The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that trust in the European Union is at its highest point in 18 years, along with the strongest ever support for the euro. In the current geopolitical context, Europeans want a stronger and more assertive EU through a common defence and security policy, while peace remains the value that best represents the EU.
Trust in the EU is at its highest in 18 years
52% of Europeans trust the EU, the highest result since 2007. Trust is highest among young people aged 15-24 (59%). Also, 52% of Europeans say they trust the European Commission, with again particularly high scores among young citizens (57%). At the same time, 36% of Europeans say they trust their national government and 37% say they trust their national parliament.
Three quarters of respondents (75%) - the highest level in more than two decades - say they feel they are citizens of the EU.
In addition, more than six in ten EU citizens (62%) are also optimistic about the future of the EU.
Europeans strongly support the euro
The Eurobarometer survey registered the highest support ever for the common currency, both in the EU (74%) and in the euro area (83%). When it comes to the perception of the situation of the European economy, 44% of Europeans find it good while 48% find it bad. A majority of citizens (43%) still think the European economic situation will remain stable in the next 12 months.
Europeans want a stronger and more assertive EU
Almost seven in ten respondents (69%) agree that the European Union is a place of stability in a troubled world.
Nearly nine in ten Europeans (88%) agree that there should be more rules-based cooperation between countries and regions of the world. More than four in five EU citizens (86%) agree that increasing customs tariffs is harmful for the global economy. Nevertheless, if other countries increase their duties on imports from the EU, 80% of respondents agree that the EU should impose customs tariffs in response to defend its interests.
More than eight in ten (81%) support a common defence and security policy among Member States – the highest result since 2004. At the same time, 78% are concerned about the EUs defence and security in the next five years.
When it comes to priorities for the EU budget, European citizens would like the EU budget to be spent on defence and security (43%), employment, social affairs and public health (42%) and education, training, youth, culture and media (34%, stable). With 40%, security and defence is also the top area which citizens think should benefit from more increased EU funding, followed by energy transition/affordable energy (32%).
According to Europeans, the EU should take measures in the medium-term in the area of security and defence (39%), followed by the economy (29%), migration (24%) and climate and the environment (24%). At the same time, 44% of European citizens think that ensuring peace and stability will have the highest positive impact on their life in the short term, followed by securing food, health, and industry supplies in the EU (27%) and creating more job opportunities (26%).
Peace (41%, +2 pp) remains the value that best represents the EU, followed by democracy (33% - 2pp) and respect for rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights (28%, new item).
Continued and stable support for the EUs response to the war in Ukraine
In the face of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, 80% of European respondents agree with welcoming into the EU people fleeing the war, while over three quarters of Europeans (76%) support providing financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine. 72% of EU citizens back economic sanctions on the Russian government, companies, and individuals while six in ten (60%) approve of the EU granting candidate status to Ukraine and 59% agree with the EU financing the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine.
Russias invasion of Ukraine continues to be considered as the most important issue at EU level (27%) out of 15 items (followed by the international situation at 24% and security and defence at 20%). 77% of European respondents agree that Russias invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of the EU.
Background
The Standard Eurobarometer 103 (Spring 2025) was conducted between 26 March and 22 April 2025 across the 27 Member States. Overall, 26,368 EU citizens were interviewed face-to-face. Interviews were also conducted in nine candidate and potential candidate countries (all except Ukraine) and the United Kingdom.
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