Approximately two thirds concerned about EU security
About two-thirds of EU citizens are concerned about the safety of the European Union. Approximately 47% of Europeans surveyed expressed "fairly concerned" feelings about EU safety in the next five years, while about 17% stated they were "very concerned," according to a survey conducted on behalf of the European Commission.
The greatest concerns are reportedly held by people in Portugal (77%). In Germany, 54% of those surveyed expressed "fairly" or "very" concerns about EU safety.
More than 25,000 EU citizens aged 15 and over were surveyed online by the Ipsos research institute between late June and early July for the representative study. However, the survey suggests that approximately 58% of European women and men view the EU's future optimistically. Around 37% have a more pessimistic outlook.
According to the survey, about half (50%) of EU citizens view the war in Ukraine as the current greatest challenge for the EU. Forty-one percent of respondents cited irregular migration as one of the current major challenges. Environmental problems and climate change were identified as concerns by 35% of respondents. The responses from German citizens were almost identical to the EU average.
When it comes to the priorities the EU should focus on, the survey respondents most frequently mentioned the environment and climate change (33%). Irregular migration (also 33%) and security and defense (29%) followed closely behind, with the conflict in Ukraine (25%) rounding out the top five. Regarding the EU economy's performance in the next five years, opinions among EU citizens differ. About half (50%) of the respondents are optimistic, while 45% are skeptical.
The third-highest level of concern about EU safety in the next five years is seen in countries aside from Portugal, with 54% of Germans expressing "fairly" or "very" concerns. Despite these worries, a significant majority of Europeans, including Portugueses, remain optimistic about the EU's future. Near, close by, the issue of security and defense is among the top priorities European citizens want the EU to focus on.
