New Eurobarometer survey shows record high trust in EU in recent years

TALLINN – The latest Eurobarometer released on Friday reveals the highest level of trust in the European Union since 2007 and the highest-ever support for the euro.

The survey also shows that Europeans have a more optimistic view about the future. They would like to see a stronger and more independent EU, especially in the face of the current global challenges, the European Commission said in a press release.

Altogether 51 percent of European respondents and 52 percent of respondents in Estonia tend to trust the EU, the highest result since 2007. Trust in the EU is highest among the young people aged 15-24 at 59 percent. In another 17 year-record, 51 percent of Europeans said they trust the European Commission. Meanwhile, the Commission is trusted by 46 percent of respondents in Estonia.

Almost three quarters of respondents, or 74 percent, say they feel citizens of the EU, the highest level in more than two decades. This figure stands at 78 percent in Estonia. In addition, 61 percent of EU citizens and 60 percent of Estonians, are also optimistic about the future of the EU.

At the same time, 44 percent of EU citizens and 45 percent of Estonian respondents continue to have a positive image of the EU, while 38 percent in the EU and 40 percent in Estonia have a neutral image and 17 percent in the EU and 14 percent in Estonia have a negative image of the EU.

Nearly seven in ten respondents, or 69 percent, in contrast to 62 percent in Estonia, agree that the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy. Similarly, 69 percent overall and 57 percent in Estonia agree that the European Union is a place of stability in a troubled world.

According to Europeans, security and defense, with a share of 33 percent overall and 42 percent in Estonia, should be the main priority area for the EU action in the medium term, followed by migration with 29 percent overall and 16 percent in Estonia, the economy with 28 percent overall and 41 percent in Estonia, climate and the environment with 28 percent overall and 11 percent in Estonia, and health with 27 percent overall and 22 percent in Estonia.

At the same time, 44 percent of European citizens and 53 percent of Estonians think that ensuring peace and stability will have the highest positive impact on their life in the short term, followed by securing food, health, and industry supplies in the EU and managing migration, both 27 percent, compared with 24 percent in Estonia.

When it comes to specific areas for EU action in the clean sector, Europeans believe the EU should prioritize renewable energy first, highlighted by 38 percent overall and 23 percent in Estonia, followed by investments in sustainable agriculture with 31 percent overall and 26 percent in Estonia, energy infrastructure and clean technology investments with 28 percent overall and 27 percent in Estonia.

The Eurobarometer survey registered the highest support ever for the common currency, both in the EU as a whole at 74 percent and in the euro area at 81 percent. Meanwhile, the indicator for Estonia is 89 percent. When it comes to the perception of the situation of the European economy, 48 percent of Europeans and 43 percent of Estonians find it good while 43 percent overall and 44 percent in Estonia find it bad. The perception of the situation of the European economy has steadily improved since autumn 2019. 49 percent overall and 36 percent in Estonia think the European economic situation will remain stable in the next 12 months.

In the face of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, 87 percent of Europeans and 88 percent of Estonians agree with providing humanitarian support to the people affected by the war. 71 percent of EU citizens and 70 percent of Estonian respondents support economic sanctions on the Russian government, companies, and individuals and 68 percent overall and 56 percent in Estonia agree with providing financial support to Ukraine. Six in ten overall and 59 percent in Estonia approve of the EU granting candidate status to Ukraine and 58 percent overall and 63 percent in Estonia agree with the EU financing the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine continues to be considered as the most important issue at EU level, with 31 percent overall and 46 percent in Estonia highlighting this, followed by immigration at 28 percent overall and 18 percent in Estonia and the international situation at 22 percent overall and 33 percent in Estonia, while 76 percent of European respondents and 73 percent of Estonian respondents agree that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of the EU.

The standard Eurobarometer survey was conducted between Oct. 10 and Nov. 5 across the 27 member states. Overall, 26,525 EU citizens were interviewed face-to-face. Interviews were also conducted in nine candidate and potential candidate countries (all except Ukraine) and the United Kingdom.