Wars, geopolitical tensions and stubborn economic uncertainty have made the world feel less predictable than at any time in recent years. One might expect such turmoil to fuel a fresh wave of Euroscepticism. Instead, a new survey points in the opposite direction: the more unstable the world becomes, the more Europeans see the EU as a source of stability.
The war in Ukraine has entered its fifth year. The Middle East continues to generate fresh conflicts. Tensions between the world’s major powers keep rising, energy prices remain volatile, and economic uncertainty has returned to many households.
Yet the latest Europe-wide survey delivers an unexpected finding. At a time like this, Europeans increasingly see the EU as one of the few stable anchors in an ever more chaotic world.
The latest Spring Eurobarometer points to a clear shift in public sentiment. Three quarters of EU citizens now agree that the European Union represents “a place of stability in a troubled world”. That marks the second-highest figure of the past decade and an eight-percentage-point increase in just six months.
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Portugal stands out as the most optimistic country on this measure, with 94% of respondents agreeing with the statement. Sweden follows on 89%, ahead of Denmark on 88%.
At the other end of the scale, Estonia emerges as the bloc’s most Eurosceptic country. Even there, however, a clear majority of respondents—60%—still view the EU as a source of stability. Czechia comes next with 65%, followed by Latvia and Cyprus, both on 69%.
The change goes beyond improving perceptions of the EU itself. The less predictable the world beyond Europe’s borders becomes, the more people seem to value what European cooperation provides at home.
A worrying world beyond Europe’s borders
Only 38% of Europeans believe the world is heading in the right direction, while 58% expect things to get worse. Public pessimism about global developments has also deepened over recent months.
Ask people about their own lives, however, and the picture looks very different. Three quarters feel optimistic about their family’s future. More than half also express confidence in the future of both their own country and the EU.
Uncertainty mixed with hope
The emotions Europeans described in the survey tell a similar story. Uncertainty topped the list, with 44% choosing it to describe how they feel. Hope followed just one percentage point behind. Confidence and a sense of calm came next.
Taken together, the findings suggest that Europeans recognise the growing risks around them without losing faith in their ability to cope. Younger Europeans report the highest levels of optimism, hope and confidence. Older generations, by contrast, are more likely to speak of uncertainty or frustration.
Europe’s priorities are shifting
Only a few years ago, climate change, the pandemic and migration dominated political debate across Europe. Today, public priorities look very different. When asked what would strengthen the EU’s position in the world, respondents most often pointed to defence and security.
Energy independence came next, and its importance has risen sharply since last autumn. Europeans also ranked the competitiveness of European industry and food security among their top priorities.
People expect the EU itself to move in the same direction. More than two thirds want the Union to play a stronger role in protecting citizens from global crises and security threats.
Another figure speaks even louder. Nine in ten respondents believe EU member states should act together when dealing with today’s crises.
Household finances still come first
Geopolitics may dominate newspaper headlines, but the economy still shapes people’s daily lives more than anything else. According to Eurostat’s latest flash estimate, eurozone inflation eased to 2.8% in June, down from 3.2% in May. Slower growth in energy prices has helped reduce inflationary pressures.
That does not mean Europeans have stopped feeling the squeeze. Almost half of respondents (47%) identified inflation, rising prices and the cost of living as the European Parliament’s top priority. Support for the economy and job creation followed well behind, with defence and security ranking only after that.
The figures help explain why economic issues remain at the top of the political agenda even as inflation gradually cools. People do not judge inflation by the latest monthly rate alone. They judge it by how much more expensive life has become over the past few years.
Europe seeks reassurance, not excitement
The latest Eurobarometer does not paint a picture of a continent overflowing with optimism. Instead, it reveals a Europe that knows the world has become less stable than at any point in recent years.
Even so, most Europeans believe that, despite all its flaws, the EU still offers something they struggle to find elsewhere: security, predictability and cooperation.
