Flash Eurobarometer State of the European Union

Survey requested by the European Parliament

Public Opinion Monitoring Unit

DG Communication

Fieldwork

17/08 - 25/08/2021

Fieldwork conducted by Ipsos European Public Affairs

Flash Eurobarometer

State of the European

Union

2

Background &

Methodology

1

3

Introduction

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the European Union address before the European Parliament, taking stock of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing and ideas for shaping the future of the EU.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will deliver her annual address on 15 September 2021. The speech will be followed by a plenary debate with the Members of the European Parliament.

In this context, the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication commissioned Ipsos European Public Affairs to conduct a Eurobarometer Flash survey, exploring European citizens’ opinions on some of the key priorities for the EU today.

The present report summarises the findings of the survey – the full results for all questions are available in separate Excel tables here:https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/en/be-heard/eurobarometer/soteu-flash-survey

For all further questions and additional information please contact

Public Opinion Monitoring Unit – DG CommunicationEuropean [email protected]@EP_Trends

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/en/be-heard/eurobarometer/soteu-flash-survey

mailto:[email protected]

4

Technical note

Survey conducted for the European Parliament by Ipsos European Public Affairs

Methodology

• The survey was conducted via computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI), using Ipsos online panels and their partner network. A share of respondents in Malta and Luxembourg was recruited via social media networks.

• Fieldwork: 17 August – 25 August 2021

• Target population: EU citizens, 15 years and over

• Coverage: EU27

• Number of interviews: 26,459

• Sample size per country: 500 in LU, CY, MT, 1000 in all other countries

Presentation of survey data

• Survey data were weighted to marginal age by gender, activity status and region population distributions using rim weighting. The EU27 averages are weighted according to the size of the 15+ population of each country. Note: Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

5

Democracy,

Human Rights and

the Rule of Law

2

6

Rule of Law and EU funding

• The vast majority of respondents (81%) agree that the EU should only provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government’simplementation of the rule of law and of democratic principles.

o More than seven in ten agree with this statement in each of the 27 EU Member States.

o Older respondents and respondents with more years of education are more likely to agree with the conditionality of EU funding.

• Similarly, a very large proportion of respondents (85%) consider it important that the EU puts the respect of its core values – such asdemocracy, human rights and the rule of law – as a priority in its relations with major international actors.

o Again, the share who consider this important is high across all EU Member States (above three quarters in each of country).

o The proportion who say this is important is higher among older and more educated respondents.

Q3/Q4

7 Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union / Fieldwork: 17/08 - 25/08/2021 / Base: n=26459 – All (%)

Rule of Law and EU funding (EU27)

Q3 […] Do you agree or disagree that the EU should only provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government’s implementation of the Rule of Law and of democratic principles?

Q4 How important (or not) do you think it is that the EU puts the respect of its core values - such as democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law - as a priority in its relations with major international actors such as the USA, China, Russia or Turkey?

Q3/Q4

8

92 91 90 87 86 85 84 84 84 83 83 83 83 81 81 80 80 79 78 78 78 77 77 76 75 74 73 72

[…] Do you agree or disagree that the EU should only provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government’s implementation of the Rule of Law and of democratic principles?

Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union / Fieldwork: 17/08 - 25/08/2021 / Base: n=26459 – All (%)

CY PT EL HR FI BG RO IT LT LU ES MT SE IE EU27 DE FR LV AT BE DK HU EE SI CZ SK NL PL

95 93 9186

8286

8986 84 85

89 87 85 86 85 84 8580 83 85 83

7884 86

80 82 8379

How important (or not) do you think it is that the EU puts the respect of its core values - such as democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law - as a priority in its relations with major international actors such as the USA, China, Russia or Turkey?

Total 'Important'

Total 'Agree'

Rule of Law and EU funding (country results)Q3/Q4


Rule of Law and EU funding (socio-demographics)

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

37

41

41

49

39

38

38

35

12

10

10

7

10

8

8

6

34

41

49

41

41

38

35

38

11

9

7

11

10

8

6

9

Education (%)

Age (%)

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

42

41

46

52

38

41

38

36

11

10

8

6

5

5

6

4

42

46

50

44

42

39

38

38

8

7

6

11

7

6

4

5

Education (%)

Age (%)

Data labels not shown for 5% or under

Q3 […] Do you agree or disagree that the EU should only provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government’s implementation of the Rule of Law and of democratic principles?

Q4 How important (or not) do you think it is that the EU puts the respect of its core values - such as democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law - as a priority in its relations with major international actors such as the USA, China, Russia or Turkey?

Q3/Q4

Totally agree Tend to agree Tend to disagree

Totally disagree Don't know

Very important Important Not very important

Not at all important Don't know


CY PT EL HR FI BG RO IT LT LU ES MT SE IE EU27 FR DE LV AT BE DK HU EE SI CZ SK NL PL

63

5248 46

50 4750 48

39

57

46

40

57

38

4439

44

29

47

4043

45

3230 28

32

39 41

30 39 4241 36 38 35 36 45 26 38 43 26 43 37 41 35 50 31 38 35 32 44 46 46 42 34 31

3 4 5 96 8 8 7 9 7 9 8 7 9 9 9

129

1210 8 8

12 129

129 8

2 1 2 23 3 3 2

4 62 4 4 2 3 2

3 6 43 3

7 5 4 7 6

38

3 4 3 3 6 4 5 7 4 4 6 6 7 8 7 9 5 7 6 10 11 8 6 8 9 8 15 12

To be part of the European Union, Member States agree to share and respect common values including the Rule of Law (which include press freedom, independence of justice, fight against corruption, protection of individual rights, etc.). Do you agree or disagree that the EU should only provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government’s implementation of the Rule of Law and of democratic principles? Q3

Totally agree Tend to agree Tend to disagree Totally disagree Don't know


CY PT EL RO ES MT HR IE IT BG SI BE FR SE LU EU27 EE LT DE DK NL AT SK FI LV CZ PL HU

71

50

5755 54

5044

51 49

43 45 45 43

5358

47

3840

4846

38

48

36 3633

36

43

35

2543

33 35 3537 42 35 37 42 41 41 42 32 27 38 46 44 36 38 45 35 46 46 47 44 37 43

3 4 5 5 76

107 8 7

97 6 6 6 8 9 8 10

8 8 9 9 10 12 119 10

1 1 2 2 2 4 32 3 4 2

2 2 36 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 4 3

3 4

1 2 2 4 3 4 2 5 4 4 3 6 6 6 3 5 6 5 4 6 7 5 5 7 4 6 9 8

How important (or not) do you think it is that the EU puts the respect of its core values - such as democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law - as a priority in its relations with major international actors such as the USA, China, Russia or Turkey?Q4

Very important Important Not very important Not at all important Don't know

12

3NextGenerationEU:

The way out of the crisis

13

NextGenerationEU: the way out of the crisis (I)

• Overall, 60% of respondents agree that the ‘NextGenerationEU’ projects will help their country to overcome the economic and social damage brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

o This figure ranges from a low of 49% in Sweden, 51% in the Netherlands and 52% in Germany, to a high of 75% in Portugal, 76% in Cyprus and 78% in Malta.

o Respondents with a higher level of education are more likely to agree with the statement – 63% of those who completed their education aged 20 or older do so, compared to 54%-57% of those in the two less educated groups.

• A similar proportion (59%) think that the ‘NextGenerationEU’ projects will help their country to be better prepared for future challenges .

o In line with the results for the question above, respondents in Malta (80%), Cyprus (78%) and Portugal (75%) are most likely to agree with this statement, while those in Sweden (48%), Germany and the Netherlands (both 49%) are the least likely to do so.

o Respondents with more than 20 years of education are more likely to agree with the statement – 61% do so, compared to 53%-57% of those in the two less educated groups.


The ‘NextGenerationEU’ projects will help (OUR COUNTRY) to overcome the economic and social damage brought about by the coronavirus pandemic

The ‘NextGenerationEU’ projects will help (OUR COUNTRY) to be better prepared for future challenges

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?Q8

NextGenerationEU is a €800 billion EU recovery instrument to help repair the economic and social damage brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. All Member States are requested to submit their national recovery and resilience plans to access funds under this new facility.

15

MT CY PT IE BG IT EL ES PL HU HR RO FI EU27 LV DK CZ SI LT AT FR EE LU BE SK DE NL SE

80 78 7568 70 69 69

61 64 64 62 6558 59

62 63 60 58 6056

52

6355

5157

49 49 48


78 76 7570 69 67 67 64 64 64 63 63 61 60 60 59 59 59 58 58 57 57 57 55 55 52 50 49



Total 'Agree'

Total 'Agree'


16



Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

18

15

12

13

46

43

44

50

15

19

19

15

6

8

8

15

16

17

17

10

13

15

17

44

44

48

48

18

18

16

15

8

7

6

21

18

16

16

Education (%)

Age (%)

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

16

14

13

14

45

40

43

48

16

20

17

15

7

8

8

6

16

18

19

18

11

14

15

16

42

43

47

47

20

17

16

16

9

7

6

6

18

19

17

15

Education (%)

Age (%)






MT CY PT IE BG IT EL ES PL HU HR RO FI EU27 LV DK CZ SI LT FR AT LU EE BE SK DE NL SE

25

1719 18 20

16 16 1721 19

1317

13 1417 18

9 1013

1013 13 12

811 11

610

53 59 56

52 49 51 5147 43 45 51 46

47 46 43 41 51 49 45 47 44 44 44 47 4442 45 39

98

1111 14 14

17 17

912

19 1817 17

1417 17 18 18

14

21

1318 17

20 25

16 17

1 33

4 3 66

6

7 6

87

6 712

6 6 7 7

5

8

7 4 5

8 8

8 9

12 14 11 15 14 13 10 13 20 18 9 13 16 17 14 18 17 17 17 23 13 23 22 23 17 15 25 25

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?

Q8_1 The ‘NextGenerationEU’ projects will help (OUR COUNTRY) to overcome the economic and social damage brought about by the coronavirus pandemic



MT CY PT BG EL IT IE RO HU PL EE DK LV HR ES CZ LT EU27 SI FI SK AT LU FR BE NL DE SE

2126

20 20 21 19 17 18 19 1916 16 17

1317

915 14

10 11 11 12 139 7 7

10 10

59 5255

50 49 50 5247 45 45 48 47 45 49 44 51 45 45 48 47 46 44 42

44 4542 39 38

98 11 14 15

12 13 17

11 10 12 14 14

21 1917 16 17 18 17 19 21

1615 16 17

24

15

2 4 3 46

5 57

5 6 4 510

86

5 8 7 76 6

8

76 7 7

10

11

10 10 12 12 10 14 14 11 19 20 20 19 14 10 14 18 17 18 17 20 18 15 23 26 25 26 17 26

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?Q8_3



19

• A minority of respondents (44%) consider that their national government can be trusted to use the NextGenerationEU funds properly.

o Trust in the government’s use of the NextGenerationEU funds is lowest in Slovenia (23%) and Slovakia (26%), and highest inLuxembourg (74%) and Denmark (70%).

• Majorities agree that there must be transparency and effective control on how the NextGenerationEU funds are spent (85%) and thatregional governments, municipalities and civil society should be consulted on how the NextGenerationEU money is spent (77%).

NextGenerationEU: the way out of the crisis (II)

20




53

31

10

32

46

34

6

9

24

2

3

17

7

10

15

There must be transparency and effective control on how

the ‘NextGenerationEU’ funds are spent

Regional governments, municipalities and civil society

should be consulted on how the ‘NextGenerationEU’

money is spent

My national government can be trusted to use the

‘NextGenerationEU’ funds properly


21 Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union / Fieldwork: 17/08 - 25/08/2021 Base: n=26459 – All (%)

LU DK FI NL PT MT DE IE AT FR SE IT EE EU27 BE EL BG ES LT LV PL CZ RO HR CY HU SK SI

2628

17

9 11

18

12 1114

1014

9 710

711 11 9 10 10 10

58 6 7 8

36

4841

4346

42 33 38 38 35 37 34 38 38 34 37 31 30 31 28 28 26 29 2625 23 20

2218

1011 20

1724 27

2423

26

20 18

25 26 24 23 2733

24 2522

22

33 34

30

37

22

34

29

67 10

9

1213

12 15 14

1419 12

1017

13

2616 25 26 30

23

22 2233 26

3926

39

10 12 11 19 12 9 14 13 12 19 15 17 20 15 20 5 10 11 12 10 20 12 11 7 7 12 15 9


My national government can be trusted to use the ‘NextGenerationEU’ funds properly



MT CY PT LU HR EL BG ES IE RO SI FI LV LT IT SE CZ BE EU27 SK EE PL NL FR HU DK DE AT

6973

7067

60 61 60 58

53

58

51

60

66

58 5962

52 53 53 5451

54

4844

53 5148

53

26 20 24 25 30 28 29 30 34 29 36 26 20 28 27 24 33 33 32 31 34 31 36 40 31 32 34 28

2 2 32

6 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 6 4 5 5 6 7 6 5 5 6 7 7 8 9

0 1 1 22 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 2

13 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 3 3 4

3 4 3 5 2 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 9 6 8 7 7 8 8 10 8 8 7 8 6


There must be transparency and effective control on how the ‘NextGenerationEU’ funds are spent



PT MT BG HR RO CY LU ES EL HU SK SI IE LV LT SE PL EE EU27 DK FI AT BE CZ DE FR IT NL

4339

44

3540

45

3638

35

41

33

2528

46

32

41 40

2831

3329

33

2521

2725 24 22

46 50 43 51 45 39 47 44 46 40 48 55 51 33 47 38 38 50 46 44 48 43 50 54 48 50 49 50

4 4 7 8 710

710 11

7 9 9 8 8 8 6 6 7 98 9

129 11 10 9

1311

2 2 2 33 2

3 2 23 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 2

43 3 4 4

45

6 6 5 4 7 5 8 6 6 10 9 9 10 10 10 12 11 12 10 12 13 8 13 11 12 13 10 13

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?Q8_6 Regional governments, municipalities and civil society should be consulted on how the ‘NextGenerationEU’ money is spent


24

NextGenerationEU: the way out of the crisis (III)

• About the same share of respondents agree (35%) or disagree (36%) that the NextGenerationEU projects will have a positive impact ontheir personal or professional situation. The remainder (29%) don’t know.

o About half of respondents expect a positive impact for themselves in Malta (53%), Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus (all 50%); this isabout twice as many as in Sweden (24%) and Belgium (25%).


MT BG RO CY EL PT IT LV IE DK PL ES LT HR SI EU27 HU FI SK EE AT CZ DE LU FR NL BE SE

13 1412

1510 10 9 11 11

139 9 8 6 6 8 7 7 6 7 7

46 6 6 4 4 5

4136 38 35 39

3633 31 31 27 31 30 30 30 30 27 28 26 27 26 24

26 22 21 20 22 21 19

1520 21

1419

1918

1419 18

1519 22

2925

2218

23 2520

26 29 29

1924

22 2118

5

8 8

7

119

12 189 11

1012

17

17

1314

13

17 13

11

19 1619

1815

13 1423

28 22 21 30 21 25 28 26 30 30 35 30 24 18 26 29 34 28 30 37 24 26 23 37 34 40 40 35


The ‘NextGenerationEU’ projects will have a positive impact on my personal or professional situation


26

4 Priority issues

27

Priority issues

• Topics that EU citizens would prefer to see prioritised by the European Parliament are action against climate change (43%), followed bymeasures to fight poverty and social exclusion (32%), measures to support the economy and create new jobs, and the fight against terrorismand organised crime (both 31%).

• A fair and sustainable agricultural policy (15%), democracy and the rule of the law (19%) and the future of Europe (19%) are less likely to beconsidered priority issues for the European Parliament to address.

• Action against climate change ranks first in 15 of the 27 EU countries. In most other countries (9 of the 27 EU countries) the interlinked‘measures to fight poverty and social exclusion’ and ‘measures to support the economy and create new jobs’ are in first place.

• Action against climate change is relatively likely to be viewed as a priority issue by younger respondents and by those with a higher level ofeducation. Younger respondents also frequently consider the question of human rights (in the EU and worldwide) as a priority. Respondents whoare 55 years old or older are more likely than younger respondents to see migration and asylum as a priority.

28

Which of the following topics would you like to see addressed in priority by the European Parliament?Q2

Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union / Fieldwork: 17/08 - 25/08/2021 / Base: n=26459 - All

EU27 average

Action against climate change 43%

Measures to fight poverty and social exclusion 32%

Measures to support our economy and create new jobs 31%

The fight against terrorism and organised crime 31%

Public health 27%

Migration and asylum 27%

Human rights (in the EU and worldwide) 24%

Democracy and the rule of law 19%

The future of Europe 19%

A fair and sustainable agricultural policy 15%

Other 2%

Don’t know 2%

29

EU27 BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR HR IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE

Action against climate change

Measures to fight poverty and social exclusion

The fight against terrorism and organised crime

Measures to support our economy and create new jobs

Public health

Migration and asylum

Human rights (in the EU and worldwide)

Democracy and the rule of law

The future of Europe

A fair and sustainable agricultural policy

Other

Don’t know


Which of the following topics would you like to see addressed in priority by the European Parliament?Q2

43 44 28 29 47 48 27 42 35 43 45 39 48 39 19 27 50 42 64 43 45 38 50 36 40 40 38 47

32 37 47 18 24 29 32 29 41 38 29 52 33 50 41 45 41 40 27 30 29 25 46 39 39 36 36 27

31 32 26 44 41 34 30 29 20 24 40 24 23 21 20 23 28 20 30 38 32 26 25 27 23 24 39 51

31 29 43 24 21 19 35 32 50 43 28 47 41 43 44 33 24 22 16 15 23 26 43 42 29 27 30 21

27 30 40 25 18 18 33 36 31 35 25 24 29 25 32 27 21 37 24 27 19 32 28 37 31 35 16 18

27 33 21 39 31 33 25 25 34 24 30 16 30 23 17 28 25 20 43 29 39 12 14 9 20 20 31 34

24 18 17 20 25 27 23 34 21 24 19 26 21 31 24 24 26 23 21 25 24 28 28 26 27 24 26 28

19 13 22 19 19 24 19 9 19 14 12 20 12 25 18 23 18 38 27 20 19 37 11 21 26 23 19 18

19 18 18 35 23 23 28 19 15 15 15 17 15 8 24 23 21 24 18 18 22 26 17 17 23 22 21 15

15 14 10 18 14 15 22 14 7 14 18 16 16 4 20 9 15 7 9 21 15 12 14 19 11 23 17 13

2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 0 1 1 5 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 3

2 1 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 2

43 Most frequently selected priority

30

5 Image of the

EU

31

Image of the EU (I)

• Fifty-three per cent of respondents have a positive image of the EU, while 27% have a neutral image and 19% a negative image.

o The proportion who have a positive image ranges from a low of 39% in Belgium and 41% in both Austria and Czechia, to a high of82% in Portugal.

o Younger respondents relatively often have a positive image of the EU. The same applies to those with a higher level of education orwho are still studying. The proportion of respondents with a very positive image of the EU is higher among male respondents thanamong female respondents.

• Close to half (49%) of respondents say their image of the EU has remained stable over the last year, while about a third (34%) say it gotworse and 15% say it improved.

• The highest proportion of those whose image of the EU has improved can be observed in Italy and Portugal (both 25%). For thosewhose image of the EU has worsened, the highest proportions are observed in Luxembourg (51%) and Austria (49%).

o Younger respondents and respondents with a higher level of education are more likely than average to say their image of the EU hasimproved in the last year. This proportion is also relatively high among male respondents.

32 Data labels not shown for 5% or under

14% Very positive

39% Fairly positive

27% Neutral

13% Fairly negative

6% Very negative

1% Don't know

EU27 average

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

Male

Female

In general, does the European Union conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image?SD1


18

16

13

12

44

38

35

41

27

29

30

25

8

11

14

15

7

7

17

11

39

39

23

31

13

13

7

10

11

16

17

33

35

42

46

33

30

24

26

16

16

12

7

8

8

Gender (%)

Education (%)

Age (%)


PT IE PL RO MT CY LT BG HU ES DK HR FI LV EU27 IT SI EE EL FR LU DE SE SK NL AT CZ BE

1720

33

1719

11

20 2118

10

20

1114

1014 13

10 10 11 12 13 139 9 6

127

4

65

52 37

48 45 52 42 41 4247 36 44 40 43 39 40 43 43 39 37 35

33 35 35 35 29 34 35

13

18 17 22 2422

2520

2531

2631

2833

27 26

3632

28

2422

3432 31

36

31

22

33

46 8 9 7 11 10 14 11 8

1110 14 12

13 148 11

12 18 1914

14 17 1518

2319

2 3 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 6 4 3 3 6 7 2 4 9 8 9 67

8 7 10 14 8

0 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1

In general, does the European Union conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image?SD1

Very positive Fairly positive Neutral Fairly negative Very negative Don't know


Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

Male

Female

15% Improved

34% Got worse

49% Stayed about the same

2% Don't know

EU27 average


Over the last year, would you say that this image you have of the European Union improved, got worse or stayed about the same? SD2

21

17

14

14

32

35

36

32

44

45

48

53

19

12

34

33

46

52

11

13

16

21

36

35

33

30

52

50

50

46

Gender (%)

Education (%)

Age (%)


IT PT IE DK HU PL LT RO ES HR MT EL CY EU27 BG FI AT DE LV SI SE NL FR EE CZ BE SK LU

25 2523 22

20 19 19 18 17 16 16 16 16 15 15 1412 11 11 10 10 9 9 9 9 8 8 8

29

15 1821

2826

3128

32

2622

3429

34

28 29

49

43

28

33

2832

37

30

4139 41

51

44 59 57 54 5249

48 53 50 57 60 50 53 49 54 56 38 44 59 5556 54 51 60 49 50 50 40

1 1 2 3 1 6 2 1 1 1 2 0 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 6 5 3 1 2 3 1 1

Over the last year, would you say that this image you have of the European Union improved, got worse or stayed about the same? SD2

Improved Got worse Stayed about the same Don't know

36

Image of the EU (II)

• Around seven in ten respondents (68%) are generally in favour of the EU.

o Though this includes 42% who are dissatisfied with the way the EU is working at present, compared to 26% who are satisfied with itsworking.

o A further 22% are rather sceptical of the EU but could change their opinion if radical reform is introduced, while 6% are opposed tothe general idea of the EU.

• In all Member States, at least half of respondents are generally in favour of the EU.

o Nonetheless, less than half of respondents in all countries are both in favour of the EU AND satisfied with the way the EU is workingat present; this figure ranges from 17% in Austria and Belgium to 47% in Ireland, Poland and Portugal.

o ‘EU enthusiast’ (being in favour of the EU and the way it is working) are relatively prevalent among the young and those still ineducation (33% compared to 24%-26% among older age groups).

37

26%You are in favour of the European Union and the way it is working at present

42%You are rather in favour of the European Union, but not the way it is working at present

22%You are rather sceptical of the European Union, but could change your opinion if the way it works was really changed

6% You are opposed to the idea of the European Union in general

4% Don't know

Data labels not shown for 5% or under

EU27 average

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

Male

Female

Which of the following statements regarding the European Union is closest to your opinion? SD3


33

26

25

24

43

42

40

43

16

21

24

23

7

6

26

26

44

40

22

23

6

6

18

23

28

33

40

39

44

43

29

26

20

16

8

8

Gender (%)

Education (%)

Age (%)


IE PT PL HU MT RO LV LT FI DK EE ES SI EU27 HR BG FR IT SK SE NL CY DE LU CZ EL BE AT

47 47 4743

36 3632 32 31 30

27 27 27 26 26 2622 21 21 21 21 21 21 19 18 18 17 17

32

41

27 28 37 38

36

43

3237 42

4843 42

37 40 44 4641 41 42 43 44

50

34

53

45 44

139

1721 20 20 24 17

2518

24 20 2522 29 25 22

23 2724 22

32

2523

33

2327 28

4 24 4 3 4 5 7

7 94 2 3 6

7 87 5 8

9 92

65 13 6

59

4 2 6 4 4 2 3 3 5 6 3 3 3 4 2 3 5 4 3 5 6 2 5 3 2 1 6 3

Which of the following statements regarding the European Union is closest to your opinion? SD3

You are in favour of the European Union and the way it is working at present

You are rather in favour of the European Union, but not the way it is working at present

You are rather sceptical of the European Union, but could change my opinion if the way it works was really changed

You are opposed to the idea of the European Union in general

Don't know

39

6Are things going in

the right direction?

40

Are things going in the right direction?

• About half of respondents think things are going in the wrong direction in their country (48%), while slightly fewer think this about the EU (37%). A minority of respondents feel that, in general, things are going in the right direction in their own country (21%) or in the EU (24%).

• Respondents are more likely to consider that in general things are going in the right direction for them personally – 36% think so, versus 21% who think things are deteriorating for themselves.

Overall, respondents from Portugal and Ireland are the most positive about how things are going for their country, the EU and themselves. Respondents in Belgium and Sweden are most negative about how things are going in their own country and the EU.

• Compared to female respondents, male respondents are on average more positive about the way things are going in their country (19% vs 25%), in the EU (22% vs 27%), and for them personally (33% vs 38%).

• Younger respondents and respondents with a higher level of education are relatively likely to say that things are going in the right direction for them personally.

41

At the present time, would you say that, in general, things are going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, …?Q1


Right direction Wrong direction Neither one, nor the other Don't know

36

24

21

21

37

48

39

33

28

5

5

2

For me personally

In the EU

In (OUR COUNTRY)

42 Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union / Fieldwork: 17/08 - 25/08/2021 Base: n=26459 – All (%)

PT IE DK FI LU LT IT LV EE MT EL BG AT NL EU27 DE RO ES SK CY FR HR HU PL CZ SI SE BE

4541 40

34 3329 29 29 29

26 26 24 2422 21 21 20 20

17 16 16 16 15 14 14 14 14 14

2127

23

3936

43

3835

31

41

50

44

49

40

4851 50 53

66

50 51 53

64 64

47

55 55

45

3029 32 24 27 24 31 32 36

31 2429 24 36 28 26 28 27 14 32 31 30 19

1737 30 30 38

5 2 4 3 4 3 2 4 5 2 1 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 5 2 2 2 3

At the present time, would you say that, in general, things are going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, …?Q1_1 in (OUR COUNTRY)



PT IE LV LT RO MT PL BG ES IT HU EE DK FI HR SK EU27 EL CY SI DE AT NL CZ LU FR SE BE

51

41

35 35 34 33 33 3129 29 28 28 27 27 26 26 24 23 23 23

2017 16 15 15 15

13 11

1320 25

2927

18

2631

2831 32

2931

39

29

52

3740

33 32

47 51

43

50

55

46

4147

30 32 3232 35

4129

3241

34 35 37 34 2741

1533

34 40 42 30 2835 31 26 34

3836

6 7 7 5 5 8 12 6 2 6 5 7 8 7 5 8 5 2 4 3 4 4 6 4 5 5 8 6

At the present time, would you say that, in general, things are going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, …?Q1_2 in the EU



FI PT IE DK SE BG DE LV PL EE RO CY LT AT NL EU27 MT LU SK SI EL IT ES HR CZ FR BE HU

51 49 48 4643

40 39 39 39 39 39 38 37 37 36 36 36 35 34 34 33 33 33 32 30 3026

23

1412 14

12 15 1722

1513

18 1922 24

27

14

2117

27

37

2225

23 2125

23 2324

33

30 34 33 38 4035

35

36 3836

38 37 35 33 46 39 43 33 22 3939

3842 39 43 44

4340

5 5 6 4 4 8 4 10 10 7 4 3 4 3 4 5 4 6 7 5 3 7 4 4 4 3 7 3

At the present time, would you say that, in general, things are going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, …?Q1_3

for me personally



Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

Male

Female


At the present time, would you say that, in general, things are going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, …?Q1

in (OUR COUNTRY)

19

21

20

23

48

52

51

45

31

25

27

29

25

19

49

48

25

31

22

21

22

21

48

48

49

46

28

28

26

32

Gender (%)

Education (%)

Age (%)

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

Male

Female

27

24

22

25

29

38

41

37

36

32

33

33

8

6

27

22

40

35

29

37 7

22

23

26

28

43

40

36

31

29

32

33

34

6

6

Gender (%)

Education (%)

Age (%)

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

Male

Female

43

40

34

32

19

22

23

20

31

33

38

45

8

38

33

20

22

38

40 6

31

32

38

42

27

23

18

19

38

41

39

32 7

Gender (%)

Education (%)

Age (%)

For you personally In the EU In this country


46

7Perceived

impact of the

COVID crisis

47

Perceived impact of the COVID crisis

• Respondents were asked to rate their concern about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the financial situation of their household,using a 10-point scale, with 0 indicating ‘not concerned at all’ and 10 indicating ‘extremely concerned’.

• Across countries, the mean score for this question is 5.3.

o Respondents in Sweden (3.7), Denmark and the Netherlands (both 3.8) are the least worried about the impact of the Coronaviruspandemic on their household’s financial situation. Respondents in Greece (7.0) and Cyprus (6.8) are most likely to be concerned.

o The proportion who are concerned about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on their financial situation is higher among self-employed individuals (6.0), but is lower among respondents who are 55 years or older (4.9).

48

Q9 Mean score (11-point scale from 0 to 10)


How concerned are you about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the financial situation of your household?

LV 5.7

LT 5.4

LU 4.6

HU 5.8

MT 5.0

NL 3.8

AT 4.6

PL 5.8

PT 6.3

RO 6.4

SI 5.7

SK 5.7

FI 4.3

SE 3.7

EU27 5.3

BE 5.4

BG 6.4

CZ 5.1

DK 3.8

DE 4.4

EE 5.0

IE 5.2

EL 7.0

ES 6.3

FR 5.4

HR 5.7

IT 5.7

CY 6.8

49

8The EU’s response to the

Coronavirus pandemic

50

EU’s response to the coronavirus pandemic (I)

• Slightly more than half of respondents (53%) are satisfied with the solidarity between EU Member States in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, whereas 40% are not satisfied.

o Respondents in Portugal (81%), Ireland and Malta (both 69%) show the highest rates of satisfaction. Those in Luxembourg (36%), Belgium (41%) and Austria (44%) are least likely to be satisfied with the solidarity between EU Member States in fighting the pandemic.

• Respondents are about equally satisfied with the way their national government (50%) and the EU (49%) have handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy.

o Respondents in Malta (84%), Denmark and Portugal (both 82%) are most likely to be satisfied with the way their national government has handled the vaccination strategy. Respondents in Slovakia (24%) and Slovenia (31%) show the lowest rates of satisfaction with their government’s handling of the vaccination strategy.

o As regards the EU’s handling of the COVID-19 vaccination strategy, satisfaction rates are highest in Portugal (84%) and lowest in Germany (37%), Luxembourg (38%), Belgium and Slovakia (both 40%).


How satisfied are you with the solidarity between EU Member States in fighting the Coronavirus pandemic?Q5

LV 55%

LT 61%

LU 36%

HU 57%

MT 69%

NL 49%

AT 44%

PL 62%

PT 80%

RO 61%

SI 53%

SK 52%

FI 56%

SE 49%

EU27 53%

BE 41%

BG 55%

CZ 56%

DK 65%

DE 47%

EE 50%

IE 69%

EL 49%

ES 61%

FR 47%

HR 54%

IT 51%

CY 62%

% Total ‘Satisfied’


PT MT IE DK PL CY ES LT RO HU FI CZ LV BG HR EU27 SI SK IT EE EL NL SE DE FR AT BE LU

18

12

2016

128

11 13 128 7 6 7

116

96 6

8 610

4 6 7 7 85 6

63

57 4949

50 53 50 48 4949 50 50 49 45 48 44 47 46 43 43 39 45 43 40 40

3536

30

14

18 1818

15

27 26 2523 25

2825 24

2831

28 27 2933

31 31 31 3135

29 34 35

32

4 10 98

8

98 8 11

10 7 10 12 10 9 11 12 1212

1117

128

1215

17 1729

2 3 5 10 15 3 5 6 5 9 9 9 8 7 6 7 8 7 4 8 3 8 13 6 10 5 8 4

How satisfied are you with the solidarity between EU Member States in fighting the Coronavirus pandemic?Q5

Very satisfied Rather satisfied Rather not satisfied Not at all satisfied Don't know

53

Thinking about the way the following institutions have handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy, would you say you are…Q6


Satisfaction with the way the European Union has handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy

Satisfaction with the way the national government has handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy

54

84 82 82 79

68 6562 59 58 58 56 54 53 51 50 48 47 46 45 44 43 41 41 40 38 37

3124

The (NATIONALITY) government


Total 'Satisfied'

Total 'Satisfied'

Thinking about the way the following institutions have handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy, would you say you are…Q6

MT DK PT LU FI IE SE CY IT BE NL AT LT ES EU27 EL DE FR CZ EE RO HR BG HU LV PL SI SK

67 64

84

38

5967

46

63

50

4046

43

6359

49 48

3743 43 44

6053 54

49 5056

4440

The European Union


MT DK PT LU FI IE SE CY IT BE NL AT LT ES EU27 EL DE FR CZ EE RO HR BG HU LV PL SI SK

36 37

24

37

15

23

14 1411

8 8

1411

7 9

16

8 6 7 5 6 6 7

13

58 6

2

48 45 5842

5242

4845 47 50 49 41 42

44 41 32 39 40 39 39 37 35 34 27 33 29

25

22

1111

14

924

17 22

17

2624 27

24 26 27 27

22

32

2628

33

28

3539

27 3129

2838

5 6 3 10 8 17 1424 14 17 16 20 19 21 20

30 19 26 23 19 27 19 1430 29

26

38 35

1 1 1 2 1 2 2 0 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 0 2 3 4 5 3 4 6 3 2 9 2 3

Thinking about the way the following institutions have handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy, would you say you are…Q6_1 The (NATIONALITY) government



PT IE MT DK CY LT RO FI ES PL BG HR LV IT HU EU27 EL NL SE SI EE CZ FR AT BE SK LU DE

15 1512

149

12 10 8 7 7 97 5

85 7 9

4 5 5 4 5 47

4 4 6 7

69

52 5550 54 51

50 51 5248 45 46

45 42 44 42 40 43 41 39 40 39 39 3636 36 32 30

11

1621

18 2022 23

28 29

17

28 2929

3230 29 30 32

2530 29 32

2833

32 3332

37

211 7

8

15

812

69

8

10 11 12

16

13 1520

13

9

19

11

16 2020

21 20 24 20

3 6 5 10 2 8 5 7 4 19 8 7 9 3 9 7 2 9 20 6 15 9 9 5 7 7 5 5

Thinking about the way the following institutions have handled the COVID-19 vaccination strategy, would you say you are…Q6_2

the European Union


57

EU’s response to the coronavirus pandemic (II)

• A majority of respondents (65%) agree that the EU is playing a key role in ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines.

o This proportion ranges from 49% in Czechia, 53% in Slovakia and 54% in Germany, to 78% in both Ireland and Malta, 83% inCyprus and 89% in Portugal.

• Germany (58%), Croatia (51%) and France (51%) are the only countries in which most respondents think that their country could haveorganised the vaccination supply better without involvement of the EU (on average, across countries, 41% believe this).

• A majority of respondents (59%) agree that public authorities are not sufficiently transparent about COVID-19 vaccines.

o This concern is highest in Croatia (73%), followed by Cyprus, Romania and Slovenia (all 68%).

• About two thirds (65%) of respondents agree that the EU Digital COVID certificate is the safest means for free travel in Europe duringthe pandemic.

o This opinion is shared by between 49% of respondents in Slovenia and 75% of respondents in Portugal and Malta.

58




25

20

23

14

40

44

36

27

14

17

22

26

13

8

11

15

7

10

9

18

The EU Digital COVID certificate is the safest

means for free travel in Europe during the

pandemic

The European Union is playing a key role in

ensuring that we can have access to COVID-19

vaccines in (OUR COUNTRY)

Public authorities are not sufficiently transparent

about COVID-19 vaccines

(OUR COUNTRY) could have organised the

vaccination supply better without involvement of

the EU

59

8983

78 78 77 76 76 74 73 73 72 71 69 69 67 66 66 65 64 64 61 60 59 59 56 54 5349

The European Union is playing a key role in ensuring that we can have access to COVID-19 vaccines in (OUR COUNTRY)


Total 'Agree'

Total 'Agree'


PT CY MT IE ES EL FI EE LT RO LV BG IT HR BE SE DK EU27 PL LU AT SI FR HU NL DE SK CZ

27

37

2331

37 37 35

2634 36

43

2832

51

42

31

43 41

2835

4440

51

24

41

57

4046

(OUR COUNTRY) could have organised the vaccination supply better without involvement of the EU


PT CY MT IE ES EL FI EE LT RO LV BG IT HR BE SE DK EU27 PL LU AT FR SI HU NL DE SK CZ

36

42

3431

2527

2325 26 27

33

23 23

1520

23 22 20 2224

1714

10

19

1318

149

53

4145 47 53 49 52 49 47 46 40 48 46 54 47 43 43 44 42 39

45 46 49 4043

36 3940

57 10 10

1310 12

11 12 1310

14 1614 15

1316 17

11 1418 19 20 21

1926

24 26

2 4 4 5 3 73 5 5

8 9 5 611

66

7 8

810

119 9 11

9

1111 13

5 6 8 6 6 7 10 10 10 7 8 10 9 6 12 15 12 10 17 13 10 13 11 10 16 9 12 12

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?Q7_1 The European Union is playing a key role in ensuring that we can have access to COVID-19 vaccines in (OUR COUNTRY)



DE HR FR CZ AT LV DK BE EU27 NL SK SI EL ES CY RO FI LU LT IT SE IE BG PL PT EE HU MT

24

1520

1316 15 16

13 14 13 11 11 11 12 13 12 1214

9 9 10 11 9 8 7 8 7 8

34

36 3134

28 28 26 29 27 29 30 2926 24 24 24 24 20 24 24 21 20

19 20 20 18 17 15

20 2621 25

2422 23 23 26 25 27 29 33

3033 31

30

25

3331

21

3239

24

4038

25

41

812

913

13 18

10 1215

9 10

15 1420 16

21

1214

14 16

20

21 16

21

23

15

3922

15 11 19 16 19 18 24 23 18 24 23 16 15 13 15 12 23 27 20 21 28 16 18 27 9 21 12 14


(OUR COUNTRY) could have organised the vaccination supply better without involvement of the EU



HR SI RO CY HU BG LV ES SK DE AT LT LU PL FR EU27 EL BE IT PT CZ MT EE NL IE FI SE DK

29 29 28 27 27 2830

27

21 2225

2926

2226

2327

22 24

14 1513

18 1714 15

12 14

4439 40 40 39 38 34 37 42 40 37 32 34 38 33 36 32 36 33 42 40

39 3232

30 2926 23

1618 19 19

1822

14

2321 22 22 22 21

14

21 22 23 25 2328

25 3027

27 3129

20

31

76

97

67

9

6 8 9 10 1312

8

13 11 11 10 1212

811 14

14 16 2030 22

5 8 4 7 10 6 13 8 9 7 6 5 7 18 7 9 8 8 8 4 13 8 8 11 10 8 11 11


Public authorities are not sufficiently transparent about COVID-19 vaccines



PT MT IT IE CY FI ES FR DK SE EU27 LU BE LT EL EE PL DE LV NL AT CZ HR RO HU SK BG SI

3034

3731

37

27 28 2824

27 25

3126 27 27 27

2320

30

16

22

1518

24

16 18 1714

46 41 38 42 36 46 45 4342 39 40 34 39 37 37 36 39 41 31 43 37 43 39 32 39

34 33 34

13 1512

912 13 15

1312

1114

1015 15 13 16

11

18

12 1317 17

1520

16 1919 21

8 7 1211

137

810

7 11

1320

13 1520 16

1412

23

14

17 1624 20

1824

23 23

4 3 3 7 3 8 5 7 14 13 7 4 7 7 4 5 13 9 5 14 7 9 4 4 10 6 9 8


The EU Digital COVID certificate is the safest means for free travel in Europe during the pandemic


64

9

General

attitudes

towards COVID-

19 vaccination

65

General attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination

• A majority of respondents (71%) agree that all in all, benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh potential risks.

o However, only slightly more than half of respondents in Bulgaria (51%) and Slovenia (53%) agree that the benefits of COVID-19vaccines outweigh potential risks.

o The proportion agreeing with this statement is particularly high among respondents who are 55 years old and over (79%).

• About two thirds of respondents (66%) agree that everyone should get vaccinated and that it is a civic duty.

o This figure varies between 39% in Bulgaria and 86% in Portugal. Other countries where eight in ten or more agree are Malta, Spain(both 81%) and Sweden (80%).

o Older respondents and respondents with a lower level of education are more likely to agree that everyone should get vaccinated.

66



Everyone should get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is a civic dutyAll in all, benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh possible risks

67

PT MT FI SE IE ES DK IT NL BE CY DE EU27 FR LU EE EL AT LT CZ HU PL HR RO LV SK SI BG

8681

7780

71

8174 76

59

68 67 67 66 6662

5762

5760

50 48

5752 52 51

4440 39

Everyone should get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is a civic duty

86 85 83 82 80 79 77 77 75 75 73 73 71 70 69 67 66 66 65 65 62 61 61 59 58 5653 51

All in all, benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh possible risks


Total 'Agree'

Total 'Agree'



Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+



29

29

37

50

28

27

26

27

18

17

12

8

19

22

19

11

6

48

40

41

35

26

26

27

28

10

12

11

17

13

18

16

16

Education (%)

Age (%)

Up to 15

16-19

20+

Still studying

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

31

31

35

46

33

33

34

33

17

15

12

8

10

14

11

7

9

7

8

6

35

37

41

35

38

35

32

34

11

12

10

14

8

11

10

8

8

6

7

8

Education (%)

Age (%)

Everyone should get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is a civic dutyAll in all, benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh possible risks



PT MT FI SE IE ES IT DK NL BE DE CY EU27 FR LU EE EL AT LT CZ HU PL HR RO LV SK SI BG

45 44

50

58

47 45 47 46

38 40 4144

3833

4035 34

37 36

2622

2925 23

2926

19 20

42 4233 23

33 3430 31 37 35 32 29 34 37 29 32 32 29 29 38

40 32 36 36 29 3034 31

7 7 97 9 10 10

129 10 12 10 12 11

813 13 13 12 15

1413

16 17

1319

19 21

3 4 5 5 7 5 8 5 10 7 9 11 10 10 15 13 14 16 15 14 16

12

17 16 2120 21 20

4 4 4 6 5 6 5 6 7 8 6 6 7 9 8 7 7 6 8 7 8 15 7 7 8 5 7 8


All in all, benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh possible risks



PT MT ES SE FI IT DK IE BE DE CY EU27 FR LU EL LT NL EE PL AT RO HR LV CZ HU SK SI BG

54 53 55 56

47

53

4340 41 38 40 40 38 40

37 37

2731 32 33

2624 25

20 18 1917

13

3228 26 24

30 23 3131

28 29 27 27 2822 25 24 32 26 25 24

26 28 26 3130

2523 25

78 8 8 11 10 13

11 12 1311 12 11

9

1413 16 16

1115 20

1713

18 1918

1923

5 7 810 9 11 8 12

16 1521

17 1826 21 23 21 23

22

2623

29 3428 27 34 37 34

2 3 4 2 4 3 5 6 4 5 2 5 5 3 4 4 5 5 9 2 5 3 2 5 6 4 5 5

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?Q7_3 Everyone should get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is a civic duty


Documents

Flash Eurobarometer State of the European Union