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Brussels – In the face of increasing global crises and uncertainties, Europeans are desiring a stronger EU: According to a Eurobarometer survey published on Tuesday, two-thirds of respondents across the EU say that its role should become more important in the future. However, only 44 percent of EU respondents and only one-third of Austrians are convinced that this will happen. Defense and food security are mentioned as priorities.
To strengthen their position in the world, the first priority of the EU should be defense and security according to 36 percent of EU respondents. Strengthening competitiveness and the economy follows as the second priority for 32 percent, ahead of energy independence and fourthly food security. Austrians set a slightly different focus: for them, agriculture and food security (30 percent), energy independence (29), and then defense and security (29) top the list of priorities that Brussels should address.
40 percent of Austrians expect a declining standard of living
Not only globally, but also in their private lives, many people look to the future with skepticism: 40 percent of Austrians and a third of all survey participants expect a lower standard of living in the coming years than before. Only 8 percent of Austrians and 14 percent of Europeans think that they will soon be able to afford more than before. About half expect no change. Nearly half of the respondents expect the EU Parliament to tackle inflation and rising living costs.
In Sweden, 87 percent, the most, in Romania with 47 and Poland with 44 percent, the least, desire a more significant EU to protect people from global crises and security risks. In Austria, it is 56 percent. Nine out of ten respondents in the EU, as well as in Austria, expect more unity from the EU states to meet current global challenges. Although they mostly wish for a stronger union, nearly a fifth in the EU and nearly a third in Austria expect the importance of the union to decrease in the coming years.
The EU needs more money due to current challenges
76 percent of those surveyed in the EU, and slightly less at 66 percent in Austria, think that the EU needs more money in the face of challenges. More than 90 percent of Finns, Cypriots, and Maltese, but only about 60 percent of Slovenians, Slovaks, and Czechs want to grant Brussels more money here.
74 percent of all EU citizens and two-thirds of Austrians generally see advantages in EU membership. According to the EU Parliament, this is the highest value since the start of the Eurobarometer survey in 1983. Especially the securing and strengthening of peace and security (35 percent) is mentioned as the main benefit. In Austria, it is peacekeeping and economic growth (both 34 percent). 41 percent in the EU and 38 percent in Austria rate the EU Parliament positively.
The Eurobarometer survey Winter 2025 of the European Parliament was conducted between January 9 and February 4, 2025, in all 27 EU member states. In total, 26,354 interviews were conducted. The EU results are weighted according to the population size of each country. (25.03.2025)