overwhelming support for strengthening the EU's economic independence, with 83 percent (85 percent in Estonia) believing the Union should diversify its global trade relations.

Almost eight in ten Europeans (79 percent), and the same proportion in Estonia, support a common defence and security policy among member states, which is the second-highest level of support recorded since 2004.

Europeans believe that in the short term, the greatest positive impact on their lives comes from ensuring peace and stability (42 percent, 48 percent in Estonia), followed by job creation (26 percent, 30 percent in Estonia), and securing food, health, and industrial supplies within the EU (25 percent, 24 percent in Estonia).

Citizens want the EU budget to focus primarily on employment, social issues, and public health (42 percent, 44 percent in Estonia); education, training, youth, culture, and media (36 percent, 39 percent in Estonia); and defence and security (35 percent, 42 percent in Estonia).

Support for the euro at a record high

The latest survey showed record-high support for the euro across the EU at 74 percent, and as high as 89 percent in Estonia. Opinions on the European economy are divided: 46 percent of Europeans (44 percent in Estonia) rate it as good, while an equal 46 percent (41 percent in Estonia) rate it as bad. Meanwhile, 49 percent of citizens (41 percent in Estonia) believe that Europe's economic situation will remain stable over the next 12 months.

Continued and stable support for Ukraine

Eighty-one percent of respondents (80 percent in Estonia) approve of welcoming people fleeing the war in Ukraine into the EU, and more than three-quarters of Europeans (77 percent, 72 percent in Estonia) support providing financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Seventy-three percent of EU citizens (68 percent in Estonia) support economic sanctions against the Russian government, companies, and individuals. Nearly six in ten (59 percent, 58 percent in Estonia) approve of granting Ukraine EU candidate status. Fifty-seven percent (64 percent in Estonia) agree that the EU should finance the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is still cited as the biggest problem facing the EU (26 percent, 30 percent in Estonia). This was followed by immigration (20 percent), the international situation (19 percent), and security and defence (18 percent).

For respondents in Estonia, the order of concerns was the international situation (24 percent), security and defence (22 percent), and energy supply (16 percent). Seventy-seven percent of European respondents agree that Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens the security of the EU.

The Standard Eurobarometer 104 (Autumn 2025) was conducted from October 9 to November 5 in all 27 member states. A total of 26,445 EU citizens were interviewed face-to-face. Interviews were also conducted in nine candidate and potential candidate countries (all except Ukraine) and in the United Kingdom.