Eb84 Publ en

Standard Eurobarometer 84
Autumn 2015
Report
Public opinion in the European Union
Fieldwork
November 2015
Survey requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission,

Directorate-General for Communication
This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission.
The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.
Standard Eurobarometer 84 Wave EB84.3 TNS opinion & social
Autumn 2015
Report
Fieldwork: November 2015
Survey conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the European Commission,
Directorate-General for Communication
Survey coordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication
(DG COMM Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit)
Project number
Project title
2016.3505
Language version
Catalogue number
ISBN
European Union, 2016
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion
EN
NA-04-16-323-EN-N
978-92-79-57781-9
doi:10.2775/89997

Autumn 2015
Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
1
Personal aspects
The current personal situation of Europeans
b.
Perceptions of personal job and financial situations
6
13
1. The financial situation of the household
13
2. The personal job situation
17
The concerns of Europeans
20
Economic aspects
a.
28
Assessment of the current economic situation
28
1. The national and European situations
28
2. The employment situation
33
b.
a.
c.
2
Expectations for the next twelve months
35
35
2. The employment situation
42
c.
The main concerns at national level
45
d.
The main concerns at European level
51
The quality of life

a.
59
Assessments of the quality of life nationally and at European level
59
1. The quality of life nationally
59
2. The quality of life in the European Union
62
b. Expectations for the next twelve months regarding the quality of life nationally and at
European level
66
66
69
Political aspects
71
a.
Interest in politics
71
b.
Trust in the institutions
73
1. National institutions
73
2. The United Nations
83
c.
The direction in which things are going
85

Autumn 2015
Report
II. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS
93
1. Attachment to the European Union

a.
93
What does the European Union stand for?
b. Support for EU membership and the perceived benefits of membership (candidate

countries)
c.
Would it be easier to face the future outside the EU?
2. The European institutions
93
99
102
103
a.
Awareness of the European institutions and trust in them
103
b.
Trust in the European Union
109
c.
The European Unions image
114
3. Knowledge of the European Union
120
a.
Knowledge of how the European Union works
120
b.
Objective knowledge of the European Union
124
4. Democracy in the EU
129
a.
The way in which democracy works
129
b.
Are personal interests taken into account nationally and at EU level?
137
5. Political and economic issues
142
a.
Evaluation of economic and political terms and concepts
142
b.
Europeans and globalisation
156
6. The European Union today and tomorrow
158
a.
Support for a European army
158
b.
A stronger European Union?
161
c.
The future of the European Union
165
III. ECONOMIC ISSUES IN THE EU
170
1. The impact of the economic situation on the job market
170
2. A still-important role for the European Union in the global economy
174
3. The roles of the public and private sectors in revitalising the economy
177
4. Reforms for the economic and financial system?
181
a.
Reducing the public deficit and debt
181
b.
What measures should be taken to reform the economic and financial

system?
188
ANNEXES
Technical specifications

Autumn 2015
Report
This Standard Eurobarometer survey 84 of autumn 2015 (EB84) was carried out between 7 and 17
November 2015 in 34 countries and territories1: the 28 Member States of the European Union, five
candidate countries (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia and
Albania) and the Turkish Cypriot Community in the part of the country not controlled by the
government of the Republic of Cyprus.
The autumn 2015 survey (EB84) was carried out just a few days after the publication of the
European Commissions autumn 2015 economic forecasts2, which confirmed that the European
Unions economy is on the road to recovery. The Paris terrorist attacks took place on 13 November,
during the fieldwork (see below).
GDP growth for 2015 is expected to be 1.9% in the EU and 1.6% in the euro area, better than
forecast in autumn 2014 (1.5% and 1.1% respectively). In addition, the forecasts for 2016 suggest
a slight improvement, with GDP growth of 2.0% in the EU and 1.8% in the euro area. Although
unemployment remains fairly high, it is still on the downward trend that began in 2013. At 9.3% in
October 2015, EU28 unemployment was lower than in October 2014 (when it stood at 10.1%, a
decrease of 0.8 percentage points)3. Unemployment in the euro area has fallen similarly (10.7%
unemployment, compared with 11.5% in October 2014, also a 0.8-point decline).
In the European Union, a fifth of young people under 25 years of age are unemployed (20%). Youth
unemployment therefore continues to decline, as it has since the beginning of 2013 (-1.7
percentage points since October 2014, and -4 since January 2013). In the euro area, youth
unemployment is slightly higher than in the European Union as a whole, but here too it is still falling
(22.3%, -1 percentage point since October 2014, and -2.3 since January 2013).
The refugee crisis entered a new phase in summer 2015, when more than 100,000 people a month
entered Europe by sea in August, September and October4. This means that almost 900,000
refugees and migrants entered the EU by sea in 2015, compared with 216,054 in 2014. During his
State of the Union Address on 9 September 20155, Jean-Claude Juncker emphasised the crucial
importance of this issue for the EU: The first priority today is and must be addressing the refugee
crisis. Fresh approaches and strategies for managing this crisis were discussed in high-level
international meetings, as well as at the European Council, on 15 October 20156.
On 13 November7, Paris suffered the most deadly terrorist attacks in France since the Second World
War, in which 130 people were killed. Islamic State claimed responsibility.
A few days after the end of the fieldwork France hosted the Paris Climate Conference (COP 21),
attended by more than 145 foreign Heads of State and government.
Since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015, national elections have been held in
Latvia, Denmark, Greece, Portugal and Poland. National elections were also held in Croatia on 8
November 2015, at the beginning of the fieldwork.
Please consult the technical specifications for details of the exact dates of the interviews in each country.
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/eeip/pdf/ip011_en.pdf
3
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics#Main_statistical_findings
4
http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php
5
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-5614_en.htm
6
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/press-releases/2015/10/16-euco-conclusions/
7
The attacks were carried out during the fieldwork for the survey (from 7 to 17 November 2015). Fewer than a quarter of the interviews
were conducted after the attacks (6,390 of a total of 27,681 interviews in the EU).
2

Autumn 2015
Report
The full report of the Standard Eurobarometer 84 survey consists of four volumes. The first volume
presents the state of public opinion in the European Union. Three further volumes present the
opinions of Europeans on other themes: the European Unions priorities; European citizenship; and
media use in the European Union. This volume covers the state of public opinion in the European
Union.
This volume on the main public opinion trends in the European Union is divided into three parts. The
first part focuses on the personal, economic and political aspects of life in the European Union as
seen by its citizens. In it we examine the financial and personal situation of citizens; their views on
the economic situation at national and European levels; their main concerns; and their expectations
for the future. This volume then explores how interested they are in politics and their views on the
direction in which things are going in their country and in the European Union, and analyses the
extent to which citizens trust the institutions
The second part of the report presents the main indicators for the image of and trust in the
European Union and its institutions. First, we examine to what extent Europeans feel attached to the
European Union. Then, the report considers whether Europeans are familiar with and trust the EU
and its institutions, before examining their knowledge of the EU. It then turns to their views on the
way democracy works and whether their personal and national interests are taken into account by
the European Union. Next it analyses how Europeans respond to certain words, and their attitude to
globalisation. Lastly, it examines public support for the creation of an EU army, and views on the
future of the European Union
The third part of this report looks at economic issues in the EU: first, the way in which Europeans
view the impact of the crisis on jobs, and then the perceived effectiveness of a number of
measures intended to combat the crisis and reform the economic and financial system. Finally, we
examine the role of the private and public sectors in stimulating the economy.
Most of these questions were asked during previous Standard Eurobarometer surveys. For these
questions, it has been possible to analyse opinion trends.

Autumn 2015
Report
The methodology used is that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys of the Directorate-General
for Communication (Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit)8. A
technical note on the interviewing methods of the institutes of the TNS opinion & social network is
attached to this report. This note also specifies the confidence intervals9, which are used to assess
the accuracy of the results of a survey, according to the size of the sample interviewed in relation
to the total size of the population studied.
Note: The abbreviations used in this report correspond to:
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
Estonia
Ireland
Greece
Spain
France
Croatia
Italy
Republic of Cyprus
Latvia
BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
HR
IT
CY*
LV
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Hungary
Malta
The Netherlands
Austria
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom
Turkish Cypriot Community
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK
CY (tcc)
Albania
AL
Montenegro
ME
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
Serbia
European Union weighted average for the 28 Member States

BE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, CY, MT, SK, LV, LT
BG, CZ, DK, HR, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK
TR
RS
MK**
EU28
Euro area
Non-euro area
* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the acquis communautaire
has been suspended in the part of the country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. For
practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of
the Republic of Cyprus are included in the CY category and in the EU28 average.
** Provisional abbreviation which in no way prejudges the definitive name of this country, which will be agreed
once the current negotiations at the United Nations have been completed.
We wish to thank all the people interviewed throughout Europe who took the time to take part in
this survey.
Without their active participation, this survey would not have been possible.
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion/
The results tables are included in appendix. It should be noted that the total of the percentages indicated in the tables in this report may
exceed 100% when the respondents were able to choose several answers to the same question.

Autumn 2015
Report
I. LIFE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
1 Personal aspects
a. The personal situation of Europeans today
A majority of Europeans continue to be satisfied with the life they lead
A very large majority of Europeans are satisfied with the life they lead10: 81% are
satisfied, and of these 24% are very satisfied, while 19% are dissatisfied. Satisfaction has
gained one percentage point since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83). In
general, this indicator has been fairly stable since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring
2000 (EB53), ranging between 75% (autumn 2011 (EB76), spring 2013 (EB79) and autumn 2013
(EB80) surveys) and 83% (between autumn 2000 and spring 2002 (EB54, EB55, EB56 and EB57)).
However, the proportion of very satisfied respondents, which was close to 20% between 2000 and
2013, has been approaching 25% since spring 2014.
D70
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the life you lead?
(% - EU)
80%
70%
60
62
62
62
62
62
60
60%
58
60
59
60
60
59
59
58
58
56
58
57
58
58
56
56
56
55
55
21
20
20
20
17
17
18
18
56
56
57
57
24
23
23
24
15
16
15
15
FAIRLY SATISFIED
50%
40%
30%
21
21
21
21
20% 18
17
10%
4
23
19
13
14
13
14
15
19
17
4
21
21
15
15
16
21
22
21
21
15
14
15
16
19
18
17
18
21
20
21
20
21
17
17
16
16
15
19
18
6
NOT VERY SATISFIED
0%
2000
2001
2002
2003 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

10
D70. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied, not at all satisfied with the life you lead?
6
VERY SATISFIED
NOT AT ALL SATISFIED

Autumn 2015
Report
As in spring 2015, a majority of respondents in 26 Member States are satisfied with the life they
lead, most notably in Denmark (98% are satisfied, including 70% very satisfied) and Sweden
(96% including 49% very satisfied). Only a minority of respondents are satisfied in Greece (40%
versus 60%, including 28% not at all satisfied) and Bulgaria (45%, versus 54% who are
dissatisfied).
Detailed results

Autumn 2015
Report
Looking ahead over the next twelve months, a majority of Europeans expect their life in
general to stay the same (58%, down one percentage point since spring 2015)11. More than a
quarter of Europeans expect the next twelve months to be better (28%, -1) while 11% think it will
be worse (11%, +2).
Around a third of Europeans were optimistic fairly consistently between the Eurobarometer surveys
of spring 1996 (EB45) and autumn 2006 (EB66). After gaining ground in spring 2007 (to 37%),
optimism then declined until autumn 2011 (-16 percentage points in total, to 21%) before picking
up again between autumn 2011 and spring 2015 (+8 points). However, the one percentage point
decrease recorded in this Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn 215 marks a halt to this
improving trend.
QA2a.1
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it comes to...?
Your life in general (% - EU)
70%
60%
56
51
50
50
55
52
54
54
51
51
50
34
33
32
50
51
35
34
50%
40%
33
34
31
33
33
34
33
49
35
51
51
35
34
49
56
56
27
26
55
56
57
26
26
56
30
16
24
22
10%
0% 3
11
10
6
1996
12
15
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
11
3
2004
13
2005
12
3
12
3
2006
11
3
14
13
2007
20
18
16
13
22
57
59
58
59
27
28
29
10
11
58
SAME
32
21
12
23
58
37
24
13
56
51
49
30%
20%
56
2008
15
2009
15
2010
17
2011
25
28
BETTER
19
16
14
23
2012
15
2013
WORSE
2014
11
DON'T KNOW
2015
Optimism outweighs pessimism in 27 Member States, led by Ireland (44% think that the next
twelve months will be better) and Sweden (42%). As was the case in spring 2015, Greece is the
only Member State where a majority of respondents believe that the next twelve months will be
worse (45%, versus 10% better) and this belief has grown significantly since spring 2015 (+12
percentage points).

11
QA2a.1. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, less good or the same, when it
comes to...? Your life in general
8

Autumn 2015
Report
The optimism index12 has fallen for the first time in recent surveys. It was fairly stable between
autumn 1997 and spring 2007, but declined between spring 2007 and autumn 2012 (with
downward spikes in autumn 2008 and autumn 2011, each time followed by an upturn). After
autumn 2012 (EB78), the optimism index rose (with an increase of 17 index points to +20).
However, it has fallen by three index points between spring 2015 and autumn 2015 (-3 index points
to +17). It should be pointed out that in the years since 1996 the optimism index has never been
negative.
QA2a.1
40%
30%
+27 +27
+23
+22
+26
+25
+23
+22
+21
+23
+22
+23 +22
+20
+20
+17
20%
+17
+16
+17
+17
OPTIMISM INDEX (BETTER - WORSE)
+17
+13
+15
+11
10%
+11
+12
+10
+7
+6
+6
+3
+2
0%
1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
+1
2008
2009
12
Difference between the positive (better) and negative (worse) answers

9
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

Autumn 2015
Report
QA2a.1
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve
months be better, worse or the same, when it comes to...?
Your life in general (%)
Better-Worse
EB83 Sp.2015
Better-Worse
EB84 Aut.2015
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
EU28
+20
+17
MT
PL
UK
IE
HR
LU
FR
SE
BG
IT
CY
LV
LT
FI
DK
HU
ES
NL
EE
RO
PT
SI
SK
BE
CZ
DE
AT
EL
+28
+12
+29
+40
+14
+22
+27
+39
+10
+21
+15
+27
+21
+28
+33
+5
+27
+28
+29
+22
+10
+12
+18
+16
+15
+13
+18
-11
+33
+15
+32
+41
+15
+23
+27
+39
+9
+20
+13
+25
+19
+26
+30
+2
+23
+24
+24
+16
+3
+5
+11
+8
+6
+4
+6
-35
5
3
3
1
1
1
10
=
=
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
6
7
7
7
8
9
9
12
24

Autumn 2015
Report
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied
or not at all satisfied with the life you lead?
(% - EU)
Total
'Not satisfied'
Better
Same
Worse
QA2a.1 What are your expectations for the next twelve months:
will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when
it comes to...?
Total
'Satisfied'
D70
81
19
28
58
11
82
81
18
19
30
27
57
58
10
12
91
85
81
77
9
15
19
23
49
41
27
14
43
47
58
69
6
9
12
14
70
80
88
92
30
20
12
8
16
27
32
49
66
57
57
46
14
13
9
4
Socio-professional category
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
85
93
87
82
76
64
76
92
15
7
13
18
23
36
24
8
35
31
31
32
24
41
12
49
53
60
56
54
57
40
71
46
9
7
11
11
15
15
14
4
Difficulties paying bills

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
48
73
91
52
27
9
29
30
28
45
53
62
21
14
8
Consider belonging to
The working class
The lower middle class
The middle class
The upper middle class
The upper class
72
78
87
94
93
27
22
13
6
7
26
31
28
31
41
57
55
60
62
52
13
12
10
6
5
EU28
Gender
Man
Woman
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
11

Autumn 2015
Report
The following table shows the average results by socio-demographic criteria in the European Union
as a whole (EU28), in the six largest EU countries and in the countries that are receiving or have
received European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis.
D70
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the life you lead?
(% - TOTAL 'SATISFIED')
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
81
92
77
86
67
85
93
40
53
94
81
82
81
92
93
78
76
89
84
67
67
85
85
93
94
43
37
56
50
95
94
86
76
91
85
81
77
94
93
90
93
88
80
72
75
97
90
84
82
79
70
72
58
98
88
87
76
97
95
91
91
70
49
32
31
74
66
43
43
98
94
92
96
86
84
85
73
70
80
88
92
92
90
94
97
71
76
85
90
77
83
92
97
52
66
81
82
65
84
89
99
89
92
96
99
26
39
44
75
40
60
70
79
94
95
93
100
75
82
90
88
85
93
87
82
76
64
76
92
92
97
95
93
89
73
91
97
83
94
93
84
75
51
76
90
88
95
94
86
87
76
83
97
78
82
77
56
60
53
57
82
88
97
87
88
77
78
73
99
95
97
95
94
96
80
91
99
41
54
50
38
30
32
32
75
74
71
64
48
31
33
42
79
92
96
96
96
95
85
94
100
87
78
91
83
79
73
77
88
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
12

Autumn 2015
Report
b. Assessments of personal job and financial situations

Europeans judgments and forecasts on their current and future financial and job
situations have stabilised
1. The financial situation of the household

More than two-thirds of Europeans consider that their household financial situation is good (68%,
versus 30% bad), unchanged since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83)13.

13
QA1a.4. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The financial situation of your household
13

Autumn 2015
Report
As in spring, this opinion is shared by a majority of respondents in 24 Member States, in particular
in Sweden (91% of respondents say that the financial situation of their household is good) and
Denmark (89%). Respondents are predominantly negative in Greece (24% good versus 76%
bad), Portugal (41% versus 57%), Bulgaria (43% versus 55%) and Hungary (45% versus 54%).
14

Autumn 2015
Report
Looking ahead over the next twelve months, more than six in ten Europeans think that their
household financial situation will stay the same (62%, one percentage point down since spring
2015)14. Almost a quarter of Europeans, broadly unchanged since spring 2015, believe that the next
twelve months will be better (23%, unchanged) and 12% think that they will be worse (+1
percentage point).
Optimism outweighs pessimism in 23 Member States (compared with 26 in spring 2015). The
optimism index15 is particularly strong in Ireland (+32), with a 9-index point rise since spring 2015.
Opinions are evenly divided in Belgium, where the index is 0. Pessimism outweighs optimism in four
Member States, in some cases falling drastically since spring 2015: Greece (the index has fallen by
27 index points and now stands at -50), Slovenia (-9 index points to -1), the Czech Republic (-8
index points to -2) and Hungary (where the index stands at -1, despite an increase of 2 index
points). The optimism index has also declined significantly in Austria, while remaining positive (10
index points to +2).
14
QA2a.3. Q What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, less good or the same, when
it comes to...? The financial situation of your household
15
Difference between the positive (better) and negative (worse) answers
15

Autumn 2015
Report
QA2a.3
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better,
worse or the same, when it comes to...?
The financial situation of your household (%)
Better-Worse
EB83 Sp.2015
Better-Worse
EB84 Aut.2015
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
EU28
+12
+11
IE
MT
UK
FR
LU
HU
SE
BG
CY
PL
EE
HR
IT
LT
FI
ES
LV
NL
PT
SK
DK
DE
RO
BE
CZ
SI
AT
EL
+23
+17
+17
+16
+10
-3
+21
+4
+6
+10
+23
+12
+14
+13
+17
+20
+22
+14
+6
+10
+24
+7
+20
+8
+6
+8
+12
-23
+32
+21
+21
+18
+12
-1
+22
+4
+6
+10
+22
+11
+13
+12
+16
+18
+19
+11
+2
+6
+19
+2
+13
0
-2
-1
+2
-50
9
4
4
2
2
2
1
16
=
=
=
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
7
8
8
9
10
27

Autumn 2015
Report
2. The personal job situation
A majority of Europeans are upbeat about their personal job situation16: 58% describe it as
good (unchanged since spring 2015), while 25% say it is bad (-1 percentage point).
Positive opinions outweigh negative opinions in 24 Member States (compared with 25 in spring
2015). As we saw in the case of the household financial situation, respondents are particularly
positive in Denmark (78%) and Sweden (78%).
Respondents are mostly negative in Greece (24% good versus 52% bad), Romania (34% versus
37%), Hungary (38% versus 42%) and Bulgaria (42% versus 48%).

16
QA1a.3. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? Your personal job situation
17

Autumn 2015
Report
Looking ahead over the next twelve months, six in ten Europeans think that their personal job
situation will stay the same (60%, compared with 22% who think that the next twelve months will
be better and 8% who say it will be worse), in proportions unchanged since spring 201517.
17
QA2a.5. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will they be better, worse or the same when it comes to? Your
personal job situation
18

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about their personal job situation over
the next twelve months in 26 Member States, as in spring 2015. The optimism index is particularly
high in Ireland, where the index stands at +28, and the United Kingdom (+24). Pessimism outweighs
optimism in Greece where the index stands at -23, and Hungary (-1). Optimism has deteriorated in
Greece since spring 2015, the index falling by 11 index points.
QA2a.5
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be
better, worse or the same, when it comes to...?
Your personal job situation (%)
Better-Worse
EB83 Sp.2015
Better-Worse
EB84 Aut.2015
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
EU28
+14
+14
IE
UK
HU
LU
LT
NL
IT
PL
FR
MT
HR
ES
LV
FI
RO
DK
BG
SE
BE
SK
CY
CZ
SI
EE
DE
AT
PT
EL
+23
+20
-5
+15
+14
+15
+13
+8
+20
+18
+10
+22
+20
+15
+12
+19
+8
+25
+12
+10
+9
+7
+7
+23
+14
+12
+9
-12
+28
+24
-1
+18
+17
+17
+15
+10
+21
+19
+11
+22
+20
+15
+12
+18
+7
+23
+10
+8
+6
+4
+4
+19
+10
+7
+1
-23
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
19
=
=
=
=
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
8
11

Autumn 2015
Report
c. The concerns of Europeans

The cost of living remains the most important personal concern for Europeans
Rising prices/inflation/the cost of living is still the most important current issue facing
Europeans (27%)18, unchanged since spring 2015. This item had lost ground in recent surveys, with
a decrease of 18 percentage points since spring 2012.
The household financial situation is the second personal concern mentioned by Europeans
(16%), up one percentage point since spring 2015. It has been fairly stable since spring 2012,
except for a spike in autumn 2014 (to 19%).
Health and social security is ranked in third place (15%, -1 percentage point since spring 2015).
Concerns about this item have been fairly stable since spring 2012. It is followed by pensions, just
one point behind (14%, -1 since spring 2015), an issue that has also been fairly stable since spring
2012.
Unemployment has fallen from second to fourth place among the personal concerns of
Europeans. The decrease of two percentage points since spring 2015 confirms the downward trend
of personal concern about this issue since spring 2014 (-7 percentage points in total).
Next, respondents mentioned taxation (13%, -1), ahead of the national economic situation
(10%, unchanged since spring 2015, but -9 since spring 2012).
Immigration is ranked in eighth place among the personal concerns of Europeans (9%), recording
the largest rise seen since spring 2015 (+3). This confirms the growing focus on this issue, with an
increase of seven percentage points between autumn 2012 and autumn 2015.
The education system was also mentioned by 9% of respondents, -2 percentage points since
spring 2015.
The two new items introduced in the Standard Eurobarometer of spring 2015 (EB83) obtained
slightly lower scores: working conditions (8%, -1 percentage point) and living conditions (8%,
unchanged). The addition of these two new items has automatically reduced the scores of the other
items in this question.
However, they were mentioned more frequently than crime (6%, +1), the environment, climate
and energy issues (5%, unchanged), housing (5%, -1) and terrorism (4%, +2).
18
QA4a. And personally, what are the two most important issues you are facing at the moment?
20

Autumn 2015
Report
QA4a
And personally, what are the two most important issues you are facing at the moment?
(% - EU)
Aut.2015
Sp.2015
Aut.2014
Sp.2014
Aut.2013
Sp.2013
Aut.2012
27
27
RISING PRICES/ INFLATION/ COST OF LIVING
16
15
16
16
16
15
15
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD
19
15
16
16
15
15
15
15
15
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY
14
15
15
15
13
14
13
14
PENSIONS
14
16
UNEMPLOYMENT
19
21
20
22
21
21
13
14
17
17
17
16
16
14
TAXATION
10
10
THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN (OUR COUNTRY)
IMMIGRATION
6
5
4
3
3
2
3
11
10
10
10
9
9
10
THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
8
9
WORKING CONDITIONS
8
8
LIVING CONDITIONS
CRIME
6
5
5
5
5
6
6
5
5
5
THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND ENERGY ISSUES
HOUSING
7
7
6
5
6
5
5
6
6
6
6
5
5
5
21
14
15
17
18
19
19
30
32
Sp.2012
40
41
44
45

Autumn 2015
Report
0%
QA4a
(% - EU)
45
44
41
40
40%
32
30
30%
27
21
21
22
20
20%
16
15
17
16
15
14
13
10%
15
14
27 RISING PRICES/ INFLATION/ COST OF LIVING
21
19
17
15
17
16
15
14
16
15
14
14
13
13
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF

YOUR HOUSEHOLD
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PENSIONS
UNEMPLOYMENT
TAXATION
0%
2012
2013
2014
2015
Six most frequently mentioned items
The order in which Europeans rank their personal concerns differs in euro area and non-euro
area countries:
The cost of living is the biggest concern in both groups of countries (26%, -1 percentage in
the euro area countries, and 28%, unchanged, in countries outside the euro area);
However, concerns about health and social security are greater in the non-euro area countries
(20% -1), while euro area respondents are more likely to mention taxation (17%, =) and
unemployment (16%, -1).
Five most frequently mentioned items in the euro area and outside the euro area
22

Autumn 2015
Report
Rising prices/inflation/cost of living is the leading personal concern in 18 Member States
(compared with 19 in spring 2015), led by Lithuania (60%), where it has gained significant ground
since spring 2015 (+11 percentage points). Concern about this item has decreased since spring
2015 in Estonia (28%, -10).
The main personal concern in Cyprus is the household financial situation (42%).
Health and social security is the main personal concern in five Member States (fown from four
in spring 2015): Finland (38%), Sweden (35%), the Netherlands (33%), Latvia (29%) and Denmark
(18%).
Unemployment is the main personal concern in Spain (32%).
Taxation heads the list of problems facing respondents in Greece (35%) and Italy (30%). Concerns
about this item have increased significantly in Greece since spring 2015 (+10 percentage points).
Immigration is the leading personal concern in Germany (20%), with a sharp increase of 12
percentage points since spring 2015.
Other points of note: pensions are frequently mentioned in Greece (22%), the education system
(20%) and environmental issues (22%) in Sweden, living conditions in Romania (19%),
working conditions in Italy (12%) and Portugal (12%), crime in Ireland (13%), housing in
Luxembourg (18%), and terrorism in the United Kingdom (7%).
23

Autumn 2015
Report
The financial situation of your household
Health and social security
Pensions
Unemployment
Taxation
The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY)
Immigration
The education system
Working conditions
Living conditions
Crime
The environment, climate and energy issues
Housing
Terrorism
And personally, what are the two most important issues you are facing at the moment? (%)
Rising prices/ inflation/ cost of living
QA4a
EU28
27
16
15
14
14
13
10
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
UK
44
30
34
8
18
28
32
27
25
34
27
22
21
28
60
30
27
30
15
38
27
38
30
21
36
12
6
32
12
28
20
10
11
19
14
34
15
17
26
12
42
14
14
9
24
10
16
15
16
17
20
18
25
23
13
16
10
15
13
18
14
24
22
11
9
9
15
7
9
29
15
7
20
10
33
15
19
12
22
12
21
38
35
20
16
20
18
7
12
18
9
22
14
15
15
13
7
19
16
6
17
14
14
14
16
18
18
18
16
13
11
14
11
15
8
11
6
8
19
24
32
14
18
19
34
10
11
13
15
4
12
10
13
18
11
15
10
16
11
9
16
4
5
4
6
12
15
35
15
22
5
30
8
15
23
11
6
5
7
6
8
17
9
9
5
7
5
7
8
15
8
6
5
12
12
17
14
8
17
12
21
14
8
6
14
3
10
8
8
10
17
14
12
21
13
9
9
3
11
14
20
10
6
2
2
4
2
10
3
3
2
10
9
19
8
16
5
2
3
6
4
9
17
9
7
5
5
13
11
11
9
6
10
7
5
7
6
7
7
14
7
9
18
10
4
3
8
7
7
11
20
11
6
8
10
8
5
7
6
5
11
8
10
12
8
7
7
9
10
8
9
11
11
12
11
11
9
10
9
5
6
18
8
4
6
9
4
6
7
5
14
11
5
6
5
5
13
6
5
12
13
17
19
14
7
9
9
4
8
5
5
4
7
2
13
1
4
8
3
9
1
2
3
11
6
7
3
8
4
1
6
2
2
3
4
5
9
3
6
12
6
3
5
1
3
7
4
3
1
1
1
9
3
16
14
5
3
1
3
4
4
10
22
5
5
1
8
7
4
3
9
1
7
6
6
2
2
9
6
18
7
4
5
5
6
1
4
4
7
11
11
8
5
2
3
5
3
1
2
1
1
4
1
5
1
1
0
6
5
6
5
5
3
1
3
1
2
1
3
7
Highest percentage per country
Lowest percentage per country
Highest percentage per item
Lowest percentage per item
24

Autumn 2015
Report
The financial situation of your household
Pensions
Unemployment
Taxation
The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY)
Immigration
Working conditions
Living conditions
Crime
Housing
Terrorism
And personally, what are the two most important issues you are facing at the moment? (%)
QA4a
EU28
27
16
15
14
14
13
10
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
UK
44
30
34
8
18
28
32
27
25
34
27
22
21
28
60
30
27
30
15
38
27
38
30
21
36
12
6
32
12
28
20
10
11
19
14
34
15
17
26
12
42
14
14
9
24
10
16
15
16
17
20
18
25
23
13
16
10
15
13
18
14
24
22
11
9
9
15
7
9
29
15
7
20
10
33
15
19
12
22
12
21
38
35
20
16
20
18
7
12
18
9
22
14
15
15
13
7
19
16
6
17
14
14
14
16
18
18
18
16
13
11
14
11
15
8
11
6
8
19
24
32
14
18
19
34
10
11
13
15
4
12
10
13
18
11
15
10
16
11
9
16
4
5
4
6
12
15
35
15
22
5
30
8
15
23
11
6
5
7
6
8
17
9
9
5
7
5
7
8
15
8
6
5
12
12
17
14
8
17
12
21
14
8
6
14
3
10
8
8
10
17
14
12
21
13
9
9
3
11
14
20
10
6
2
2
4
2
10
3
3
2
10
9
19
8
16
5
2
3
6
4
9
17
9
7
5
5
13
11
11
9
6
10
7
5
7
6
7
7
14
7
9
18
10
4
3
8
7
7
11
20
11
6
8
10
8
5
7
6
5
11
8
10
12
8
7
7
9
10
8
9
11
11
12
11
11
9
10
9
5
6
18
8
4
6
9
4
6
7
5
14
11
5
6
5
5
13
6
5
12
13
17
19
14
7
9
9
4
8
5
5
4
7
2
13
1
4
8
3
9
1
2
3
11
6
7
3
8
4
1
6
2
2
3
4
5
9
3
6
12
6
3
5
1
3
7
4
3
1
1
1
9
3
16
14
5
3
1
3
4
4
10
22
5
5
1
8
7
4
3
9
1
7
6
6
2
2
9
6
18
7
4
5
5
6
1
4
4
7
11
11
8
5
2
3
5
3
1
2
1
1
4
1
5
1
1
0
6
5
6
5
5
3
1
3
1
2
1
3
7
1st MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM
2nd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM
25
3rd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM

Autumn 2015
Report
The following tables show the results by socio-demographic criteria in the European Union as a
whole (EU28 average), in the six largest EU countries and in the countries benefiting or having
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis.
QA4a
(% - RISING PRICES/ INFLATION/ COST OF LIVING)
EU28
27
Gender
Male
25
Female
28
Age
15-24
24
25-39
31
40-54
26
55 +
25
Education (End of)
1528
16-19
29
20+
24
Still studying
21
Self-employed
27
Managers
23
Other white collars
30
Manual workers
32
House persons
31
Unemployed
19
Retired
26
Students
21
TOTAL
QA4a
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
18
25
34
22
27
32
27
38
32
21
17
20
22
28
30
38
21
23
26
28
29
34
26
29
35
40
27
38
20
22
16
24
14
19
19
23
25
29
24
44
37
31
11
21
24
24
29
29
23
27
37
41
31
23
33
33
26
22
30
41
42
35
36
36
34
26
10
26
20
23
24
19
13
19
27
24
27
14
38
38
32
19
24
25
21
11
34
28
27
28
25
32
34
41
29
25
28
30
40
39
40
26
30
36
29
33
28
18
24
15
17
14
21
22
18
14
19
19
32
22
28
29
37
15
24
14
39
24
45
45
47
25
31
19
26
22
25
21
27
8
24
11
29
27
22
27
36
22
28
28
31
31
42
38
31
17
25
41
28
31
30
37
29
24
21
30
41
28
46
45
49
27
36
26
12
29
44
42
37
25
27
33
28
20
30
21
18
13
25
15
(% - THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD)
EU28
16
Gender
Male
15
Female
17
Age
15-24
13
25-39
19
40-54
20
55 +
12
Education (End of)
1516
16-19
18
20+
14
Still studying
12
Self-employed
16
Managers
11
Other white collars
15
Manual workers
19
House persons
18
Unemployed
29
Retired
12
Students
12
TOTAL
DE
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
11
15
17
12
16
16
34
17
14
42
11
11
11
18
16
19
11
13
15
18
16
15
31
37
19
15
11
17
41
42
9
14
15
8
11
19
21
8
17
22
21
12
6
11
13
13
8
15
20
18
14
22
21
8
27
36
43
29
16
15
21
16
10
19
20
7
33
48
47
37
12
14
8
4
13
18
12
13
18
19
15
14
15
13
9
3
25
20
15
7
9
19
13
24
36
35
34
27
21
15
11
19
13
13
18
12
44
51
33
19
13
6
9
18
15
35
7
4
14
7
13
11
15
33
6
13
33
11
15
24
14
31
9
14
15
6
5
22
13
16
13
3
9
12
18
11
33
28
23
7
14
15
26
19
19
17
6
24
31
29
35
43
40
46
26
27
11
10
10
20
13
32
14
19
22
15
11
14
19
16
8
12
46
28
42
49
54
57
31
19
26

Autumn 2015
Report
QA4a
(% - HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY)
EU28
15
Gender
Male
13
Female
16
Age
15-24
6
25-39
10
40-54
13
55 +
22
Education (End of)
1517
16-19
15
20+
16
Still studying
5
Self-employed
14
Managers
14
Other white collars
12
Manual workers
12
House persons
13
Unemployed
9
Retired
24
Students
5
TOTAL
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
14
19
20
11
12
22
11
16
6
12
8
9
8
6
18
19
19
21
9
12
10
14
22
21
9
10
5
8
13
20
7
6
11
11
4
5
6
14
5
3
8
9
5
13
18
28
4
14
20
30
3
7
4
18
1
9
9
20
6
13
16
41
2
6
12
15
21
14
11
4
10
8
9
6
10
10
6
3
7
6
8
6
31
19
20
3
27
20
20
2
15
9
10
0
18
11
7
1
32
25
17
7
15
7
12
3
11
10
12
15
13
7
21
4
11
5
22
6
13
4
12
6
10
6
6
6
7
2
15
3
6
12
5
3
9
0
12
6
23
19
18
16
16
12
27
3
22
14
13
14
18
26
33
2
4
10
10
4
12
5
22
0
11
7
11
11
20
11
20
1
30
11
12
19
29
12
42
7
19
21
0
3
0
4
21
3
27

Autumn 2015
Report
2 Economic aspects
a. The current economic situation
Assessments of the national and European economic situations continue to improve
while remaining mostly negative
40% of Europeans say that the economic situation in their country is good, up two
percentage points since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83)19. However, a
majority of respondents continue to describe the situation as bad (57%, -2).
This increase confirms the improvement recorded since spring 2013 (+14 percentage points in total
during this period). Positive assessments of the national economy had increased between 2004 and
spring 2007, when they even represented the majority view. They then fell sharply until 2010, with
minimal changes until spring 2013.
The score recorded for this indicator
in autumn 2015 is therefore the
highest since autumn 2007.
Respondents are slightly less
positive about the European
economic situation 20 : 38%
describe it as good, an increase of
one percentage point since spring
2015 (versus 50% bad, -1).

19
20
QA1a.1. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The situation of the (NATIONALITY) economy
QA1a.2. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The situation of the European economy
28

Autumn 2015
Report
QA1a.1
How would you judge the current situation in each of the following?
The situation of the (NATIONALITY) economy (% - EU)
90%
78
80%
75
77
70
69
70%
71
68
72
71
72
68
63
62
60%
63
59
56
50
50
52
57
TOTAL 'BAD'
49
50%
47
40%
41
30% 34
48
TOTAL 'GOOD'
44
36
29
28
20%
20
10%
40
38
23
22
30
31
28
27
27
26
34
34
DON'T KNOW
0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Respondents remain more optimistic in the non-euro area countries than in the euro area
countries about both the national and European economic situations:
46% of non-euro area respondents say that the economic situation in their country is good
(+2 percentage points, versus 49%, -3) compared with 37% with the euro area (+1, versus
61%, -1);
An unchanged majority of non-euro area respondents say that the economic situation in the
European Union is good (44% versus 41%), while only a minority of euro area respondents
do so, despite an improvement since spring 2015 (35%, +3 percentage points, versus 55%,
-2).
QA1a
The situation of the (NATIONALITY)
economy (%)
The situation of
the European economy (%)
Total 'Good'
Total 'Bad'
Total 'Good'
Total 'Bad'
EU28
40
57
38
50
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
37
46
61
49
35
44
55
41
29

Autumn 2015
Report
Positive opinions about the national economic situation outweigh negative opinions in 12
Member States (compared with eight in spring 2015), with a proportion of good answers in
excess of 80% in four Member States: Germany (86%), Luxembourg (85%), Malta (85%) and
Denmark (83%).
However, in three Member States 90% or more of respondents consider that the national economic
situation is bad: in Greece (97%, including 78% very bad), Portugal (91%, including 35% very
bad) and Spain (90%, including 38% very bad).
Positive assessments of the national economy have gained significant ground in Ireland, where a
majority of respondents are now upbeat (57%, +10 percentage points, versus 40%), and Slovakia,
where they remain in the minority (30%, +10, versus 66%).
30

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Bad'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
The situation of the (NATIONALITY) economy (%)
Total 'Good'
QA1a.1
EU28
40
57
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
37
46
1
2
61
49
1
3
2
5
IE
SK
PL
SI
CZ
NL
RO
HR
LU
MT
IT
EE
CY
ES
FI
BE
FR
DE
DK
LV
BG
EL
LT
HU
SE
PT
UK
AT
57
30
47
19
51
79
25
19
85
85
14
47
14
9
23
47
14
86
83
23
9
3
37
29
76
8
53
51
10
10
9
9
8
7
7
7
6
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
40
66
46
80
48
20
73
80
13
8
85
46
85
90
76
51
83
12
14
72
88
97
61
69
20
91
41
48
11
11
10
9
7
8
6
8
6
2
4
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
4
7
1
1
1
2
1
2
7
1
7
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
5
3
0
2
2
4
1
6
1
=
=
=
=
=
1
1
2
2
3
5
31
=
=
1
=
1
2
1
5

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are predominantly positive about the European economy in 14 Member
States (compared with 12 in spring 2015), led by Lithuania (71%), Bulgaria (63%), Romania (60%)
and Croatia (59%). Respondents in France (68% describe the European economic situation as bad)
and Portugal (68%) are the most critical.
Negative assessments of the economic situation in the European Union have gained significant
ground in several Member States since spring 2015: Latvia (41%, +11 percentage points) and
Portugal (68%, +10). In contrast, respondents are now less negative in Sweden (54%, -10, versus
34% of positive opinions, +5).
32

Autumn 2015
Report
2. Employment
Assessments of the national employment situation have improved slightly, but remain
mostly negative
Two-thirds of Europeans consider that the employment situation in their country is bad (67%,
versus 30% good)21, but this has fallen by two percentage points since spring 2015.
21
QA1a.5. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The employment situation in (OUR COUNTRY)
33

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are predominantly positive about employment in their country in five Member States
(down from four in spring 2015): Malta (74% versus 13%), Denmark (71% versus 25%), Germany
(71% versus 26%), Luxembourg (56% versus 41%) and the Netherlands (50% versus 48%).
However, the proportion of negative answers exceeds 90% in six Member States: Greece (99%),
Spain (94%), Portugal (93%), France (92%), Slovenia (91%) and Bulgaria (91%). In Greece, as many
as 86% of respondents believe that the employment situation is very bad.
The proportion of positive answers has increased sharply since spring 2015 in two Member States:
the Czech Republic (41%, +14 percentage points), and the Netherlands, where a majority of
respondents now say the employment sitiation is good (50%, +11, versus 48%, -11).
34

Autumn 2015
Report
b. Expectations for the next twelve months

Europeans are increasingly pessimistic about the outlook for the economy and
employment

After improving between autumn 2014 (EB82) and spring 2015 (EB83), forecasts for the national
and European economic situations over the next twelve months have once again deteriorated.
A majority of Europeans think that the national economic situation will stay the same over the
next twelve months (44%), but fewer do so than in spring 2015 (-4 percentage points), while
pessimism has increased (26%, +5) and has overtaken optimism (24%, -2)22.
Impressions of the European economy have deteriorated even more markedly23: more than four in
ten Europeans think that the next twelve months will see no change (42%, -2 percentage points),
but more than a quarter now think that the coming year will be worse (26%, +7, versus 20%
better, -4).
22
QA2a.2. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it
comes to ? The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY)
23
QA2a6. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it
comes to ? The economic situation in the EU
35

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about the national
economic outlook over the next twelve months in 14 Member States (down from 18 in
spring 2015). Respondents are the most optimistic in Ireland (51% think that the next twelve
months will be better), Malta (43%) and the Netherlands (40%), but they are particularly
pessimistic in Greece (70% think that the next twelve months will be worse) and, to a lesser
extent, in Sweden (48%).
There have been some significant changes since spring 2015: the view that the next twelve
months will be worse for the national economy has gained significant ground in Greece (+24
percentage points to 70%), Sweden (+23 to 48%), Germany (+22 to 39%), Denmark (+15 to 18%)
and Slovenia (+11 to 33%).
36

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Same
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Worse
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the
same, when it comes to...?
The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY) (%)
Better
QA2a.2
EU28
24
44
26
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
23
26
2
1
44
44
6
2
28
24
7
3
5
6
MT
LU
IE
PL
HR
RO
IT
ES
CY
CZ
SK
UK
EE
FR
HU
BG
DE
LT
LV
BE
AT
SI
NL
SE
FI
PT
EL
DK
43
23
51
24
30
32
31
32
27
21
21
31
23
23
19
17
10
25
17
18
18
16
40
9
26
16
9
25
7
6
5
5
3
2
2
40
50
38
45
44
39
38
47
45
53
50
41
46
48
56
50
48
55
58
49
40
48
42
40
45
43
21
54
5
1
5
23
8
20
24
24
24
13
24
22
24
23
21
23
22
22
39
17
20
29
39
33
16
48
25
30
70
18
2
3
6
1
6
1
2
2
12
4
3
11
2
5
7
8
4
4
5
5
10
6
3
11
3
3
5
4
3
3
2
3
4
11
0
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
5
7
7
10
10
11
11
14
15
37
5
4
3
2
4
3
5
2
1
3
2
7
4
20
2
3
4
4
4
12
2
2
8
1
=
7
3
1
1
7
2
22
3
7
2
7
11
6
23
9
4
24
15

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about the economic
outlook in the European Union over the next twelve months in nine Member States
(compared with 20 in spring 2015). In Romania (41%) and Ireland (34%) more than a third of
respondents are optimistic about the outlook.
However, the proportion of respondents who believe that the European economic situation will
deteriorate over the next twelve months exceeds 40% in four Member States: Austria (51%),
Sweden (48%), Germany (46%) and Luxembourg (44%).
Pessimistic forecasts for the European economic situation over the next twelve months have gained
ground since spring 2015 in 25 Member States, and by ten or more percentage points in 12
countries. The biggest increases were recorded in Sweden (+23 percentage points to 48%), the
Czech Republic (+19 to 34%) and Denmark (+19 to 32%). Pessimisn has only declined (and only
slightly) in three countries: Ireland (-2 to 12%), Italy (-2 to 16%) and Malta (-1 to 12%).
38

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Same
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Worse
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
The economic situation in the EU (%)
Better
QA2a.6
EU28
20
42
26
12
RO
IT
LU
CY
IE
MT
PL
UK
CZ
HR
FR
SK
ES
EE
DE
LT
FI
LV
BG
AT
EL
NL
SE
HU
BE
DK
PT
SI
41
32
20
16
34
24
16
18
12
30
21
20
28
18
9
26
21
17
26
14
10
20
10
18
11
16
18
16
1
1
1
35
39
29
46
41
38
50
38
44
39
45
48
52
33
39
53
47
46
40
30
47
39
31
49
43
42
49
51
3
1
7
3
3
1
3
3
13
5
4
3
3
8
9
2
2
10
4
3
1
4
16
1
1
7
4
2
12
16
44
19
12
12
17
30
34
23
20
24
8
27
46
11
24
23
10
51
39
34
48
25
39
32
19
27
3
2
7
6
2
1
6
7
19
10
1
11
3
12
17
4
9
15
3
13
7
12
23
11
9
19
5
15
12
13
7
19
13
26
17
14
10
8
14
8
12
22
6
10
8
14
24
5
4
7
11
8
7
10
14
6
1
1
1
2
2
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
13
39

Autumn 2015
Report
QA2a
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it comes
to...?
(% - EU)
Same
Worse
Don't know
Better
Same
Worse
Don't know
The economic situation

in the EU
Better
The economic situation

in (OUR COUNTRY)
EU28
24
44
26
20
42
26
12
Gender
Man
Woman
25
23
45
44
26
27
4
6
21
19
43
41
27
26
9
14
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
31
28
23
19
43
42
44
47
20
25
28
28
6
5
5
6
26
23
20
16
41
42
43
42
20
25
28
28
13
10
9
14
Generation
Total 'Before 1946'
1946 - 1964 "BB"
1965 - 1980 "X"
After 1980 "Y"
17
20
25
29
47
46
43
42
27
29
27
23
9
5
5
6
13
18
21
25
41
43
43
42
29
28
27
22
17
11
9
11
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
18
22
27
32
46
45
44
44
29
28
25
18
7
5
4
6
16
20
22
26
42
42
43
43
25
27
27
21
17
11
8
10
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
28
26
27
23
21
26
18
32
41
46
42
45
42
43
47
44
27
25
27
26
29
27
28
18
4
3
4
6
8
4
7
6
22
20
22
20
18
23
15
26
43
44
42
43
41
41
42
43
26
29
26
26
23
25
28
21
9
7
10
11
18
11
15
10

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
20
23
25
40
42
46
34
29
24
6
6
5
18
21
20
40
42
43
26
25
27
16
12
10
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
22
24
24
30
32
44
44
45
46
43
27
28
26
21
23
7
4
5
3
2
19
19
21
24
17
42
42
43
42
43
24
29
27
27
29
15
10
9
7
11
40

Autumn 2015
Report
The following table shows the results by socio-demographic criteria in the European Union as a
QA2a.2
What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same,
when it comes to...?
The economic situation in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - BETTER)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
24
10
32
23
31
24
31
16
51
27
Gender
Male
Female
25
23
11
8
31
32
21
25
31
31
25
23
34
27
9
9
20
14
56
46
29
24
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
31
28
23
19
14
11
9
7
37
41
28
27
31
29
23
17
43
30
31
27
29
28
26
18
44
38
28
21
16
8
7
8
16
15
17
17
54
56
52
43
41
21
27
24
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
18
22
27
32
7
7
13
20
25
32
43
38
14
21
28
32
20
29
42
49
29
24
21
29
21
33
30
35
6
8
12
13
17
13
20
24
38
45
61
55
24
30
23
44
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
28
26
27
23
21
26
18
32
3
12
9
7
16
9
6
20
29
30
43
31
23
34
30
38
24
30
38
24
8
24
16
32
45
39
29
17
24
27
25
49
20
26
22
30
16
25
19
29
34
30
44
34
22
34
21
35
9
6
8
14
8
7
8
13
17
21
18
15
23
10
15
24
60
65
51
50
35
51
45
55
21
23
21
31
18
20
28
44
41

Autumn 2015
Report
2. Employment
More than four in ten Europeans think that the national employment situation will
remain unchanged over the next twelve months (43%)24, but this represents a fall of three
percentage points since spring 2015. Pessimism has grown (28% think that the next twelve months
will be worse, up five percentage points) and now outstrips optimism (24%, -2).
24
QA2a.4. What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it
comes to ? The employment situation in (OUR COUNTRY)
42

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about employment prospects in the
coming year in 11 Member States (compared with 13 in spring 2015). As in the case of the national
economic situation, respondents are particularly optimistic in Ireland (54% think that the next
twelve months will be better), Malta (42%) and the Netherlands (40%). However, pessimisn has
reached 70% in Greece and 48% in Austria.
Respondents are more likely than in spring 2015 to think that the next twelve months will be
worse for employment nationally in 17 Member States, strikingly so in five of them: Germany
(+22 percentage points to 42%), Greece (+18 to 70%), Sweden (+17 to 39%), Finland (+14 to 33%)
and Austria (+10 to 48%).
43

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Same
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Worse
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
The employment situation in (OUR COUNTRY) (%)
Better
QA2a.4
EU28
24
43
28
MT
LU
IE
PL
IT
SK
RO
ES
HR
CZ
LV
HU
FR
LT
CY
BE
BG
EE
DE
NL
UK
SI
AT
FI
SE
PT
EL
DK
42
25
54
19
35
23
28
34
29
22
18
18
23
23
21
20
17
20
10
40
28
17
18
21
16
17
8
34
6
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
6
8
8
11
12
13
38
37
36
49
35
47
37
45
41
52
59
50
47
61
46
46
48
47
45
38
43
46
30
42
40
42
21
49
6
6
6
33
6
21
25
25
29
14
27
22
17
29
25
12
29
31
23
18
42
19
23
33
48
33
39
32
70
12
2
1
6
2
4
3
1
1
5
3
5
3
2
1
3
3
2
14
5
4
11
5
5
6
7
3
4
6
3
5
4
4
3
12
15
3
3
6
4
4
4
5
9
1
5
44
=
5
2
4
3
4
3
4
5
4
5
5
=
1
4
16
1
2
5
6
10
3
6
6
22
5
1
6
10
14
17
4
18
7

Autumn 2015
Report
c. The main concerns at national level

Immigration is now the main concern at national level, level with unemployment
The order in which Europeans rank their national concerns has changed considerably between the
Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83) and the Standard Eurobarometer survey of
autumn 2015 (EB84)25. Unemployment has lost ground, while concern about immigration has
increased sharply. This trend has been observed since 2013.
Immigration is now the leading national concern, level with unemployment, with an
increase of 13 percentage points since spring 2015. This is the highest score ever recorded for this
indicator. After declining between spring and autumn 2011 (-4 percentage points), concern about
immigration has gained ground continuously ever since (+29 percentage points over the period).
Although Europeans are still very worried about unemployment at national level, this item was
mentioned less frequently than in spring 2015 (-6 percentage points), confirming its downward
trend since autumn 2013 (-15 percentage points in total between spring 2013 and autumn 2015).
The economic situation remains the third issue of concern (19%), but it too has lost ground (-2
percentage points since spring 2015 and -23 since autumn 2011).
Health and social security follows in fourth place (14%), falling four percentage points since
spring 2015, whereas it had previously gained ground since spring 2013 (+7 points up to spring
2015).
Rising prices/inflation/cost of living (14%) shares fourth place, with an unchanged score.
Terrorism is now ranked sixth (11%), with an increase of four percentage points since spring 2015.
In total, this item has gained nine points since spring 2014.
Next, with identical scores, respondents mentioned pensions (10%, -2 percentage points),
government debt (10%, -2) and crime (10%, +1).
These are followed by housing (8%, +2 percentage points), taxation (8%, unchanged) and the
education system (8%, -3 since spring 2015).
The environment, climate and energy issues are seen as the least important national concern
(6%, unchanged).

25
QA3a. What do you think are the two most important issues facing (OUR COUNTRY) at the moment?
45

Autumn 2015
Report
eg
0%
QA3a
0%
What do you think are the two most important issues facing (OUR COUNTRY) at the moment?
(% - EU)
50%
51
49
48
42
45
40%
42
41
35
48
46
45
42
37
35
33
36
33
36
30
29
30%
20%
27
25
24
24
24
20
18
14
18
11
14
13
12
12
12
11
23
21
20
16
10%
IMMIGRATION
UNEMPLOYMENT
15
19
18
16
14
14
14
12
11
7
7
5
10
3
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
46
ECONOMIC SITUATION
14 HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY

14
TERRORISM
11
2015

Autumn 2015
Report
The order in which national issues are ranked differs considerably in euro area and non-euro
area countries:
Immigration is now the leading concern in the non-euro area countries, with an increase of
twelve percentage points since spring 2015 (32%). Although this issue has also gained
significant ground in the euro area (38%, +14), it is still ranked behind unemployment (40%,
-5, compared with 27%, -8 in the non-euro area countries, in second place);
For respondents in the euro area countries, the third most important issue is the economic
situation (20%, -2 percentage points), while outside the euro area it is health and social
security (21%, -4).
Immigration is now the leading national concern in 12 Member States (up from four in
spring 2015), led by Germany (76%), Malta (65%) and Denmark (60%).
This issue has gained ground in 25 Member States, sometimes spectacularly. The biggest
increases were recorded in Slovenia (+47 percentage points to 48%), Finland (+35 to 41%), the
Netherlands (+33 to 56%) and Germany (+30 to 76%). In contrast, concerns have decreased in
three countries, Malta (-11 to 65%), Italy (-1 to 30%) and Lithuania (-1 to 12%).
Unemployment is the main national concern in 12 Member States (compared with 19 in
spring 2015), most strikingly in Cyprus (71%), Spain (69%), Portugal (62%) and Croatia (61%).
However, it has lost ground in 24 Member States, most notably in Slovenia (-18 percentage points
to 41%), Poland (-16 to 37%) and Sweden (-12 to 28%).
47

Autumn 2015
Report
Health and social security is seen as the most important national issue in Latvia (31%). The
proportion of respondents mentioning this item has fallen sharply in the Netherlands (-19
percentage points to 37%). As in Latvia, health and social security stands in first place in Romania,
jointly with the economic situation (both 29%). Mentions of this item have fallen significantly in
Slovenia (-12 percentage points to 27%) and Finland (-10 to 27%).
Rising prices and inflation are the leading national concern in Lithuania (47%). This issue has
lost very significant ground since spring 2015 in Estonia (-13 percentage points to 19%).
Housing is the primary concern in Ireland (34%), following a sharp rise since spring 2015 (+11
percentage points).
Other points of note: terrorism is a major issue in the United Kingdom (24%), as are pensions in
the Czech Republic (21%), government debt in Croatia (26%), crime in Ireland (21%), housing in
Luxembourg (34%), taxation in Greece (22%), the education system in Sweden (24%) and
environmental issues in Denmark (20%).
48

Autumn 2015
Report
Unemployment
Economic situation
Terrorism
Pensions
Government debt
Crime
Housing
Taxation
What do you think are the two most important issues facing (OUR COUNTRY) at the moment? (%)
Immigration
QA3a
EU28
36
36
19
14
14
11
10
10
10
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
UK
38
21
47
60
76
45
11
20
9
22
11
30
5
22
12
35
34
65
56
56
17
5
6
48
19
41
53
44
29
39
19
16
11
22
32
55
69
54
61
46
71
30
32
31
36
7
23
30
37
62
27
41
46
42
28
16
14
33
16
10
8
29
13
45
29
14
31
28
60
25
20
5
23
7
17
17
17
35
29
27
24
27
19
12
9
17
9
27
8
21
29
7
12
6
6
6
8
31
13
5
23
10
37
9
20
12
29
11
24
29
22
21
21
25
21
3
8
19
16
11
10
15
19
11
10
16
47
22
18
16
4
18
21
19
28
9
24
5
1
14
9
5
7
11
10
4
4
1
5
18
2
9
1
2
1
6
8
9
12
9
5
2
6
2
6
2
3
24
19
12
21
6
8
13
5
7
6
11
7
13
4
19
14
6
12
11
7
8
20
10
15
6
14
5
4
5
14
6
19
3
9
1
11
23
8
10
26
10
8
5
9
4
8
8
2
14
14
22
6
16
6
23
2
9
10
13
14
8
15
5
21
2
7
12
11
12
5
3
16
11
13
15
5
11
5
3
11
7
9
2
5
7
8
1
3
3
15
1
12
3
6
4
3
9
9
22
5
9
5
17
5
18
20
6
5
3
4
3
7
11
9
9
6
4
2
4
5
6
5
19
11
10
6
3
7
8
3
2
3
10
8
15
7
5
7
11
6
3
15
2
6
6
24
8
9
3
5
20
8
3
3
0
2
8
2
4
1
1
2
6
2
19
11
5
4
1
2
1
2
7
19
6
34
0
6
6
3
2
1
3
2
34
5
3
9
3
6
2
4
2
4
3
13
19
49

Autumn 2015
Report
Unemployment
Economic situation
Terrorism
Pensions
Government debt
Crime
Housing
Taxation
What do you think are the two most important issues facing (OUR COUNTRY) at the moment? (%)
Immigration
QA3a
EU28
36
36
19
14
14
11
10
10
10
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
UK
38
21
47
60
76
45
11
20
9
22
11
30
5
22
12
35
34
65
56
56
17
5
6
48
19
41
53
44
29
39
19
16
11
22
32
55
69
54
61
46
71
30
32
31
36
7
23
30
37
62
27
41
46
42
28
16
14
33
16
10
8
29
13
45
29
14
31
28
60
25
20
5
23
7
17
17
17
35
29
27
24
27
19
12
9
17
9
27
8
21
29
7
12
6
6
6
8
31
13
5
23
10
37
9
20
12
29
11
24
29
22
21
21
25
21
3
8
19
16
11
10
15
19
11
10
16
47
22
18
16
4
18
21
19
28
9
24
5
1
14
9
5
7
11
10
4
4
1
5
18
2
9
1
2
1
6
8
9
12
9
5
2
6
2
6
2
3
24
19
12
21
6
8
13
5
7
6
11
7
13
4
19
14
6
12
11
7
8
20
10
15
6
14
5
4
5
14
6
19
3
9
1
11
23
8
10
26
10
8
5
9
4
8
8
2
14
14
22
6
16
6
23
2
9
10
13
14
8
15
5
21
2
7
12
11
12
5
3
16
11
13
15
5
11
5
3
11
7
9
2
5
7
8
1
3
3
15
1
34
0
6
6
3
2
1
3
2
34
5
3
9
3
6
2
4
2
4
3
13
19
12
3
6
4
3
9
9
22
5
9
5
17
5
18
20
6
5
3
4
3
7
11
9
9
6
4
2
4
5
6
5
19
11
10
6
3
7
8
3
2
3
10
8
15
7
5
7
11
6
3
15
2
6
6
24
8
9
3
5
20
8
3
3
0
2
8
2
4
1
1
2
6
2
19
11
5
4
1
2
1
2
7
19
6
1st MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM
2nd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM
50
3rd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM

Autumn 2015
Report
d. The main concerns at European level

Immigration is easily the main issue at European level, pushing terrorism into second
place
The order in which Europeans rank the main issues facing the European Union has also changed
radically since spring 201526.
Immigration is now seen as by far the largest problem facing the EU (58%), up 20
percentage points since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83). After
increasing in spring 2011 (up to 20%), mentions of immigration fell and then stabilised until
autumn 2012 (with a score of 8%). Since then, this issue has gained ground continuously (+50
percentage points in total).
Terrorism is now the second issue facing the European Union (25%), as the result of a similar
increase since spring 2015 (+8 percentage points). After remaining relatively unchanged between
autumn 2011 and spring 2014 (with a score of 6%), concern about terrorism at the EU level has
since gained 19 percentage points.
The economic situation has fallen from second place in spring 2015 to third place (21%).
Concerns about this issue have decreased significantly since spring 2015 (-6 percentage points),
confirming the downward trend of this item since autumn 2011 (at that time it had a score of 59%;
it has therefore lost 38 percentage points over the period).
Unemployment and the state of Member States public finances are now ranked equally
(17% in both cases). Again, these two items have lost ground (-7 percentage points for
unemployment since spring 2015 and -21 since spring 2013; and -6 points for the state of public
finances since spring 2015 and -17 since spring 2012).
Far behind the five main issues identified at the EU level, respondents then mentioned: crime (8%,
unchanged since spring 2015), rising prices (7%, -2 percentage points since spring 2015 and -10
since autumn 2011), climate change (6%, unchanged since spring 2015), the EUs influence in
the world (6%, -1), the environment (5%, =), taxation (3%, -1), pensions (3%, -1) and energy
supply (3%, -1).

26
QA5. What do you think are the two most important issues facing the EU at the moment?
51

Autumn 2015
Report
Maximum two answers
52

Autumn 2015
Report
QA5
What do you think are the two most important issues facing the EU at the moment?
(% - EU)
Aut.2015
Sp.2015
Aut.2014
Sp.2014
Aut.2013
Sp.2013
Aut.2012
IMMIGRATION
16
10
9
9
TERRORISM
21
Sp.2011
58
38
24
25
17
11
Aut.2011
20
14
6
Sp.2012
6
7
13
15
21
27
33
39
ECONOMIC SITUATION
45
48
53
54
43
17
24
29
34
36
38
UNEMPLOYMENT
23
17
26
32
36
27
23
25
25
26
THE STATE OF MEMBER STATES' PUBLIC FINANCES
32
22
21
8
8
7
8
7
CRIME
6
6
8
8
7
9
10
10
12
13
12
6
6
7
CLIMATE CHANGE
4
3
3
3
5
5
6
7
6
7
EU'S INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD
7
7
6
6
5
5
6
THE ENVIRONMENT
4
3
3
3
6
6
3
4
7
6
TAXATION
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
PENSIONS
4
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
ENERGY SUPPLY
30
4
3
4
4
4
53
16
15
17
17
31
34
46
59
Aut.2010
eg

Autumn 2015
Report
0%
QA5
(% - EU)
59
60%
58 IMMIGRATION
54
50%
53
48
46
45
43
40%
36
34
39
38
36
38
34
33
31
30% 27
32
23
21
32
29
30
26
26
22
20%
25
21
24
27
24
25 TERRORISM
21 ECONOMIC SITUATION
23
17 UNEMPLOYMENT
17 THE STATE OF MEMBER STATES'
PUBLIC FINANCES
16
20
15
25
17
14
13
10%
7
8
2011
7
7
0%
2010
10
2012
2013
11
7
2014
8 CRIME
2015
The order in which Europeans place the issues facing the European Union is somewhat different in
euro area and non-euro area countries, but this is less marked than in the case of national
issues:
Immigration is seen as the most important issue facing the EU in both groups of countries
(60%, +27 percentage point in the non-euro area countries and 57%, +17, in the euro area);
Terrorism is ranked in second place by non-euro area respondents (32%, +12

percentage points), ahead of the economic situation (18%, -7), while the order is reversed
in the euro area, where the economic situation (22%, -6) remains ahead of terrorism (21%,
+5).
54

Autumn 2015
Report
Immigration is the most important issue facing the European Union in 27 Member States,
the only exception being Portugal, where the state of Member States public finances (38%) is
seen as the priority.
Respondents in Estonia (79%) are the most likely to mention immigration, but more than 70% of
respondents did so in eight other Member States: the Czech Republic (76%), Denmark (76%),
Germany (76%), the Netherlands (75%), Malta (74%), Slovenia (74%), Sweden (74%) and Slovakia
(72%).
This issue has gained ground significantly in all Member States, generally by more than 20
or 30 percentage points (except in Malta and Italy where concern was already high). In Slovenia, the
proportion of respondents identifying immigration as a problem for the European Union has risen by
43 percentage points since spring 2015.
Other points of note include:
Terrorism is very frequently mentioned in Romania (43%), up 15 percentage points since

spring 2015. It has seen significant rises in several Member States, led by Latvia (+24
percentage points to 39%), Slovakia (+21 to 39%) and the United Kingdom (+19 to 34%);
The economic situation remains a major issue in Greece (36%), despite a decrease of 4
percentage points. This issue has lost ground in 26 Member States, most notably in Cyprus
(-14 percentage points to 33%), Spain (-13 to 24%), Austria (-11 to 17%) and Hungary (-11
to 15%);
Unemployment is frequently mentioned in Cyprus (43%); crime in Italy (13%) and Romania
(13%); rising prices in Croatia (12%) and Lithuania (12%); climate change (23%) and the
environment (10%) in Sweden; the EUs influence in the world in Greece (13%) and
taxation in Italy (8%).
55

Autumn 2015
Report
Climate change
EU's influence in the world
The environment
Taxation
Pensions
Energy supply
Unemployment
EU28
58
25
21
17
17
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
UK
61
61
76
76
76
79
48
52
39
49
52
49
49
66
64
55
68
74
75
66
54
31
47
74
72
58
74
61
25
38
32
21
15
32
30
13
24
27
26
20
20
39
28
25
34
38
24
15
28
23
43
17
39
20
18
34
22
14
12
22
18
17
18
36
24
22
15
25
33
14
18
18
15
13
25
17
11
23
15
19
10
25
28
23
15
6
9
17
15
7
21
24
25
22
16
25
43
11
8
32
13
11
14
18
8
25
8
16
13
17
14
13
15
8
19
11
25
18
13
26
15
15
17
15
11
13
15
21
14
8
22
28
15
38
10
16
15
30
12
9
10
8
10
7
9
8
10
8
7
8
10
13
12
6
11
11
11
8
4
11
7
5
13
10
12
6
2
5
10
5
8
2
4
4
11
7
6
8
12
10
5
6
12
8
6
4
3
11
8
9
8
4
7
4
1
8
9
6
4
15
5
2
6
1
4
11
7
6
1
2
4
7
5
7
6
9
7
2
5
3
3
11
23
5
6
5
7
7
5
4
7
13
4
6
10
3
4
6
7
6
6
2
10
8
9
6
3
6
4
9
5
7
6
4
4
7
4
2
5
2
4
8
3
5
1
1
2
3
3
6
5
5
5
1
5
4
2
6
10
3
4
1
2
1
2
2
4
5
4
3
3
8
4
2
5
3
3
2
2
4
3
4
5
3
1
1
0
2
5
1
2
1
2
1
3
2
3
5
3
5
2
3
1
3
4
2
1
3
4
4
4
1
3
1
0
2
4
5
2
2
2
3
4
1
2
2
4
3
0
1
2
2
5
3
2
2
5
1
4
2
2
5
3
2
Crime
Economic situation
(%)
Terrorism
The state of Member States' public

finances
Immigration
QA5

56

Autumn 2015
Report
Terrorism
Economic situation
Unemployment
The state of Member States' public finances
Crime
Climate change
EU's influence in the world
The environment
Taxation
Pensions
Energy supply
What do you think are the two most important issues facing the EU at the moment? (%)
Immigration
QA5
EU28
58
25
21
17
17
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
UK
61
61
76
76
76
79
48
52
39
49
52
49
49
66
64
55
68
74
75
66
54
31
47
74
72
58
74
61
25
38
32
21
15
32
30
13
24
27
26
20
20
39
28
25
34
38
24
15
28
23
43
17
39
20
18
34
22
14
12
22
18
17
18
36
24
22
15
25
33
14
18
18
15
13
25
17
11
23
15
19
10
25
28
23
15
6
9
17
15
7
21
24
25
22
16
25
43
11
8
32
13
11
14
18
8
25
8
16
13
17
14
13
15
8
19
11
25
18
13
26
15
15
17
15
11
13
15
21
14
8
22
28
15
38
10
16
15
30
12
9
10
8
10
7
9
8
10
8
7
8
10
13
12
6
11
11
11
8
4
11
7
5
13
10
12
6
2
5
10
5
8
2
4
4
11
7
6
8
12
10
5
6
12
8
6
4
3
11
8
9
8
4
7
4
1
8
9
6
4
15
5
2
6
1
4
11
7
6
1
2
4
7
5
7
6
9
7
2
5
3
3
11
23
5
6
5
7
7
5
4
7
13
4
6
10
3
4
6
7
6
6
2
10
8
9
6
3
6
4
9
5
7
6
4
4
7
4
2
5
2
4
8
3
5
1
1
2
3
3
6
5
5
5
1
5
4
2
6
10
3
4
1
2
1
2
2
4
5
4
3
3
8
4
2
5
3
3
2
2
4
3
4
5
3
1
1
0
2
5
1
2
1
2
1
3
2
3
5
3
5
2
3
1
3
4
2
1
3
4
4
4
1
3
1
0
2
4
5
2
2
2
3
4
1
2
2
4
3
0
1
2
2
5
3
2
2
5
1
4
2
2
5
3
2
1st MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM
2nd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM

57
3rd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM

Autumn 2015
Report
A comparative analysis of personal, national and European concerns reveals that:
Immigration is now without doubt a major concern at the EU level (58%, +20
percentage points) and nationally (36%, +13). It still does not register as a personal day-today issue, though concern at this level has also increased (9%, +3);
An identical trend, albeit on a smaller scale, applies to terrorism (25%, +8 at European level;
11%, +4 at national level; and only 4%, +2 personally);
Against a backdrop of sharply rising concerns about immigration and terrorism, economic
issues lag behind at EU level, whether for the economic situation (21%, -6 percentage
points at European level) or unemployment (17%, -7). At national level, the economy is also
seen as less worrying in itself (19%, -2), but unemployment is still frequently mentioned
despite a decrease (36%, -6). Above all, at a personal level, the cost of living remains
the main issue identified by respondents (27%, unchanged), even against a more general
background of anxiety about immigration and terrorism;
There are also persistant concerns about health and social security at national and
personal levels.
QA3aQA4aQA5
What are the two most important issues facing ... at the moment?
(% - EU - COMPARABLES ITEMS QUOTED BY MORE OF 5% OF
RESPONDENTS AT EU LEVEL)
the EU
(OUR COUNTRY)
you personally
IMMIGRATION
TERRORISM
36
ECONOMIC SITUATION
21
19
10
17
UNEMPLOYMENT
36
14
THE STATE OF MEMBER STATES PUBLIC FINANCES /

GOVERNMENT DEBT /
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION
OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD
10
CRIME
6
7
CLIMATE CHANGE / THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND

ENERGY ISSUES
25
11
6
6
5
58
17
16
10
14
27
58

Autumn 2015
Report
3 The quality of life

a. The quality of life nationally and at European level
A majority of Europeans say that the quality of life is good both nationally and in the
European Union

More than six in ten Europeans consider that they have a good quality of life in their
country (61%, up one percentage point since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015
(EB83), compared with 37% bad, -1)27.
Euro area respondents (63%, unchanged) are more likely than non-euro area respondents
(56%, +3 percentage points) to be satisfied with their quality of life, but they are more likely to be
positive than negative in both groups of countries.
QA1a.6
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - EU)
Don't know
2 (=)
Total 'Bad'
37 (-1)
Total 'Good'
61 (+1)
(Autumn 2015 - Spring 2015)

27
QA1a.6. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY)
59

Autumn 2015
Report
As in spring 2015, respondents are predominantly positive in 14 Member States, with scores
in excess of 90% in seven countries: the Netherlands (94%), Denmark (92%), Finland (91%), Malta
(91%), Luxembourg (91%), Germany (91%) and Sweden (91%). In contrast, more than threequarters of respondents are dissatisfied in Bulgaria (89%), Greece (82%) and Romania (76%).
Positive opinions have gained ground since spring 2015 in 15 Member States, most notably in
Poland (+11 percentage points), where opinions are now evenly divided (47% versus 47%).
However, positive opinions have lost ground in nine countries and are unchanged in the remaining
four.
60

Autumn 2015
Report
QA1a.6
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - TOTAL 'GOOD')
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
61
91
42
69
34
47
78
18
25
81
45
Gender
Male
Female
63
59
91
92
44
41
76
63
36
33
46
47
80
74
23
14
29
22
85
77
51
41
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
69
61
59
58
91
94
90
93
42
44
40
42
79
67
67
68
50
37
34
29
57
49
48
41
89
78
72
76
28
18
16
16
37
25
25
22
86
79
74
85
66
46
46
34
51
59
69
71
92
90
94
94
39
45
49
42
69
63
76
80
22
34
44
56
34
39
51
61
71
76
84
83
16
15
19
31
17
33
31
47
77
76
85
94
37
41
56
69
60
77
61
59
53
48
58
71
90
96
91
90
93
76
95
94
46
45
51
42
44
35
44
42
73
85
73
63
60
61
69
80
38
57
37
27
25
27
27
56
46
67
51
41
42
35
37
61
84
79
77
79
73
67
76
83
25
24
18
20
20
7
14
31
35
33
28
22
22
12
21
47
86
86
80
80
73
65
85
94
68
44
58
52
25
29
33
69
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
61

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of Europeans say that the quality of life in the European Union is good
(58%, unchanged)28, slightly fewer than for the quality of life nationally. Negative opinions have
gained two percentage points, but remain below the levels expressed for the quality of life
nationally (29%).
Non-euro area respondents (61%, 1 percentage point since spring 2015) are more likely than
euro-area respondents (57%, unchanged) to say that the quality of life in the EU is good, but
both groups of respondents are predominantly positive.
QA1a.7
The quality of life in the EU (% - EU)
Don't know
13 (-2)
Total 'Bad'
29 (+2)
Total 'Good'
58 (=)
28
QA1a.7. How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? The quality of life in the EU
62

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to be positive than negative about the quality of life in the
EU in all Member States, as in spring 2015. However, the proportion who say it is good varies
considerably between Member States, ranging from a high of 80% in Lithuania (versus 9% who
describe the quality of life in the EU as bad) to a low of 40% in Cyprus (versus 36%).
Perceptions of the quality of life in the EU have deteriorated sharply since spring 2015 in Hungary
(59%, -10 percentage points). In total, they have deteriorated in 21 Member States, and have
improved slightly in the six others.
63

Autumn 2015
Report
The quality of life in the EU (% - TOTAL 'GOOD')
QA1a.7
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
58
65
49
54
45
72
48
55
54
63
40
Gender
Male
Female
61
55
65
64
54
47
59
47
48
43
74
70
54
42
61
49
61
50
67
59
42
38
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
69
63
59
51
71
68
63
63
60
56
51
42
71
59
50
45
69
48
50
34
83
80
73
62
57
48
54
40
74
54
58
48
65
60
60
44
73
64
63
58
42
49
41
29
41
56
69
72
58
63
69
75
39
53
65
63
47
43
65
76
24
50
58
70
46
69
78
83
28
46
66
54
42
52
64
77
41
61
67
73
52
54
75
83
32
33
61
38
62
73
63
57
48
51
50
72
63
68
64
66
66
50
62
75
51
70
62
50
39
47
44
63
53
79
51
48
47
53
44
76
51
61
58
36
33
43
30
70
72
78
75
74
74
65
64
83
63
69
47
43
35
45
35
54
55
68
64
61
33
49
52
77
65
75
69
54
40
40
42
73
67
77
62
63
52
47
59
83
55
61
55
38
21
34
31
38
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
A comparison of opinions of the quality of life nationally and at European level shows
that:
In the euro area countries, respondents tend to think the quality of life is better
nationally than at EU level (63% versus 57%). The opposite is true in the non-euro
area countries (56% versus 61%);
Respondents in 13 Member States are more positive about the quality of life in
their country than about the quality of life in the EU. The disparity is widest in
Luxembourg (a difference of 32 percentage points between positive opinions about the
quality of life nationally and in the EU), the United Kingdom (30 percentage points), and
Denmark and Germany (both 26 percentage points);
In the 15 Member States where respondents think the quality of life is better in the EU than
in their country, the disparities are widest in Bulgaria (difference of 65 percentage points),
Romania (44 points), Lithuania (42 points), Croatia (38 points), Greece (37 points), Latvia (33
points) and Hungary (31 points).
64

Autumn 2015
Report
QA1a
The quality of life (%)
Total 'Good' in (OUR COUNTRY)
Total 'Good' in the EU
NL
DK
92
66
FI
91
75
SE
91
69
MT
91
67
DE
91
65
LU
91
59
BE
84
64
AT
84
61
IE
81
63
UK
78
48
FR
69
54
EURO AREA
57
63
61
58
57
59
56
61
55
63
EU28
CZ
NON-EURO AREA
EE
47
PL
72
46
SI
CY
40
42
ES
62
45
49
39
SK
66
38
LT
34
IT
80
45
33
LV
66
28
HR
66
28
HU
59
25
PT
54
22
RO
66
18
EL
BG
94
76
55
74
65

Autumn 2015
Report
b. Expectations for the next twelve months for the quality of life
nationally and at European level
A majority of Europeans expect no change in the quality of life in their country and in the
EU over the next twelve months

Asked for the first time in the Standard Eurobarometer how they felt that the quality of life in
their country would evolve over the next twelve months, a majority of Europeans say
they expect the situation to stay the same (53%)29. However, they are more likely to think it
will be worse (24%) than better (19%).
QA2a.7
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - EU)
Don't know
4
Better
19
Worse
24
Same
53
29
QA2a.7. What are you expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it
comes to ? The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY)
66

Autumn 2015
Report
Optimism outweighs pessimism in ten Member States. Opinions are evenly divided in Poland.
Respondents are particularly optimistic in Ireland (38% think that the the quality of life in their
country will be better over the next twelve months) and Malta (37%). These are among the
countries that are the most positive about the quality of life nationally. Respondents are very
pessimistic in Greece (61% think that the coming year will be worse), where opinions of the
current quality of life have deteriorated, and to a lesser extent in Germany (35%) and Austria
(35%), two countries in which more than 80% of respondents are satisfied with the quality of life
today .
67

Autumn 2015
Report
QA2a.7
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - BETTER)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
19
28
18
31
19
21
15
38
20
Gender
Male
Female
19
18
7
6
26
30
18
18
32
30
22
18
22
19
7
7
17
14
40
35
22
18
25
22
18
15
17
9
5
4
31
35
27
24
20
22
22
13
46
29
30
28
24
24
16
17
29
29
20
13
15
7
6
5
19
12
16
15
45
40
40
31
38
16
14
18
16
18
19
26
3
6
8
17
25
26
40
31
10
22
15
22
21
31
38
47
22
17
20
23
18
21
21
28
3
4
11
12
14
12
22
24
30
34
44
43
17
20
19
40
20
17
20
19
19
23
15
26
4
7
7
6
12
11
3
17
23
24
40
28
22
32
27
31
24
11
29
22
15
21
13
22
37
39
28
19
23
34
28
47
11
24
22
18
24
20
18
23
14
18
22
30
13
28
14
28
5
9
7
10
5
6
5
12
14
19
17
13
22
13
13
24
53
43
36
37
25
50
31
43
14
12
13
28
0
11
23
40
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QA2a.7
The quality of life in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - SAME)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
53
56
55
56
42
53
56
32
53
54
56
54
53
56
56
57
53
57
55
42
41
52
53
58
55
32
31
53
53
52
56
55
56
52
52
54
55
55
54
52
60
59
47
59
57
53
56
51
60
40
44
46
39
43
51
56
55
53
50
55
62
37
34
32
29
55
55
59
48
45
50
55
61
40
62
68
49
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
52
53
56
53
53
54
61
58
56
59
47
52
64
51
59
56
47
41
38
39
51
58
52
46
56
55
60
50
28
31
34
42
48
61
53
57
63
56
50
44
55
57
60
44
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
53
62
52
51
50
48
55
53
52
65
43
54
56
43
60
58
59
65
49
59
57
49
53
52
51
74
47
44
57
52
62
56
43
41
46
41
40
44
41
39
62
46
51
57
46
44
55
46
61
66
60
45
59
51
60
50
31
34
31
31
33
29
30
42
52
61
60
54
44
53
47
57
44
52
57
55
66
36
62
44
69
60
69
57
71
48
49
44
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +

68

Autumn 2015
Report
Asked how the quality of life in the European Union will evolve over the next twelve
months, a majority of Europeans expect that it too will stay the same (49%)30. As with
the quality of life nationally, pessimism (23%) outweighs optimism (18%).
QA2a.8
The quality of life in the EU (% - EU)
Don't know
10
Better
18
Worse
23
Same
49
Respondents are more likely to be optimistic than pessimistic about the outlook for the
quality of life in the European Union in ten Member States, led by Romania (41% think that
the quality of life in the EU will be better over the next twelve months) and to a lesser extent Italy
(31%), Croatia (30%) and Ireland (30%).
Respondents are the most pessimistic in Austria (43% think that the next twelve months will be
worse), Germany (41%), Luxembourg (38%), Greece (36%) and Belgium (36%),

30
QA2a.8. What are you expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it
comes to ? The quality of life in the EU
69

Autumn 2015
Report
QA2a.8
The quality of life in the EU (% - BETTER)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
18
25
16
31
18
15
10
16
30
15
Gender
Male
Female
18
17
7
6
25
26
16
17
32
29
19
16
16
13
11
9
18
14
32
29
15
15
24
21
18
14
14
7
6
4
30
34
23
20
18
19
21
11
39
28
32
29
26
22
13
14
25
20
14
6
19
8
10
8
18
15
16
16
44
30
34
22
33
15
10
10
14
17
18
25
2
6
9
12
21
23
37
30
9
18
15
24
24
31
41
40
10
17
17
24
10
15
12
27
4
8
14
18
16
14
17
24
22
26
37
41
11
12
18
39
21
15
20
19
16
21
13
25
8
5
8
7
9
10
3
12
29
17
38
27
18
29
21
30
20
8
26
21
7
20
11
24
42
40
30
23
19
27
28
40
12
17
19
16
25
25
15
24
10
15
22
20
8
17
5
27
9
18
10
13
2
11
8
18
10
16
23
15
13
13
14
24
39
36
29
30
19
41
21
41
11
13
11
20
6
8
13
39
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QA2a.8
The quality of life in the EU (% - SAME)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
49
48
56
52
42
53
46
50
55
50
51
51
48
47
48
60
53
53
50
45
40
53
54
50
42
50
50
54
55
50
49
52
51
49
49
49
49
49
49
45
49
62
51
59
55
48
55
48
54
47
48
43
38
42
51
57
58
46
44
48
46
49
50
53
49
59
54
57
52
44
48
48
54
33
62
59
45
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
47
48
52
51
45
47
48
52
56
60
51
61
59
47
57
46
42
40
40
50
55
57
52
48
39
46
53
46
46
51
53
53
49
62
56
56
57
52
47
41
43
55
61
28
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
47
55
48
49
47
48
48
51
45
54
36
47
46
47
48
52
53
72
46
59
50
54
55
61
44
72
47
43
60
50
55
46
33
38
50
46
44
46
38
50
62
51
46
57
51
40
57
48
52
54
46
43
40
44
44
46
54
39
54
51
54
45
47
53
55
65
59
52
52
57
51
56
44
45
54
50
62
35
57
41
68
65
65
53
61
44
46
28
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +

70

Autumn 2015
Report
4 Political aspects
a. Interest in politics
The index measuring how interested Europeans are in politics31 has improved slightly: 18% of
Europeans have a strong interest in politics, up by two percentage points since spring 2015; 46%
have a moderate interest (-1), 19% have a slight interest (-2) and 17% are not at all interested
(-1).
Europeans
mainly
discuss
national
political matters with friends or relatives.
Almost a quarter do so frequently (24%,
+2 percentage points since spring 2015),
more than half do so occasionally (54%,
,-1), and just over a fifth never talk about
national politics with friends and family
(22%, -1).
Next, they are most likely to discuss local
politics (20% frequently, -2 percentage
points, 54% occasionally, +2, and 25%
never, -1).
Lastly, two-thirds of Europeans discuss
European political matters with friends
or relatives (15% frequently, +2
percentage points, and 51% occasionally,
+1); a third say that they never talk about
European political matters (33%, -3).

31
The question is as follows: When you get together with friends or relatives, would you say that you discuss frequently, occasionally or
never about? National political matters/European political matters/local political matters. A score is then attributed to each answer:
Never = 0; Occasionally = 1; Often = 2. An index is then constructed by adding together the scores for the three dimensions (local,
national and European). Each group corresponds to a different index level: not at all interested in politics = 0; slight = 1 to 2;
moderate = 3 to 4; strong = 5 to 6.
71

Autumn 2015
Report
The political interest index is particularly high in Greece (34% of respondents are very
interested in politics) and Sweden (34%). More than a quarter of respondents also have a strong
interest in politics in Germany (28%), the Netherlands (28%) and Denmark (26%).
In contrast, more than a quarter of respondents have no interested in politics in Spain (32%), Cyprus
(32%), Malta (27%) and Portugal (26%).
72

Autumn 2015
Report
b. Trust in the institutions

1. National institutions
Trust in national institutions has declined
After increasing in spring 2015, trust in national political institutions has fallen again:
Two-thirds of Europeans tend not to trust their national government (66%, an increase of
three percentage points since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015, compared
with 27% who tend to trust it, -4);
Almost two-thirds of Europeans tend not to trust their national parliament (64%, +2
percentage points since spring 2015, versus 28%, -3);
Europeans are more likely to trust regional and local public authorities (42%), but trust in
these bodies has decreased by five percentage points since spring 2015, while distrust, which
is the majority view, has increased (51% tend not to trust, +5);
However, almost eight in ten Europeans continue to distrust political parties (78%, stable
since spring 2015, while 15% tend to trust, - 1 percentage point).
73

Autumn 2015
Report
The national government and parliament
A long-term analysis shows that the trust Europeans place in their government and parliament has
in general reflected the same broad trends as their trust in the European Union: it increased
strongly in spring 2007, after which it declined almost continuously, apart from a few weak upturns,
until autumn 2013. During this period, trust in national governments fell by 18 percentage points
(from 41% to 23%), as did trust in national parliaments (-18, from 43% to 25%). Since then trust in
national institutions has gradually recovered, but the decline recorded in this Standard
Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2015 has broken the trend towards improvement.
Unlike the trust index for the European Union, which was positive from 2004 to 2009, the trust
index for national institutions has always been negative, that is to say distrust has always
outweighed trust during this period.
QA8a
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the following media and institutions,
please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it.
(% - EU - TEND TO TRUST)
70%
60%
57
50
48
50%
44
40% 38
30%
45
35
31
31
43
41
40
37
35
33
48
47
42
34
41
35
34
47
43
38
35
50
48
45
34
34
30
32
34
32
31
30
31
32
29
29
33
34
32
27
33
31
28
28
28
28
27
24
20%
31
26
25
31
25
31
30
28
27
29
31
31
32
28
27
THE EUROPEAN UNION

THE (NATIONALITY) PARLIAMENT
THE (NATIONALITY) GOVERNMENT
23
10%
0%
QA8a
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the following media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it.
(% - EU - TEND NOT TO TRUST)
90%
80%
70%
64
60
62
60%
50%
55
57
56
59
62
58
59
53
56
54
62
58
61
58
65
63
63
61
30%
43
43
39
36
63
66
62
62
47
41
40
36
68
67
60
66
66
60
57
55
50
40%
70
67
66
41
45
71
72
68
69
68
65
65
60
58
62
66
63
64
62
THE EUROPEAN UNION
56
55
50
47
46
40
36
32
20%
10%
0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
74
2012
2013
2014

2015

Autumn 2015
Report
QA8a
(EU - TRUST INDEX (TEND TO TRUST - TEND NOT TO TRUST))
+25
+14
+12
+9
+14
+6
+5
+8
+6
+2
+1
-2
-5
-6
-7
-6
-13
-16
-17
-21
-22
-25
-21
-12
-31
-33
-24
-30
-32
-33
-27
-31
2005
2006
2007
2008
-39
-31
2009
-23
-25
THE EUROPEAN UNION

-32
-37
-38
-42
-39
-39
2010
-37
-38
2011
-36
-32

-39
-41
-46
2012
-31
-36
-44
-41
-46
2004
-27
-29
-31
-31
-36
-24
-29
-27
-29
-25
-24
-26
-21
-24
-49
2013
2014
2015
A majority of respondents in six Member States (versus seven in spring 2015) trust their national
government. Opinions are evenly divided in Denmark (47% versus 47%).
Respondents in Luxembourg (60%), Sweden (55%), the Netherlands (52%) and Malta (51%) are the
most likely to trust their government.
In contrast, more than three-quarters of respondents distrust their government in Greece (82%),
Spain (80%), Slovenia (80%), Portugal (79%), Cyprus (76%) and France (76%).
Since spring 2015, trust in the national government has fallen sharply in Greece (16%, -21
percentage points), Germany (38%, -12) and Finland (49%, -11), while the biggest increase was
recorded in Luxembourg (60%, +9).
75

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of respondents in six Member States (down from seven in spring 2015) trust the
national parliament, led by Sweden (69%), Denmark (60%) and Finland (58%). Distrust levels
exceed 75% in six Member States: Slovenia (84%), Greece (83%), Spain (80%), Cyprus (79%), the
Czech Republic (78%) and Portugal (77%).
Trust in the national parliament has declined sharply in Germany (42%, -11 percentage points since
spring 2015) and Greece (15%, -10).
76

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of respondents in nine Member States (up from 14 in spring 2015) trust regional and
local public authorities, with scores as high as 73% in Sweden, 70% in Luxembourg and 70% in
Denmark.
Respondents are the most likely to distrust these authorities in Greece (82%), Croatia (74%), Spain
(72%), Cyprus (70%) and Italy (70%).
Trust in regional and local public authorities has declined in 24 Member States since spring 2015,
most notably in Malta (39%, -12 percentage points), Cyprus (21%, -12), Romania (32%, -10) and
Austria (52%, -10).
77

Autumn 2015
Report
In all Member States, only a minority of respondents trust political parties: less than a
third of respondents do so (except in Sweden, where it reaches 34%). This was already the case in
spring 2015. Trust levels range from 34% in Sweden to 6% in Greece and Slovenia.
Trust in political parties has declined sharply since spring 2015 in Finland (24%, -11 percentage
points).
78

Autumn 2015
Report
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the
following media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it. (%)
Tend to trust
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Tend to trust
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Political parties
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
The (NATIONALITY)
Government
Tend to trust
The (NATIONALITY)
Parliament
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Regional or local public

authorities
Tend to trust
QA8a
EU28
42
28
27
15
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
UK
52
27
40
70
62
45
36
17
21
45
21
19
21
41
43
70
44
39
58
52
37
42
32
27
38
62
73
45
6
4
8
2
9
6
6
8
2
7
1
3
12
9
3
1
8
12
2
10
3
4
10
5
4
7
6
7
42
14
17
60
42
35
27
15
11
20
23
18
14
21
17
52
30
47
52
39
19
19
17
11
29
58
69
34
39
23
29
47
38
43
26
16
14
19
25
16
16
23
32
60
33
51
52
33
20
15
23
16
33
49
55
31
21
13
13
32
24
15
13
6
7
8
15
9
7
8
12
24
16
22
33
22
14
11
12
6
16
24
34
15
1
1
3
5
2
4
3
11
2
1
10
1
1
4
1
2
4
1
5
1
8
3
5
2
6
1
1
1
9
3
4
79
1
8
12
5
2
21
2
=
4
=
7
2
2
9
1
3
1
9
6
4
2
4
11
6
6
=
5
3
=
3
2
1
3
3
4
3
5
1
4
1
1
1
1
3
11
6
4

Autumn 2015
Report
The (NATIONALITY)
Parliament
The (NATIONALITY)
Government
Political parties
following media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it.
Regional or local
public authorities
QA8a
EU28
42
28
27
15
Gender
Man
Woman
42
41
28
27
27
26
15
14
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
45
42
41
41
33
27
27
27
31
26
27
27
19
15
14
14
Generation
Total 'Before 1946'
1946 - 1964 "BB"
1965 - 1980 "X"
After 1980 "Y"
42
40
43
42
28
26
28
29
29
25
27
28
16
13
15
17
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
34
40
48
47
20
25
35
38
21
25
32
35
12
14
17
22
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
41
53
40
40
33
34
41
47
31
39
30
22
21
18
27
38
29
36
29
23
20
17
27
35
14
21
15
12
12
11
14
22

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
25
34
48
13
21
33
14
21
32
9
11
18
80

Autumn 2015
Report
QA8a.7
Regional or local public authorities (% - TEND TO TRUST)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
42
62
21
45
19
37
45
17
42
36
21
42
41
62
63
20
22
49
42
18
20
37
38
47
44
16
16
46
38
39
33
24
18
45
42
41
41
60
63
61
65
22
19
19
23
55
45
42
43
23
22
21
15
38
40
38
35
53
44
47
42
19
14
15
18
40
41
41
44
46
31
32
39
19
16
23
25
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
34
40
48
47
59
61
67
62
21
19
22
27
43
41
48
61
12
22
23
24
32
34
40
41
39
41
57
57
19
14
16
16
44
42
48
36
31
31
40
54
27
20
19
19
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
41
53
40
40
33
34
41
47
63
74
55
57
58
59
65
62
23
17
15
20
21
19
25
27
40
55
36
49
29
36
43
61
33
24
21
11
17
17
13
24
40
46
39
38
40
37
30
41
45
47
57
38
31
52
45
57
16
20
14
26
21
9
15
16
40
47
39
44
44
34
46
36
43
38
31
35
34
21
36
54
30
25
19
17
11
17
28
19
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
QA8a.9
The (NATIONALITY) Parliament (% - TEND TO TRUST)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
28
42
11
20
18
19
34
15
19
27
14
Gender
Male
Female
28
27
44
40
10
13
19
20
18
18
19
20
37
31
14
16
20
17
31
23
16
12
33
27
27
27
47
41
39
43
11
8
7
16
27
21
18
17
24
17
23
14
22
22
17
18
38
28
37
33
17
14
13
16
20
18
18
19
35
25
24
28
13
11
16
16
20
25
35
38
35
38
48
57
12
11
8
15
20
12
24
42
6
22
25
26
14
18
16
25
26
28
48
40
13
13
16
20
16
20
28
21
15
23
32
45
13
14
15
14
31
39
30
22
21
18
27
38
44
56
32
32
36
37
42
57
9
8
7
11
13
8
15
15
18
28
22
15
16
14
17
42
28
26
24
6
16
7
13
26
15
20
25
20
17
8
17
25
42
40
44
23
21
29
35
40
15
19
11
14
13
9
18
20
24
31
14
17
22
8
19
21
29
35
18
25
24
14
27
45
21
20
8
14
19
8
17
14
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
81

Autumn 2015
Report
QA8a.8
The (NATIONALITY) Government (% - TEND TO TRUST)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
27
38
14
19
16
20
31
16
15
26
16
27
26
37
39
14
13
21
17
16
17
19
20
34
29
16
16
18
13
30
23
18
14
31
26
27
27
47
32
38
39
11
13
8
18
23
21
19
17
15
17
20
14
17
22
20
19
36
27
34
30
18
16
16
16
16
14
15
15
33
25
22
27
11
10
19
22
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
21
25
32
35
34
33
45
56
14
13
13
13
20
15
21
35
10
18
22
22
13
21
16
18
26
28
41
36
18
13
17
17
14
18
19
16
15
22
31
44
19
17
17
9
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
29
36
29
23
20
17
27
35
44
49
31
26
38
29
39
56
22
11
8
12
14
8
18
13
15
24
22
19
10
14
17
35
26
20
21
7
16
4
13
22
13
22
24
23
16
16
17
18
28
37
43
26
15
21
34
36
14
18
17
20
18
11
17
17
18
19
17
16
10
6
15
16
26
33
20
24
23
14
26
44
18
19
13
17
19
10
25
9
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
QA8a.6
Political parties (% - TEND TO TRUST)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
15
24
14
15
11
13
Gender
Male
Female
15
14
24
23
7
8
8
8
10
8
13
16
15
15
7
5
13
9
16
11
9
4
19
15
14
14
31
23
23
22
6
7
4
10
15
6
6
7
8
11
11
8
13
18
12
14
21
11
14
15
9
6
5
6
13
12
11
11
20
9
11
16
9
2
8
9
12
14
17
22
21
21
27
36
9
7
6
5
10
5
8
19
5
13
10
9
13
13
13
16
14
14
13
23
5
3
10
9
9
13
18
10
12
11
15
21
10
7
6
0
14
21
15
12
12
11
14
22
19
35
17
15
26
25
22
36
0
6
4
8
9
6
9
5
0
4
9
7
6
5
9
19
18
12
12
6
8
5
5
9
8
17
16
17
15
1
14
16
10
15
19
9
5
19
17
23
6
4
6
8
5
3
8
9
18
15
9
11
14
11
9
10
12
12
13
13
13
10
16
21
10
10
5
3
0
10
10
0
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
82

Autumn 2015
Report
2. The United Nations
Only a minority of European now trust the United Nations
After a sharp decline in trust since spring 2015, only a minority of respondents now trust the
United Nations: 40% of Europeans tend to trust the UN (-11 percentage points since spring
2015), while 43% tend not to trust it (+10).
After a period between 2004 and autumn 2009 during which a majority of respondents (between
50% and 55%) trusted the United Nations with little change), trust started to decline in spring
2010. By spring 2012, only a minority trusted the UN (42%). After remaining fairly stable until
spring 2014, trust then rose sharply, gaining 11 percentage points by spring 2015, when a clear
majority of respondents said that they trusted the institution (51%). The decline in trust between
spring and autumn 2015 is the most abrupt ever recorded for the United Nations.
QA8a.11
The United Nations (% - EU)
70%
60%
54
52
52
54
51
53
54
55
53
50
50
49
50%
51
48
48
40%
30% 32
34
34
30
30
17
16
31
30
16
15
45
44
44
44
41
42
42
43
42
43
43
40
40
37
36
35
34
32
45
TEND NOT TO TRUST

TEND TO TRUST
36
34
33
20%
DON'T KNOW
10% 13
14
13
15
14
15
16
15
17
15
14
14
13
16
14
13
17
16
0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
A majority of respondents trust the United Nations in 15 Member States (down from 25 in spring
2015), most notably in Sweden (68%), Denmark (67%) and Finland (62%).
In contrast, distrust is particularly widespread in Greece (78%), Cyprus (69%) and Slovenia (62%).
There have been some significant evolutions in this indicator. Trust in the United Nations has fallen
by ten or more percentage points in 17 Member States, led by the Czech Republic (33%, -17
percentage points), Spain (31%, -15), Malta (48%, -15), Croatia (39%, -14) and Finland (62%, -14).
As a result, the balance of opinion has reversed in ten countries, where only a minority of
respondents now trust the UN: Italy, Spain, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia,
Luxembourg, France and Hungary.
83

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Tend not to trust
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in
certain media and institutions. For each of the following media and
institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it.
The United Nations (%)
Tend to trust
QA8a.11
EU28
40
11
43
10
17
SE
DK
FI
NL
LT
RO
PT
MT
UK
BE
AT
IE
HU
EE
PL
LU
BG
FR
HR
SK
LV
IT
DE
CZ
ES
SI
CY
EL
68
67
62
58
55
52
50
48
47
47
45
44
42
40
40
40
39
39
39
38
37
35
35
33
31
27
19
19
6
11
14
11
7
10
5
15
11
11
10
12
13
11
9
12
7
12
14
10
8
6
9
17
15
8
9
7
23
19
21
29
22
29
40
24
39
45
41
40
45
17
31
42
29
44
47
45
38
47
50
47
54
62
69
78
5
8
9
10
7
3
7
8
13
15
8
16
15
1
1
10
9
14
17
13
23
19
10
28
14
8
14
16
13
43
29
18
32
17
14
17
25
18
15
20
15
11
12
3
84
14
11
10
11
8
12
15
12
9
8
7

Autumn 2015
Report
c. The direction in which things are going

The direction in which things are going at national level
When asked to describe the direction in which things are going in their country, a majority of
Europeans say they are going in the wrong direction. This impression has gained ground since
spring 2015 (48%, +6 percentage points, versus 26% for in the right direction, -4 and 22%
neither the one nor the other, -1). However, the view that things are going in the wrong direction is
still less widespread than in autumn 2013 (falling from 56% to 42%, -14).
A majority of respondents have always thought that things are going in the wrong direction in (OUR
COUNTRY) since 2006.
D73a.1
At the present time, would you say that, in general, things are going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, in?
(OUR COUNTRY) (% - EU)
58
49
53
51
50
51
56
56
56
51
47
45
49
47
42
41
34
48
32
28
30
27
27
27
28
27
24
26
25
30
28
26
26
21
20
2006
2007
19
19
2008
18
19
2009
18
17
17
17
17
2010
2011
17
16
15
2012
2013
85
THINGS ARE GOING

IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
21
21
2014
THINGS ARE GOING

IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
23
22 NEITHER THE ONE NOR THE OTHER (SPONTANEOUS)
2015
DON'T KNOW

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to say the direction taken in their country is right than
wrong in six Member States (compared with 11 in spring 2015): Malta (60% think that things are
going in the right direction, versus 9%), Ireland (64% versus 18%), Luxembourg (40% versus 24%),
Poland (33% versus 27%), the Netherlands (40% versus 38%) and Lithuania (35% versus 34%).
The impression that things are going in the wrong direction is particularly widespread in Greece
(77%) and France (67%).
Opinions have deteriorated sharply since spring 2015 in Denmark (36%, -21 percentage points),
Greece (8%, -18), Austria (18%, -17), Finland (29%, -15), Germany (28%, -12) and the Netherlands
(40%, -11).
Breakdown of the answer Things are going in the right direction
Breakdown of the answer Things are going in the wrong direction
86

Autumn 2015
Report
The direction in which things are going in the European Union
Opinions of the way things are going in the European Union have also deteriorated: 43% of
Europeans think things are going in the wrong direction in the EU, an increase of eight
percentage points since spring 2015 (compared with 23% in the right direction, -5, and 23%
neither the one nor the other, -1). More than one in ten respondents expressed no opinion (11%
DK, -2).
Positive opinions about the direction taken by the EU gained ground between autumn 2011 and
spring 2015 (+9 percentage points, from 19% to 28%), while remaining in the minority. Therefore,
this latest Standard Eurobarometer of autumn 2015 marks a break with the positive trend observed
since spring 2012.
D73a.2
The European Union (% - EU)
70%
60%
55
53
52
49
50%
40
40
40%
33
30% 33
23
20
10%
35
35
34
34
39
37
40
14
21
30
28
16
19
14
19
20
12
11
20
12
26
31
19
20
12
11
19
21
22
23
18
17
17
18
19
28
25
25
23
24
24
12
13
14
10
THINGS ARE GOING

23 IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
NEITHER THE ONE NOR THE OTHER (SPONTANEOUS)
23
DON'T KNOW
11
0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
THINGS ARE GOING

IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
35
32
25
39
38
19
20%
47
43
42
2010
2011
2012
87
2013
2014
2015

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to say the direction taken in the European Union is right
than wrong in seven Member States (compared with 15 in spring 2015): Romania (52% right,
versus 14%), Bulgaria (41% versus 15%), Lithuania (42% versus 19%), Malta (36% versus 14%),
Ireland (42% versus 22%), Croatia (40% versus 30%) and Poland (31% versus 23%).
In contrast, the feeling that things are going in the wrong direction in the EU is widespread in
Greece (69%), France (57%), Austria (56%) and Germany (56%).
Positive opinions have lost ten or more percentage points since spring 2015 in ten Member States:
Hungary (25%, -16 percentage points), Latvia (24%, -14), the Czech Republic (20%, -14), Estonia
(18%, -14),Denmark (21%, -13), Slovakia (22%, -12), Slovenia (20%, -12), Bulgaria (41%, -10),
Finland (26%, -10) and Germany (18%, -10).
Breakdown of the answer Things are going in the right direction
Breakdown of the answer Things are going in the wrong direction
88
Autumn 2015
Rapport
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Things are going in

the wrong direction
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
Things are going in

the right direction
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Things are going in

the wrong direction
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
Neither the one nor

the other (SPONTANEOUS)
The European Union
Neither the one nor

(OUR COUNTRY)
(%)
Things are going in

the right direction
D73a
EU28
26
48
22
23
43
23
11
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
UK
29
17
32
36
28
25
64
8
25
13
29
19
22
22
35
40
23
60
40
18
33
18
33
15
24
29
32
32
7
3
6
21
12
42
49
39
42
48
26
18
77
54
67
47
51
47
39
34
24
45
9
38
54
27
50
38
53
43
51
47
39
27
31
25
18
21
39
15
14
17
14
22
24
26
29
26
33
31
28
17
25
30
22
23
27
31
16
17
26
9
6
5
2
3
4
4
3
10
3
1
4
6
2
6
5
10
5
3
1
3
5
3
10
10
6
5
2
4
4
3
22
41
20
21
18
18
42
11
27
14
40
24
16
24
42
15
25
36
23
13
31
26
52
20
22
26
20
17
8
10
14
13
10
14
4
1
2
3
2
1
4
14
9
8
16
3
9
7
4
7
8
12
12
10
7
1
48
15
52
48
56
30
22
69
37
57
30
32
44
34
19
50
38
14
52
56
23
35
14
42
45
47
55
44
3
6
24
16
18
13
3
5
1
5
13
3
5
15
6
9
19
1
13
9
6
9
3
12
18
11
13
7
25
25
22
18
21
32
23
17
22
15
24
29
28
26
27
31
32
38
16
27
33
23
20
29
26
19
15
27
7
5
8
3
5
5
3
3
1
5
19
6
13
5
20
13
3
14
14
6
15
12
16
12
4
5
12
9
4
13
16
14
9
7
8
10
12
3
18
3
3
7
1
5
1
2
1
1
11
17
8
9
5
2
15
3
8
9
21
18
6
28
4
3
1
5
5
1
3
5
2
8
16
10
10
1
2
2
14
1
8
=
5
6
3
8
1
=
7
2
4
3
2
7
6
3
1
1
=
2
3
1
1
=
1
89
10
4
5
1
3
1
2
=
3
1
2
=
5
1
4
1
5
6

Report
Autumn 2015
(% - EU)
D73a
Things are going

in the wrong direction
Neither the one nor

Don't know
Things are going

in the right direction
Things are going

in the wrong direction
Neither the one nor

Don't know
The European Union
Things are going

in the right direction
(OUR COUNTRY)
26
48
22
23
43
23
11
Man
Woman
28
24
47
49
21
22
4
5
25
21
44
42
23
23
8
14
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
30
26
26
25
42
47
50
49
23
23
21
21
5
4
3
5
28
24
23
20
35
43
45
44
24
24
23
23
13
9
9
13
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
21
24
31
34
53
51
42
38
20
22
22
23
6
3
5
5
18
22
26
31
43
46
42
32
23
23
23
26
16
9
9
11
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
30
33
27
23
21
19
24
34
44
39
45
51
55
59
49
38
22
24
24
22
19
18
21
23
4
4
4
4
5
4
6
5
27
27
25
22
21
19
19
31
41
42
42
46
40
47
44
32
24
24
24
23
20
22
23
26
8
7
9
9
19
12
14
11
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
21
24
28
35
30
53
50
46
37
38
21
22
22
24
28
5
4
4
4
4
19
19
26
30
20
45
47
41
40
43
22
24
23
24
28
14
10
10
6
9
EU28
Gender

90

Report
Autumn 2015
D73a.1
(OUR COUNTRY) (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
26
28
25
13
19
33
32
18
64
22
Gender
Male
Female
28
24
30
27
27
24
16
11
22
16
35
31
37
28
9
6
22
15
68
60
26
17
30
26
26
25
32
29
25
29
26
25
25
26
9
13
15
14
26
20
23
15
43
32
33
30
38
26
32
34
13
5
7
9
24
14
22
16
60
65
62
66
25
20
18
23
21
24
31
34
26
23
35
39
25
24
30
27
11
13
15
14
9
18
32
30
28
31
33
49
32
29
37
36
8
6
8
12
16
20
22
27
59
58
72
67
21
23
20
26
30
33
27
23
21
19
24
34
35
36
23
19
38
23
27
39
44
27
29
25
20
20
26
27
22
16
13
13
5
7
15
14
27
35
24
10
11
10
13
30
23
37
30
40
21
13
30
49
32
36
41
26
19
31
34
36
4
1
5
8
4
8
11
12
23
15
25
18
10
11
16
27
76
78
66
62
57
43
63
67
18
17
29
14
13
20
29
26
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
D73a.1
(OUR COUNTRY) (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION)
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
48
48
54
67
51
27
39
77
50
18
47
47
49
48
48
56
53
62
71
49
53
29
26
38
40
76
78
47
53
15
20
48
46
42
47
50
49
36
52
53
47
59
56
55
51
69
63
70
67
35
50
51
56
18
27
31
30
37
41
39
38
70
73
78
81
43
48
50
54
22
16
21
15
37
47
49
51
53
51
42
38
49
53
42
35
53
58
43
59
69
74
61
53
57
53
39
37
30
30
27
15
43
41
36
28
81
80
71
73
55
43
45
43
18
22
13
14
55
53
45
27
44
39
45
51
55
59
49
38
49
43
53
57
47
52
46
35
42
56
48
52
56
61
54
59
62
49
77
73
81
77
65
53
46
36
45
59
56
65
57
37
27
23
33
26
30
38
29
15
36
37
28
41
62
48
39
28
80
73
71
72
85
78
80
73
44
46
39
52
58
63
53
43
14
8
16
20
19
37
16
14
49
60
29
50
61
56
46
27

91

Report
Autumn 2015
D73a.2
The European Union (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
23
18
27
14
24
31
17
11
26
42
16
Gender
Male
Female
25
21
18
18
30
24
17
11
27
22
32
31
18
15
13
9
33
21
43
41
16
15
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
28
24
23
20
24
17
16
18
30
31
26
23
16
14
16
12
34
22
30
19
35
33
37
25
22
15
20
13
22
9
9
9
36
25
30
22
42
34
42
48
25
16
11
14
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
18
22
26
31
20
16
19
24
22
27
35
33
12
12
16
22
12
25
35
38
20
30
33
38
14
16
20
20
7
9
14
18
22
31
31
42
41
40
44
46
14
12
19
31
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
27
27
25
22
21
19
19
31
23
20
18
13
26
10
18
24
40
25
34
27
20
27
22
33
17
19
15
14
5
12
12
22
32
50
29
14
16
13
17
38
26
35
31
39
30
16
25
38
19
21
21
14
12
22
12
20
10
4
11
15
3
10
11
18
35
29
41
21
3
19
23
42
49
40
40
39
46
28
48
46
11
24
11
14
7
14
16
31
D73a.2
The European Union (% - THINGS ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION)
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
43
56
37
57
32
23
44
69
35
22
44
44
42
58
54
38
35
55
58
31
33
25
21
48
40
69
69
34
36
24
20
48
40
35
43
45
44
47
59
60
55
33
38
41
34
43
58
61
57
15
30
34
37
25
26
18
22
33
46
45
47
56
67
73
71
26
35
37
37
24
23
25
18
27
45
49
48
43
46
42
32
48
60
58
47
38
40
31
33
60
65
51
34
38
33
27
13
12
22
23
25
47
46
42
33
75
73
62
57
35
31
38
22
20
26
17
24
44
50
48
20
41
42
42
46
40
47
44
32
58
58
60
63
46
58
54
47
28
45
34
41
25
40
40
33
53
46
63
62
70
61
56
34
31
11
29
39
33
37
41
13
28
25
26
20
23
20
21
25
41
44
42
48
47
44
46
33
68
73
63
65
79
76
69
57
29
36
29
39
41
42
35
22
24
20
23
23
16
31
20
24
46
50
42
44
46
52
44
20

92

Report
Autumn 2015
II. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS
1. Attachment to the European Union

a. What does the European Union stand for?
Representations associating the EU with a lack of external border controls have gained
significant ground
Positive representations of the European Union are still at the forefront in this Standard
Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2015, but the main evolution since spring 2015 is the
growing conviction that the EU lacks external border controls (+6 percentage points).
As in all the previous Standard Eurobarometer surveys, the freedom to travel, study
and work anywhere in the EU is the representation the most frequently associated with
the European Union, being mentioned by 49% of respondents (unchanged since spring 2015). It is
followed by the monetary symbol of the EU, the euro (37%, +2 percentage points) and the values
of cultural diversity (28%, +2) and peace (27%, =). Next, respondents mentioned three negative
representations, associating the EU with a waste of money (25%, +3), bureaucracy (24%, +1)
and not enough controls at external borders (24%, +6). Perceptions of the EU as representing a
stronger say in the world (22%, -1) and symbolising democracy (22%, +3) are ranked jointly in
eighth place. All the other items were mentioned by fewer than 20% of respondents32.
32
QA11. What does the EU mean to you personally?

93

Report
Autumn 2015
Freedom of movement within the European Union tops the list of terms associated with the
EU in both euro area countries (49%) and outside the euro area (48%). The euro (46%) and
peace and cultural diversity (equal third on 29%) complete the top three within the euro area;
cultural diversity (25%) and peace (23%) are ranked in second and third places outside the euro
area.
The European Union as an area of freedom and mobility is the first item mentioned in 22
Member States, exceeding 50% in 15 countries. The highest scores were recorded in Sweden
(73%), Lithuania (71%), Estonia (71%) and Finland (70%). The euro is the representation the most
frequently associated with the EU in Austria (58%), Belgium (51%), Greece (50%), France (48%)
and Italy (41%). Unemployment heads the list in Cyprus (48%).
In terms of evolutions, the euro has gained ten percentage points in Austria (to 58%).
Several answers possible
The cultural diversity of the European Union is the most frequently mentioned representation in
Luxembourg (47%), where it has gained 13 percentage points since spring 2015, as well as in
Sweden (46%) and Finland (40%).
Respondents in Denmark (47%), Luxembourg (46%), Sweden (44%) and Germany (43%) are the
most likely to associate peace with the European Union.
Waste of money is the concept most frequently associated with the European Union in Austria
(52%), Germany (39%), the Czech Republic (36%) and France (35%).
Bureaucracy is associated with the EU far more in Sweden (56%), Finland (49%), the Netherlands
(41%), Germany (39%), the Czech Republic and Austria (38% in both countries) than in the EU as a
whole (EU average of 24%).

94

Report
Autumn 2015
Lastly, respondents in Austria (53%), the Czech Republic (38%), Denmark (34%), Slovakia (34%)
and Luxembourg (33%) are far more likely than the European average (24%) to associate the
European Union with insufficient external border controls.
Compared with spring 2015, the proportion of respondents associating a lack of border controls
with the EU has increased in 27 Member States, and by at least ten percentage points in seven:
Finland (31%, +19), Austria (53%, +18), Slovakia (34%, +18), Estonia (26%, +16), the Czech
Republic (38%, +15), Slovenia (22%, +13) and Latvia (16%, +10). Mentions have decreased slightly
only in Italy (15%, -1).

95

Report
Autumn 2015
Euro
Cultural diversity
Peace
Waste of money
Bureaucracy
Not enough control

at external borders
Stronger say in the world
Democracy
More crime
Loss of our cultural identity
Unemployment
Economic prosperity
Social protection
What does the EU mean to you personally? (%)
Freedom to travel, study

and work anywhere in the EU
QA11
EU28
49
37
28
27
25
24
24
22
22
16
14
14
14
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
UK
48
53
48
58
55
71
52
49
45
47
46
36
46
58
71
63
41
60
65
45
49
53
54
49
55
70
73
41
51
12
20
24
49
50
43
50
38
48
16
41
38
32
29
60
14
34
59
58
21
38
27
41
49
66
25
11
29
24
18
33
32
29
24
23
23
34
24
24
26
21
33
47
20
32
33
32
21
26
23
24
21
40
46
25
33
21
27
47
43
23
24
28
18
32
19
18
19
17
31
46
18
31
36
36
21
14
30
28
20
33
44
17
32
14
36
15
39
18
11
17
17
35
9
17
24
18
15
33
12
17
23
52
10
14
16
22
29
29
32
22
23
11
38
37
39
30
22
11
21
21
11
14
18
22
14
32
15
16
41
38
16
8
11
26
24
49
56
23
31
18
38
34
31
26
15
21
11
31
10
15
22
16
13
33
21
23
26
53
10
20
14
22
34
31
20
30
30
15
20
30
21
19
27
24
18
25
27
18
12
12
21
33
13
39
37
26
24
26
12
16
22
26
45
19
26
18
24
36
31
16
17
14
19
18
25
16
16
11
22
37
18
34
23
25
20
17
36
14
19
21
36
15
21
10
32
20
29
10
9
11
6
10
11
14
29
8
7
27
12
12
15
50
6
21
15
21
25
18
16
11
12
13
18
16
16
16
14
19
6
15
12
11
25
16
12
16
10
15
18
33
9
10
12
16
12
7
8
22
18
8
16
10
16
8
12
34
9
18
6
13
48
13
5
25
11
8
11
42
5
20
13
17
15
13
9
11
19
15
16
21
15
9
22
6
13
7
26
7
6
11
23
19
14
26
30
13
13
14
26
13
16
15
12
15
15
12
8
15
7
10
13
11
10
5
15
7
13
14
15
22
8
20
9
16
9
9
17
8
8
12
9
9
1st MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM
2nd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM

96
3rd MOST FREQUENTLY

MENTIONED ITEM

Report
Autumn 2015
Euro
Cultural diversity
Peace
Waste of money
Bureaucracy
Not enough control at external borders
Stronger say in the world
Democracy
More crime
Loss of our cultural identity
Unemployment
Economic prosperity
Social protection
What does the EU mean to you personally?

(% - EU)
Freedom to travel, study and

work anywhere in the EU
QA11
EU28
49
37
28
27
25
24
24
22
22
16
14
14
14
Gender
Man
Woman
49
48
37
36
27
28
29
25
26
24
28
21
24
24
22
21
23
20
15
16
14
14
14
14
15
12
9
9
59
52
50
42
38
39
37
35
34
29
31
22
28
23
26
30
15
21
26
29
13
21
28
27
16
20
24
28
26
22
22
20
27
21
22
20
10
15
16
17
9
12
16
16
12
12
15
15
17
15
14
12
11
9
9
9
34
46
60
63
34
33
42
41
15
25
38
38
26
24
33
31
30
29
20
12
21
24
30
15
26
28
21
12
14
19
29
28
16
19
27
28
19
19
11
7
16
16
12
7
20
16
10
8
8
12
18
19
8
9
10
10
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
50
60
52
47
42
47
41
63
36
42
38
35
37
35
34
41
31
39
31
25
23
25
22
38
27
33
26
23
23
21
30
31
24
22
20
27
21
26
31
12
27
32
26
23
17
19
26
15
20
21
24
24
22
23
29
12
24
31
26
18
16
18
19
28
24
29
23
19
17
18
20
28
13
12
15
18
19
15
18
7
15
12
14
15
12
13
17
7
12
9
12
16
14
21
15
8
14
20
14
13
9
12
11
19
11
9
8
9
9
9
9
10

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
38
44
52
36
36
37
21
25
30
16
22
31
28
24
24
19
20
27
22
24
24
16
19
24
12
19
24
18
17
14
17
15
13
21
16
12
8
11
16
9
10
9
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
40
47
53
61
60
30
32
42
48
30
20
26
31
40
32
22
25
30
40
27
25
28
24
19
18
21
26
25
31
24
24
28
23
15
25
15
21
25
33
28
16
19
26
31
20
18
17
15
10
7
16
16
13
11
17
18
16
12
7
8
11
13
15
21
21
8
9
10
9
6
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying

97

Report
Autumn 2015
QA11

(% - FREEDOM TO TRAVEL, STUDY AND WORK ANYWHERE IN THE EU)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
49
55
45
47
36
49
41
49
53
52
46
Gender
Male
Female
49
48
55
55
42
49
46
48
37
35
49
50
45
37
48
50
56
50
50
54
44
48
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
59
52
50
42
61
56
58
51
52
46
51
39
62
50
46
40
55
42
37
28
53
51
53
45
50
45
41
34
65
55
44
44
79
58
63
35
56
54
56
46
54
51
51
35
47
53
60
64
37
43
60
56
27
39
61
67
25
40
40
56
34
50
57
54
22
35
64
53
38
47
55
71
44
58
63
79
39
48
61
63
48
44
55
47
61
61
49
55
55
59
49
64
31
63
60
42
43
47
41
56
57
60
52
43
34
47
40
67
38
45
41
30
31
36
28
56
51
49
51
48
45
66
45
54
47
56
52
36
32
29
31
53
44
64
52
50
36
54
44
71
59
68
58
55
37
55
33
79
55
55
54
52
55
39
48
63
52
66
48
49
46
45
34
47
Education (End of)

1534
16-19
46
20+
60
Still studying
63
Self-employed
50
Managers
60
Other white collars
52
Manual workers
47
House persons
42
Unemployed
47
Retired
41
Students
63
QA11
TOTAL

(% - EURO)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
37
49
38
48
41
21
11
50
38
43
38
51
47
35
41
46
50
44
39
21
20
12
10
53
48
37
40
40
46
32
44
44
53
48
49
38
38
40
38
56
55
47
42
49
43
39
39
19
28
18
18
5
14
11
11
55
52
49
49
41
40
41
35
40
40
47
44
47
38
44
30
47
47
53
51
38
33
47
37
37
44
57
57
38
39
47
51
13
21
25
16
7
11
17
4
53
48
49
54
35
34
48
38
39
40
49
39
41
38
37
49
50
56
44
50
46
43
46
51
35
55
59
37
42
33
35
37
44
64
52
45
55
53
40
57
37
45
44
38
36
42
40
51
22
26
21
20
17
21
20
16
16
13
12
12
11
6
10
4
45
42
49
60
51
54
46
54
47
45
31
43
38
36
33
38
56
44
40
43
41
39
43
39
33
36
43
41
44
36
33
49
Gender
Male
37
Female
36
Age
15-24
38
25-39
39
40-54
37
55 +
35
Education (End of)
1534
16-19
33
20+
42
Still studying
41
Self-employed
36
Managers
42
Other white collars
38
Manual workers
35
House persons
37
Unemployed
35
Retired
34
Students
41

98

Report
Autumn 2015
b. Support for EU membership and the perceived benefits of

membership (candidate countries)
A majority of respondents support EU membership in all the candidate countries
In this survey a majority of respondents in all the candidate countries are in favour of joining the
European Union. Since spring 2015, support for membership has increased in Albania and Turkey,
where the balance of opinion is now positive. However, support has declined in the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia33.
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Neither good nor bad
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
of the
A bad thing
membership
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Generally speaking, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY)'s

EU would be...? (%)
A good thing
QA6
CY (tcc)*
52
11
12
29
AL
MK
ME
RS
TR
84
53
46
38
37
7
4
4
4
4
1
16
12
24
24
1
2
3
2
16
14
29
36
30
27
6
1
3
1
8
1
2
6
8
12
*In the Turkish Cypriot Community, the question was: Generally speaking, do you think that for the Turkish Cypriot
Community, the full application of EU legislation would be ?
33
QA6. Generally speaking, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY)s membership of the EU would be?

99

Report
Autumn 2015
An absolute majority of respondents in all the candidate countries continue to believe that their
country would benefit from joining the European Union. This opinion has gained ground in Albania
and Turkey, but has lost ground in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and
Serbia.
Would not benefit
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
would
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Taking everything into account, would you say that (OUR COUNTRY)
(%)
benefit or not from being a member of the EU?
Would benefit
QA7
CY (tcc)*
58
17
25
AL
MK
ME
RS
TR
94
67
63
51
56
5
4
2
7
1
3
27
25
35
30
5
4
2
5
6
3
6
12
14
14
*In the Turkish Cypriot Community, the question was: Generally speaking, do you think that for the Turkish Cypriot
Community, the full application of EU legislation would be ?
In detail:
In Albania, support for EU membership is huge and continues to gain ground: 84% of
respondents (+7 percentage points since spring 2015) say that EU membership would be a good
thing for their country and 94% (+5) believe that their country would benefit from being a member
of the EU.
An absolute majority of respondents in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
support EU membership, but support has fallen since spring 2015: 53% of respondents (-4
percentage points) are in favour of their country joining the European Union, while 16% (+2) oppose
membership, and 29% (+1) say that it would be neither good nor bad. More than two-thirds of
respondents in this country (67%, -4) consider that their country would benefit from joining the
European Union.
A slightly reduced majority of respondents are in favour of EU membership in
Montenegro: 46% (-4 percentage points) of respondents support membership, while 12% (-3) are
opposed, and 36% (+3) are undecided. 63% (-2) say that Montenegro would benefit from joining
the European Union.

100

Report
Autumn 2015
The relative majority in favour of EU membership has decreased in Serbia: 38% of

respondents (-4 percentage points) now say that it would be a good thing for Serbia to join the EU,
while 24% (+2) believe that it would be a bad thing and 30% (-1) say that it would neither good
nor bad. Fewer respondents now say that EU membership would be beneficial: 51% of respondents
(-7) consider that Serbia would benefit from joining the European Union, while 35% (+5) take the
opposite view.
Lastly, the balance of opinion on membership of the European Union is once again
positive in Turkey. However, this shift is more the result of a decrease in negative opinions than
an increase in positive opinions: 37% (+4 percentage points) of respondents are in favour of Turkey
joining the European Union, while 24% (-16) are opposed and 27% (+8) are undecided. After the
strong upward movement seen in the previous survey (+19 percentage points between autumn
2014 and spring 2015), the view that EU membership will bring benefits has consolidated in this
survey, with a large majority: 56% (+1) of respondents say that Turkey would benefit from
EU membership, while 30% (-6) disagree.

101

Report
Autumn 2015
c. Would it be easier to face the future outside the EU?

55% of Europeans (-3 percentage points since spring 2015) disagree that their country
could better face the future outside the EU, while 34% (+4) agree and 11% (-1) expressed
no opinion34.
Euro area respondents (58%) are more likely than non-euro area respondents (49% versus 38%)
to believe that it is better to be inside the EU than alone.
This opinion is shared by a majority of respondents in 24 Member States, with scores of at least
50% in 21 countries. It is the most widespread in the Netherlands (76%), Lithuania (72%), Denmark
(71%) and Luxembourg (68%). Opinions are more divided in the Czech Republic (47% versus 39%)
and Italy (47% versus 39%).
Whereas the balance of opinion was positive in spring 2015 (50% versus 40%), opinions are now
evenly divided in Austria (45% versus 45%). A majority of respondents continue to believe that their
country would be better off outside the EU in Cyprus (55% agree versus 47% disagree) and
Slovenia (48% versus 42%), and that opinion is also now shared by a majority of respondents in the
United Kingdom (47% versus 42%, compared with 43% versus 43% in spring 2015).
Breakdown of Total Disagree answers
34
QA18a5. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement: (OUR COUNTRY) could better face the
future outside the EU.

102

Report
Autumn 2015
2. The European institutions

a. The European institutions: awareness and trust
Awareness of the European institutions
This survey has not revealed any significant evolutions in awareness of the main European
institutions, which remains very high: 91% of Europeans (-1 percentage point since spring
2015) have heard of the European Parliament, 84% (-1) have heard of the European Commission
and 84% (-1) have also heard of the European Central Bank.
QA12
Have you heard of?

(% - EU - YES)
100%
93
90%
90
89
89
88
89
87
89
91
90
91
90
91
90
81
83
82
81
79
80%
78
77
75
70%
83
82
79
78
84
83
92
91
84
84
85
84
78
76
75
73
72
71
60%
50%
2006
2007
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
84 THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
85
82
81
80
85
84
82
85
80
79
78
77
73
92
89
87
85
82
90
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012

103
2013
2014
2015
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Report
Autumn 2015
Trust in the European institutions
After two consecutive surveys (autumn 2014 and spring 2015) in which trust in the main European
institutions had recovered, the trend has been interrupted, and the balance of opinion is once again
negative in this survey. Trust in both the European Parliament and the European
Commission has declined by five percentage points, while trust in the European Central Bank
has fallen by two percentage points35. Trust in these three institutions has more or less returned to
the levels of spring 2014.
QA13
And please tell me if you tend to trust or tend not to trust these European institutions.
70%
60%
56
52
52
53
50% 49
48
52
47
55
52
51
50
48
50
47
46
47
47
50
48
46
44
44
40%
44
48
48
45
44
43
41
45
44
41
40
36
40
36
40
40
42
41
39
36
36
35
38
32
34
30%
37
35
37
34
34
43
38 THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
40
35 THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

33 THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
35
31
20%
10%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
The trust indices36 for the European Parliament (-9 versus +2 in spring 2015) and the European
Commission (-11 versus 0 in spring 2015) are once again negative in this survey. They have
deteriorated in almost all Member States, except for Luxembourg and Sweden for the European
Parliament, and Luxembourg for the European Commission. This deterioration is particularly
striking for both institutions in Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia,
Malta and Slovakia.
The trust index for the European Central Bank remains negative (-14 versus -10 in spring 2015).
It remains weaker in the euro area (-18 versus -17 in spring 2015) than outside the euro area (-5
versus +2). The changes concerning this institution are slightly weaker and more nationally diverse
than those observed in the trust indices for the European Parliament and the European Commission.
35
QA13.1+2+3. And please tell me if you tend to trust these European institutions: The European Parliament; The European Commission;
The European Central Bank.
Difference between the tend to trust and tend not to trust percentages

36
104

Rapport
Autumn 2015
And please tell me if you tend to trust or tend not to trust these European institutions.
(%)
4
8
11
5
12
3
4
5
4
3
3
4
1
6
5
1
9
5
5
7
3
2
3
10
15
4
3
7
7
20
13
12
13
31
17
3
14
20
13
16
14
19
17
11
8
21
9
7
25
8
12
10
8
18
14
15
=
2
2
4
5
3
9
8
4
6
3
4
11
10
8
1
3
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
UK
46
19
4
5
48
41
5
6
18
22
49
41
27
53
35
42
40
20
26
30
48
33
21
37
56
58
49
50
50
34
42
42
56
30
40
51
50
24
2
11
12
7
4
6
6
2
1
4
1
6
5
6
7
2
11
8
5
5
4
42
33
52
30
48
21
40
75
59
48
36
44
62
41
22
29
40
23
32
56
32
49
29
58
48
28
25
53
5
6
11
6
8
1
6
1
3
4
5
6
1
7
7
2
10
5
3
7
5
3
4
9
13
4
1
7
9
26
21
17
17
37
20
5
15
22
16
23
17
22
22
13
11
27
18
10
26
9
15
12
12
21
25
23
6
12
6
8
4
3

105
Don't know
41
35
56
30
51
24
38
71
59
47
34
44
57
40
23
29
41
24
41
58
32
49
29
60
51
28
27
59
34
37
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
2
11
10
5
11
5
4
6
3
4
35
Tend not to trust
52
45
31
58
36
45
45
26
27
33
53
40
29
41
60
60
51
55
50
35
43
43
59
30
41
54
59
26
EU28
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
14
16
33
47
20
33
35
51
40
1
4
16
25
46
39
31
60
35
41
34
17
22
28
43
30
19
35
54
54
40
49
55
41
34
38
51
28
42
58
55
23
3
7
11
1
3
4
6
2
43
35
47
23
52
22
48
78
63
50
41
47
66
39
22
30
43
21
30
50
33
52
31
58
45
25
28
51
2
9
8
3
2
1
4
11
26
22
17
13
37
18
5
15
22
16
23
15
26
24
16
17
30
15
9
33
10
18
14
13
17
17
26
Tend to trust
15
6
6
Don't know
49
44
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
47
5
4
Tend not to trust
37
40
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
38
The European Central Bank
Tend to trust
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
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
UK
Tend not to trust
EU28
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
The European Commission
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
The European Parliament
Tend to trust
QA13
EU28
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
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
UK
=
=
4
5
4
3
2
3
6
10
=
1
3
=
1
9
3
2
1
3
=
1
1
1
5
=
5
3
2
6
5
3
=
4
2
1
5
9
1
2
6

Autumn 2015
Report
The European Parliament

47% of Europeans (+6 percentage points since spring 2015) distrust the European Parliament,
while 38% (-5) are more inclined to trust it; 15% (-1) expressed no opinion.
A majority of respondents distrust the European Parliament in 12 Member States, compared with
nine in spring 2015. They remain distrustful of this institution in Greece (71%), Slovenia (60%),
Spain (59%), the United Kingdom (59%), Austria (58%), Cyprus (57%), the Czech Republic (56%),
Portugal (49% versus 43%) and France (47% versus 33%). They have been joined in this survey by
respondents in Germany (51%), Slovakia (51%) and Italy (44% versus 40%).
A majority of respondents trust the European Parliament in 16 Member States, with scores of at
least 50% in 11 countries, led by Lithuania (60%), Luxembourg (60%), Romania (59%), Malta (55%)
and the Nordic countries (59% in Sweden, 58% in Denmark and 54% in Finland).
The trust index37 for the European Parliament has deteriorated very sharply in this autumn 2015
survey in Slovakia (-25 index points), Germany (-23), Slovenia (-21), the Czech Republic (-21),
Bulgaria (-19) and Hungary (-18).
37
Difference between the tend to trust and tend not to trust percentages
106

Autumn 2015
Report
The European Commission

46% of Europeans (+6 percentage points since spring 2015) do not trust the European Commission,
while 35% (-5) trust it and 19% (-1) expressed no opinion. Although opinions were evenly balanced
in spring 2015 for the first time since the Standard Eurobarometer of autumn 2011 (EB76), the
trust index is negative again (-11) in this survey.
A majority of respondents in 13 Member States distrust the European Commission, compared with
ten in spring 2015. This group of countries now includes Slovakia (48% versus 40%), Italy (44%
versus 33%) and Latvia (41% versus 37%), which have joined Greece (75%), Cyprus (62%), Spain
(59%), Slovenia (58%), Austria (56%), the United Kingdom (53%), the Czech Republic (52%),
Portugal (49% versus 42%), France (48% versus 30%) and Germany (48% versus 35%).
Whereas the trust index was positive in spring 2015 in Ireland (46% versus 34%), opinions there
are now evenly divided (40% versus 40%).
A majority of respondents in 14 Member States trust the European Commission, with scores of at
least 50% in eight countries. The highest scores were recorded in Luxembourg (58%), Lithuania
(56%), Romania (56%), the Netherlands (50%), Malta (50%) and the Nordic countries (53% in
Denmark, 51% in Finland and 50% in Sweden).
With the sole exception of Luxembourg, where it has improved slightly, the trust index for the
European Commission has deteriorated in all EU countries, most markedly in the Czech Republic
(-23 index points), Slovenia (-21), Hungary (-21), Slovakia (-19), Bulgaria (-17), Lithuania (-14),
Latvia (-13), Malta (-13), Denmark (-13), Finland (-12), Austria (-12), Germany (-12), Italy (-12) and
Ireland (-12).
107

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The European Central Bank

The trust index for the European Central Bank is still negative and has deteriorated further since
spring 2015. Almost half of Europeans (47%, +2 percentage points) distrust this institution, while
33% (-2) trust it and 20% (unchanged) expressed no opinion.
Without any significant changes, the ratio of trust to distrust remains negative in the euro area
countries (33% versus 51%, compared with 33% versus 50% in spring 2015). However, whereas it
was positive in the non-euro area countries in spring 2015 (38% versus 36%), it is now negative
(35% versus 40%).
A majority of respondents in 15 Member States distrust the European Central Bank,
compared with 12 in spring 2015: this group has gained the Czech Republic (47% versus 31%),
Slovakia (45% versus 42%), Hungary (43% versus 40%) and Latvia (39% versus 35%), but has lost
Croatia (41% versus 43%). Respondents continue to be predominantly sceptical in Greece (78%),
Cyprus (66%), Spain (63%), Slovenia (58%), Germany (52%), Portugal (52%), the United Kingdom
(51%), Austria (50%), France (50%), Ireland (48% versus 34%) and Italy (47% versus 30%).
A majority of respondents in the remaining thirteen Member States tend to trust this institution,
with an absolute majority in seven countries, namely Denmark (60%), Finland (58%), the
Netherlands (55%), Sweden (55%), Luxembourg (54%), Lithuania (54%) and Romania (51%).
The trust index for the European Central Bank has deteriorated in 19 EU countries, most markedly in
the Czech Republic (-19 index points), Bulgaria (-16), Malta (-15), Slovenia (-14), Hungary (-12) and
Slovakia (-12). It has improved most in Luxembourg, Croatia and Germany (all +5).
108

Autumn 2015
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b. Trust in the European Union

Reversing the trend of the previous two Standard Eurobarometer surveys in autumn 2014 (EB82)
and spring 2015 (EB83), this survey sees a strong decline in trust in the European Union.
Since spring 2015, distrust of the EU has increased by nine percentage points. Once again an
absolute majority of Europeans distrust the EU (55%). Trust has declined by eight percentage
points, which means that less than a third of respondents now trust it (32%)38.
The trust index for the EU has therefore lost 17 index points, falling to -23 compared with -6 in
spring 2015 and -13 in autumn 2014. It is now approaching the level of spring 2014 (-25), just
above the record low of -29 recorded in spring 2012 and 2013.
This loss of 17 index points between spring 2015 and autumn 2015 is the steepest decline
recorded between one survey and the next since 2004.
QA8a.10
80%
70%
60
60%
57
50
48
50%
40%
44
45
43
43
48
45
36
36
30%
47
47
48
41
41
40
47
14
13
12
16
55
TEND NOT TO TRUST
45
43
42
46
41
40
36
37
34
33
31
14
13
56
47
32
20%
58
50
50
40
39
60
57
55
14
12
11
12
12
12
11
12
11
10%
10
31
31
11
TEND TO TRUST
32
31
13
13
14
13
DON'T KNOW
0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
After becoming positive again in spring 2015 in the non-euro area countries, the balance of
opinion has been reversed and is negative again in this survey (35% versus 49%, compared with
44% versus 41%). The trust index has lost 17 index points in six months within this group of
countries. Finally, the balance of opinion remains negative and has fallen sharply in the euro area
countries (59% distrust versus 30%, compared with 48% versus 38% in spring 2015). The trust
index has lost 19 index points in this group of countries.
A majority of respondents in 20 Member States distrust the EU, compared with ten countries in
spring 2015. Belgium (54%), Ireland (52%), Hungary (51%), Slovakia (51%), Portugal (48% versus
42%), Latvia (47% versus 37%), the Netherlands (46% versus 42%), Croatia (46% versus 44%),
Luxembourg (46% versus 45%) and Poland (39% versus 37%) have now joined Greece (81%),
Cyprus (72%), Austria (65%), France (63%), the Czech Republic (63%), Germany (63%), the United
Kingdom (63%), Spain (61%), Slovenia (61%) and Italy (52%).
A majority of respondents in eight Member States trust the European Union: Lithuania (59%),
Romania (58%), Denmark (47% versus 41%), Malta (46% versus 31%), Sweden (46% versus 42%),
Finland (44% versus 39%), Bulgaria (44% versus 35%) and Estonia (40% versus 29%).
38
QA8a.10. I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the following
media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it. The European Union.
109

Autumn 2015
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The trust index for the European Union has deteriorated in all Member States. Sweden (-3), Cyprus
(-9), Portugal (-9) and the Netherlands (-9) are the only countries where it has fallen by less than
ten index points. It has deteriorated very sharply, and by more than the European average of 17
index points, in the Czech Republic (-34 index points), Hungary (-32), Latvia (-30), Germany (-26),
Estonia (-25), Malta (-24), Ireland (-24), Finland (-23), Slovakia (-22), Slovenia (-20), Bulgaria (-20),
Denmark (-19), France (-18) and Belgium (-18).
110

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Tend not to trust
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain
media and institutions. For each of the following media and institutions,
please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it.
The European Union (%)
Tend to trust
QA8a.10
EU28
32
55
13
LT
RO
DK
MT
SE
LU
FI
BG
HR
NL
PT
HU
EE
BE
SK
LV
PL
IE
IT
SI
DE
CZ
FR
AT
ES
UK
EL
CY
59
58
47
46
46
45
44
44
44
42
42
41
40
39
39
37
37
33
31
30
28
27
26
26
25
23
18
17
9
10
10
16
2
4
14
12
7
5
5
15
15
9
9
14
11
11
5
11
11
16
6
6
10
6
8
6
25
29
41
31
42
46
39
35
46
46
48
51
29
54
51
47
39
52
52
61
63
63
63
65
61
63
81
72
8
5
9
8
1
8
9
8
8
4
4
17
10
9
13
16
6
13
8
9
15
18
12
6
7
8
8
3
16
13
12
23
12
9
17
21
10
12
10
8
31
7
10
16
24
15
17
9
9
10
11
9
14
14
1
11
111

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of students and those who see themselves as upper middle class trust the European
Union, while opinions are evenly divided among 15-24 year-olds. Respondents in all the other sociodemographic categories tend to distrust the European Union. While only a minority of those in the
highest social categories distrusted the EU in spring 2015, a majority of respondents in those
categories now do so, including those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond and managers.
Distrust has persisted and consolidated among the more economically and socially disadvantaged
categories (those who left school at 15 or earlier, unemployed people and manual workers).
Tend not to trust
Don't know
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and
institutions. For each of the following media and institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it
or tend not to trust it.
Tend to trust
QA8a.10
32
55
13
Man
Woman
33
31
56
54
11
15
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
43
33
30
28
43
55
58
58
14
12
12
14
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
21
28
38
47
63
61
50
39
16
11
12
14
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
33
39
35
28
26
24
27
47
54
50
54
60
58
62
58
39
13
11
11
12
16
14
15
14
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
25
28
36
46
37
60
61
52
44
49
15
11
12
10
14
EU28
Gender
112

Autumn 2015
Report

QA8a.10
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the following media and
The European Union (% - TEND TO TRUST)
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QA8a.10
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
32
28
25
26
31
37
23
18
42
33
17
33
31
28
29
27
23
26
25
32
30
38
36
26
20
19
17
46
38
34
31
20
15
43
33
30
28
36
27
25
29
32
26
23
22
43
27
23
20
48
29
35
25
42
40
35
35
36
25
25
14
20
17
16
18
48
46
40
38
46
29
29
33
16
18
15
19
21
28
38
47
24
26
31
42
19
25
32
38
21
19
32
47
16
32
38
55
23
30
44
46
14
18
35
34
12
13
25
25
35
48
56
53
21
27
39
56
16
15
25
19
33
39
35
28
26
24
27
47
19
36
22
25
32
24
27
42
34
25
35
24
20
19
23
38
16
36
29
25
21
18
21
47
38
43
38
17
21
11
25
55
34
48
43
35
34
31
31
46
29
29
29
20
10
26
15
34
15
21
16
22
10
15
20
25
47
57
45
40
52
31
36
53
29
41
26
32
25
17
37
56
11
25
25
9
18
18
21
19
I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain media and institutions. For each of the following media and
The European Union (% - TEND NOT TO TRUST)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
55
63
61
63
52
39
63
81
48
52
72
Gender
Male
Female
56
54
65
61
61
62
64
63
52
53
40
37
64
63
81
81
46
50
54
50
71
73
43
55
58
58
48
64
68
63
54
66
67
57
46
61
69
68
37
53
50
57
34
39
40
39
49
62
62
72
77
82
84
80
42
46
52
49
43
54
54
52
62
78
74
71
63
61
50
39
68
66
59
44
61
65
63
48
67
73
56
35
63
53
48
34
32
47
36
30
72
69
51
52
85
86
74
75
52
46
35
39
62
57
46
36
75
75
67
60
54
50
54
60
58
62
58
39
73
53
73
67
66
59
65
44
59
71
55
68
55
69
57
48
69
50
63
67
69
72
68
35
44
45
47
65
63
65
56
34
39
36
39
42
33
47
38
30
58
61
61
68
66
56
70
52
85
76
84
78
86
84
78
75
40
32
47
52
41
60
50
39
54
44
61
51
60
68
46
36
84
67
68
78
79
75
66
60
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
113

Autumn 2015
Report
c. The European Unions image

After improving in four consecutive surveys since spring 2013, the European Unions
image has instead deteriorated in this survey: 37% of Europeans (-4 percentage points since
spring 2015) have a positive image, while for 23% (+4) its image is negative and 38% (unchanged)
see it as neutral. Whereas in autumn 2014 and spring 2015, respondents had a mainly positive
image of the EU, these evolutions mean that their impression is now more likely to be neutral39.
QA9
In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image?
(% - EU)
70%
60%
52
50
49
50%
46
48
48
45
45
42
40
40
38
38
41
40%
34
30% 32
34
36
35
36
35
37
31
39
39
31
31
26
28
39
30
30
29
29
39
31
10%
17
15
14
3
17
15
19
16
20
20
38 NEUTRAL
38
37
35
37 TOTAL 'POSITIVE'
28
TOTAL 'NEGATIVE'
25
20%
15
41
39
38
23
22
19
15
DON'T KNOW
0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Positive assessments of the EUs image (35%) have declined by four percentage points in the euro
area countries and have been overtaken by neutral judgments (39%, unchanged). They have lost
less ground in the non-euro area countries (42%, -2 percentage points) and remain ahead of
neutral opinions (36%, =). Negative assessments are in third place in both groups of countries.
38
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
35
42
4
2
39
36
39
=
=
=
Don't know
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
37
Total 'Negative'
Neutral
EU28
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very
negative image? (%)
Total 'Positive'
QA9
23
24
20
4
2
2
2
QA9. In general does the EU conjure up a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image?
114

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are more likely to have a positive than a negative image of the EU in 23
Member States. Within this group of countries, the image is positive rather than neutral in 11
Member States (Romania, Poland, Ireland, Lithuania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Portugal,
Belgium, Sweden and Italy), with the highest scores in Romania (57%), Poland (55%), Ireland (54%)
and Lithuania (53%). However, positive assessments are are outweighed by neutral perceptions in
12 countries (Malta, Hungary, Denmark, Estonia, France, Slovakia, Germany, the Netherlands,
Slovenia, Spain, Latvia and Finland). Neutral opinions are the most widespread in Estonia (50%) and
Latvia (49%).
Respondents are more likely to have a negative than a positive image of the EU in five
Member States, compared with three in spring 2015. The balance of opinion remains negative in
Cyprus (41% negative versus 22%), Greece (38% versus 22%) and Austria (41% versus 23%);
these three countries have now been joined by the Czech Republic (31% versus 27%, compared
with 20% versus 37% in spring 2015) and the United Kingdom (31% versus 30%, compared with
28% versus 32% in spring 2015). Within this group of countries, respondents are most likely to
have a negative image of the EU in Cyprus and Austria, but negative opinions come second to
neutral assessments in Greece, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.
In general, positive views of the European Unions image have lost ground in 24 Member States,
most markedly in Estonia (36%, -13 percentage points), Germany (34%, -11) and the Czech
Republic (27%, -10). They are stable in Portugal (42%) and Italy (38%), while they have gained
ground, albeit slightly, only in Croatia (51%, +4) and Poland (55%, +2).
Breakdown of total positive answers
115

Autumn 2015
Report
Breakdown of total neutral answers
Breakdown of total negative answers
116

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Neutral
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Negative'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly
negative or very negative image? (%)
Total 'Positive'
QA9
EU28
37
38
23
HR
PL
PT
IT
ES
LT
FR
UK
CY
IE
SE
DK
SK
EL
BE
HU
SI
RO
FI
AT
BG
LU
LV
MT
NL
CZ
DE
EE
51
55
42
38
33
53
35
30
22
54
39
36
35
22
39
39
33
57
32
23
48
45
32
43
34
27
34
36
4
2
37
35
41
37
46
40
38
36
36
30
36
45
40
40
38
40
45
32
48
35
34
35
49
46
41
42
38
50
3
3
2
3
1
12
7
15
23
18
6
25
31
41
14
25
18
24
38
23
20
21
9
20
41
17
20
17
10
25
31
27
12
=
=
0
3
2
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
2
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
0
1
2
=
=
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
6
7
7
7
8
8
10
11
13
117
=
2
1
2
1
=
1
3
2
3
3
1
5
1
=
5
5
=
7
4
=
1
9
2
2
2
1
4
3
1
2
3
2
6
1
2
7
5
1
4
5
3
3
6
2
4
11
10
4

Autumn 2015
Report
Opinions are fairly evenly divided between positive and neutral perceptions of the European Unions
image in most socio-demographic categories of the European population.
Younger people are the most likely to have a positive image of the EU, but this declines with age:
48% of 15-24 year-olds see its image as positive (versus 38% neutral and 13% negative),
compared with only 33% of those aged 55+ (versus 38% and 27%). The proportion of respondents
for whom the European Union evokes a positive image also increases with education, rising from
25% of those who left school at the age of 15 or earlier (versus 41% neutral, and 30%
negative), to 45% of those who studied until the age of 20 and beyond (versus 36% and 19%),
and reaching 54% among students (versus 34% and 12%). Positive opinions are also more
widespread among the most socially advantaged categories of Europeans: managers (50%, versus
33% neutral, and 17% negative), those who see themselves as upper middle class (54%, versus
30% and 16%), and those who almost never or never have difficulties paying their bills at the end
of the month (41% versus 37% and 21%).
118

Autumn 2015
Report
In general, does the EU conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral,
fairly negative or very negative image?
(% - EU)
Total 'Positive'
Neutral
Total 'Negative'
Don't know
QA9
37
38
23
40
35
36
40
23
23
1
2
48
39
37
33
38
40
37
38
13
20
25
27
1
1
1
2
30
34
39
43
39
38
37
39
27
27
23
16
4
1
1
2
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
25
33
45
54
41
40
36
34
30
25
19
12
4
2
0
0
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
40
50
41
33
28
30
33
54
33
33
39
42
44
41
38
34
24
17
20
23
24
27
27
12
3
0
0
2
4
2
2
0

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
23
32
41
40
41
37
34
25
21
3
2
1
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
29
33
43
54
44
42
38
37
30
30
26
27
19
16
24
3
2
1
0
2
EU28
Gender
Man
Woman
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Generation
Total 'Before 1946'
1946 - 1964 "BB"
1965 - 1980 "X"
After 1980 "Y"
119

Autumn 2015
Report
3. Knowledge of the European Union

a. Knowledge of how the European Union works
Subjective knowledge of how the EU works continues to improve and has reached its
highest level since 2004: 55% of Europeans (+1 percentage point since spring 2015) feel that
they know how the European Union works, while 42% (unchanged) do not and 3% (-1) expressed no
opinion40.
QA18a.1
Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
I understand how the EU works (% - EU)
70%
60%
52
50
50% 47
40%
44
51
51
50
46
43
48
47
46
43
41
44
43
52
51
48
44
44
47
47
46
46
52
51
45
46
46
50
52
52
44
44
55
54
47
42
41
40
52
TOTAL 'AGREE'
TOTAL 'DISAGREE'
42
42
30%
20%
10%
6
3
DON'T KNOW
0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
40
QA18a.1 Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. I understand how the EU works.
120

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of respondents in 23 Member States feel that they understand how the EU
works, with the highest scores in Sweden (78%), Lithuania (73%), Poland (70%) and Luxembourg
(70%).
A majority of respondents in France (54%), Spain (54%), Italy (53%), the Czech Republic (52%) and
Portugal (50% versus 49%) take the opposite view.
121

Autumn 2015
Report
Total 'Disagree'
Don't know
Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the
following statements.
I understand how the EU works (% - EU)
Total 'Agree'
QA18a.1
EU28
55
42
Gender
Man
Woman
62
47
36
48
2
5
58
59
58
48
39
37
39
48
3
4
3
4
34
53
68
65
62
44
29
32
4
3
3
3
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
63
73
62
52
38
45
47
65
34
25
36
45
57
50
49
32
3
2
2
3
5
5
4
3
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
43
51
62
76
72
52
46
35
22
27
5
3
3
2
1
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
122

Autumn 2015
Report
QA18a.1
I understand how the EU works (% - TOTAL 'AGREE')
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
55
59
41
43
42
70
56
63
49
68
62
62
47
65
52
48
34
52
36
50
36
75
65
67
47
71
55
58
41
77
59
68
57
58
59
58
48
58
56
62
59
48
50
45
30
52
48
45
37
51
50
50
32
78
78
76
58
55
59
66
49
69
66
67
56
54
59
52
39
60
67
79
64
50
69
62
62
34
53
68
65
45
56
70
68
27
42
65
55
24
41
54
52
21
44
58
62
34
63
80
87
39
56
70
62
46
59
80
72
35
65
68
54
54
63
78
75
55
61
79
51
63
73
62
52
38
45
47
65
70
70
58
52
50
45
57
68
41
80
74
41
17
36
35
55
53
63
53
37
23
46
39
52
50
70
56
35
36
30
27
62
76
84
75
71
65
61
55
87
65
72
55
56
33
51
49
62
73
74
73
65
42
56
59
72
54
69
65
48
21
39
40
54
77
85
79
62
43
61
71
75
81
65
72
58
47
65
60
51
123

Autumn 2015
Report
b. Objective knowledge of the European Union

In order to measure their objective knowledge of the European Union, respondents were asked to
say whether each of the following three statements is true or false: The EU currently consists of 28
Member States; The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by the citizens of
each Member State; Switzerland is a Member State of the EU.
The level of objective knowledge of the European Union has remained more or less
unchanged since spring 2015: just over a third of Europeans (35%, -1 percentage point)
gave all three right answers.
Objective knowledge of the EU is the highest in Croatia (56% of respondents gave three right
answers), Luxembourg (54%), Slovakia (51%), Slovenia (49%), Greece (48%) and Bulgaria (48%),
while it is the lowest in the Netherlands (24%), the United Kingdom (27%), Latvia (27%), Estonia
(28%) and Spain (28%).41
In further detail:
The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by the citizens of each Member
State
58% of Europeans (-4 percentage points since spring 2015) know that Members of the
European Parliament are directly elected by the citizens of each Member State, while 25%
(+4) give the wrong answer and 17% (unchanged) say they do not know. After the high of spring
2014, coinciding with the European elections42 (71%), knowledge of how MEPs are elected has
decreased, and is now close to the levels observed before the record score of spring 2014.
QA14.2
For each of the following statements about the EU could you please tell me whether you think it is true or false.
The members of the European Parliament are directly elected by the citizens of each Member State (% - EU)
90%
80%
71
70%
60%
62
59
57
62
58
56
58
52
52
52
30
30
29
54
TRUE
50%
40%
30%
26
23
28
27
29
25
20%
18
17
18
17
18
21
17
17
15
19
17
14
10%
21
FALSE
DON'T KNOW
14
17
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013

41
2014
2015
QA14. 1+2+3. For each of the following statements about the EU could you please tell me whether you think it is true or false?
The spring 2014 Eurobarometer survey (EB81) was carried out between 31 May and 14 June 2014, just after the European elections
(22-25 May 2014).
42
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Autumn 2015
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Aggregating the wrong and DK answers shows that a majority of respondents do not know
how MEPs are elected in only three countries: the Netherlands (57%), France (55%) and
Austria (53%). In the other 25 Member States, a majority of respondents gave the right answer,
with the highest scores in Malta (88%), Bulgaria (86%), Greece (86%), Cyprus (84%) and Lithuania
(81%).
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The EU currently consists of 28 Member States

Two-thirds of Europeans (66%, +1 percentage point since spring 2015) know that the EU
currently consists of 28 Member States, while just under a quarter do not know (24%, -1) and
10% (unchanged) give the wrong answer. A majority of respondents in all Member States know how
many EU Member States there are, with scores ranging from 55% in the United Kingdom and the
Netherlands to 84% in Luxembourg.
126

Autumn 2015
Report
Switzerland is a member of the EU

More than seven in ten Europeans (71%, unchanged since spring 2015) know that
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, while 16% (+1 percentage point) think
the opposite and 13% (-1) do not know.
A majority of respondents in Romania are unaware of Switzerlands status (45% versus 55% when
wrong and DK answers are aggregated). Right and wrong answers are evenly divided in Latvia
(50% versus 50%). In the remaining 26 Member States, a majority of respondents know that
Switzerland is not a member of the EU, with scores ranging from 53% in Cyprus to 94% in
Luxembourg.
127

Autumn 2015
Report
QA14
For each of the following statements about the EU could you please tell me whether you think it is true or false. (%)
True
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
False
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Switzerland is a Member
State
of the EU
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
The members of the

European Parliament are
directly elected by the
citizens of each Member State
True
The EU currently consists of

28 Member States
EU28
66
58
71
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
67
65
1
2
55
65
3
5
76
61
1
1
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
UK
67
73
77
64
70
63
69
77
58
64
79
66
68
61
72
84
81
67
55
82
69
79
69
68
81
61
64
55
1
2
4
1
2
58
86
60
71
52
57
71
86
60
45
78
54
84
60
81
62
62
88
43
47
67
58
74
73
77
72
69
57
=
=
79
56
74
74
89
58
62
64
55
79
76
72
53
50
65
94
75
59
85
93
61
74
45
81
71
66
74
59
=
2
=
2
=
=
1
4
3
2
5
2
3
2
3
4
6
1
11
1
2
1
2
128
8
5
5
7
2
3
1
=
1
6
5
4
4
3
2
9
3
7
6
5
11
1
1
5
4
=
1
1
=
1
6
1
5
=
3
5
3
1
1
1
1
9
3
1
4
1
8
3
5
1
4

Autumn 2015
Report
4. Democracy in the EU
a. The way in which democracy works
National democracy
52% of Europeans (-1 percentage point since spring 2015) are satisfied with the way
democracy works in their country, while 45% (unchanged) are dissatisfied.43 At +7, the
satisfaction index remains just short of the highest level measured since 2010.
QA17a
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR COUNTRY)?
(% - EU)
70%
60% 57
56
58
53
53
54
52
51
50%
44
40%
41
40
45
44
46
47
49
50
49
48
52
46
53
50
50
48
48
52
TOTAL 'SATISFIED'
TOTAL 'NOT SATISFIED'
45
45
39
30%
20%
10%
2
2004
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
DON'T KNOW
0%
2012
2013
2014
2015
Satisfaction with the way national democracy works has been confirmed in the non-euro area
countries (57%, +2 percentage points). On the other hand, opinions are now evenly divided in the
euro area countries (49% versus 49%), whereas the ratio of satisfaction to dissatisfaction was
positive (52% versus 46%) in spring 2015.
43
QA17a. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in
(OUR COUNTRY)?
129

Autumn 2015
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A majority of respondents are satisfied with the way democracy works in their country in
14 Member States, led by the Nordic countries (87% in Denmark, 80% in Sweden and 72% in
Finland), the Benelux countries (77% in Luxembourg, 73% in the Netherlands and 68% in Belgium)
and Malta (70%).
Respondents are predominantly dissatisfied in 13 EU countries, most notably in Cyprus
(75%), Greece (73%), Bulgaria (69%) and Slovenia (68%). Positive and negative opinions are evenly
divided in the Czech Republic (49% versus 49%).
130

Autumn 2015
Report
Total 'Not satisfied'
Don't know
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at
all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR COUNTRY)?
(% - EU)
Total 'Satisfied'
QA17a
EU28
52
45
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
49
57
49
39
2
4
Gender
Man
Woman
53
50
46
46
1
4
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
56
51
53
50
41
46
45
47
3
3
2
3
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
41
49
61
58
54
49
38
39
5
2
1
3
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
51
67
57
49
47
40
50
58
46
33
42
49
47
58
47
39
3
0
1
2
6
2
3
3

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
28
43
59
68
54
39
4
3
2
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
45
50
56
68
69
51
48
43
31
26
4
2
1
1
5
131

Autumn 2015
Report
QA17a
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in (OUR
COUNTRY)?
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
52
63
38
49
35
62
62
27
36
63
23
Gender
Male
Female
53
50
64
62
38
36
51
49
37
33
61
63
66
59
28
27
39
32
62
64
27
20
56
51
53
50
65
59
64
64
35
32
34
43
44
46
55
49
46
42
39
26
63
66
66
56
69
58
61
62
36
28
27
23
44
36
34
32
67
59
64
64
31
14
22
27
41
49
61
58
62
59
70
68
38
34
41
31
46
43
59
52
21
34
47
48
36
59
68
68
55
59
73
65
25
26
27
34
30
43
42
46
50
61
68
75
23
20
27
32
51
67
57
49
47
40
50
58
64
73
58
58
73
42
62
68
30
30
48
34
39
36
45
31
41
65
51
45
33
44
52
52
40
56
42
35
32
24
23
48
61
78
69
60
69
47
53
68
61
71
78
52
48
55
64
65
31
14
25
32
21
26
25
34
47
47
37
30
25
31
31
46
62
73
64
62
56
49
60
75
28
29
18
16
20
13
34
32
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
132

Autumn 2015
Report
Democracy in the European Union

45% of Europeans (+4 percentage points since spring 2015) are dissatisfied with the way
democracy works in the EU, while 43% (-3) are satisfied and 12% (-1) expressed no opinion. At
-2, the satisfaction index is negative again, whereas it was positive in spring 2015 (+5). This index
has shifted between negative and positive in each new survey since autumn 2013.
QA17b
And how about the way democracy works in the EU?

(% - EU)
70%
60%
50% 48
49
50
52
54
50
40%
30%
35
20% 17
35
17
34
16
45
44
45
46
46
43
44
44
43
43
12
12
11
11
44
45
43
43
13
12
46
45
TOTAL 'NOT SATISFIED'

TOTAL 'SATISFIED'
43
41
35
32
16
32
14
15
11
13
12
DON'T KNOW
10%
0%
2004
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Already negative, the ratio of satisfaction to dissatisfaction has deteriorated sharply in the euro
area countries (39% versus 50%, compared with 43% versus 46% in spring 2015). However,
despite some erosion this ratio remains positive in the non-euro area countries (50% versus 34%,
compared with 52% versus 31% in spring 2015).
133

Autumn 2015
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A majority of respondents in 13 Member States are dissatisfied with the way European
democracy works, compared with seven in spring 2015. Respondents remain mostly dissatisfied
in Greece (66%), Cyprus (63%), Austria (60%), Spain (52%), Portugal (51%), Italy (48% versus 39%)
and France (44% versus 41%), and these countries have now been joined by Germany (58%), the
Netherlands (51%), Slovakia (50%), Slovenia (50%), the Czech Republic (48% versus 44%) and the
United Kingdom (43% versus 37%).
Respondents are predominantly satisfied in 15 Member States, most notably in Poland (65%), Malta
(64%), Denmark (62%), Romania (62%) and Luxembourg (61%); opinions are closer in Estonia (43%
versus 35%) and Hungary (47% versus 45%).
Dissatisfaction with the way democracy works in the EU have increased much more sharply than
the European average (45%, +4 percentage points) in Germany (58%, +14), the Czech Republic
(48%, +14) and Austria (60%, +10). It has gained ground in 20 Member States, is stable in four
countries and has declined in the remaining four.
134

Autumn 2015
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The most advantaged categories of the population (52% of managers and 50% of those who
studied up to the age of 20 and beyond) remain satisfied with the way European democracy
works, compared with only a minority of the most disadvantaged categories (37% versus 49%
among unemployed people, 40% versus 49% among manual workers, 31% versus 50% among
those who left school at the age of 15 or earlier).
15-24 year-olds (53%) are most likely to be satisfied, but all the other age groups are
predominantly dissatisfied (44% versus 46% among 25-54 year-olds and 38% versus 46% in the
55+ age group).
Total 'Not satisfied'
Don't know
On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at
all satisfied with the way democracy works in the EU?
(% - EU)
Total 'Satisfied'
QA17b
EU28
43
45
12
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
39
50
50
34
11
16
Gender
Man
Woman
45
41
46
44
9
15
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
53
44
44
38
35
46
46
46
12
10
10
16
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
31
40
50
57
50
47
42
34
19
13
8
9
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
43
52
48
40
39
37
37
57
47
42
43
49
40
49
46
34
10
6
9
11
21
14
17
9

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
28
40
47
54
48
42
18
12
11
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
37
39
47
55
52
45
49
44
40
39
18
12
9
5
9
135

Autumn 2015
Report
QA17b
And how about the way democracy works in the EU?

TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
43
36
33
41
39
65
37
27
40
52
25
45
41
35
37
37
31
43
39
43
36
66
65
40
35
30
26
44
35
50
53
28
23
53
44
44
38
39
35
34
37
34
29
32
39
50
41
46
35
62
42
45
28
67
69
70
59
56
36
39
29
44
28
26
24
49
41
41
34
57
49
51
52
35
21
24
24
31
40
50
57
37
34
37
42
30
33
41
36
36
32
52
53
25
38
49
68
31
66
70
72
29
34
43
63
21
23
34
47
31
46
50
53
42
52
55
52
22
24
29
39
43
52
48
40
39
37
37
57
28
40
32
32
54
26
37
42
32
31
58
28
31
31
38
36
36
61
46
36
34
37
37
53
43
60
45
35
29
31
26
68
66
76
74
64
65
59
55
72
38
43
36
36
21
39
29
63
29
16
30
34
15
22
27
47
49
52
49
36
29
30
31
53
48
59
52
52
45
45
54
52
19
24
30
22
15
18
32
39
136

Autumn 2015
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b. Taking personal interests into account nationally and at EU level

My voice counts in the EU
39% of Europeans (-3 percentage points since spring 2015) say that their voice counts in the
EU, while 54% (+4) disagree and 7% (-1) expressed no opinion.
The gap between those who feel their voice counts and those who say that it does not is now -15
percentage points, wider than in spring 2015, when it reached -8, the narrowest difference recorded
for this indicator since autumn 200444.
D72.1
My voice counts in the EU (% - EU)
80%
70%
65
61
59
60%
52
53
39
38
57
54
62
61
57
55
53
55
67
63
64
66
57
52
54
53
50
TOTAL 'DISAGREE'
50%
42
40%
34
36
38
34
35
34
30
31
33
30
31
30
30%
31
26
28
29
40
42
39
TOTAL 'AGREE'
20%
10
10%
10
7
10
12
9
11
10
9
6
DON'T KNOW
0%
There are very significant differences between countries on this indicator. A majority of
respondents in 11 Member States (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Croatia, Luxembourg, Malta,
the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Finland and Sweden) say that their voice counts in the EU.
This view is particularly widespread in Denmark (72%), Sweden (69%) and Croatia
(68%).
Although this is still the majority view in Malta (50%, -10 percentage points) and Germany (49%,
-9), respondents are far less convinced than in spring 2015.
A majority of respondents consider that their voice does not count in the EU in the
remaining 17 Member States, led by Greece (83%), Cyprus (81%), Latvia (76%) and the Czech
Republic (71%).
This opinion has gained significant ground in Hungary (62%, +14 percentage points) and Estonia
(69%, +11).

44
QD72.1. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. My voice counts in the EU.
137

Autumn 2015
Report
My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY)

56% of Europeans (-1 percentage point since spring 2015) feel that their voice counts in
their country, while 40% (+2) disagree and 4% (-1) expressed no opinion45. As in previous
Standard Eurobarometer surveys, respondents are far more likely to feel that their voice counts in
their country than in the European Union.
A majority of respondents in 19 Member States feel that their voice counts in their country, most
notably in Sweden (93%), Denmark (91%), Finland (81%) and Croatia (80%).
However, a majority of respondents feel that they have no voice as citizens of their country in
Cyprus (76%), Greece (73%), Italy (64%), Latvia (63%), Lithuania (60%), Estonia (57%), Spain
(56%), Hungary (55%) and the Czech Republic (54%.).
This feeling has gained ground very significantly since spring 2015 in Greece (73%, +13 percentage
points).
D72.2
My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY) (% - EU)
70%
60%
56
50% 48
40%
51
43
43
52
51
50
50
45
46
47
47
48
46
45
57
55
52
57
56
TOTAL 'AGREE'
TOTAL 'DISAGREE'
42
38
39
38
40
30%
20%
10% 7
DON'T KNOW
0%
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
45
QD72.2. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. My voice counts in (OUR COUNTRY)
138

Autumn 2015
Report
D72
Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. (%)
Total 'Disagree'
Agree - Disagree
Total 'Agree'
Total 'Disagree'
Agree - Disagree
My voice counts
in the EU
Total 'Agree'
My voice counts in (OUR

COUNTRY)
EU28
56
40
+16
39
54
-15
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
55
57
41
38
+14
+19
38
42
56
50
-18
-8
SE
DK
FI
HR
NL
DE
AT
PL
FR
BE
MT
IE
LU
SK
SI
RO
BG
UK
PT
CZ
HU
ES
EE
LT
LV
IT
EL
CY
93
91
81
80
78
70
70
65
66
66
64
62
57
55
51
50
48
51
49
42
42
40
33
32
31
30
26
21
7
6
17
18
20
28
28
27
30
33
31
32
32
40
40
43
43
46
48
54
55
56
57
60
63
64
73
76
+86
+85
+64
+62
+58
+42
+42
+38
+36
+33
+33
+30
+25
+15
+11
+7
+5
+5
+1
-12
-13
-16
-24
-28
-32
-34
-47
-55
69
72
52
68
57
49
45
49
41
54
50
45
53
34
37
47
41
33
38
22
33
31
17
30
15
23
16
15
28
23
44
26
38
47
50
38
51
43
41
47
39
58
51
43
44
62
58
71
62
61
69
55
76
69
83
81
+41
+49
+8
+42
+19
+2
-5
+11
-10
+11
+9
-2
+14
-24
-14
+4
-3
-29
-20
-49
-29
-30
-52
-25
-61
-46
-67
-66
139

Autumn 2015
Report
The feeling that EUs voice counts in the world, and how far national interests are taken into
account by the EU
As in all the previous Standard Eurobarometer surveys, there is a broad consensus
among Europeans regarding the importance of the EUs international role: 68% of
Europeans (-1 percentage point since spring 2015) agree that the EUs voice counts in the world,
while 25% (+2) disagree and 7% (-1) expressed no opinion46.
However, a majority of respondents continue to believe that national interests are not
properly taken into account by the European Union. Half of Europeans (50%, +3 percentage
points since spring 2015) share this opinion, while 41% (-2) disagree and 9% (-1) did not
answer47.
46
QA18a.3. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. The EUs voice counts in the
world.
47
QA18a.2. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. The interests of (OUR COUNTRY)
are well taken into account in the EU.
140

Autumn 2015
Report
An absolute majority of respondents in all Member States believe that the European Union plays an
important role on the international stage, with scores ranging from 52% in Cyprus to 85% in
Sweden.

A majority of respondents think that national interests are properly taken into account
by the European Union in 11 Member States, led by Luxembourg (71%), Malta (61%) and
Ireland (57%).
Since spring 2015, the balance of opinion has become positive in Croatia (49% versus 44%,
compared with 44% versus 50% in spring 2015), but it is now negative in Romania (40% versus
48%, compared with 51% versus 40%) and Estonia (37% versus 51%, compared with 48% versus
41%).
Within this group of countries, this view is much less widespread in Germany (52%, -13 percentage
points), but has gained considerable ground in Luxembourg (71%, +12) and Malta (61%, +10).
A majority of respondents say that national interests are not properly taken into account by the EU
in 17 Member States, led by Greece (84%), Cyprus (77%) and the Czech Republic (67%).
141

Autumn 2015
Report
5. Political and economic issues

a. Evaluation of economic and political terms and concepts
In this Standard Eurobarometer of autumn 2015, respondents were presented with thirteen
economic and political terms and concepts and asked to indicate whether each item had positive
or negative connotations for them.
Most of these terms were tested in the Standard Eurobarometer surveys of autumn 2014 and
autumn 2009. There have been few changes since autumn 2014, with the sole exception of the
sharp increase in positive impressions of small and medium-sized companies, already high in
autumn 2014, and now up 14 percentage points over the year.
The results show that Europeans remain broadly committed to the market economy
(entrepreneurship and competition), but also to concepts such as public service and solidarity.
Among economic players, small and medium-sized companies are seen in a far more positive light
than large companies. Lastly, Europeans continue to be generally in favour of free trade, while
protectionism was the only word in the list to have mostly negative connotations48.
A detailed analysis shows that:
More than eight in ten Europeans (84%) have a positive impression of the term small and
medium-sized companies;
For at least three-quarters of respondents the terms solidarity

entrepreneurship (75%) and security (75%) have positive connotations;
Two-thirds or more of respondents see the terms competition (69%), free trade (69%)
and public service (66%) in a positive light;
More than half the respondents react positively to the terms reforms (56%), large
companies (55%), liberalisation (54%) and trade unions (52%);
A relative majority of respondents (46% versus 39%) see the term globalisation in a
positive light;
Lastly, the term protectionism evokes something negative for a relative majority of
respondents (41% versus 38%).
(77%),
48
QA10. Could you please tell me for each of the following whether the term brings to mind something very positive, fairly positive, fairly
negative or very negative?
142

Autumn 2015
Report
143

Autumn 2015
Report
Market economy values and players

There is still a broad consensus among Europeans about the fundamental values of the market
economy:
The term entrepreneurship evokes a positive impression for 75% of Europeans, while for
17% it is negative and 8% expressed no opinion. This is a new item, introduced for the first
time in this survey;
For 69% of Europeans, the term competition brings something positive to mind, while for
23% it evokes something negative and 8% expressed no opinion. The proportion for whom
the term is positive is unchanged since autumn 2014, but is lower (-8 percentage points) than
in autumn 2009.
On the question of the main market economy players, while both large and small companies have a
positive image, Europeans have a clear preference for SMEs:
84% of Europeans see small and medium-sized companies in a positive light while 11%
have a negative impression and 5% expressed no opinion. The proportion of respondents for
whom the term has positive connotations has increased by 14 percentage points since
autumn 2014. Small and medium-sized companies score far more highly than large
companies (difference of 29 percentage points);
For 55% of Europeans large companies have positive connotations, while 37% see them
in a negative light and 8% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers has
increased by two percentage points since autumn 2014, when this term was tested for the
first time.
QA10
Could you please tell me for each of the following, whether the term brings to mind something very positive, fairly positive, fairly
(% - EU)
Total 'Positive'
Total 'Negative'
Don't know
SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES
84
Autumn 2015
11
70
Autumn 2014
14
16
ENTREPRENEURSHIP*
75
Autumn 2015
17
COMPETITION
Autumn 2015
69
Autumn 2014
69
23
23
77
Autumn 2009
8
8
18
LARGE COMPANIES
55
Autumn 2015
53
Autumn 2014
*New item
144
37
39
8
8

Autumn 2015
Report
An absolute majority of respondents are positive about the term entrepreneurship in all Member
States, led by the Nordic countries (94% in Finland, 90% in Sweden and 88% in Denmark), Greece
(88%), Estonia (86%), the Netherlands (85%) and Lithuania (85%). The lowest scores were recorded
in Romania and Malta (55% in both countries); note that both countries have a high DK rate for
this indicator (38% in Malta and 24% in Romania).
A majority of respondents in all Member States are also positive about the term competition, with
the highest scores in Sweden (85%), Denmark (82%), Malta (81%), Germany (81%) and Portugal
(80%). The lowest scores were recorded in the Czech Republic (52%) and Slovakia (58%).
145

Autumn 2015
Report
The term small and medium-sized companies brings to mind something positive for more than six
in ten Europeans in all EU countries, and has positive connotations for more than three-quarters of
respondents in 25 countries, with scores ranging from 63% in Hungary to 96% in Finland and
Sweden.
In contrast, there is no such consensus around the term large companies. This has negative
connotations for a majority of respondents in three EU countries, namely Cyprus (49% negative
versus 46%), Hungary (47% versus 45%) and the Netherlands (48% versus 47%). It is seen in a
positive light by a relative majority of respondents in Slovakia (47% versus 45%) and by an
absolute majority in the remaining 24 Member States, most notably in Portugal (77%), Lithuania
(76%), Malta (75%) and Denmark (74%).
146

Autumn 2015
Report
Free trade and protectionism

In proportions similar to those recorded for the other fundamental market economy principles, the
term free trade evokes something positive for 69% of Europeans, while 21% take the opposite
view and 10% expressed no opinion. Although the score for this term is more or less unchanged
since autumn 2014 (-1 percentage point), it has declined more markedly over a longer period, and
is down by eight percentage points on autumn 2009.
However, this decline in the popularity of the concept of free trade has not resulted in an increase in
enthusiasm for the opposing concept of protectionism: 38% of Europeans (+1 percentage point
since autumn 2014) see this term in a positive light, while 41% (unchanged) view it negatively and
21% (-1) expressed no opinion. The ratio of positive to negative connotations has remained broadly
unchanged since autumn 2014, but over a longer period positive perceptions of this term have
declined, since in spring 2007 it had positive connotations for a relative majority of respondents.
Protectionism is the only concept or term tested in this survey to be perceived in a negative light
by a majority of respondents.
QA10
Could you please tell me for each of the following, whether the term brings to mind something very positive, fairly
positive, fairly negative or very negative?
(% - EU)
Total 'Positive'
Total 'Negative'
Don't know
FREE TRADE
Autumn 2015
69
Autumn 2014
70
21
10
21
Autumn 2009
77
Spring 2007
76
9
17
16
Spring 2006
71
19
10
Spring 2005
70
20
10
PROTECTIONISM
Autumn 2015
38
Autumn 2014
37
Autumn 2009
38
Spring 2005
41
38
35
43
33
46
147
21
22
45
41
Spring 2007
Spring 2006
41
17
21
22
22

Autumn 2015
Report
Like the other market economy terms (entrepreneurship, competition), the term free trade
commands a consensus, evoking something positive for an absolute majority of respondents in all
Member States, led by Lithuania (85%), Poland (80%), Denmark (79%), Sweden (79%), Bulgaria
(79%), Ireland (78%) and the Netherlands (78%). At the other end of the scale, respondents in
France (57%), Cyprus (56%), Hungary (55%) and Austria (53%) are the least likely to see it in a
positive light.
There are significant national differences in perceptions of the term protectionism. It has positive
connotations for a majority of respondents in 12 Member States, namely Greece (62%), Malta
(59%), Cyprus (59%), Portugal (53%), Luxembourg (52%), Spain (50%), Romania, (50%), Ireland
(47% versus 29%), the United Kingdom (46% versus 34%), Italy (44% versus 38%), Slovenia (42%
versus 36%) and Finland (34% versus 30%, with a high DK rate (36%) in this country), but
predominantly evokes something negative in 16 Member States, led by Slovakia (83%), Hungary
(65%) and the Czech Republic (58%).
148

Autumn 2015
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Liberalisation, globalisation and reforms

For 56% of Europeans, the term reforms brings to mind something positive, while for 32% it has
negative connotations and 12% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers has
changed little since autumn 2014 (-1 percentage point), but has declined considerably over a longer
period (-14 since autumn 2009).
For 54% of Europeans, the term liberalisation has positive connotations, while 29% see it in a
negative light and 17% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers has changed little
since autumn 2014 (+1 percentage point), but has declined somewhat over a longer period (-6
since autumn 2009).
For 46% of Europeans, the term globalisation has positive connotations, while 39% see it in a
negative light and 15% expressed no opinion. The proportion of respondents for whom the term
evokes something positive has increased by three percentage points since autumn 2014. While still
lower than in autumn 2009 (52%), it has returned to its spring 2007 level (46%).
QA10
Could you please tell me for each of the following, whether the term brings to mind something very positive, fairly
positive, fairly negative or very negative?
(% - EU)
Total 'Positive'
Total 'Negative'
Don't know
REFORMS
Autumn 2015
56
Autumn 2014
57
32
12
32
11
70
Autumn 2009
22
64
Spring 2007
26
10
Spring 2006
59
29
12
Spring 2005
59
29
12
LIBERALISATION
Autumn 2015
54
Autumn 2014
53
29
29
18
60
Autumn 2009
27
58
Spring 2007
17
25
13
17
GLOBALISATION
46
Autumn 2015
Spring 2005
39
41
43
37
46
149
15
37
46
Spring 2007
15
42
52
Autumn 2009
Spring 2006
39
43
Autumn 2014
11
15
16
17

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are predominantly positive about the term reforms in 24 EU Member States, most
notably in Finland (85%), Malta (74%) and Sweden (73%), while a majority of respondents are
negative about the term in the Czech Republic (47% versus 44%), Latvia (45% versus 37%) and
France (44% versus 43%). Positive and negative impressions are evenly divided in Slovenia (45%
versus 45%).
The term liberalisation has positive connotations for a majority of respondents in 25 EU Member
States, most notably in Portugal (69%), Malta (67%), Sweden (65%) and Italy (63%). Positive and
negative impressions are more evenly balanced in France (43% versus 39%) and Latvia (28%
versus 24%, with a very high DK rate of 48%). A majority of respondents in Hungary (47% versus
40%), Slovakia (42% versus 40%) and the Czech Republic (38% versus 37%) see the term in a
negative light. The DK rate exceeds 20% in nine Member States: Latvia (48%), Estonia (44%),
Poland (29%), Bulgaria (27%), the Czech Republic (25%), Spain (23%), Ireland (22%), Lithuania
(22%) and the United Kingdom (22%).
150

Autumn 2015
Report
The term globalisation brings to mind something positive for a majority of respondents in 18
Member States, most notably in the Nordic countries (73% in Sweden, 72% in Denmark and 60% in
Finland), Portugal (63%) and Malta (63%).
It is perceived in a negative light by a majority of respondents in ten Member States, namely Greece
(68%), the Czech Republic (61%), Cyprus (53%), France (53%), Hungary (52%), Slovenia (48%
versus 37%), Belgium (47% versus 44%), Slovakia (46% versus 37%), Romania (42% versus 36%)
and Latvia (39% versus 32%). The DK rate exceeds 20% in seven Member States, namely Estonia
(38%), Latvia (29%), Spain (25%), Bulgaria (24%), Poland (23%), Romania (22%) and Lithuania
(21%).
151

Autumn 2015
Report
Public service and trade unions

For two-thirds of European the term public service has positive connotations, while 28% see it
in a negative light and 6% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers is more or less
unchanged since autumn 2014 (+1 percentage point).
The term trade unions evokes something positive for 52% of Europeans, while 38% see it in a
negative light and 10% expressed no opinion. The proportion of positive answers for this term is
more or less unchanged since autumn 2014 (+1 percentage point) but has decreased over a longer
period (-11 compared with autumn 2009).
QA10
(% - EU)
Total 'Positive'
Total 'Negative'
Don't know
PUBLIC SERVICE
Autumn 2015
66
28
Autumn 2014
65
29
62
Spring 2005
31
TRADE UNIONS
Autumn 2015
52
38
10
Autumn 2014
51
39
10
63
Autumn 2009
Spring 2007
61
30
29
7
10
Spring 2006
57
33
10
Spring 2005
57
33
10
152

Autumn 2015
Report
The term public service has a negative image for a majority of respondents in three Member
States, namely the Czech Republic (56%), Greece (54%) and Cyprus (54%). Opinions are evenly
divided in Italy (47% versus 47%). The term brings to mind something positive for a majority of
respondents in the remaining 24 Member States, with an absolute majority in 23 countries, led by
Luxembourg (91%), Finland (87%), Sweden (85%), Lithuania (77%), Estonia (77%) and Spain (77%).
The term trade unions has positive connotations for a majority of respondents in 21 Member
States, including an absolute majority in 18 countries. The highest scores were recorded in the
Nordic countries (78% in Denmark and Sweden, and 70% in Finland), Lithuania (73%) and Germany
(66%).
Respondents see this term in a predominantly negative light in Slovenia (55%), Greece (54%), Italy
(51%), Cyprus (49% versus 37%), Spain (49% versus 39%), France (47% versus 42%) and Hungary
(46% versus 41%).
153

Autumn 2015
Report
Solidarity and security

The values of solidarity and security continue to be widely endorsed by Europeans, with positive
scores of 77% for the first and 75% for the second.
QA10
(% - EU)
Total 'Positive'
Total 'Negative'
Don't know
SOLIDARITY
Autumn 2015
77
17
Autumn 2014
78
16
84
Autumn 2009
12
SECURITY
75
Autumn 2015
21
78
Autumn 2014
18
83
Autumn 2009
4
4
14
Solidarity has positive connotations for more than six in ten respondents in all Member States, and
for three-quarters or more in 20 countries, led by Greece (95%), Portugal (92%), Sweden (91%) and
Cyprus (87%). The lowest scores were recorded in the United Kingdom (63%), Latvia (66%) and the
Netherlands (66%).
154

Autumn 2015
Report
Security brings to mind something positive for majorities in every country, ranging from 62% in
Romania to 95% in Sweden. The term has positive connotations for at least three-quarters of
respondents in 18 Member States, but fewer than seven in ten respondents see it in a positive light
in Italy (67%), the United Kingdom (67%), Hungary (67%), France (65%) and Romania (62%).
Note also that this term evokes something negative for more than a quarter of respondents in
seven countries: Hungary (31%), France (31%), Italy (28%), Belgium (27%), the Czech Republic
(27%), the United Kingdom (27%) and Romania (27%).
155

Autumn 2015
Report
b. Europeans and globalisation

An absolute majority of Europeans see globalisation as an opportunity
The way that respondents see the economic dimension of globalisation is more or less unchanged
since spring 2015: 56% of Europeans (-1 percentage point) consider that globalisation is an
opportunity for economic growth, while 29% (+1 percentage point) take the opposite view and
15% (unchanged) expressed no opinion49. The balance of opinion on the economic role of
globalisation is therefore positive (+27), and very close to the level of spring 2015 (+29), which was
the highest recorded for this indicator since spring 2010.
QA18a.4
Globalisation is an opportunity for economic growth (% - EU)
80%
70%
60% 56
61
59
56
50
50%
47
40%
35
49
35
51
52
52
35
34
34
32
30% 27
27
26
14
13
55
53
31
30
27
57
56
28
29
15
15
TOTAL 'AGREE'
TOTAL 'DISAGREE'
20%
17
10%
17
18
18
16
14
14
14
DON'T KNOW
16
15
0%
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
56% of non-euro area respondents (-4 percentage points) and 55% of euro area respondents
(-2) see globalisation as an opportunity for economic growth.
49
QA18a.4 Please tell me for each statement, whether you tend to agree or tend to disagree. Globalisation is an opportunity for
economic growth.
156

Autumn 2015
Report
Since spring 2015, the belief that globalisation does not represent an opportunity for economic
growth is again the predominant view in the Czech Republic (50% versus 37%, compared with 40%
versus 44% in spring 2015). As a result, there are now three Member States where a majority of
respondents take this view, the other two countries being Greece (63%) and Cyprus (50%).
A majority of respondents in the remaining 25 Member States see globalisation as an opportunity for
economic growth, most notably in the Nordic countries (81% in Sweden, 76% in Denmark and 71% in
Finland), Malta (79%), the Netherlands (74%) and Germany (69%).
Opinions are more evenly balanced in Romania (39% versus 36%, with a DK rate of 25%).
157

Autumn 2015
Report
6. The European Union today and tomorrow

a. Support for a European army
Although lower than in spring 2015, there is still majority support for the creation of an EU
army: 53% of Europeans (-2 percentage points) are in favour, while 39% (+2) are opposed and 8%
(unchanged) expressed no opinion50.

QA16
Thinking about the future of the EU, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed to the following
statement: the creation of an EU army.
(% - EU)
Don't know
8 (=)
Total 'Opposed'
39 (+2)
Total 'In favour'

53 (-2)
Although the creation of an EU army is still approved by a majority of respondents in the euro area
countries, support has weakened slightly (54%, -2 percentage points), and has declined more
sharply in the non-euro area countries (49%, -6 percentage points, versus 41%, +4).
50
QA16. Thinking about the future of the EU, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed to the following statement: the
creation of an EU army.
158

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of respondents support the creation of an EU army in 21 Member States, led

by Belgium (73%), Lithuania (68%), the Netherlands (68%), Romania (68%), Luxembourg (64%)
and Croatia (63%). The balance of opinion is narrowly positive in Greece (47% versus 46%) and
Portugal (44% versus 43%).
A majority of respondents in seven Member States are opposed to the creation of a
European army, up from four in spring 2015. Opposition persists in Sweden (64%), the United
Kingdom (58%), Austria (53%) and Finland (51%), and these countires have been joined by Ireland
(55%), Cyprus (53%) and Denmark (51%).
159

Autumn 2015
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Support for an EU army has declined since spring 2015 in 22 Member States, most notably in
Ireland (37%, -11 percentage points), Cyprus (44%, -8), Poland (61%, -8) and Portugal (44%, -7),
while it has increased slightly in Austria, Estonia, Spain and Finland, and is stable in Belgium and
Hungary.
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Opposed'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
Thinking about the future of the EU, please tell me whether you are in favour or
opposed to the following statement: the creation of an EU army. (%)
Total 'In favour'
QA16
EU28
53
39
AT
EE
ES
FI
BE
HU
LT
LU
LV
SI
FR
DE
EL
CZ
SK
BG
IT
UK
HR
MT
SE
NL
RO
DK
PT
PL
CY
IE
43
56
47
44
73
61
68
64
62
56
62
50
47
57
51
61
56
34
63
61
34
68
68
44
44
61
44
37
3
2
1
1
53
33
42
51
24
34
26
33
32
37
31
44
46
38
41
24
37
58
31
31
64
31
22
51
43
23
53
55
3
2
1
4
2
4
11
11
5
3
5
6
3
6
7
7
6
7
5
8
15
7
8
6
8
2
1
10
5
13
16
3
8
=
=
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8
8
11
160
=
1
2
2
2
4
3
3
1
3
4
4
3
7
5
7
3
5
7
4
11
10

Autumn 2015
Report
b. A stronger European Union?

There have been no significant changes since spring 2015: 52% of Europeans (-1 percentage
point) say that more decisions should be taken at EU level, while 37% (+1) disagree and
11% (unchanged) expressed no opinion51.
QA18a.6
More decisions should be taken at EU level (% - EU)
Don't know
11 (=)
Total 'Disagree'
37 (+1)
Total 'Agree'
52 (-1)
51
QA18a.6. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. More decisions should be taken at
EU level.
161

Autumn 2015
Report
In comparison with spring 2015, the balance of opinion in favour of more decision-making at EU
level is now positive in Germany (51% versus 41%, compared with 44% versus 46%) and Greece
(51% versus 45%, compared with 47% versus 48%). However, it has become negative in Ireland
(43% versus 46%, compared with 45% versus 45%) and Slovakia (43% versus 48%, compared
with 48% versus 38%).
In total, eight Member States are predominantly opposed to increased decision-making at EU level,
with continued opposition in the Nordic countries (67% in Sweden, 62% in Finland and 58% in
Denmark), Austria (57%), the United Kingdom (57%) and the Czech Republic (54%).
A majority of respondents in 20 Member States want more Europe, most notably in Spain (68%),
Portugal (67%), Belgium (66%), Croatia (64%), Luxembourg (63%), Italy (60%) and Romania (60%).
162

Autumn 2015
Report
Support for more decision-making at EU level has increased since spring 2015 in nine EU countries,
led by Germany (51%, +7 percentage points) and Austria (38%, +7). It is unchanged in four Member
States (Spain, the United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden) and has decreased in the remaining 15, in
particular in Romania (60%, -13 percentage points), Lithuania (53%, -13) and Bulgaria (51%, -10).
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Disagree'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements.
More decisions should be taken at EU level (%)
Total 'Agree'
QA18a.6
EU28
52
37
11
DE
AT
EL
PT
BE
DK
LU
FR
MT
ES
UK
FI
SE
HR
LV
NL
IE
SI
HU
IT
SK
CY
PL
EE
CZ
BG
RO
LT
51
38
51
67
66
31
63
59
58
68
32
30
26
64
52
49
43
54
54
60
43
59
53
40
36
51
60
53
7
7
4
2
2
2
1
1
1
41
57
45
24
27
58
28
29
31
16
57
62
67
28
35
43
46
36
36
29
48
31
30
37
54
34
28
34
5
7
3
1
1
1
1
8
5
4
9
7
11
9
12
11
16
11
8
7
8
13
8
11
10
10
11
9
10
17
23
10
15
12
13
=
=
=
=
1
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
7
8
10
13
13
163
=
=
=
1
2
1
4
1
1
1
3
4
10
5
3
5
6
7
12
10

Autumn 2015
Report
Total 'Disagree'
Don't know
Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the
following statements.
More decisions should be taken at EU level (% - EU)
Total 'Agree'
QA18a.6
EU28
52
37
11
Gender
Man
Woman
55
49
37
37
8
14
61
56
52
47
28
33
39
40
11
11
9
13
44
51
53
59
40
39
38
30
16
10
9
11
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
45
52
54
64
40
38
37
25
15
10
9
11
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
52
53
54
54
50
52
47
64
39
41
38
36
33
34
40
25
9
6
8
10
17
14
13
11
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
45
48
59
58
40
40
43
32
34
51
15
9
9
8
9
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Generation
Total 'Before 1946'
1946 - 1964 "BB"
1965 - 1980 "X"
After 1980 "Y"
164

Autumn 2015
Report
c. The future of the European Union

After four consecutive Standard Eurobarometer surveys characterised by renewed optimism, the
ratio of optimism to pessimism about the future of the European Union has deteriorated
in this survey. Optimism has decreased by five percentage points since spring 2015 (53%), while
pessimism has seen a 5-point rise (41%)52.
QA19
Would you say that you are very optimistic, fairly optimistic, fairly pessimistic or very pessimistic about the future of the EU?
(% - EU)
80%
70%
69
66
63
66
64
59
57
60%
58
56
50%
40%
37
34
30%
26
20% 24
10% 7
28
29
48
49
50
49
46
46
45
46
56
58
53
51
TOTAL 'PESSIMISTIC'
43
36
TOTAL 'OPTIMISTIC'
41
38
37
36
27
DON'T KNOW
0%
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

52
QA19. Would you say that you are very optimistic, fairly optimistic, fairly pessimistic or very pessimistic about the future of the EU?
165

Autumn 2015
Report
The optimism index53 has fallen by ten index points since spring 2015, from +22 to +12.
This index is below the levels recorded in spring 2014 (+18), autumn 2014 (+19) and spring 2015
(+22). It is far lower than the levels recorded during the period 2007-2010 (for example, +40 in
autumn 2007 and +39 in autumn 2009), but still above the levels found between 2011 and 2013
(for example, +2 in autumn 2011, +3 in spring 2013).
QA19
(% - EU)
60%
50%
+45
+40
40%
+39
+35
+35
30%
+25
+22
+20
+22
+19
+18
20%
+12
OPTIMISM INDEX
(TOTAL 'OPTIMISTIC' - TOTAL 'PESSIMISTIC')
+8
10%
+2
+5
+3
+3
0%
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Optimism has declined more sharply in the euro area countries (50%, -7 percentage points since
spring 2015) than in the non-euro area countries (57%, -4). Since spring 2015, the optimism index
has fallen by 14 index points inside the euro area countries (from +19 to +5) and by six index
points outside the euro area (from +28 to +22).

53
Difference between the optimistic and pessimistic answers

166

Autumn 2015
Report
Respondents are predominantly optimistic in 22 Member States, led by Ireland (76%),

Romania (73%), Poland (70%), Croatia (69%) and Malta (69%), and by a narrower margin in the
United Kingdom (46% versus 44%) and Hungary (50% versus 47%).
However, a majority of respondents are pessimistic about the future of the European Union in six
Member States, compared with two in spring 2015. The mood remains gloomy in Greece (63%)
and Cyprus (58%), and this mood has now spread to Austria (56%), France (52%), the
Czech Republic (51%) and Germany (48% versus 46%).
Compared with spring 2015, a pessimistic outlook has gained ground in 25 Member States, and by
at least ten percentage points in seven: Germany (48%, +14 percentage points), Hungary (47%,
+13), the Netherlands (40%, +13), Slovakia (46%, +12), the Czech Republic (51%, +10), Slovenia
(45%, +10) and Estonia (37%, +10). However, it has lost ground slightly in Poland (21%, -4) and
Italy (41%, -1), and is unchanged in Portugal (39%).
The optimism index on the future of the European Union has deteriorated in 24 Member States, and
significantly more than the European average of -10 index points in Germany (-28), the
Netherlands (-26), Hungary (-24), Slovakia (-23), Estonia (-22), Slovenia (-20), the Czech Republic
(-20), Austria (-17) and Latvia (-17). Spain, Italy, Poland and Portugal are the exceptions to this
overall trend, with a stable or slightly improved index.
167

Autumn 2015
Report
A socio-demographic analysis reveals that respondents are predominantly optimistic in all

age categories, but that optimism declines with age: 65% of 15-24 year-olds, 56% of 25-39
year-olds, 53% of 40-54 year-olds and 47% of those aged 55 or over (of whom 46% are
pessimistic). Optimism about the future of Europe is generally widespread among the most
advantaged categories, both culturally (60% of those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond)
and socially (66% of those who see themselves as upper middle class; 57% of those who never or
almost never have difficulties paying their bills). In contrast, housepersons (46% versus 44%
optimistic) and those who regularly struggle to pay their bills (59% versus 33%) remain
predominantly pessimistic.
Total 'Pessimistic'
Don't know
Would you say that you are very optimistic, fairly optimistic, fairly
pessimistic or very pessimistic about the future of the EU?
(% - EU)
Total 'Optimistic'
QA19
53
41
Man
Woman
55
51
41
41
4
8
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
65
56
53
47
30
39
42
46
5
5
5
7
Generation
Total 'Before 1946'
1946 - 1964 "BB"
1965 - 1980 "X"
After 1980 "Y"
44
49
55
61
46
46
40
34
10
5
5
5
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
42
50
60
69
48
44
37
26
10
6
3
5
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
54
62
59
51
44
49
46
69
39
34
38
43
46
45
46
26
7
4
3
6
10
6
8
5

Most of the time
From time to time
Almost never/ Never
33
50
57
59
44
37
8
6
6
The working class
The middle class
The upper class
47
47
59
66
53
45
47
37
31
39
8
6
4
3
8
EU28
Gender
168

Autumn 2015
Report
QA19
(% - TOTAL 'OPTIMISTIC')
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
53
46
60
44
52
70
46
34
57
76
37
55
51
47
45
65
56
47
43
56
48
72
68
48
44
37
33
61
54
78
74
37
37
65
56
53
47
60
42
43
46
70
63
63
54
46
45
46
43
76
61
55
39
81
77
73
60
66
49
47
36
55
42
31
26
77
59
57
50
76
74
80
75
50
34
30
38
42
50
60
69
40
44
50
61
54
59
71
78
40
38
53
55
34
54
62
78
45
68
77
76
32
44
56
70
23
32
41
63
50
64
67
78
65
76
80
73
38
32
42
59
54
62
59
51
44
49
46
69
46
51
42
39
48
50
45
61
60
70
82
63
47
52
56
78
43
61
44
40
27
43
43
55
57
70
63
43
40
47
37
78
64
83
75
74
74
75
57
76
54
57
56
43
23
48
33
70
32
33
44
45
16
26
30
63
61
64
68
55
58
50
48
78
72
86
80
74
71
74
75
73
33
51
28
37
22
29
41
59
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QA19
(% - TOTAL 'PESSIMISTIC')
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
41
48
33
52
41
21
44
63
39
20
58
41
41
48
48
29
35
50
53
39
44
22
20
46
42
61
63
36
40
20
20
57
58
30
39
42
46
33
53
50
49
25
33
31
35
48
54
51
52
19
36
39
52
13
17
20
27
28
39
45
53
43
56
67
69
20
37
40
45
21
21
17
20
40
62
67
56
48
44
37
26
51
51
45
33
35
36
26
15
53
58
45
39
55
40
35
18
34
21
19
14
52
46
39
27
70
66
58
36
45
32
31
20
24
21
17
24
55
64
54
30
39
34
38
43
46
45
46
26
49
42
57
53
45
45
49
33
25
25
18
33
41
44
33
15
57
38
54
56
67
55
52
39
34
29
32
53
52
47
54
18
22
13
21
18
16
18
29
14
38
39
38
48
49
38
53
27
67
63
55
54
74
70
66
36
36
33
27
39
42
48
46
20
23
13
16
21
20
21
23
24
62
49
62
59
78
68
52
30
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
169

Autumn 2015
Report
III. ECONOMIC ISSUES IN THE EU
1. The impact of the economic situation on the job market

The ratio of optimism to pessimism has fallen back to autumn 2014 levels
Whereas a majority of respondents were optimistic about the impact of the economic crisis on the
job market in the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2015 (EB83), in this survey a slender
majority of respondents say the worst is still to come (46%, +4 percentage points)54. At the
same time, the proportion of respondents who say the impact of the economic crisis on
the job market has already reached its peak has fallen by four percentage points (44%).
Nevertheless, it remains at a high level, with the third highest score recorded since the question was
first asked in the Special Eurobarometer survey of May-June 200955), below the levels recorded in
spring 2014 and 2015, but equal with autumn 2014.
In general, public opinion, as measured by the Standard Eurobarometer, can see no clear way out of
the crisis in the near future. Since the survey of autumn 2013, opinions have shifted with
each new survey. While a majority respondents believed that the impact of the crisis on the job
market had reached its peak in spring 2014 (47% versus 44%) and more clearly in spring 2015
(48% versus 42%), pessimism took over again in the surveys of autumn 2014 (46% the worst is
still to come versus 44%) and autumn 2015 (46% versus 44%).
QC1
Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak and things will recover little by little. Others, on the contrary, say that the worst is still to come.
Which of the two statements is closer to your opinion?
(% - EU)
80%
68
70%
61
62
60
60%
54
55
55
48
50%
40%
42
38
50
47
43
47
46
44
44
10
40
37
48
46
THE WORST IS STILL TO COME

THE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS ON JOBS HAS ALREADY
44 REACHED ITS PEAK
42
36
30%
28
20%
30
29
10
23
11
8
10%
10
10
10
10
10
DON'T KNOW
0%
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

QC1. Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak
and things will recover little by little. Others, on the contrary, say that the worst is still to come. Which of the
two statements is closer to you opinion?
55
http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/820/p/3
54
170

Autumn 2015
Report
In 16 Member States (compared with eight in spring 2015, and 12 in autumn 2014, when the
Europe-wide results were the same in this autumn 2015 survey), a majority of respondents
believe that the worst is still to come in terms of the impact of the crisis on
employment. In the remaining 12 Member States, a majority say that it has already
reached its peak, with an absolute majority in nine countries. Therefore, the impact of the
economic crisis on the job market is perceived very differently from one Member State to another:
pessimism is the most widespread in Greece (70%), and the least so in Ireland (21%).
Since spring 2015, optimism about the impact of the crisis on the job market has declined in 25
Member States, most markedly in Greece (28%, -16 percentage points), Slovenia (38%, -14),
Slovakia (43%, -12), Bulgaria (37%, -11) and Finland (41%, -10). As a result of these evolutions,
pessimism is now stronger than optimism in eight countries: Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Finland,
Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia and the United Kingdom. In contrast, the feeling that the impact of the
crisis on jobs has already peaked has gained ground in three countries: Italy (57%, +7), Croatia
(59%, +3) and Ireland (75%, +1).
171

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
The worst is
still to come
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already
reached its peak and things will recover little by little. Others, on the contrary, say that the
worst is still to come. Which of the two statements is closer to your opinion? (%)
The impact of the crisis on jobs

has already reached its peak
QC1
EU28
44
46
10
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
44
45
3
4
48
42
3
4
8
13
IT
HR
IE
ES
PL
AT
CY
NL
MT
UK
PT
BE
LV
HU
RO
CZ
DE
DK
EE
FR
SE
LT
LU
FI
BG
SK
SI
EL
57
59
75
55
46
42
38
70
57
40
54
38
33
49
48
54
33
70
37
30
41
40
31
41
37
43
38
28
7
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
11
12
14
16
35
36
21
40
29
54
57
28
29
51
37
58
56
45
42
40
51
25
48
63
53
52
64
56
39
47
57
70
7
3
8
5
4
5
25
4
5
2
14
9
9
4
11
6
10
6
16
5
15
7
6
8
5
3
24
10
5
2
172
=
1
7
2
2
2
9
1
6
4
5
5
7
7
9
6
8
7
7
8
11
8
10
12
16

Autumn 2015
Report
QC1
Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak and things will recover little by
little. Others, on the contrary, say that the worst is still to come. Which of the two statements is closer to your opinion?
(% - THE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS ON JOBS HAS ALREADY REACHED ITS PEAK)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
44
33
55
30
57
46
40
28
54
75
38
Gender
Male
Female
46
42
36
31
55
54
31
29
60
55
51
41
44
36
30
26
56
52
78
72
40
35
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
45
49
45
40
23
32
34
37
54
65
54
49
23
35
34
28
67
66
59
49
49
50
48
41
47
42
38
36
32
31
29
24
59
58
55
48
76
75
78
71
30
37
36
43
36
42
50
51
28
31
42
32
48
56
67
61
20
27
41
25
47
60
68
69
29
44
47
51
27
41
45
48
22
26
34
31
44
59
63
64
60
72
84
77
42
34
47
22
52
53
53
41
36
36
39
51
38
42
34
27
23
18
37
32
58
56
79
61
46
47
49
61
47
50
38
29
13
19
28
25
64
74
65
45
47
62
49
69
46
57
59
46
35
30
36
51
46
48
48
37
25
35
33
48
26
26
33
33
23
27
25
31
59
63
68
55
60
37
46
64
85
84
86
79
61
60
72
77
31
42
50
37
36
33
46
22
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QC1
TOTAL
Some analysts say that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak and things
will recover little by little. Others, on the contrary, say that the worst is still to come. Which of the two statements is
closer to your opinion?
(% - THE WORST IS STILL TO COME)
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
46
51
40
63
35
29
51
70
37
21
57
50
51
40
40
62
65
33
36
29
29
50
52
69
71
36
38
18
24
56
60
53
50
52
49
41
32
43
44
73
59
61
63
26
30
33
40
27
30
25
31
43
49
55
54
65
67
69
75
32
33
34
43
20
21
19
23
55
62
59
54
57
55
41
45
47
40
28
34
73
68
51
69
42
32
28
22
29
31
29
24
64
50
47
42
75
73
65
65
47
30
27
29
31
24
13
19
53
65
48
58
51
39
55
58
51
63
50
45
33
41
21
36
43
50
45
34
45
43
58
66
83
77
63
69
26
26
29
48
46
35
39
22
29
23
21
29
33
45
35
24
47
46
51
51
66
59
54
42
73
74
65
64
73
72
73
65
28
24
24
38
36
54
44
29
9
14
12
18
30
34
25
19
69
50
48
61
54
65
49
58
Gender
Male
45
Female
47
Age
15-24
44
25-39
42
40-54
46
55 +
49
Education (End of)
1554
16-19
48
20+
40
Still studying
38
Self-employed
39
Managers
37
Other white collars
40
Manual workers
49
House persons
52
Unemployed
56
Retired
50
Students
38
173

Autumn 2015
Report
2. A still-important role for the European Union in the global

economy
Six in ten Europeans consider that the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend its
economic interests in the global economy56, with little change since spring 2015 (60%, -1
percentage point). Of these, 18% (+1) totally agree with this statement. However, just over a
quarter of respondents disagree (27%, +1) and 13% (unchanged) expressed no opinion.
A majority of respondents agree that the EU has sufficient power and tools to defend
the economic interests of Europe in the global economy in all 28 Member States, led by
Portugal (82%). Respondents in Estonia (46%) and the United Kingdom (48%) are the least likely to
agree with this statement.
In terms of evolutions since spring 2015, support for this statement has decreased in 18 Member
States, risen in nine other countries and is unchanged in Greece. It has lost at least ten percentage
points in four Member States: Hungary (57%, -13 percentage points), Slovenia (56%, -12), Romania
(61%, -11) and Estonia (46%, -10).
56
QC2a.3. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally
disagree: The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy
174

Autumn 2015
Report
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Disagree'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend
to disagree or totally disagree.
The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global
economy (%)
Total 'Agree'
QC2a.3
EU28
60
27
13
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
61
56
1
5
28
27
2
3
11
17
SE
PT
BE
LU
MT
CY
ES
IT
FR
EL
LT
HR
IE
PL
DE
DK
NL
LV
SK
FI
UK
BG
AT
CZ
EE
RO
SI
HU
57
82
59
59
74
66
68
62
52
71
74
72
70
65
61
57
51
63
62
59
48
70
58
50
46
61
56
57
5
4
4
4
2
2
1
1
1
29
9
32
32
12
24
17
25
33
24
14
19
14
20
32
26
39
22
25
30
31
15
36
37
30
21
33
33
9
3
3
3
2
1
14
9
9
9
14
10
15
13
15
5
12
9
16
15
7
17
10
15
13
11
21
15
6
13
24
18
11
10
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
6
6
10
11
12
13
175
1
2
1
1
4
2
1
4
2
1
2
2
2
3
2
6
5
6
6
11
10

Autumn 2015
Report
QC2a.3
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or
totally disagree.
The EU has sufficient power and tools to defend the economic interests of Europe in the global economy
(% - TOTAL 'AGREE')
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
60
61
68
52
62
65
48
71
82
70
66
63
56
62
59
76
61
55
48
69
55
66
63
53
43
71
71
82
81
76
65
68
64
64
64
61
54
59
64
62
60
58
73
75
62
59
57
50
46
72
63
65
56
74
69
64
58
58
56
48
37
79
78
76
62
87
84
88
75
65
74
74
66
74
59
69
65
53
60
62
64
58
64
63
51
64
74
78
59
45
51
53
59
51
64
68
75
45
65
68
72
35
48
53
60
63
72
75
81
74
87
89
88
62
71
74
70
69
68
61
76
65
63
62
62
51
60
53
64
64
64
64
61
67
64
60
51
81
72
79
76
49
64
68
59
54
52
58
53
34
56
48
59
71
76
66
52
50
59
56
75
65
67
67
68
69
62
56
72
50
52
45
59
21
55
33
60
72
72
77
79
65
70
65
81
85
85
92
83
74
85
71
88
75
82
75
69
63
66
68
70
69
63
59
64
73
64
67
76
176

Autumn 2015
Report
3. The roles of the public and private sectors in revitalising the

economy
A large majority of Europeans believe that public money should be used to stimulate
private sector investment, which is better placed to create new jobs
Respondents were then asked for their opinion on the respective roles of the public and private
sectors in terms of job creation and investment, particularly with reference to certain strands of the
Juncker investment plan57:
Almost two-thirds of Europeans agree that the private sector is better placed than
the public sector to create new jobs (64%, +2 percentage points since spring 2015),
while less than a quarter of respondents disagree (23%, -2) and 13% (unchanged) expressed
no opinion;
An absolute majority of respondents also agree that public money should be used to
stimulate private sector investment at EU level (58%, -1), while more than a quarter
of respondents disagree (28%, =) and 14% (+1) were unable to answer.
QC2a.4
For each of the followingstatements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree
or totally disagree.
The private sector is better placed than the public sector to create new jobs (% - EU)
Don't know
13 (=)
Total 'Disagree'
23 (-2)
Total 'Agree'
64 (+2)
57
QC2a.4-5. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally
disagree: The private sector is better placed than the public sector to create new jobs; Public money should be used to stimulate private
sector investment at EU level.
177

Autumn 2015
Report
QC2a.5
Public money should be used to stimulate private sector investment at EU level
(% - EU)
Don't know
14 (+1)
Total 'Disagree'
28 (=)
Total 'Agree'
58 (-1)
A majority of respondents in all 28 Member States agree that the private sector is better
placed than the public sector to create new jobs. However, support varies considerably
between countries, ranging from 82% in Malta to 46% in Estonia.
178

Autumn 2015
Report
In 26 Member States, a majority of respondents agree that public money should be used
to stimulate private sector investment at EU level. The two exceptions are the United
Kingdom (44% disagree versus 41% agree) and Sweden (46% versus 44%). In the 26 Member
States where a majority of respondents support this idea, support nevertheless varies significantly,
ranging from 77% in Cyprus and Malta to 46% in Spain.
The proportion of respondents supporting the use of public money in this way has decreased in 14
Member States since spring 2015, especially in Romania (57%, -12 percentage points). In contrast,
it has increased in nine countries and is stable in the remaining five.
179

Autumn 2015
Report
QC2a
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree,
tend to disagree or totally disagree. (%)
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Agree'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
EU28
64
58
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
UK
70
64
65
74
76
46
73
68
62
58
64
54
60
51
55
64
57
82
64
67
60
76
65
55
68
77
65
62
7
3
4
66
58
59
55
76
52
64
72
46
48
75
67
77
62
67
61
66
77
47
62
62
63
57
65
64
58
44
41
1
3
1
1
6
9
1
=
5
7
1
5
3
1
3
4
5
2
7
3
1
4
=
6
4
5
8
5
3
3
6
1
Public money should

be used to stimulate
private sector investment
at EU level
Total 'Agree'
The private sector is better placed

than the public sector to create new
jobs
180
=
=
1
=
2
6
=
3
2
5
1
6
6
3
12
1
4
2
2
1

Autumn 2015
Report
4. Reforms for the economic and financial system?

a. Reducing the public deficit and debt
Europeans are divided as to whether measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in
their country are a priority
To discover whether Europeans think urgent measures are needed to reduce the public deficit and
debt in their country, we divided respondents into two groups. Each group was asked a slightly
differently worded question58:
A positive wording (SPLIT A Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in
(OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed);
A negative wording (SPLIT B Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in
(OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now).
Positive wording
More than seven in ten respondents consider that measures to reduce the public deficit
and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed (72%, -1 percentage point since spring 2015,
and -4 compared with autumn 2014), while only 18% (+1) disagree, and 10% (unchanged)
expressed no opinion.
QC2a.1
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed (% - EU)
Don't know
10 (=)
Total 'Disagree'
18 (+1)
Total 'Agree'
72 (-1)
58
QC2a.1-2. For the following statement, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.
(SPLIT A) Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed; (SPLIT B) Measures to reduce the public
deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now.
181

Autumn 2015
Report
A majority of respondents agree with this statement in all 28 Member States, with the
highest score in Malta (90%) and the lowest in Estonia (47% versus 21% disagree).
Since spring 2015, agreement with this statement has increased in ten countries, in particular in the
Netherlands (73%, +11 percentage points), while it has decreased in 15 other Member States (75%,
-11). It is unchanged in three countries.
182

Autumn 2015
Report
Negative wording
However, these results must be seen in the light of the answers obtained using the negative
wording. Respondents are evenly divided as to the statement measures to reduce the
public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now: 44% (+2 percentage
points since spring 2015) agree with the statement and 44% disagree -4), while 12% (+2)
expressed no opinion.
Since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2010 (EB73) when the question was first asked,
this is only the second time (after autumn 2014) that opinions have been divided. In the other
surveys, a majority of respondents disagreed with the statement, meaning that they saw measures
to reduce the public deficit and debt as a priority.
QC2a.2
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now (% - EU)
70%
60%
53
53
49
50%
53
53
55
51
50
48
45
44 TOTAL 'DISAGREE'
45
40%
30%
51
41
35
36
12
11
40
40
40
42
42
44
42
TOTAL 'AGREE'
35
20%
10
10%
10
10
12
10
0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
183
2014
2015
DON'T KNOW

Autumn 2015
Report
In 15 Member States, a majority of respondents agree that measures to reduce the

public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now. In 12 other
countries, respondents predominantly take the opposite view - that measures to reduce
the deficit and debt are a priority. Lastly, respondents in Finland are evenly divided on this
question (46% agree and 46% disagree). The proportion of respondents who agree with this
statement therefore varies considerably from one Member State to another. Support is strongest in
Sweden (61%) and weakest in France (31%).
In terms of evolutions since spring 2015, agreement with the negative wording has fallen in nine
counties, especially in Poland (44%, -14 percentage points), and in Portugal (38%, -11) where only
a minority now agree. However, agreement with this statement has increased in 18 countries and is
unchanged in Spain.
184

Autumn 2015
Report
The differences found by previous surveys between countries within the euro area and those
outside the euro area have decreased in this Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2015
(EB84). Certainly, a majority of euro area respondents still think that measures to reduce the public
deficit and debt in their country are a priority (46% disagree, -4 percentage points since spring
2015, versus 43%, +3), while the majority of non-euro area respondents take the opposite view
(44% agree, -3, versus 41%, -1); but the divergence of opinion between euro area and non-euro
area countries has narrowed significantly.
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Disagree'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Don't know
For each ofthe following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend
to disagree or totally disagree.
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now (%)
Total 'Agree'
QC2a.2
EU28
44
44
12
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
43
44
3
3
46
41
4
1
11
15
It is interesting to compare the results obtained for the positive and negative wordings for any
consistency between the answers given by the two groups of respondents (split A and split B). This
consistency, which is not reflected in the European average, does in fact exist in twelve Member
States (compared with 16 in spring 2015). In these countries, a majority of respondents say
that measures to reduce the deficit and debt need to be taken rapidly, regardless of the
wording used: the countries in question are France, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal,
Cyprus, Malta, the United Kingdom, Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium.
In 15 other countries, the results for the two groups differ and are therefore contradictory: while a
majority of respondents in split A believe that measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in
(OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed, those in split B say that these measures are not a priority for
now. This is the case in Lithuania, Slovenia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Hungary, Estonia, Denmark, Ireland,
Romania, Poland, Latvia, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia and Italy.
Lastly, in Finland, as in Europe as whole, a large majority of respondents in split A believe that these
measures cannot be delayed (83% agree), while those in split B are evenly divided on the question
(46% agree and 46% disagree).
185

Autumn 2015
Report
QC2a
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree,
tend to disagree or totally disagree. (%)
Total 'Agree'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'Agree'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Measures to reduce
Measures to reduce
the public deficit and debt in (OUR
the public deficit and debt in (OUR
COUNTRY)
COUNTRY) are not a priority for now
cannot be delayed
EU28
72
44
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
UK
77
62
77
71
80
47
76
64
56
75
88
72
69
72
77
64
77
90
73
75
68
77
62
81
76
83
77
70
47
54
35
50
49
45
51
46
39
31
47
45
41
45
59
36
56
38
46
46
44
38
45
58
45
46
61
41
4
7
2
2
8
4
1
2
7
1
4
3
4
3
9
6
3
2
4
1
1
5
1
4
11
11
6
3
9
4
1
2
=
9
186
2
9
3
2
1
1
2
4
2
3
3
14
11
6
4
7
9
4
3

Autumn 2015
Report
QC2a.1
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or
totally disagree.
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) cannot be delayed
(% - TOTAL 'AGREE')
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QC2a.2
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
72
80
56
75
72
68
70
64
77
76
69
73
71
81
80
58
54
79
70
73
70
66
70
67
73
71
58
79
76
77
75
69
68
74
74
71
72
82
81
78
81
52
60
57
53
75
78
75
74
80
79
67
71
75
74
68
62
71
71
67
71
76
67
67
57
75
79
89
69
72
75
80
75
61
64
77
70
68
72
75
75
79
82
77
84
51
60
66
50
69
72
83
74
72
67
79
79
58
65
74
75
72
70
67
74
53
63
69
81
72
81
84
71
85
70
78
79
60
84
64
52
72
79
74
71
61
67
72
75
61
79
85
81
80
84
81
84
56
69
61
57
35
60
61
50
96
89
68
72
81
71
72
74
75
93
71
60
56
77
73
79
78
81
65
68
64
56
64
75
64
72
78
70
60
58
73
74
65
62
66
79
57
51
61
81
88
88
78
85
76
73
64
71
72
80
67
75
78
74
76
79
74
64
73
61
84
73
73
52
For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree.
Measures to reduce the public deficit and debt in (OUR COUNTRY) are not a priority for now
(% - TOTAL 'AGREE')
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
44
49
39
31
45
44
41
46
38
51
41
Gender
Male
Female
46
41
51
47
44
34
31
31
53
40
43
44
41
41
46
46
40
37
54
47
41
40
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
43
47
44
41
29
49
53
52
35
46
45
32
30
41
28
27
59
48
44
40
51
45
41
42
44
44
42
37
54
48
45
43
42
36
34
41
46
53
46
54
51
33
45
39
Education (End of)

1516-19
20+
Still studying
39
44
46
46
50
48
53
46
37
42
47
36
26
30
36
23
39
46
49
59
35
42
44
47
43
42
36
53
47
49
37
59
35
42
44
38
48
53
50
46
38
40
43
58
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
42
45
48
45
42
44
41
46
57
45
57
47
54
44
50
46
28
40
46
54
26
38
32
36
32
40
32
33
18
42
27
23
43
54
49
40
44
47
40
59
33
42
47
42
57
53
43
47
35
41
43
43
57
40
35
53
41
47
51
39
53
44
45
59
31
41
42
35
43
33
42
38
60
51
60
49
38
57
53
46
61
35
45
41
41
30
37
58
187

Autumn 2015
Report
b. What measures should be taken to reform the economic and

financial system?
Respondents were asked whether they support or are opposed to the following four measures
intended to reform the economic and financial system59:
Almost nine in ten Europeans support tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax
havens (87%, unchanged since spring 2015);
More than seven in ten respondents are in favour of the regulation of wages in
the financial sector (for example traders bonuses) (71%, -2 percentage points);
An absolute majority of Europeans agree with the introduction of a tax on

financial transactions (53%, -1);
Lastly, only a relative majority of respondents support the introduction of

Eurobonds (European bonds) (37%, -1, versus 31%, =, who do not support the idea,
and 32%, +1, who expressed no opinion).
59
QC3. Thinking about reforming the global financial markets, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed to the following
measures to be taken by the EU: The introduction of a tax on financial transactions; The introduction of Eurobonds (European bonds); The
regulation of wages in the financial sector (e.g. traders bonuses); Tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax havens
188

Autumn 2015
Report
In all 28 Member States, the introduction of tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax havens
is supported by a large majority of respondents, with the highest support in Greece (95%) and the
lowest in Estonia (65%).
A majority of respondents in all 28 Member States are also in favour of the regulation of wages
in the financial sector, with an absolute majority in 26 countries. This idea is supported by as
many as 84% of respondents in Portugal (the country with the highest score), but by only 46% in
Cyprus and 49% in Estonia (where the scores are lowest).
Since spring 2015, support for this measure has decreased sharply in Cyprus (46%, -15 percentage
points), Romania (57%, -12) and Slovenia (61%, -10).
The introduction of a tax on financial transactions is supported by a majority of
respondents in 20 Member States, while a majority of respondents are opposed in eight countries.
Support is as high as 72% in Germany (the highest score) and as low as 24% in Estonia.
In terms of evolutions, support for a tax on financial transactions has lost 13 percentage points in
Bulgaria (33%).
Lastly, the introduction of Eurobonds is seen as a good idea by a majority of respondents in
17 Member States. In the other 11 countries, a majority of respondents are against such a
measure. The rate of approval for this measure ranges from 57% in Portugal to 21% in Germany.
Approval has gained ground significantly in Luxembourg (54%, +10 percentage points), but has
decreased sharply in Romania (39%, -12) and Slovenia (27%, -10).
189

Autumn 2015
Report
QC3
Thinking about reforming global financial markets, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed
to the following measures to be taken by the EU. (%)
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'In favour'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
The regulation of wages

in the financial sector
(e.g. traders' bonuses)
Total 'In favour'
Tougher rules on tax avoidance and

tax havens
EU28
87
71
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
89
82
1
2
75
64
1
5
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
UK
91
80
88
90
94
65
83
95
92
86
82
83
86
75
77
80
83
82
93
85
69
91
76
83
91
89
94
88
3
3
75
66
68
51
77
49
75
69
82
74
75
68
46
59
68
76
71
62
77
80
58
84
57
61
76
68
66
70
3
5
1
=
1
=
6
2
1
1
=
6
1
6
=
1
=
3
1
1
3
4
=
8
2
=
1
1
1
190
=
=
7
5
3
4
2
5
3
15
=
2
1
3
2
1
4
5
12
10
2
6
9
1

Autumn 2015
Report
QC3
Thinking about reforming global financial markets, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed
to the following measures to be taken by the EU. (%)
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
Total 'In favour'
Aut.2015 Sp.2015
The introduction
of Eurobonds
(European bonds)
Total 'In favour'
The introduction of a tax

on financial transactions
EU28
53
37
EURO AREA
NON-EURO AREA
58
42
38
36
1
3
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
UK
58
33
52
54
72
24
39
46
54
57
58
53
30
41
54
51
35
27
30
69
44
71
41
44
65
41
49
39
7
13
3
7
1
8
1
5
4
56
27
37
37
21
22
41
53
50
38
54
43
28
28
35
54
52
51
31
30
41
57
39
27
46
25
27
31
1
5
2
1
=
5
1
7
3
4
7
4
3
3
1
3
2
4
8
6
9
=
1
191
=
7
2
2
3
1
=
1
5
5
10
1
2
4
3
1
4
12
10
5
1
4
1

Autumn 2015
Report
benefited from European Union support to deal with the financial and economic crisis
QC3.4
Thinking about reforming global financial markets, please tell me whether you are in favour or opposed to the following measures to be
taken by the EU.
Tougher rules on tax avoidance and tax havens (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QC3.3
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
87
94
92
86
83
69
88
95
91
83
86
87
86
94
94
93
91
86
86
86
80
70
67
88
87
95
95
92
91
85
82
88
83
81
87
89
87
83
96
96
95
82
95
96
89
79
85
88
89
82
88
84
80
75
71
70
64
82
83
92
90
93
94
96
95
93
92
92
90
68
82
89
85
69
89
87
89
86
86
90
83
96
94
97
83
91
94
97
81
83
84
91
86
78
85
87
87
51
66
74
77
87
89
90
77
94
97
93
96
89
94
95
93
80
84
86
72
93
84
90
73
87
93
88
86
84
84
87
83
90
98
94
97
94
90
95
83
96
100
97
94
85
92
92
81
87
96
84
85
67
79
89
86
85
90
88
78
81
77
81
87
71
75
72
64
69
65
66
77
87
93
89
90
93
80
88
77
93
100
93
92
96
94
97
96
95
94
93
90
94
91
89
93
86
88
87
80
84
76
87
72
92
94
89
86
75
78
91
73
taken by the EU.
The regulation of wages in the financial sector (e.g. traders' bonuses) (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
71
77
82
74
68
58
70
69
84
75
46
74
70
77
76
84
81
78
71
74
63
60
56
70
70
72
67
86
82
78
73
47
45
68
73
74
70
67
81
78
76
76
86
85
79
61
75
77
77
74
70
71
64
61
60
62
53
73
69
70
70
68
70
73
66
84
83
89
80
72
72
79
77
40
51
49
41
69
72
74
69
77
76
80
67
82
87
81
75
72
71
83
68
57
69
78
80
39
58
59
63
65
70
75
68
57
73
76
69
83
87
87
85
69
77
76
75
49
46
51
44
75
76
74
71
67
71
69
69
80
80
77
76
72
80
77
67
87
78
89
86
75
85
80
75
82
82
75
71
64
69
77
68
75
82
76
57
65
62
60
80
66
61
66
60
48
42
51
63
73
77
76
67
70
66
68
68
72
83
77
65
58
63
71
69
90
83
85
84
83
90
78
85
77
75
78
79
69
71
78
75
55
38
49
52
39
44
41
44
192

Autumn 2015
Report
QC3.1
taken by the EU.
The introduction of a tax on financial transactions (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')
TOTAL
Gender
Male
Female
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
QC3.2
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
53
72
54
57
53
44
39
46
71
39
30
57
50
73
71
59
48
65
50
58
49
44
44
43
34
50
42
73
71
45
32
34
28
45
53
56
53
62
71
75
74
50
55
56
51
31
56
63
64
60
56
58
47
49
45
49
38
34
42
40
38
42
51
48
42
64
76
77
68
32
38
41
39
29
26
32
34
51
52
56
47
73
72
75
58
53
57
54
48
56
55
66
34
44
53
65
69
26
41
48
48
38
36
45
36
33
47
54
44
69
77
76
61
39
37
40
35
34
29
30
35
51
61
57
52
45
50
53
47
70
78
76
69
69
70
75
58
47
60
71
57
31
61
53
48
64
75
47
55
33
52
65
34
57
87
62
42
45
41
45
69
38
45
56
43
44
33
39
48
39
42
46
37
44
37
36
36
50
54
51
43
44
43
43
44
78
76
83
73
69
66
68
61
29
43
37
40
35
38
43
35
29
31
24
29
16
34
34
35
taken by the EU.
The introduction of Eurobonds (European bonds) (% - TOTAL 'IN FAVOUR')
EU28
DE
ES
FR
IT
PL
UK
EL
PT
IE
CY
TOTAL
37
21
50
38
43
41
31
53
57
41
28
Gender
Male
Female
41
33
26
17
55
43
43
34
50
37
42
41
36
27
58
48
61
54
48
35
33
24
39
41
41
32
26
20
24
19
45
50
57
44
34
41
45
34
50
50
46
37
50
45
43
34
35
36
35
24
52
55
62
47
59
62
63
51
34
42
48
38
28
25
27
29
29
36
43
41
17
20
26
22
45
51
57
50
29
36
46
38
25
42
61
59
25
37
45
50
22
30
43
25
33
57
63
61
49
61
69
59
34
40
47
41
22
28
34
33
43
44
43
36
30
37
31
41
23
29
17
22
27
20
17
22
56
50
72
49
25
56
49
50
36
46
46
38
32
40
35
38
51
73
51
26
36
26
37
59
41
44
40
46
38
29
35
50
37
46
39
31
17
34
20
25
64
67
60
54
42
39
51
61
67
69
69
60
71
49
44
59
52
56
47
36
31
33
39
41
23
32
32
29
18
18
32
33
Age
15-24
25-39
40-54
55 +
Education (End of)
1516-19
20+
Still studying
Self-employed
Managers
Other white collars
Manual workers
House persons
Unemployed
Retired
Students
EU28
193

Autumn 2015
Technical
specifications
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Between the 7TH and the 17TH November 2015, TNS opinion & social, a consortium created between
TNS political & social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the wave 84.3 of the EUROBAROMETER
survey, on request of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate-General for Communication,
Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit.
The wave 84.3 is the STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 84 and covers the population of the respective
nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 28 Member States and
aged 15 years and over.
The STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 84 survey has also been conducted in five candidate countries
(Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania) and in the
Turkish Cypriot Community. In these countries, the survey covers the national population of citizens
and the population of citizens of all the European Union Member States that are residents in these
countries and have a sufficient command of the national languages to answer the questionnaire.
TS 1

Autumn 2015
Technical
specifications
The basic sample design applied in all states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each
country, a number of sampling points was drawn with probability proportional to population size
(for a total coverage of the country) and to population density.
In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative
regional units", after stratification by individual unit and type of area. They thus represent the whole
territory of the countries surveyed according to the EUROSTAT NUTS II1 (or equivalent) and
according to the distribution of the resident population of the respective nationalities in terms of
metropolitan, urban and rural areas.
In each of the selected sampling points, a starting address was drawn, at random. Further
addresses (every Nth address) were selected by standard "random route" procedures, from the
initial address. In each household, the respondent was drawn, at random (following the "closest
birthday rule"). All interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes and in the appropriate
national language. As far as the data capture is concerned, CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal
Interview) was used in those countries where this technique was available.
For each country a comparison between the sample and the universe was carried out. The Universe
description was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all
countries surveyed, a national weighting procedure, using marginal and intercellular weighting, was
carried out based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of
locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For international weighting (i.e. EU averages),
TNS opinion & social applies the official population figures as provided by EUROSTAT or national
statistic offices. The total population figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed
here.
Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being
equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000
interviews, the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits:
Figures updated in August 2015

TS 2

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Standard Eurobarometer 84

Public opinion in the European Union

Survey requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission,

Standard Eurobarometer 84 Wave EB84.3 TNS opinion & social

Public opinion in the European Union

Fieldwork: November 2015

Public opinion in the European Union

Perceptions of personal job and financial situations

1. The financial situation of the household

2. The personal job situation

The concerns of Europeans

Assessment of the current economic situation

1. The national and European situations

2. The employment situation

Expectations for the next twelve months

1. The national and European situations

2. The employment situation

The main concerns at national level

The main concerns at European level

The quality of life

Assessments of the quality of life nationally and at European level

1. The quality of life nationally

2. The quality of life in the European Union

1. The quality of life nationally

2. The quality of life in the European Union

Trust in the institutions

2. The United Nations

The direction in which things are going

Public opinion in the European Union

1. Attachment to the European Union

What does the European Union stand for?

b. Support for EU membership and the perceived benefits of membership (candidate

Would it be easier to face the future outside the EU?

2. The European institutions

Awareness of the European institutions and trust in them

Trust in the European Union

The European Unions image

3. Knowledge of the European Union

Knowledge of how the European Union works

Objective knowledge of the European Union

The way in which democracy works

Are personal interests taken into account nationally and at EU level?

5. Political and economic issues

Evaluation of economic and political terms and concepts

Europeans and globalisation

6. The European Union today and tomorrow

Support for a European army

A stronger European Union?

The future of the European Union

III. ECONOMIC ISSUES IN THE EU

1. The impact of the economic situation on the job market

2. A still-important role for the European Union in the global economy

4. Reforms for the economic and financial system?

Reducing the public deficit and debt

What measures should be taken to reform the economic and financial

Public opinion in the European Union

Public opinion in the European Union

Public opinion in the European Union

Turkish Cypriot Community

European Union weighted average for the 28 Member States

Public opinion in the European Union

NOT VERY SATISFIED

NOT AT ALL SATISFIED