Survey Reveals Europeans' Demand for a Stronger EU Response

Recent findings from a Eurobarometer survey indicate that a significant majority of Europeans advocate for a more robust European Union in light of escalating global crises and uncertainties. The survey, published on Tuesday, reveals that approximately two-thirds of respondents across the EU believe that the Union's role should be enhanced in the future. However, only 44% of participants across the EU, and just a third of respondents from Austria, express confidence that such changes will occur.

In terms of priorities, defense and security rank highest among EU respondents, with 36% identifying it as the foremost concern. The enhancement of competitiveness and economic stability follows closely at 32%, while energy independence and food security are also highlighted as critical areas of focus. Notably, Austrian respondents place a greater emphasis on agriculture and food security (30%), followed by energy independence (29%) and defense (29%) as key issues for EU attention.

Looking toward the future, many individuals express concern about their personal economic prospects. A staggering 40% of Austrians, and one-third of all respondents, anticipate a decline in their standard of living over the coming years. Conversely, only 8% of Austrians and 14% of Europeans believe they will soon be able to afford more than they currently can, with around half expecting no changes at all.

A significant portion of respondents, nearly 50% across the EU, expect the European Parliament to take decisive action against inflation and rising living costs. The desire for a more impactful EU is particularly pronounced in Sweden, where 87% of respondents support this notion, while in Romania and Poland, the figures stand at 47% and 44% respectively. In Austria, 56% of individuals echo this sentiment.

Moreover, 90% of participants in the EU, including those in Austria, call for greater unity among EU member states to effectively tackle current global challenges. Despite the widespread desire for a stronger Union, nearly one-fifth of respondents in the EU and approximately one-third in Austria foresee a diminishing significance of the EU in the coming years.

In light of these challenges, an overwhelming 76% of EU respondents, and 66% of Austrians, believe that the EU requires increased funding to adequately address contemporary issues. While there is notable support for enhanced EU financial resources among citizens of Finland, Cyprus, and Malta, this sentiment is less pronounced in Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, where only about 60% support additional funding.

Overall, 74% of citizens across the EU, and two-thirds of those in Austria, recognize the benefits of EU membership, marking the highest approval rate since the inception of the Eurobarometer survey in 1983. Key advantages highlighted include the assurance of peace and security, cited by 35% of respondents, while Austrians particularly value peacekeeping and economic growth (34% each).

Additionally, 41% of EU respondents and 38% of Austrians hold a favorable view of the European Parliament. The Eurobarometer survey for Winter 2025 was conducted from January 9 to February 4, 2025, across all 27 EU member states, involving a total of 26,354 interviews. The findings are weighted according to the population of each country.