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Standard Eurobarometer 78

Autumn 2012

PUBLIC OPINION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

REPORT

Fieldwork: November 2012

This survey has been requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission,

Directorate-General for Communication.

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm

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 78 / Autumn 2012 TNS Opinion & Social

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Standard Eurobarometer 78Autumn 2012

Public opinion in the European Union

Survey conducted by TNS Opinion & Social at the request of the

European Commission

Directorate-General Communication

Survey coordinated by the European Commission,

Directorate-General Communication

Research and Speechwriting Unit

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STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 78 PUBLIC OPINION IN THE EU AUTUMN 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 3I. LIFEINTHEEUROPEANUNION..................................................................................... 61. Personalaspects............................................................................................................. 61.1. ThecurrentpersonalsituationofEuropeans................................................................ 61.2. Evaluationoftheprofessionalandfinancialsituation................................................. 101.3. TheconcernsofEuropeans......................................................................................... 15

2. Economicaspects.......................................................................................................... 192.1. Evaluationofthecurrenteconomicsituation............................................................. 19

2.1.1. Thenational,Europeanandworldsituations...........................................................192.1.2. Theemploymentsituation........................................................................................22

2.2. Expectationsforthenexttwelvemonths.................................................................... 242.2.1. Thenational,Europeanandworldsituations...........................................................242.2.2. Theemploymentsituation........................................................................................26

2.3. Themainconcernsatnationallevel............................................................................ 272.4. ThemainconcernsatEuropeanlevel.......................................................................... 31

3. Politicalaspects............................................................................................................ 353.1. Interestinpolitics....................................................................................................... 353.2. Trustininstitutions.................................................................................................... 373.3. Thedirectioninwhichthingsaregoing....................................................................... 39

II. THEEUROPEANUNIONANDITSCITIZENS.................................................................. 441. AttachmenttotheEuropeanUnion.............................................................................. 441.1. WhatdoestheEuropeanUnionrepresent?................................................................ 441.2. SupportforEUmembershipandtheperceivedbenefitsofmembership(candidate

countries).................................................................................................................. 471.3. Howtofacethefuture?.............................................................................................. 49

2. DemocracyintheEU..................................................................................................... 522.1. TheperceptionofhownationaldemocraciesandEuropeandemocracywork............522.2. Arepersonal,nationalandEuropeaninterestsproperlytakenintoaccountbythe

EuropeanUnion?....................................................................................................... 57

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3. Europeansandglobalisation......................................................................................... 603.1. Globalisation:anopportunityforeconomicgrowth?.................................................. 603.2. TheEUandtheeffectsofglobalisation....................................................................... 62

4. TheEuropeaninstitutions............................................................................................. 684.1. AwarenessofEuropeaninstitutionsandthetrusttheyinspire................................... 684.2. TrustintheEuropeanUnion....................................................................................... 754.3. TheimageoftheEuropeanUnion............................................................................... 77

5. KnowledgeoftheEuropeanUnion................................................................................ 825.1. KnowledgeofhowtheEuropeanUnionworks........................................................... 825.2. ObjectiveKnowledgeoftheEuropeanUnion.............................................................. 83

III. THEEUROPEANUNIONNOWANDINTHEFUTURE.................................................... 851. SUPPORTFOREUROPEANPOLICIES.............................................................................. 852. THEOBJECTIVEOFTHEBUILDINGOFEUROPE............................................................... 902.1. TheperceivedobjectivesofthebuildingofEurope..................................................... 902.2. DesirableobjectivesforthebuildingofEurope........................................................... 91

3. ThefutureoftheEuropeanUnion................................................................................. 923.1. Opinionsonafederationofnationstates................................................................... 923.2. ThefutureoftheEuropeanUnion.............................................................................. 96

ANNEXES

Technical specificationsQuestionnaire

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INTRODUCTION

This Standard Eurobarometer survey was carried out between 3 and 18 November 2012

in 34 countries and territories1: the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU), the

six candidate countries (Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey,

Iceland, Montenegro and Serbia), and the Turkish Cypriot Community in the part of the

country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

The previous Standard Eurobarometer survey (EB77) in spring 2012 had been

characterised by the relative stability of most of the indicators concerning perceptions of

the economic situation. It had also revealed a slight deterioration in the indicators

measuring support for the European Union and its institutions; however, these evolutions

should be analysed in the light of the significant declines recorded in the autumn 2011

Standard Eurobarometer (EB76).

Just after the launch of this autumn 2012 survey, the European Commission published itsautumn 2012 economic forecasts2: these predicted low annual GDP growth of 0.4% for

the EU in 2013, with growth of 0.1% in the euro area, followed by a modest recovery in

2014, with GDP growth of around 1.6% in the EU and 1.4% in the euro area.

Several major events for the EU and its institutions took place during the weeks and

months leading up to the survey. Key measures were adopted to promote a more

integrated European Union: the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was introduced on

27 September, while the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the

Economic and Monetary Union, signed on 2 March 2012, was due to enter into force on 1

January 2013. Another important event was the award of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize tothe European Union on 12 October.

National elections were held in Lithuania and the Netherlands. During the survey, the

first round of the Presidential elections was held in Slovenia.

Outside Europe, Barack Obama was elected for a second term as President of the United

States on 6 November.

The full report of the Eurobarometer survey consists of several volumes. This first volume

presents the state of public opinion in the European Union. Four further volumes analyse

the opinions of Europeans on other themes: the Europe 2020 strategy; the financial andeconomic crisis; European citizenship; and media habits in the European Union. This

volume covers public opinion in the European Union.

1 Please consult the technical specifications for the exact dates of the fieldwork in each country.2http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/forecasts/2012_autumn_forecast_en.htm

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This volume devoted to the state of public opinion in the European Union is divided into

three parts. In the first part, we examine personal, social, economic and political aspects

of life in the European Union as perceived by its citizens. We examine the financial and

personal situation of citizens; their views on the economic situation at national, European

and global levels; their main concerns; and their expectations for the future. This part of

the report also explores their interest 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 their national institutions and the UN.

The second part of the report presents the main indicators measuring the image of the

European Union and its institutions and their respective trust ratings. First, it examines

the extent to which Europeans feel attached to the European Union. It then analyses

their views on the way democracy works and the extent to which their personal and

national interests are taken into account by the European Union. This part of the report

also explores the attitudes of Europeans to globalisation. The report then considers the

extent to which Europeans are familiar with the European institutions and how far they

trust them, before turning to their knowledge of the EU.

The third part of the report begins by analysing how far Europeans support various

European policies, before examining their views on the main objectives of European

integration, not only as they perceive them, but also as they would wish them to be.

Finally, we consider opinions about the European Unions future.

The general analysis and the socio-demographic analyses are based on the results at the

level of the average of the 27 Member States. This average is weighted so that it reflects

the population of each Member State. The averages for previous years represent theresults obtained in all the Member States of the European Union, as it was composed at

the time the survey was conducted.

32 731 people from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face-to-

face in their homes at the request of the European Commission. The methodology used is

that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys of the Directorate-General Communication

(Research and Speechwriting Unit)3. 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 intervals4.

3http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm4 The results tables are annexed. It should be noted that the total of the percentages indicated in the tables inthis report may exceed 100% when the respondent was able to choose several answers to the same question.

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The abbreviations used in this report correspond to:

ABBREVIATIONSBE Belgium LV Latvia

CZ Czech Republic LU Luxembourg

BG Bulgaria HU HungaryDK Denmark MT Malta

DE Germany NL The NetherlandsEE Estonia AT AustriaEL Greece PL Poland

ES Spain PT Portugal

FR France RO RomaniaIE Ireland SI Slovenia

IT Italy SK Slovakia

CY Republic of Cyprus*** FI Finland

LT Lithuania SE SwedenUK United Kingdom

CY(tcc) Turkish Cypriot Community

HR Croatia EU27European Union weighted average for the27 Member States

TR Turkey

MKFormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

****EU15 BE, IT, FR, DE, LU, NL, DK, UK, IE, PT, ES, EL, AT, SE, FI*

IS Iceland NMS12 BG, CZ, EE, CY, LT, LV, MT, HU, PL, RO, SI, SK**

ME Montenegro Euro areaBE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, CY,MT, SK

RS SerbiaNon-euroarea

BG, CZ, DK, LV, LT, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK

* EU15 refers to the 15 European Union Member States before the enlargements of 2004 and 2007

** The NMS12 countries are the 12 new Member States that joined the European Union at the time of the

2004 and 2007 enlargements

*** Cyprus as a whole is one of the 27 European Union Member States. However, the acquis communautaire

has been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic ofCyprus. 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 EU27 average. The

interviews carried out in the part of the country that is not controlled by the government of the Republic of

Cyprus are included in the CY(tcc) (tcc: Turkish Cypriot Community) category

**** 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 participate in this survey.

Without their active participation, this survey would not have been possible.

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STAND RD EURO AROMETE 78 PUBLI OPINION

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1.2. Evaluation of the professional and financial situation The expectations of Europeans have deteriorated slightly as regards the

financial situation of their household, while expectations for the job situation

have stabilised

The household financial situation

More than six out of ten Europeans say that the financial situation of their

household is good (63%, versus 35% for whom it is bad)7. This view has gained

one percentage point since the spring 2012 Standard Eurobarometer survey (EB77),

though it has not returned to the level recorded in Standard Eurobarometer EB75 of

spring 2011 (65%).

Prospects for the household economic situation over the coming twelve months,which had improved in spring 2012, have worsened a little: a majority of

respondents continue to believe that the situation will stay the same (56%), but this

majority has decreased (-2) while the proportion who think that the next twelve months

will be worse has increased slightly (23%, +2). The proportion of optimists is

unchanged (18%) and pessimists still outnumber optimists8.

A country-by-country analysis shows that:

- A majority of respondents in 20 Member States (versus 19 in spring 2012) are

positive about their household financial situation. The exceptions are Greece (77%describe it as bad), Hungary (70%), Portugal (67%), Bulgaria (66%), Romania

(58%) and Italy (50%). A narrow majority of respondents in Ireland (51%, +4)

are now positive, while in Cyprus opinion is evenly divided (50%, +2, versus

50%, -1). There have been no significant changes on this indicator.

- The optimism index is now negative in 16 Member States (compared with 14 in

spring 2012). However, there are sharp falls in Cyprus (-28 to -49), Portugal (-21

to -53), Slovakia (-14 to -20), Belgium (-14 to -9) and France (-13, though the

index remains just positive, +3).

- Exceptionally, the optimism index for the household financial situation is positive

and has increased in Lithuania (+2 to 9) and the United Kingdom (+3 to 11).

In the candidate countries, a majority of respondents in Iceland and the Former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be positive about both their current

household financial situation and the future outlook.

7 QA3a How would you judge the current situation in each of the following?8 QA4a What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse orthe same, when it comes to...?

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STAND

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After a

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STAND

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countries:

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There are significant socio-demographic divisions on all these indicators. For example,

the most advantaged respondents and those who almost never have difficulties paying

their bills are more likely than average to be satisfied.

Managers are also more satisfied than white-collar workers, who in turn are more

satisfied than manual workers.

The same trends are perceptible as regards short-term expectations, though the

differences are narrower. The factor which appears to have most influence on these

satisfaction indicators is the difficulty respondents have in paying their bills: Europeans

who often struggle to pay their bills are far less likely than average to be satisfied and far

more likely than average to be pessimistic in their projections for the future.

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S

TANDARD EUR BAROMETER 8 PUBL

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STAND

1.3

P

Rising

percen

econo

A subj

Euroba

financi

Health

proport(9%, -

Few re

issues

-

-

9QA6 An

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. The corsonal co

prices a

age point

ic situati

ect which

rometer s

al situati

and soci

ions ident).

spondents

(6%, +1),

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(66%), Slo

ground sin

(31%, +5)

Unemplo

rise (43%)

Czech Rep

personally,

AROMETE

ncerns of

ncerns ar

re still by

), followe

on (19%,

is of sli

rvey is t

n (15%,

l securit

ical or si

mentione

housing

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vakia (66

ce spring

.

ment con

. This ite

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hat are the

78

European

still do

far the

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=).

ghtly mor

xation (1

), while b

(15%, =)

ilar to s

crime (

5%, =), i

he main

), Estonia

012 in Bul

tinues to b

is also

+5).

wo most imp

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changes

main pers

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pring 201

%, +1),

migratio

oncern in

(65%) an

garia (56

e the mai

entioned

ortant issues

OPINION

economi

onal conc

nt (21%,

than in

which ha

linked to i

ions (13

2, ahead

nvironm

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Hungary

, +5), Slo

concern i

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issues,

rn of Eur

=) and

the sprin

overtake

t.

, -1) were

of the e

ntal, cli

or terrori

er States,

(64%). Thi

venia (36

n Spain, r

than in

at the mom

AUTUM

ithout m

opeans (

their co

g 2012

n the ho

also ment

ucation

ate and

sm (1%,

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is issue ha

, +6) and

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system

energy

)9.

ithuania

gained

Greece

3-point

in the

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- The countrys economic situation is the main personal concern of respondents

in Greece (36%), but with a lower score than in spring 2012 (-4). The proportion

of respondents mentioning this issue has fallen sharply in Cyprus (15%, -13), but

this trend has been offset by a strong increase in the proportion of respondents

mentioning the financial situation of the household (42%, +16), which is now

the first concern.

- As in spring 2012, respondents in the euro area are more likely to be concerned

about their countrys economic situation than about the situation of their

household (20% and 13% respectively), whereas the situation is the opposite

outside the euro area (17% and 20% respectively).

- Taxation continues to be mentioned very frequently in Italy (39%, +2), as it now

also is in Greece (30%, +14) and Lithuania (32%, +9) where this subject has

gained significant ground. It has also gained ground since spring 2012 in France

(17%, +6).

- Health and social security tops the list of concerns in Sweden (39%, =) and

the Netherlands (32%, =), and is now also the first item mentioned in Finland

where it has gained significant ground (39%, +9).

- Respondents in Sweden are also more likely than average to mention the

education system (26%), and environmental, climate and energy issues

(25%).

In the candidate countries, rising prices/inflation are the main personal concern in

Croatia (59%), the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (49%), Serbia (48%),

Montenegro (43%) and Iceland (42%). This issue is mentioned less often in Turkey

(30%), where it has been overtaken by the countrys economic situation (41%).

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E

UROBAROMET E STANDARD 8 LO INIO

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STANDA soci

concer

about

Self-e

(32%,

Manag

wherea

more c

situatio

unempl

This di

difficult

those

The yo

(28%),

just ah

RD EURO

o-demogr

in all ca

nemploym

ployed pe

ersus 16

rs are far

s they are

oncerned a

n of their

oyed peop

stinction i

ies paying

ho have di

ungest re

which ran

ad of the

AROMETE

aphic an

tegories,

ent (77%,

ople are f

of Europ

more lik

less likely

bout their

household

le (20%).

particula

their bills

fficulties

pondents

ks in seco

education

78

lysis sho

xcept am

compared

r more lik

ans as a

ly than a

to be con

countrys

(16%), w

ly noticea

(17% me

ost of the

are more

d place a

ystem (26

6mostfr

PUBL

s that ri

ng unem

with 21%

ely than a

hole).

verage to

cerned ab

conomic

ereas the

ble betwe

tion their

time (22%

likely tha

ong their

%).

equentlymentio

IC OPINIO

ing prices

loyed peo

of Europea

verage to

mention t

ut unempl

ituation (2

se two co

n Europe

country a

and 30%)

n average

concerns,

neditems

IN THE E

and infla

ple who a

ns as a wh

be concer

he educati

oyment (9

1%) than

cerns are

ns who a

d 10% th

.

to menti

after rising

U AUTU

tion are t

re chiefly

ole).

ed about

on system

%). They

about the

ranked eq

lmost nev

ir househ

on unemp

prices (3

N 2012

e main

worried

taxation

(17%)

are also

inancial

ually by

er have

ld) and

loyment

%) and

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STAND2. O

2.1

2 .1

Europ

their

more t

as ba

compar

good,

Europe

very b

quite

time o

Euroba

saw a

Europe

countr

point ri

Opinio

situati

negati

who sa

Euroba

Europe

compar

27% in

Opinio

Europe

the Eu

situatio

Euro a

more f

the ga

24% o

Europe

slightly

as reg

10

QA3.

RD EURO

ECONOMI

inions of

. Evalua

. 1 . Th eans rem

ountrys

an seven

(72%,

ed with

=). Al

ns go so

ad (29%,

lose to t

f the aut

rometer s

sharp d

ns then

s situatio

se since sp

ns of the

on also

ve: three-

y it is go

rometer su

n econom

ed with 53

autumn 2

ns of the

ns are sli

ropean Un

n is bad

rea respo

vourably t

has narr

utside it i

n econo

more posi

rds the gl

ow would yo

AROMETE

C ASPECT

the econ

e

tion of th

n a t i o n a l ,

in nega

economic

out of ten

+1 percen

27% who

ost thr

ar as to s

-1). These

ose recor

umn 201

urvey (EB

terioratio

considered

was ver

ring 2011

European

remai

uarters o

d). Thes

rvey (EB7

ic situation

% for rat

11.

world eco

htly less g

ion: 69%

and just u

ndents c

han respo

wed signi

spring

ic situatio

ive (24%,

bal econo

u judge the c

78

S

mic situa

ploymen

current

E u r o p e a

ive abou

situation

describe i

tage point

say it i

e in te

y that it i

results ar

ded at th

Standar

76), whic

(31% o

that thei

bad, a 6

(EB75)).

economi

largel

European

proportio

7). Howev

is very b

er bad,

nomy are

loomy tha

of Europe

der a quar

ntinue to

dents outs

icantly (th

011). Onl

n is good,

+1, a 4-p

mic situati

urrent situati

PUBL

tion rem

t have de

economic

a n d w o r

t

:

t

,

s

s

f

r

-

s say it is

s are unc

r, the pr

d has fall

3). These

also unc

they are

ans (unch

ter think t

assess the

ide the eu

e results

y 16% (-

whereas

int rise si

on: 19%

n in each of

IC OPINIO

in negati

teriorate

situation

l d s i t u a t i o

bad (75

hanged sin

portion of

len by thre

very nega

anged a

about the

anged) sa

at it is g

ir country

o area (2

tood at 3

1) of euro

those in t

ce autumn

f respond

he following?

IN THE E

e, while

n s

, compa

ce the spri

responden

e percenta

ive opinio

d largely

ituation in

y that th

od (23%,

economi

%, -1, ver

% within

area res

e other

2011). Th

nts in the

U AUTU

erceptio

ed with o

ing 2012 S

ts saying

ge points (

s stood as

negative,

their coun

global e

+1)10.

situation

sus 24%,

the euro a

ondents

ember St

is gap is w

euro area

N 2012

s of

ly 19%

tandard

that the

to 22%,

high as

though

try or in

conomic

a little

1), but

rea and

ay that

tes are

ider still

believe

7/30/2019 Eb78 Publ En

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STANDthat it

therefo

world

(24%

reveals

positiv

applies

world e

The na

-

-

-

-

-

RD EURO

is good

re more p

conomy (

ersus 28

a similar

in the EU

to percep

conomy (2

tional ec

As in sprin

national e

(70%), Au

However,

declines i

Luxembou

Other signi

notably in

20%) foll

satisfied, -

Negative o

Spain, Cyp

Note: alt

in Portugal

(to 89%, v

AROMETE

(=), comp

ositive ab

8% versu

). A comp

phenomen

15 countri

tions of th

0% versus

nomic sit

g 2012, o

conomic

tria (65%

even am

positive

g and -13

ficant decl

Belgium

wing a 2

, after -1

pinions re

rus, Italy,

ough a ve

, this pro

ersus 11%

78

ared with

ut the ec

19%), w

rison bet

n: percep

es (29%)

e Europea

33%).

uation

ly six Me

ituation:

), Finland (

ng these

opinions

in Finland.

ines mirro

here satis

-point de

in the au

ain as hig

Slovenia,

ry large m

ortion has

good).

PUBL

28% outsi

nomic sit

hereas the

een the E

tions of th

han in th

economi

ber State

Germany

55%) and

exception

since spr

the evolu

faction ha

line in 2

umn 2011

h as 90%

omania, B

ajority of

neverthel

IC OPINIO

de it (+1)

ation in t

opposite i

U15 count

e national

NMS12 c

situation

s are pred

(75%), S

Denmark (

s, there

ing 2012:

tions recor

s lost 17

11, but a

survey).

r more in

ulgaria, Ire

espondent

ess shrun

IN THE E

. Euro are

heir count

s true out

ies and th

economic

untries (1

(15% ver

ominantly

eden (7

53%).

ave been

-12 per

ded for pe

ercentage

so in Cyp

nine Memb

land and

s say their

by eight

U AUTU

a respond

ry than a

side the e

e NMS12 c

situation a

8%); the

sus 33%)

positive a

%), Lux

some si

entage p

rsonal sati

points (f

rus (only

er States (

ungary).

economy

percentag

N 2012

nts are

out the

ro area

ountries

re more

pposite

and the

out the

mbourg

nificant

ints in

faction,

lling to

6% are

Greece,

is bad

points

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The European economic situation

- The belief that the European economic situation is bad is dominant in all

Member States, except, as in spring 2012, in Lithuania (47% think that it is

good, -1, versus 43% for bad, +1), and now in Bulgaria, where perceptions

have improved (43%, +5 versus 41%, -7).- Although still overwhelmingly negative, somewhat fewer respondents now say the

situation of the economy in the European Union is bad in Spain (83%, -7) and

Ireland (85%, -7). In Ireland, it is the most emphatic position that has lost

ground: 34% say that the situation is very bad (-20) while an absolute majority

of respondents describe it as rather bad (51%, +13).

- In the United Kingdom too, fewer respondents are now negative, though this is

still clearly the majority view (80%, -5). The proportion who see the situation as

very bad has fallen most steeply (40%, -10).

- The gloomiest assessments come in Italy (89% of respondents say that the EUs

economic situation is bad), Portugal (88%) and Sweden (87%). These countries

have now been joined by Belgium, where opinions have hardened sharply (86%,

+12, including 27% for very bad, +13).

- In Finland, where respondents are more negative than in spring 2012 about the

national economic situation, they are also now more likely to describe the

European economy as bad (77%, +8).

The world economic situation

-

The same trends are found as for the situation of the economy in the EuropeanUnion.

- There are only two countries in which a majority of respondents are not negative

about the global economic situation: Lithuania, where opinions are evenly divided,

despite a fall in good answers (43%, -3), and Bulgaria, where positive opinions

have gained ground (42%, +6, versus 37%, -5).

- Positive opinions have lost most ground in Belgium (16%, -8) and Finland

(32%, -7), but have gained a number of percentage points in Ireland (13%, +6)

and Spain (13%, +6).

In the candidate countries:- An increasing majority of respondents are negative about the national economic

situation in Turkey (58%, +6), following a significant decline in spring 2012 (-10

at that time).

- A majority of respondents are also pessimistic about the European economy,

except in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (54% think that the

situation is good, unchanged, versus 36%, -3).

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STANDA soci

depen

concer

-

-

2 .1

Europ

79% s

who de

RD EURO

-demogr

ing on

ned:

Although t

economic

the age o

before the

occupation

manual w

Europeans

more likel

difficulties

politics are

The differe

economic

15-24 yea

aged 55 or

of manag

extent of

interested,

. 2 . Th eans are

y that it i

scribe it a

AROMETE

phic ana

hether

he respon

situation

20 or be

age of 1

: manager

orkers (2

who almo

y to desc

most of th

more posi

nces are n

situation

-olds are

over). Bu

rs, versus

he respon

versus 14

e m p l o y

ow sligh

bad (+

very bad

78

lysis reve

he natio

ents age

, educatio

yond are

(20%).

s (40%) a

%), retir

t never ha

ribe the s

e time (9

tive (33%)

ot identica

. Here, ag

more posit

the respo

19% for

dents inte

of those

e n t s i t u a

ly more

percenta

(+1).

PUBL

als divisi

al or th

has little

has mor

more posi

pinions al

e more p

d people

ve difficul

ituation a

). Finally

than thos

l when it

e plays a

ive (26%)

ndents oc

white-coll

rest in pol

who are n

t i o n

ritical of

e points,

IC OPINIO

ns which

e Europe

influence

impact:

ive (33%)

so vary a

sitive than

(27%) a

ies paying

s "good

, European

who are

omes to a

greater ro

than olde

upation cr

r and m

itics (19%

ot at all in

the natio

versus 20

IN THE E

are mor

an econo

n opinion

uropeans

than tho

cording t

white-coll

d the un

their bills

than thos

s who are

ot at all in

sessment

e in shapi

responde

ates fewe

nual work

among t

erested).

al emplo

good,

U AUTU

or less

mic situ

s of the n

who studi

e who lef

the resp

ar workers

employed

(36%) are

who ha

very inter

terested (

of the Eu

ng opinion

nts (15%

r differenc

ers), as d

ose who

yment sit

1), includi

N 2012

arked

tion is

ational

d up to

t school

ndents

(27%),

(15%).

also far

e such

ested in

4%).

ropean

s, since

f those

s (21%

oes the

re very

uation:ng 38%

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STANDOnly t

emplo

Positiv

respon

But th

respon

percen

autum

-15).

More t

reach

Romani

RD EURO

hree Me

ment sit

opinions

ents are n

e most s

ents now

age point

2011 (EB

an 90% o

100%, S

a, Bulgari

AROMETE

ber Stat

ation: Ge

have lost

ow negati

ectacular

describe

since th

6). Positi

f respond

ain, Fran

and Slova

78

s are no

rmany (59

ground sh

e.

deteriorat

the empl

spring 2

e opinions

nts are ne

e, Cypru

kia).

PUBL

predo

%), Austri

arply in Fi

ion is fo

yment si

12 Eurob

have also

gative in

, Sloveni

IC OPINIO

inantly p

(59%) a

nland (38

nd in Bel

uation as

rometer s

fallen shar

2 Member

a, Italy,

IN THE E

sitive ab

d Luxemb

, -17) w

gium, wh

good,

urvey (EB

ply in the

States (G

ortugal,

U AUTU

out the n

urg (53%

ere a ma

ere only

a decline

77) and -

etherland

reece, wh

Ireland,

N 2012

ational

).

ority of

19% of

of -22

5 since

s (29%,

re they

ungary,

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STAND2.2

2 .2

Althou

next t

unchan

situatio

pessimi

outlook

-

-

-

The for

respon

respon

(where

NMS12

11 QA4the samsituation

RD EURO

. ExpecGrowing

. 1 . Th eh their ec

elve mo

ged in res

ns, Euro

stic about11:

The predo

next twelv

for the na+3 percen

identical p

believe th

the same

now say

months wil

Responden

predomina

the E

situation,situation

better, -

The world

while 33%

twelve mo

ecasts for

ents are

ents (33

41% of r

countries

hat are your? The ec

in the world

AROMETE

ations fo

pessimis

n a t i o n a l ,

nomic for

ths are

ect of the

eans are

their coun

minant vie

months

tional ectage point

oportion

t the situ

(39%, -1

that the

l be bette

ts

ntly pessi

ropean

(39%, unwill stay

).

economi

of respon

ths will be

hese ques

ore pessi

). Howev

espondent

39%).

expectationsonomic situa

78

the next

over th

e

E u r o p e a

ecasts for

more or l

world and

now m

rys econo

w is that

ill be wo

nomy (4s). An al

f respond

tion will

), while fe

next tw

r (17%, -

re

imistic ab

econo

changed),the sam

c situatio

ents are

better.

ions differ

istic abou

er, there

s expect t

for the next tion in (OUR

PUBL

twelve m

national

ploymen

a n d w o r

the

less

EU

ore

mic

the

se

%,ost

nts

tay

wer

lve

).

lso

out

ic

while a sli(37%,

is expect

essimistic

from one

t the natio

re few di

he next t

welve monthCOUNTRY)/

IC OPINIO

onths

outlook,

t

l d s i t u a t i o

ghtly smal+2). Opt

ed to stay

(+1), and

roup of c

nal econo

fferences

elve mon

s: will the nehe economic

IN THE E

specially

n s

ler proporimism ha

he same (

17% (=)

untries to

y (44%) t

etween t

ths to be

t twelve monsituation in

U AUTU

as regar

ion thinks decline

40%, unch

hink that

another. E

han non-e

e EU15 c

worse)

ths be betterthe EU/The

N 2012

s

that the(16%

anged),

he next

ro area

ro area

ountries

and the

, worse oreconomic

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STANDEuro a

Europe

non-eu

countri

differe

Europe

countri

RD EURO

ea respon

n Union (

ro area re

s and the

ces here a

n econo

s).

AROMETE

dents are

3% think

spondents

NMS12 co

re more s

ic situati

78

also more

that the n

). Wherea

ntries on

riking: EU

n (42%

PUBL

pessimisti

ext twelve

there w

the subjec

5 respond

answered

IC OPINIO

ic about t

months wi

re few di

of the na

ents are f

worse,

IN THE E

e econom

ll be wor

ferences

ional econ

r more pe

ersus 26

U AUTU

ic situatio

e, versus

etween t

omic situa

ssimistic a

% in the

N 2012

in the

32% of

e EU15

ion, the

out the

NMS12

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STAND2 .2

After f

has in

worse

in autu(46%,

same (

12QA4

the same

RD EURO

. 2 . Th elling in sp

creased

(+5 perc

mn 2011,+16 at th

6%, -2) a

hat are your? The empl

AROMETE

e m p l o y

ring 2012,

gain: 45

ntage poi

when it htime). Ju

nd only 16

expectationsoyment situa

78

e n t s i t u a

pessimi

of Euro

ts since s

d gainedst over a

% expect t

for the next ttion in (OUR

PUBL

t i o n

m about

eans thin

ring 2012

ignificantthird of E

hings to g

welve monthOUNTRY)

IC OPINIO

the natio

that the

), a return

ground inropeans t

t better (-

s: will the ne

IN THE E

nal empl

next twel

almost to

omparisoink that t

2)12.

t twelve mon

U AUTU

yment si

ve months

the level r

with sprihings will

ths be better

N 2012

tuation

will be

ecorded

g 2011tay the

, worse or

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STAND2.3

Con

The twin spri

econo

The ra

concer

fallen b

After t

=) and

Taxati

Immig

obtaine

Enviro

terrori

13QA5a

ANSWER

RD EURO

. The mcerns abo

main nating 2012:

ic situati

king of c

ed about

ack slightl

ese econo

crime (11

n was me

ration (8

d similar s

nmental,

sm (2%,

What do youS)

AROMETE

in conce

ut unemp

onal conceunemplo

on (37%,

oncerns is

ising pri

(17%, -2

mic issues

%, =).

ntioned by

, =), p

ores.

climate

)13 are les

think are the

78

ns at nati

loyment

m

rns of Eurment (4

+2).

more or

es (24%,

).

, Europea

9% of res

nsions (

and ener

s urgent m

Ma

two most im

PUBL

onal leve

nd the ec

re groun

peans wer8%, +2

less unch

=) and go

s mention

pondents (

%, -1) a

gy issue

atters.

imum 2 ans

ortant issue

IC OPINIO

onomic si

d e mentionercentage

nged. Eur

vernmen

ed health

=).

nd the e

(5%, +

ers

facing (OUR

IN THE E

tuation h

d even mpoints) a

opeans co

debt, tho

and soci

ucation

1), housi

COUNTRY) a

U AUTU

ve gaine

re frequennd the n

ntinue to

ugh this is

l securit

system (

ng (4%,

t the momen

N 2012

even

tly thanational

be very

sue has

(12%,

%, -1)

=) and

? (MAX. 2

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As was the case in spring 2012, there are differences between the euro area and non-

euro area countries. The first three concerns are the same and are ranked in the same

order: unemployment, the economic situation and rising prices. However, euro area

respondents then mentioned government debt (19%), while respondents outside the euro

area are more concerned about health and social security (14%) and crime (14%,

compared with only 12% for government debt).

- Unemployment is the main concern in 18 Member States, led by Spain (78%),

Cyprus (73%), Ireland (65%), Poland (65%) and Sweden (65%). This concern

has gained significant ground since the spring 2012 survey in Belgium (44%,

+18), where it is now the first concern, the Netherlands (32%, +12) and

Denmark (61%, +10). In contrast, mentions have declined sharply in Estonia

(30%, -17) and Portugal (57%, -11).

- The economic situation is the main national concern in four Member States:

Slovenia (60%), the Netherlands (55%), Romania (48%) and the Czech Republic

(37%). This was also the case in Greece in spring 2012, but mentions have fallen

significantly (55%, -11), while taxation is far now more frequently cited (17%,

+8). Fewer respondents also mention the economic situation in Ireland

(43%, -12), but it has gained ground in Denmark (58%, +10), Luxembourg

(31%, +16) and Sweden (31%, +10), three countries which were previously less

affected by increasing concerns about the national economic situation. This issue

has also taken on more importance in Belgium (40%, +13).

- Rising prices are the primary national concern in four Member States: Estonia

(58%), Lithuania (43%), Malta (39%) and Austria (36%). This issue has also

gained significant ground in Bulgaria (35%, +7) and Latvia (23%, +6).- Government debt remains the main concern in Germany (34%), but is

mentioned significantly less often than in spring 2012 in the Netherlands

(14%, -14) and France (16%, -8).

Other points of note:

- Concerns about health and social security have increased significantly in the

Netherlands (46%, +16) and in Finland (40%, +7).

- Respondents in the United Kingdom are particularly concerned about crime

(21%) and immigration (24%).

-

Taxation (28%) is at the forefront of concerns in Italy.- Respondents in Sweden pay particular attention to the education system (21%)

and environmental, climate and energy issues (22%).

- Concerns about housing have increased strongly in Portugal (12%, +9).

Respondents in Luxembourg are still more likely than average to be concerned

about this subject, but less so than in spring 2012 (23%, -13).

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E

UROBAROMET E STANDARD 8

aximum 2 answe

LO

s

INIO

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In the candidate countries:

- Here again, respondents are primarily concerned about either unemployment

(Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia) or the

economic situation (Iceland and Montenegro). Turkey is the exception, as there

is much more concern about terrorism (69%, the first concern, with a 7-point

increase since spring 2012).

- Concerns about crime have fallen sharply in Montenegro (28%, -12) and the

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (22%, -8), while they are more or less

unchanged in Croatia (28%, -1), though this item is still mentioned more than

average. However, mentions of crime have increased in Serbia (37%, +8).

- In Iceland, concerns about health and social security have increased (33%,

+14).

A socio-demographic analysis reveals no striking differences since all categories have

strong concerns about unemployment and the economic situation. However, self-

employed people are more likely to be concerned about taxation (16%), while managers

are more interested in government debt (23%) and the education system (12%). These

two subjects are comparatively less mentioned by white-collar and manual workers and

unemployed people, who are more likely to be concerned about rising prices (23%, 27%

and 24% respectively).

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Points of note:

- The economic situation is seen as the most important problem facing the

European Union in almost all the Member States, except for Germany and Austria,

where respondents first mentioned the state of Member States public

finances (55% and 57% respectively), and Luxembourg where unemploymenttops the list of issues facing the EU (50%).

- Respondents are less likely than in spring 2012 to mention the economic

situation, especially in Greece (54%, -12) and Cyprus (59%, -9). Belgium is an

exception, with a significant increase (56%, +12).

- After rising spectacularly in several Member States in spring 2012, concerns about

unemployment have yet again risen significantly in Belgium (39%, +9), the

Czech Republic (30%, +9), Denmark (54%, +8), France (36%, +8), Slovenia

(39%, +8), Slovakia (30%, +9) and Finland (27%, +8). It has lost ground in

Portugal (43%, -11), but is still above the European average.

-

Concerns about the state of Member States public finances have fallen in

Ireland (26%, -15) and France (29%, -10) where they had increased strongly in

spring 2012 (with increases of +7 and +8 respectively compared with autumn

2011).

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3. POLITICAL ASPECTS3.1. Interest in politics

The index of interest in politics, constructed on the basis of questions on the

respondents interest in local, national and European politics, has undergone very fewchangessince the spring 2012 Standard Eurobarometer survey (EB77)15:

- The majority of Europeans continue to be moderately interested in politics

(45%, +1 percentage point since spring 2012).

- Those who follow politics very closely (strong interest) represent 16% of

respondents (=).

- Just under a quarter of Europeans are slightly interested in politics (22%, -1)

and 17% are not at all interested (=).

- In total, more than six out of ten Europeans are interested, either strongly or

moderately, in politics (61%).

This index of interest in politics changed very little since the spring 2010 Eurobarometer

survey (EB73), when it was measured for the first time. At that time, 14% of Europeans

had a strong interest in politics, 43% were moderately interested, 24% were

slightly interested and 19% were not at all interested.

Europeans continue to be most interested in national political matters (76%),

just ahead of local political matters (74%). A smaller majority of respondents are also

interested in European political matters (63%)16.

More specifically, respondents in Greece continue to be particularly interested in politics

(40% have a strong index), although this proportion has fallen by five percentage

points since spring 2012, as are those in the Netherlands (26%, -5), Germany (23%,

+3), Sweden (22%, +1), Cyprus (22%, -1) and Denmark (21%, -2).

15 A score was attributed to each answer: Never = 0; Occasionally = 1; Often= 2. An index was thenconstructed 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; slightly = 1 to 2; moderately =

3 to 4; strongly = 5 to 6.16 QA2. 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

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A socio-demographic analysis reveals a number of differences between categories.

Interest in politics:

- Increases with age: only 8% of 15-24 year-olds have a strong interest in

politics, compared with 20% of those aged 55 or over. However, when we

aggregate the strong and moderate categories, the 40-54 age group has thehighest proportion of people interested in politics (65%, versus 64% among those

aged 55 or over and 45% among those aged 15 to 24).

- Is far stronger among the respondents who studied the longest (73% of those

who studied up to the age of 20 or beyond have a strong or moderate interest in

politics compared with 49% of those who left school before the age of 16).

- There are also differences according to the respondents occupational category:

managers (78%) are more likely than white-collar workers (66%) and manual

workers (57%) to be interested in politics.

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A clear majority of respondents in all the Member States still tend not to trust

political parties: 80%, an increase of two percentage points. Distrust has increased

sharply in Luxembourg (70%, +15), France (83%, +11), after falling in spring 2012 in

the wake of the Presidential election, but also in Belgium (76%, +9), where all the

indicators measuring trust and future expectations have deteriorated.

Trust in regional and local public authorities is stable, but remains the minority

position (43%, =, versus 50%, -1). A majority of respondents in 13 Member States trust

these authorities, led by Denmark (70%), Austria (69%), Luxembourg (68%) and

Finland (67%). Trust has increased significantly in Portugal (48%, +14) and Hungary

(55%, +11), but has fallen in France (53%,-9) and Cyprus (38%, -9).

After trending downwards (-6 percentage points between the spring 2011 Eurobarometer

survey and the spring 2012 survey), trust in the United Nations has increased. As a

result a very narrow majority of Europeans now trust this institution (44%, +2, versus

42% who tend not to trust it, -3). Although the majority is very narrow at Europeanlevel, it nevertheless exists in 20 Member States. The exceptions are Greece (77%

distrust the UN), Cyprus (69%), Spain (59%), Slovenia (58%) and Italy (48%), though

distrust has fallen by nine percentage points in Italy. Opinions are evenly divided in the

United Kingdom (at 44%) and Germany (41%). Respondents in Finland (72%), Denmark

(71%) and Sweden (71%) are the most likely to trust the United Nations.

Trust has increased in Portugal (46%, +10) where it now again commands a narrow

majority (versus 43%).

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STAND

3.3

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Opinions on the direction taken nationally are similar in the euro area (56% replied

wrong direction) and the non-euro area countries (57%). However, euro area

respondents are slightly more critical than non-euro area respondents of the direction

taken by the European Union (54% versus 49%).

Majorities in only two Member States (compared with seven in spring 2012)now think that things are going in the right direction nationally, though these

majorities have fallen in both cases: Denmark (46%, -5, versus 42%, +5) and Austria

(39%, -8, versus 30%, +4). Opinions are evenly divided in Sweden, where perceptions

have deteriorated sharply (44%, -12, versus 44%, +10).

In several Member States negative opinions of the direction in which things are going

nationally have hardened since the spring 2012 Eurobarometer survey. Often these are

the countries which had seen significant improvements at that time: Belgium (65% think

that things are going in the wrong direction, +26 percentage points), France (61%,

+24), Romania (68%, +16), Cyprus (80%, +15), Luxembourg (44%, +15), Slovakia(59%, +15) and Slovenia (67%, +14).

The belief that things are going in the right direction at national level is therefore

declining not only in the countries which were predominantly critical in the past but also

in countries which previously seemed to be relatively immune.

Note that there has been a significant improvement in Ireland although opinions remain

predominantly negative (28% answered right direction, +8, versus 47%, +1).

In three Member States majorities continue to believe that things are going in

the right direction in the European Union (compared with five in spring 2012):Bulgaria (49% versus 11%), Lithuania (40% versus 20%) and Latvia (35% versus 23%).

Opinions are evenly divided in Estonia (at 29%) as a result of a decrease in positive

opinions (-7). However, opinions in Romania have hardened and are now predominantly

negative (30%, -10, versus 34%).

The impression that things are going in the right direction in the European Union has also

lost ground in Belgium (15%, -9) and Cyprus (6%, -10). However, it has gained support

in Ireland (30%, +13), while remaining the minority position.

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STAND RD EURO AROMETE 78 PUBL C OPINIO IN THE E AUTUMN 2012

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In the candidate countries:

- A majority of respondents are negative about the direction in which things are

going in their country, except in Iceland, where positive opinions have gained

significant ground (57%, +9). Opinions have also improved in Montenegro (35%,

+12). However, after an improvement in spring 2012, perceptions of the direction

taken nationally have deteriorated sharply in Turkey (37%, -12).

- Opinions of the direction taken in the European Union are now predominantly

positive in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (43% versus 19%) and

Montenegro (40% versus 25%), but are mainly negative in Turkey (27% versus

46%), Iceland (31% versus 46%), Croatia (32% versus 44%) and Serbia (29%

versus 32%).

The results of the socio-demographic analysis mirror the trends noted for the

economic situation at national and European levels19:

-

The respondents age has little influence on opinions on the direction taken

nationally. However, education creates more pronounced differences: only 18%

of those who left school before the age of 16 think that things are going in the

right direction in their country, compared with 29% of Europeans who studied up

to the age of 20 or beyond. Managers are also more positive (36%) than white-

collar workers (23%), manual workers (22%) and unemployed people (14%).

Europeans who position themselves at the bottom of the social scale are also

more critical of the direction taken by their country (14%) than those who place

themselves at the top (34%).

- In the case of the European Union, the generational divide is more perceptible:

while 28% of those in the 15-24 age group believe that things are going in the

right direction, only 19% of Europeans aged 55 or over agree. The most educated

respondents remain more positive (27%) than those who left school before the

age of 16 (14%). Occupation makes less difference at European than at national

level (28% of managers think that things are going in the right direction

compared with 24% of white-collar and 21% of manual workers), although

unemployed people remain more critical (17%). Subjective social classification

remains a significant factor: 29% of the Europeans who position themselves at

the top of the social scale consider that things are going in the right direction in

the European Union, compared with only 17% of those who place themselves atthe bottom.

19 Cf. QA3 2.1.1. The national, European and world situations, page 20.

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II. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS CITIZENS1. ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION1.1. What does the European Union represent?

The ranking of the representations associated with the European Union has not changed

since the previous survey conducted in spring 2012. With a score of 42% (+1 percentage

point) the freedom to travel, study and work anywhere in the EU stands in first place,

ahead of the euro (35%, -2), waste of money (27%, unchanged), peace (26%, +2)

and bureaucracy (23%, unchanged)20. Evolutions are only minor, and none exceeds

two percentage points (-2 for the euro; +2 for peace and unemployment).

The euro is far more likely to be seen as a symbol of the EU in the EU15 countries (39%)

and within the euro area (44%) than in the NMS12 countries (22%) and countries

outside the euro area (18%). There are fewer differences as regards freedom ofmovement within the European area: although this item is mentioned more frequently in

the NMS12 countries than in the EU15 (49% versus 40%), it was mentioned equally

within and outside the euro area (42%). Waste of money is mentioned more often in the

EU15 countries (30%) and euro area countries (29%) than in the NMS12 (15%) and

outside the euro area (22%).

A national analysis reveals that the most frequently mentioned representation,

irrespective of the country, is either freedom of movement within the European area or

the euro, except in the United Kingdom where, as in spring 2012, waste of money is the

first item mentioned (31% versus 27% and 16% respectively).

As was the case in previous surveys, freedom of movement within the European

Union was mentioned most frequently in the Nordic countries (65% in Sweden, 59% in

Finland and 55% in Denmark) and the Baltic States (67% in Estonia, 60% in Lithuania

and 59% in Latvia), as well as in Luxembourg (59%) and Germany (56%). The highest

scores for the euro were recorded in Austria (67%), Finland (57%), Belgium (55%), the

Netherlands (54%) and Slovakia (53%). Respondents in Austria (54%), Germany (46%)

and Sweden (42%) continue to be most likely to mention waste of money, while

respondents in Sweden (44%), Finland (44%) and Austria (42%) are far more likely than

the European average (23%) to mention bureaucracy.

The most striking changes for this indicator are recorded in Greece: mentions of the euro

(49%) and freedom of movement (37%) have fallen by eight and two percentage points

respectively, while unemployment has seen a 10-point rise to 45%. This item now stands

in second place in the list of representations associated with the European Union in this

country.

20QA13. What does the EU mean to you personally? (Multiple answers possible)

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1.2. Support for EU membership and the perceived benefits of membership(candidate countries)

This Standard Eurobarometer survey measured support within the candidate countries for

European membership21 and perceptions of the expected benefits of membership22. The

same questions were asked in the previous survey in spring 2012 (EB77), which will

therefore be used for comparison.

After increasing between autumn 2011 and spring 2012, doubtless as a result of

the yes vote in the referendum on 22 January 2012 on Croatias accession to

the EU, support for European membership has declined in this country23.

Respondents in Croatia are now divided into three more or less equal groups: 31% (-7

percentage points since spring 2012)

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