The euro in opinion polls: consumers’

perception

EOS GALLUP EUROPE

Major pointsMajor points Citizens’ general perception of the Citizens’ general perception of the

euro and the usage of the single euro and the usage of the single currencycurrency

The usefulness of dual price display The usefulness of dual price display The enlargement of the euro zoneThe enlargement of the euro zone The perception of the single currency The perception of the single currency

in the new Member Statesin the new Member States

Perception and usage of the Perception and usage of the single currencysingle currency

« Today would you say that the Euro continues to « Today would you say that the Euro continues to cause you difficulties? » … cause you difficulties? » … (Answer “No difficulty at (Answer “No difficulty at all”)all”)

52

55

60

59

63

69

51

42

56

59

59

60

64

67

67

69

71

78

43

39

62

68

76

61

52

35

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Italy

France

Germany

Austria

Netherlands

Spain

Finland

Portugal

Belgium

Greece

Luxembourg

Ireland

EU 12

Nov.2003 Nov.2004

Difficulties with the euroDifficulties with the euro

Common purchases calculated in euroCommon purchases calculated in euro

33

37

42

49

54

57

54

69

69

90

46

42

44

50

52

58

60

63

69

75

52

52

70

59

91

75

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Italy

Germany

Portugal

Netherlands

Belgium

Spain

France

Greece

Austria

Finland

Luxembourg

Ireland

EU 12

Nov.2003 Nov.2004

« Today, when purchasing, do you count mentally « Today, when purchasing, do you count mentally most often in… » (% answers « EURO »)most often in… » (% answers « EURO »)

Advantages of the euro at a Advantages of the euro at a national levelnational level

59%52% 53%

29%36% 36%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

2002 2003 2004

advantageous overalldisadvantageous overall

« In your opinion, for (OUR COUNTRY), is the « In your opinion, for (OUR COUNTRY), is the adoption of the euro… ? »adoption of the euro… ? »

Dual price displayDual price display

Usefulness of dual price displayUsefulness of dual price display

77% 77% 75%65%

22% 22% 23%33%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Jan. 2002 Mar. 2002 May. 2002 Sep. 2002

YES NO

« Did the dual price displays from 2001 « Did the dual price displays from 2001 onwards help you become more familiar onwards help you become more familiar with the new currency? »with the new currency? »

Maintaining dual price displayMaintaining dual price display

« Would you like, yes or no, shopkeepers to « Would you like, yes or no, shopkeepers to continue displaying prices in both currencies? » continue displaying prices in both currencies? »

45%49%

45% 48% 46% 43%

54%50% 53% 50% 51% 54%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Jan. 2002 Mar. 2002 May. 2002 Sep. 2002 Nov. 2003 Nov. 2004

YES NO

Opinions on maintaining dual price Opinions on maintaining dual price display differs between countriesdisplay differs between countries

32

34

47

57

55

65

70

69

72

82

38

46

51

60

61

67

70

71

78

79

5451

47

71

37

73

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

France

Spain

Portugal

Italy

Belgium

Greece

Germany

Ireland

Luxembourg

Finland

Austria

Netherlands

EU 12

No 2003 No 2004

« …Would you like shopkeepers to continue « …Would you like shopkeepers to continue dual price displays? » % answers «No»dual price displays? » % answers «No»

The enlargement of theThe enlargement of the euro zone euro zone

Euro-Out: Forcasting the Euro-Out: Forcasting the introduction of the eurointroduction of the euro

““...[OUR COUNTRY] will end up introducing the euro ...[OUR COUNTRY] will end up introducing the euro in replacement of [NATIONAL CURRENCY]” (%Yes)in replacement of [NATIONAL CURRENCY]” (%Yes)

66%

50%

47%

36%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

(3/01) (5/01) (7/01) (9/01) (10/01) (11/01) (1/02) (3/02) (06/03)

Denmark Sweden UK

62%

40%

33%

Most citizens believe the euro zone will Most citizens believe the euro zone will be extended to the new member States be extended to the new member States

69

71

77

79

79

80

81

82

83

85

86

90

79

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Portugal

Spain

Italy

Austria

Germany

The Netherlands

Belgium

Greece

Finland

France

Luxembourg

Ireland

EU12

Yes

« Would you say that the extension of the euro to« Would you say that the extension of the euro to the 10 new member States…is something that will happen: »the 10 new member States…is something that will happen: »

A clear majority A clear majority believes believes this extension this extension would have positive effects for consumerswould have positive effects for consumers

48

51

57

60

61

62

63

64

66

68

71

79

62

44

31

35

34

37

29

18

26

18

24

21

15

30

8

18

8

5

9

19

10

16

9

8

6

9

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Netherlands

Austria

Germany

Belgium

France

Luxembourg

Portugal

Finland

Spain

Italy

Greece

Ireland

EU12

Positive effect on consumers Negative effects: it could weaken the Euro zone DK

Citizens’ opinions on the extension of the euro to NMSCitizens’ opinions on the extension of the euro to NMS

The euro and citizens in theThe euro and citizens in the new Member States new Member States

Low level of interest in the euroLow level of interest in the euro

72%

69%

62%

61%

61%

60%

53%

48%

42%

41%

48%

26%

29%

37%

37%

37%

38%

39%

52%

56%

56%

50%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

CY

HU

SI

MT

LT

SK

EE

CZ

PL

LV

Interested Not interested

““Personally, would you say that the introduction of Personally, would you say that the introduction of the euro (IN OUR COUNTRY) is a topic that you are the euro (IN OUR COUNTRY) is a topic that you are interested in? Are you…”interested in? Are you…”

Divided opinions on the consequences Divided opinions on the consequences of the euro at a national level…of the euro at a national level…

““Do you think the introduction of the euro would have Do you think the introduction of the euro would have positive or negative consequences for (OUR COUNTRY)?”positive or negative consequences for (OUR COUNTRY)?”

56%

54%

49%

49%

45%

45%

44%

41%

38%

35%

41%

32%

32%

39%

38%

42%

41%

40%

44%

41%

44%

15%

12%

13%

12%

13%

13%

14%

16%

15%

21%

21%

44%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

SI

HU

CY

SK

CZ

LT

EE

PL

LV

MT

Positive consequences Negative consequences [Don't know ]

… … and at a personal leveland at a personal level““For you personally, do you think that it would be For you personally, do you think that it would be

positive or negative if the euro would be introduced?”positive or negative if the euro would be introduced?”

63%

60%

58%

57%

56%

53%

49%

43%

42%

39%

33%

28%

32%

31%

33%

31%

32%

38%

41%

45%

48%

10%

8%

8%

10%

9%

13%

14%

12%

16%

13%

13%

57%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

PL

HU

SI

LT

CY

MT

EE

SK

LV

CZ

Yes No [Don't know ]

A clear majority in the A clear majority in the euro zone countrieseuro zone countries believes believes this extension would have positive this extension would have positive

effects for consumerseffects for consumers

48

51

57

60

61

62

63

64

66

68

71

79

62

44

31

35

34

37

29

18

26

18

24

21

15

30

8

18

8

6

9

19

10

16

8

8

6

9

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Netherlands

Austria

Germany

Belgium

France

Luxembourg

Portugal

Finland

Spain

Italy

Greece

Ireland

EU12

Positive effect on consumers Negative effects: it could weaken the Euro zone DK

  Citizens’ opinions on the extension of the euro to NMS : Citizens’ opinions on the extension of the euro to NMS :

Significant disparities in the feelings Significant disparities in the feelings towards the changeover to the eurotowards the changeover to the euro““Are you personally happy or not that the euro Are you personally happy or not that the euro could replace the (NATIONAL CURRENCY)?”could replace the (NATIONAL CURRENCY)?”

66%

56%

50%

49%

41%

40%

39%

34%

29%

23%

47%

27%

33%

42%

40%

49%

49%

55%

58%

57%

59%

10%

7%

11%

8%

11%

10%

11%

6%

8%

13%

18%

42%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

SI

HU

SK

CY

MT

PL

CZ

LT

EE

LV

Happy Unhappy [Don't know ]

Citizens in no hurry to see the euro Citizens in no hurry to see the euro introduced in their countryintroduced in their country

38%

32%

21%

18%

17%

16%

15%

15%

15%

13%

36%

30%

42%

37%

41%

34%

36%

31%

40%

33%

31%

40%

25%

21%

34%

33%

45%

42%

47%

38%

46%

46%

7%

8%

4%

6%

9%

19%

7%

7%

6%

8%

5%

5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

SI

HU

CY

SK

PL

CZ

EE

LT

MT

LV

As soon as possible After a certain time As late as possible [Don't know ]

““When would you like the euro to become your When would you like the euro to become your currency?”currency?”

Expectations and fears regarding Expectations and fears regarding the adoption of the eurothe adoption of the euro

Overall recognition of the practical Overall recognition of the practical consequences of the euroconsequences of the euro

Will be more convenient for those who travel in other countries of the euro-area?

94%

5%

4%

92%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NMS/ 2004

EU12/ 2002

Yes No [Don't know ]

Will allow you to easily compare prices between euro-area countries?

91%

18%

7%

73% 9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NMS/ 2004

EU12/ 2002

Yes No [Don't know ]

““Do you think the introduction of the euro... ?”Do you think the introduction of the euro... ?”

Citizens mainly fear abuses and Citizens mainly fear abuses and cheating on prices during changeovercheating on prices during changeover

83%

72%

72%

70%

68%

67%

64%

63%

49%

34%

23%

14%

24%

23%

21%

24%

26%

24%

27%

46%

64%

6%

3%

4%

5%

9%

8%

7%

12%

10%

5%

71%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

PL

CY

MT

EE

LV

LT

SK

CZ

HU

SI

Agree Disagree [Don't know ]

« Yo« You are afraid of abuses and cheating on prices u are afraid of abuses and cheating on prices during the changeover during the changeover »»

Relative majority believes the euro Relative majority believes the euro would increase inflationwould increase inflation

45%

37%

23%

22%

21%

20%

20%

18%

17%

14%

48%

27%

44%

54%

62%

45%

59%

54%

47%

54%

55%

8%

11%

5%

7%

4%

14%

7%

11%

10%

7%

5%

17%

12%

20%

21%

25%

25%

25%

15%

14%

16%

14%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

HU

SI

PL

MT

SK

CY

LT

CZ

EE

LV

Help maintain price stability Increase inflation [No impact] [Don't know ]

““Do you think the introduction of the euro Do you think the introduction of the euro would help to maintain price stability or, on would help to maintain price stability or, on

the contrary, increase inflation in (OUR the contrary, increase inflation in (OUR COUNTRY)?”COUNTRY)?”

A true feeling of inflation in the A true feeling of inflation in the euro zone countrieseuro zone countries

EU 12 - September 20023%

82%

12% 3%

rather in favour of consumersrather to the detriment of consumers

one way or another rises and falls balanced outDK/NA

« Did you personally notice that in (OUR COUNTRY) when « Did you personally notice that in (OUR COUNTRY) when converted into euro, prices have been…? » (% EU12)converted into euro, prices have been…? » (% EU12)

Informing citizens on the Informing citizens on the euroeuro

A majority in the new member States does A majority in the new member States does not feel well informed about the euronot feel well informed about the euro

““To what extent do you feel informed about the euro? To what extent do you feel informed about the euro? Do you feel...?”Do you feel...?”

4%

10%

3%

3%

3%

5%

4%

3%

31%

53%

33%

32%

30%

31%

27%

27%

28%

25%

25%

48%

36%

41%

47%

45%

55%

44%

50%

53%

49%

49%

6%

18%

10%

21%

23%

3%

15%

18%

24%

17%

15%

16%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

SI

CY

PL

CZ

HU

MT

LT

EE

SK

LV

Very well informed Rather well informed Not very well informed

Not at all well informed [DK/ NA]

Feeling of information in the 12 euro Feeling of information in the 12 euro zone countrieszone countries (evolution March 2000 – May 2002)(evolution March 2000 – May 2002)

6%

93%

53% 51%54%

51%

48%

52% 55% 56% 57%63% 68%69%

89% 89%

47% 49% 46% 49%

52%

47% 45% 43% 42%36%

31% 30% 11% 12%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Total informed Total not informed

““To what extent do you feel informed about the To what extent do you feel informed about the single European currency, the euro ? Do you feel :”single European currency, the euro ? Do you feel :”

Low level of awareness about Low level of awareness about obligation to adopt the euroobligation to adopt the euro

Can (OUR COUNTRY) choose whether or not to Can (OUR COUNTRY) choose whether or not to introduce the euro?introduce the euro?

63%

60%

58%

57%

56%

53%

49%

43%

42%

39%

33%

28%

32%

31%

33%

31%

32%

38%

41%

45%

48%

10%

8%

8%

10%

9%

13%

14%

12%

16%

13%

13%

57%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

PL

HU

SI

LT

CY

MT

EE

SK

LV

CZ

Yes No [Don't know ]

Poor knowledge of correct number Poor knowledge of correct number of current euro zone countriesof current euro zone countries

42%

41%

41%

40%

40%

39%

35%

31%

27%

22%

33%

41%

35%

39%

29%

38%

36%

36%

27%

33%

36%

28%

16%

24%

22%

31%

22%

26%

30%

41%

40%

42%

39%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

NMS

HU

CY

CZ

PL

SK

SI

EE

MT

LV

LT

Correct Answer "12" Incorrect Answer [Don't know ]

According to you, how many EU countries have According to you, how many EU countries have already introduced the euro? % correct answer « 12 »already introduced the euro? % correct answer « 12 »

Timeframe for being informed on the Timeframe for being informed on the euroeuro

« When would you like to be informed about « When would you like to be informed about the euro? »the euro? » ( (% average new member States) % average new member States) 

New Member States 2004

30%

24%

3% 5%6%

32%

As soon as possibleAt least a few years before the introduction of the euroAt least a few months before the introduction of the euroAt least a few weeks before the introduction of the euroAt least a few days before the introduction of the euro [DK/NA]

ConclusionConclusion

Citizens in the euro zone countries Citizens in the euro zone countries seem to have overcome the seem to have overcome the difficulties with the usage of the euro, difficulties with the usage of the euro, and the single currency is now and the single currency is now becoming a mental calculation becoming a mental calculation reference for consumers reference for consumers

Dual display of prices is widely Dual display of prices is widely acknowledged as an educational tool acknowledged as an educational tool for learning to use the euro. for learning to use the euro. However, its usefulness 3 years after However, its usefulness 3 years after the introduction is being questionedthe introduction is being questioned

A majority of citizens among the EU12 A majority of citizens among the EU12 countries believes that the euro zone will be countries believes that the euro zone will be extended and that this will be beneficial for extended and that this will be beneficial for consumers consumers

Among citizens in the new Member States, Among citizens in the new Member States, the main fear is the risk of abuses and the main fear is the risk of abuses and cheating on prices during the changeover to cheating on prices during the changeover to the euro as well as the possibility of an the euro as well as the possibility of an increase in inflation to the detriment of increase in inflation to the detriment of consumersconsumers

Nevertheless respondents acknowledge Nevertheless respondents acknowledge the practical consequences of the the practical consequences of the changeover to the eurochangeover to the euro

Most citizens in the new Member States Most citizens in the new Member States admit that they are not well informed admit that they are not well informed about the euro and request to be about the euro and request to be informed well ahead of the introduction informed well ahead of the introduction of the single currency. of the single currency.

Thank you very much Thank you very much for your attentionfor your attention

Value of Euro against DollarValue of Euro against Dollar

19%

28%

19%

28%

36%

21%21%20%22%18%

14%15%

9% 9% 10% 10% 8%12%

0%

20%

40%

A lot

« Does the value of the euro against the dollar « Does the value of the euro against the dollar concern you: a lot, a little or not at all? » concern you: a lot, a little or not at all? »