European Commission
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER European integration as seen by public opinion in the Member States of the European Union: 1973 - 2008
EUROBAROMETER
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
Dear Reader, Please find enclosed a booklet providing you with a short introduction to 35 years of Eurobarometer. Since 1973, the European Commission has been monitoring the evolution of public opinion in the Member States, thus helping the preparation of texts, decision-making and the evaluation of its work. Our surveys and studies address major topics concerning European citizenship like enlargement, social situation, health, culture, information technology, environment and the Euro. Over more than three decades, Eurobarometer polls have given us a solid indication of the concerns, needs and opinions of European citizens. For the years to come, we will continue to explore citizens' expectations and attitudes towards the European Union and develop the Eurobarometer further as a genuine tool for policy making in the interest of citizens. Kind regards,
Margot Wallstrรถm
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
Dear Reader, Eurobarometer started 35 years ago analysing the public opinion of nine member states. Today, we examine the views of citizens from all 27 Member States and the candidate countries. A unique source of knowledge and a remarkable tool for policy advice. Eurobarometer regularly runs Europe-wide opinions on many different themes such as energy, climate change, health care and labour market flexibility to the broader issues such as the future of Europe, the economy and foreign policy. It is probably the most comprehensive comparative social survey on any continent, given the frequency, the size and the breadth of coverage. We make the results public to journalists, politicians, decision makers, students and academics, and our methods are open for scrutiny. One can observe a wide diversity among the opinions of Europeans explained by age, social backgrounds and at times geography and history. But, there are also some strong common points of view. Eurobarometer allows us to understand better why opinions converge on various issues as well as why they differ. I hope that this booklet will help you to understand Eurobarometer better and would allow you to offer advice on how to improve further on. Kind regards,
Claus H. Sørensen.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
Is there such a thing as European public opinion? “It is an abstract concept. European public opinion exists to the extent that, on a certain number of issues, Europeans think in the same way: about democracy, human rights and the status of women. It is a kind of tacit general support, with the distinction, however, that the views of young people and those with a higher level of education tend to be more in tune with each other in the different countries than is the case with the other categories of the population. This can be partly explained by the fact that they are more politically aware and read newspapers, etc. In fact, information and education are at the root of this divide, hence the need for European education. On this point, the question of educating and informing public opinion is linked to that of the school system.” Interview with Mr Jacques-René Rabier, Eurobarometer founder. October 2003.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 CHAPTER I - 35 YEARS OF IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE OPINIONS OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1. Are Europeans satisfied with their life in general? 2. How do European citizens see their future? 3. European citizens and politics: interest in politics, awareness and trust in the European institutions 4. National citizens, European citizens or both at the same time?
CHAPTER II - HOW DO THE CITIZENS OF EUROPE PERCEIVE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 1. European citizens tested on their knowledge of the European Union 2. What the European Union evokes for European citizens 3. What role should the European Union play?
CHAPTER III - EXPECTATIONS, FEARS AND QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 1. The hopes and fears created by the construction of Europe 2. Europeans and the CAP 3. What is the overall perception of the project for economic and monetary unification? 4. Globalisation: an opportunity for Europe? 5. Common foreign, security and defence policies: the views of European citizens 6. Enlargement of the European Union: the attitude of Europeans to the various accession waves
CHAPTER IV - WHAT FUTURE FOR EUROPE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 1. The priorities of Europeans 2. Attitudes to further enlargement 3. What support is there for a European Constitution? 4. 2010 and the Lisbon Strategy: the doubts of European Union citizens
CHAPTER V - SNAPSHOTS OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN EUROPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 1. How Europeans see certain social issues 2. The values defended by European citizens 3. Environmental concerns 4. Europeans and the challenge of the information society
CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
INTRODUCTION
35
years have passed since the first Eurobarometer (entitled “Euro-Barometer“) was launched. The early efforts began in 1970, when the Commission of the European Communities began to carry out simultaneous surveys in the Member States of the European Community. This was followed by two surveys in 1971 and 1973. In 1974, the Commission officially launched the biannual EuroBarometer series of surveys, conducted in Spring and Autumn.
In October 2003 its founder, Mr Jacques-René Rabier, described the origin of this barometer of public opinion as follows: “The aim of Euro-Barometer was, on the one hand, to gain a better understanding of opinion to help shape our information policy and, on the other hand, to help Europeans discover the views of fellow Europeans. The aim was not only to take the pulse of European public opinion, but also to enable European citizens in one country to discover what citizens in other European countries thought about the same subjects. The European Parliament showed an interest in this idea and the Schuijt report, named after a Dutch MEP, strongly recommended the creation of a permanent system of European public opinion surveys. In 1973, when I stepped down as director-general of information as a result of the first enlargement, the then President of the Commission, Mr Ortoli, asked me what I wanted to do. I replied that “I would like to set up the system of surveys requested by the European Parliament. Accordingly, after an initial pilot survey in the nine Member States in 1973, the first Eurobarometer was launched in the Spring of 1974.” The first test therefore paved the way for the launch at regular intervals of the most important wave of surveys ever conducted among European citizens. The objectives of the first “Standard” Eurobarometer were: • To assess how European citizens perceived the activities of the European Communities; • To forecast, as far as possible, public reaction to a given institutional or other initiative; • To measure changes in European public opinion over time and across countries using the data collected via this barometer of opinion based on two survey waves a year in the Member States.
Excerpt from the introduction to Eurobarometer N°1 (July 1974): “Starting this year, the Commission has decided to carry out polls at intervals in the nine countries of the Community, in order to follow
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
1
It is worth emphasising here Eurobarometer’s three essential characteristics:
A barometer The repetition at regular intervals of certain questions i) always worded in the same way ii) using the same reliable methodology iii) in all the European Union Member States and the candidate countries, meaning that it is possible to present this survey as a truly revealing indicator of changing opinion, the evolution of which can be perceived with precision.
An omnibus In the jargon of polls, an omnibus refers to the same study containing several subjects commissioned by different principals. Eurobarometer (Standard and Special) can be considered as an omnibus, because it contains a series of questions commissioned by various Directorates-General of the European Commission.
Homogeneous data collection methods Since it was set up 35 years ago, Eurobarometer has been based on face-to-face interviews carried out in the homes of the people interviewed in the national language(s) of the country. The use of a data collection method which is consistent over time and space makes it possible accurately to compare changes in opinion in different Member States and at different periods. This is essential for getting an overview of European public opinion and for identifying disparities between Member States.
Today, Eurobarometer is one of the most important opinion polls in the world. Over the 35 years of its existence, its frequency and its geographical coverage have increased threefold. In the following chapters we will attempt to trace changes in European public opinion through the prism of the main themes treated regularly by the Eurobarometer over the last three decades. The developments highlighted are, of course, inevitably arbitrary editorial choices which are simply intended to reflect the main themes related to the changes brought about by the construction of Europe. Alongside analytical developments, “historical zooms� will focus on a selection of themes covered in Eurobarometer studies. A short introduction to the theme and the presentation of several key dates for each theme discussed will provide an opportunity to present past or more recent results drawn from Eurobarometer surveys.
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/standard_en.htm; http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_en.htm
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
2
To complement the face-to-face surveys, a new quantitative tool was put in place at the beginning of the 1990s - based on telephone interviews: the “Flash” Eurobarometer. From the outset, when the Flash studies were launched, the Commission decided not to restrict the sample of interviewees to the general public alone. Given the success of the first surveys, the Commission decided to extend the scope of the Flash Eurobarometers to specific target groups. For more than fifteen years the Commission has thus had at its disposal an instrument which covers target groups as wide-ranging as doctors, company managers, young people aged between 15 and 24 and pensioners. Flash Eurobarometers are ad hoc surveys, based on thematic telephone interviews and are conducted at the request of any service of the European Commission. They enable the Commission to obtain results relatively quickly and to focus on specific target groups, as well as on general public when required. Since the first Flash Eurobarometer 18 years ago, almost 250 different flash surveys have been conducted. The Eurobarometer also includes qualitative studies, which are used to gauge the motivation, feelings and reactions of certain selected social groups with regard to a given subject or concept, by listening to them and analysing their way of expressing themselves in discussion groups or in undirected interviews. These Eurobarometer studies have existed for some ten years. They supplement the quantitative surveys available to the Commission. They are used to upstream/downstream of quantitative Standard or Flash Eurobarometer surveys: • Upstream: to define more clearly a problem and/or to design a questionnaire for a future survey to be used to quantify the results of the qualitative phase; • Downstream: to examine in greater depth certain results obtained from a quantitative survey and to gain a better understanding of the reasoning and motivation of individuals. Finally, today’s Standard Eurobarometer surveys cover the 27 Member States of the European Union, three candidate countries for accession to the European Union - Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey - and the northern part of Cyprus that is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. In addition, the surveys occasionally include three member states of the European Free Trade Association - Norway, Switzerland and Iceland as well as the United States. As a consequence, Eurobarometer has become one of the largest opinion polls in the world with a unique cross-national and cross-temporal survey programme.
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/flash_arch_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/quali_en.htm
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
3
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
4
CHAPTER I
35 YEARS OF INDEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE OPINIONS OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
5
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
6
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
1. ARE EUROPEANS SATISFIED WITH THEIR LIFE IN GENERAL? CITIZENS WITH EVERYTHING THEY COULD WISH FOR … AT LEAST AT FIRST SIGHT Since the Eurobarometer was launched in 1973, it has attempted to measure the level of satisfaction of the Community’s citizens with regard to all aspects of their lives by way of a simple question: “On the whole, are you satisfied with the life you lead?” Even if this state of mind is based on a range of perceptions, it is an interesting initial indicator of the social environment. In the 1980s, in order to take this analysis of European citizens’ state of mind regarding their personal situation a little further, the Eurobarometer questionnaire introduced two additional indicators concerning people’s satisfaction with their job situation and the financial situation of their household.
Key finding 1 A majority of European citizens are satisfied with their lives despite their financial difficulties.
Life in general The level of satisfaction of European citizens with their lives has proved to be one of the most stable indicators over the last thirty five years, with an average of at least 75% of respondents having a positive view. In Spring 2008, the state of mind of the vast majority of European Union citizens (77%) confirmed this observation.
Satisfaction of European citizens with their lives in general 100
90
80
70
60
1973
1975
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Job situation When asked about their personal job situation in Spring 1980, the majority of Europeans (54%) stated that they were “fairly satisfied”. On the other hand, just under a fifth (17%) were “not very satisfied”. It is noteworthy that in five countries (Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Luxembourg), citizens were far more likely to reply “fairly satisfied” than in the other Member States, while France had the largest proportion of dissatisfied citizens. Nearly a quarter of a century later, job satisfaction has reached high levels among European citizens. In Autumn 2004, an overwhelming majority of 81% of the European population stated that they were “totally or fairly satisfied” with their jobs.
Questions and Sources Q: On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with the life you lead? Q: For each of the following, please tell me if you are very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied or not at all satisfied? - Your current job EB13 (Spring 1980) EB62.2 (Autumn 2004) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
7
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
1. ARE EUROPEANS SATISFIED WITH THEIR LIFE IN GENERAL? CITIZENS WITH EVERYTHING THEY COULD WISH FOR … AT LEAST AT FIRST SIGHT
Financial situation In Spring 1980, citizens seemed to be more concerned about financial difficulties than they were about their job situation. More than half of Europeans (54%) declared that they could not “make ends meet” (9%) or that they only just managed to “make ends meet” (45%). The highest proportion of respondents who declared that they could not - or only just managed to - “make ends meet” was concentrated in two countries, namely Ireland (71%) and France (64%). On the other hand, the vast majority of people interviewed in the Netherlands (70%) declared that they did not have financial difficulties. Roughly two and a half decades later a clear majority of Europeans describe their financial situation as “good”. The most recent figures, from Spring 2007, show that 61% find their financial situation “good”, while more than a third describe it as “bad” (36%).
Questions and Sources Q: How would you judge the current situation in each of the following? - Your financial situation EB13 (Spring 1980) EB67 (Spring 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
8
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
1. ARE EUROPEANS SATISFIED WITH THEIR LIFE IN GENERAL? NEVERTHELESS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, PRICE INCREASES AND CRIME GIVE RISE TO SOME CONCERNS Since its launch the Standard Eurobarometer has regularly asked European citizens about their concerns and for their views on the current state of their country. In recent years, this has mainly involved asking respondents to indicate the two most serious problems facing their country.
Key finding 2 Since the early 1980s, unemployment has become the main concern of European citizens.
Inflation In the second half of the 1970s, the main concern of European citizens was the effects of the economic crisis affecting Europe: inflation and declining purchasing power. For example, the Eurobarometer carried out in Autumn 1975 revealed that two out of three people had noted that prices were rising faster than incomes. Even more worrying was the fact that they felt that the situation had worsened over the last five years. Although unemployment has dominated the list of concerns throughout the years, in recent years Europeans have become increasingly worried about rising prices and inflation. In fact, this issue overtook unemployment as citizens’ main concern in Spring 2008.
Unemployment Although in the first waves of the Eurobarometer citizens appeared to be more worried about inflation than unemployment, concern with the unemployment situation slowly gained in importance and the survey carried out in Autumn 1983 showed that it had become a major concern in all the member countries of the Community. At that time, the Community had 11.5 million unemployed people, i.e. 10% of the active population. Over the next two decades, unemployment remained the main subject of concern among Europeans. However, concern over this issue has fallen significantly since Autumn 2006 and in Spring 2008 only around a quarter of citizens felt that unemployment was among the two most important issues facing their country. Within the Member States, the categories of the population expressing most concern about the problem of unemployment were those consisting of people aged 15 to 24 years, students, manual workers and, as one might expect, unemployed people.
Crime In most recent years, crime has remained in the top three of most important issues to Europeans. The frequency in which they mentioned this concern fell between Spring 2003 and Spring 2005. More recent results have shown a very stable trend of just under a quarter of Europeans mentioning crime as one of the most important concerns. In Spring 2008, citizens’ concern over crime dropped (20% mentioning it) and it now ranks third, behind inflation and unemployment.
Questions and Sources Q: What do you think are the two most important issues facing (OUR COUNTRY) at the moment? Crime; Economic situation; Rising prices\ inflation; Taxation; Unemployment; Terrorism; Defence\ Foreign affairs; Housing; Immigration; Healthcare system; The educational system; Pensions; Protecting the environment. EB4 (Autumn 1975) EB20 (Autumn 1983) EB66 (Autumn 2006) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
9
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
2. HOW DO EUROPEAN CITIZENS SEE THEIR FUTURE? AN UNDOUBTED OPTIMISM REGARDING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF HOUSEHOLDS To conclude this rapid assessment by European citizens of their personal situation and the current situation of their country, we turn to Eurobarometer surveys on how they expect things to evolve in the near future.
Key finding 3 European public opinion is ambivalent about the outlook for the next twelve months: individual optimism versus a form of collective pessimism.
Life in general In recent years, levels of pessimism have fallen significantly in comparison to the early and mid-1990s, when sometimes over a third of the population felt that the coming year would not be as good. In Spring 2008, European citizens were relatively optimistic about their personal situation: 32% of respondents believed that it would improve over the next twelve months, while 49% did not expect any change and only 16% thought that things would get worse. Those expectations of life in general tend to be fairly stable from one year to the next in every Member State.
Job situation At EU level, citizens were fairly optimistic about their job situation in Spring 2008: a fifth expected it to get better over the next twelve months and 61% thought that it would remain the same. One in ten expected their job situation to deteriorate. In mid-1990s, a larger percentage of the population expected their job situation to improve (28%) but a larger proportion also expected it to deteriorate (14%).
Employment situation The confidence expressed by interviewees regarding their job situation in Spring 2008 contrasted sharply with their expectations of the unemployment situation in their country. The prevalent view was that the situation would deteriorate over the next twelve months (39%). The pessimism displayed by Europeans in Spring 2008 has been an enduring feature since Spring 1983: 66% of people interviewed at that time thought that the problem of unemployment would not disappear even if “economy picked up”.
The household financial situation In 1995, 22% of interviewees declared that they expected their financial situation to improve over the year to come, 20% said that it would deteriorate and more than half (55%) did not expect it to change. The breakdown of replies on the financial situation of households has remained relatively stable until the present day. However, in Spring 2008, the proportion of pessimists exceeded the proportion of optimists: a quarter of European citizens confirmed that they expected their household’s financial situation to deteriorate, while 22% foresaw a more positive scenario. 50% believed that it would remain unchanged.
Economic situation In Spring 2008, people were the most pessimistic about prospects for their country’s economic situation. Their pessimism, in fact, had increased significantly since Autumn 2007. 46% of Europeans expected the economic situation in their country to worsen, a third thought that the situation would remain unchanged and only 16% thought that it would improve. Questions and Sources Q: What are your expectations for the next twelve months: will the next twelve months be better, worse or the same, when it comes to...? Your life in general; The economic situation in (our country); The financial situation of your household; The employment situation in (our country); Your personal job situation. EB19 (Spring 1983) EB42 (Autumn 1994) EB44 (Autumn 1995) EB68 (Autumn 2007) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
10
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
ZOOM 1 HOW INTERESTED ARE CITIZENS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION?
T
he construction of Europe attracted the interest of those in some particular professional categories from the outset, in particular farmers and fishermen, whose interest was primarily motivated by the establishment of Community policies and assistance programmes from which they could expect to benefit. Moreover, the processes linked to European integration also very quickly drew the attention of territorial authorities as well as businesses and associations which attempted to benefit from projects subsidised by the European Community.
As the roles of the European Community/Union have developed and the influence of its policies has become perceptible in the everyday lives of European citizens, the public has taken a greater interest in European integration. The Erasmus programme, for example, has been welcomed by Europeans as a real achievement of European integration. In addition, major events, such as, the organisation of a referendum following the signature of the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, allowed certain governments to involve public opinion in key moments in European history. In the same way, the adoption of the euro in 2002 was a tangible element in the building of Europe.
Key dates: 1962: The Common Agricultural Policy was introduced. 1987: Launch of the ERASMUS programme. 1992: Signature of the Treaty of Maastricht.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
11
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
ZOOM 1 HOW INTERESTED ARE CITIZENS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION? • Less than half of Europeans interviewed (44%) said that they were interested in European affairs while 58% of respondents declared that they were interested in their country’s politics. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 66 Fieldwork: September - October 2006; publication: September 2007 QA52. “Would you say that you are very interested, fairly interested, not very interested or not at all interested in …? 1. Domestic affairs / 2. European affairs?”. European affairs
Domestic affairs in (OUR COUNTRY)
1% 1%
2% 1%
41%36% 52% 54%
63% 58%
Interested
Not interested
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
12
DK
44% 47%
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
3. EUROPEAN CITIZENS AND POLITICS: INTEREST IN POLITICS, AWARENESS AND TRUST IN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS In the course of the thirty five years covered by the Eurobarometer, European citizens have demonstrated their awareness of a certain number of problems affecting their countries. To what extent do they feel personally concerned by these problems and, more generally, how interested are they in politics? These are some of the questions to which the Eurobarometer has attempted to provide an answer.
Key finding 4 European citizens have become increasingly interested in Community issues.
November 1989: for the first time, more than half of respondents expressed an interest in European affairs Interest in European affairs During the first waves of the Eurobarometer, from 1973 to 1986, approximately a quarter of European citizens declared that they were very interested in Community affairs. Interest levels increased gradually after 1986 . In November 1988, the proportion of respondents who expressed an interest in European affairs exceeded 30% for the first time. In November 1989, it reached the historic level of 54%. In Autumn 2006, 44% of Europeans confirmed that they are interested in European affairs.
European citizens’ interest in European affairs 60
40
20
0 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Interest in politics in general In recent years, Eurobarometer surveys have looked more closely at European citizens’ interest in politics in general. In Spring 2008, just over seven out of ten people interviewed (72%) confirmed that they frequently or occasionally discussed political matters with friends.
Questions and Sources The wording of the question used in the Eurobarometer to analyse this aspect has changed with the various waves over the years: • “Would you say that you are very interested, fairly interested, not very interested or not at all interested in…? (September - October 2006) • “To what extent would you say you are interested in European politics, that is to say matters related to the European Community: a great deal, to same extent, not much or not at all?” (March-April 1993). • “As far as European politics are concerned, that is matters related to the European Community, to what extent would you say you are interested in them? A great deal, to some extent, not much or not at all?” (October-November 1998). • “Newspaper, radio and TV often present news and commentaries about the European Community. Are you personally very interested, a little interested, or not at all interested in the problems of the European Community?” (October-November 1986; March-April 1982) • “Are you personally very interested, a little interested, or not at all interested in the problems of the European Community (The Common Market)?” (April 1980, October-November 1978, September 1976, September 1973) EB4 (Autumn 1975) EB30 (Autumn 1988) EB32 (Autumn 1989) EB66 (Autumn 2006) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
13
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
3. EUROPEAN CITIZENS AND POLITICS: INTEREST IN POLITICS, AWARENESS AND TRUST IN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS A wide majority of Europeans know the European institutions The Eurobarometer regularly measures levels of support among European citizens for the European institutions through a number of indicators: awareness of the institutions and the image that they convey to European citizens, the confidence citizens have in them and finally citizens’ level of satisfaction with the way in which democracy works in the European Community/Union.
Key finding 5 A (relative or absolute) majority of citizens are familiar with the European institutions.
Awareness of news about the European institutions The Eurobarometer initially measured the level of awareness of the European institutions on the basis of the proportion of people who declared that they had recently heard something about them. During the period 1977-2000, on average half of the population declared that they had come across information about the European Parliament in the traditional media (television, radio and the written press). Awareness was particularly widespread at the time of the first European Parliamentary elections by universal suffrage (65% in April and 66% in October 1979) and in the Spring of 1984 (75%). In Autumn 2007, 42% of Europeans confirmed that they had recently read in the press, seen on the Internet or heard on the radio or television something about the European Parliament. Awareness of the European Parliament 80% 60% 40% 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
The European Commission was slightly less well known than the European Parliament at the end of the 1980s and in the first half of the 1990s (1987-1995): on average, during that period, 44% of European citizens declared that they had recently read or heard something about it. Awareness of the European Commission 60% 40% 20% 1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
In more recent Eurobarometer waves the wording of the question intended to measure awareness of the European institutions (“Have you heard of the European Parliament? / the European Commission? / etc.”) changed somewhat, which has affected the results positively. Over the last ten years, a fairly steady proportion of around nine in ten Europeans claimed that they have heard of the European Parliament, whereas around eight in ten were aware of the European Commission. Questions and Sources Q: Have you recently read in the press, seen on the Internet or heard on the radio or television something about the European Parliament? EB11 (Spring 1979) EB12 (Autumn 1979) EB21 (Spring 1984) EB68 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
14
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
3. EUROPEAN CITIZENS AND POLITICS: INTEREST IN POLITICS, AWARENESS AND TRUST IN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS Image of the European institutions Between 1982 and 1992, a relative majority of people interviewed (44% on average) had a positive view of the European Parliament. On average, one in five (21%) nevertheless indicated that their perception of this institution was negative and for more than one in four (27%) its image was neutral. It is worth noting that the European Parliaments’ image improved from the Autumn of 1987, when more than 40% of the people interviewed considered that its image was positive. Twenty years later - in Autumn 2007 - 39% of Europeans had a positive image of the European Parliament. To a similar proportion of the population, the Parliament conjured up a neutral image (41%).
Attitudes of European citizens towards the European Parliament
40% 20% 0% 1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
Generally favourable
1987
Generally unfavourable
1988
1989
Neither positive nor negative
1990
1991
1992
DK
Between 1987 and 1993, on average 45% of European citizens declared that the European Commission conjured up a favourable image for them. During that period, only 21% of European citizens saw the European Commission in a poor light, while 27% were neutral.
Attitude of European citizens towards the European Commission 40% 20% 0% 1987
1988
1989 Generally favourable
1990 Generally unfavourable
1991 Neither positive nor negative
1992 DK
Questions and Sources Q: Has what you read or heard given you a generally favourable or unfavourable impression of the European Parliament? Q: In general, does the European Parliament conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image? EB68 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
15
1993
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
3. EUROPEAN CITIZENS AND POLITICS: INTEREST IN POLITICS, AWARENESS AND TRUST IN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS Trust of European citizens in the European institutions In Spring 1999, the levels of confidence in the European Parliament and the European Commission stood at 50% and 40% respectively. Even though the confidence curves of the two institutions reflected the same trend, to date European citizens have consistently shown more confidence in the Parliament than in the Commission, a trend that the most recent Eurobarometer results confirmed again: In Spring 2008, the European Commission was trusted by 47% of Europeans, while 52% tended to trust the European Parliament. Levels of trust of citizens in the European Parliament and the European Commission 60% 40% 20% 0% 1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
European Parliament
2005
2006
2007
2008
European Commission
Satisfaction regarding the way in which democracy works in the European Community/Union Although in 1995, the percentage of respondents who were dissatisfied with the democratic system in the European Union exceeded the percentage of those satisfied, the trends have gradually been reversed and in Spring 1999, 42% of Europeans declared that they were very or fairly satisfied with the way democracy worked in the European Union (versus 38% “not satisfied�). This change can in all likelihood be attributed to a greater awareness among European citizens of the mechanisms put in place to ensure that democracy works better in the European Union, such as when the European Parliament demonstrated its determination by threatening to censure the Commission, resulting in the collective resignation of the Commission in March 1999. Satisfaction with the way democracy works within the European Union has increased among Europeans since early 2004. In Autumn 2007, for the first time an absolute majority of citizens expressed their satisfaction with the way democracy works (52%). Just under a third of the population, conversely, claim that they are not satisfied (32%)
Satisfaction regarding the way in which democracy works in the European Community/Union
40% 20% 0% 1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Satisfied
2001
Not Satisfied
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
DK
Questions and Sources Q: And, for each of them, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it? The European Parliament; The European Commission Q: And how about the way democracy works in the European Union? EB51 (Spring 1999) EB68 (Autumn 2007) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
16
2008
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
4. NATIONAL CITIZENS, EUROPEAN CITIZENS OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME? The concept of European citizenship appeared for the first time in the Maastricht Treaty which states that “every person holding the nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union”. This concept was further clarified by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997: European citizenship is additional to national citizenship, rather than replacing it, and allows citizens to exercise certain rights in the EU country in which they reside. Changes in public opinion regarding European citizenship have been observed by the Eurobarometer via several indicators, such as people’s attachment to Europe, the feeling of being “European” and the conviction that European citizens are united by a “community of values”.
Key finding 6 Since the beginning of the last decade, the attachment of European Union citizens to Europe has increased: they feel that they are “citizens of their country” but also consider themselves as “Europeans”.
Relatively strong attachment to the European Union Citizens’ attachment to Europe The Eurobarometer addressed the question of citizens’ attachment to Europe for the first time in 1991. At that time, 47% of European Union citizens declared that they were “fairly attached” or even “very attached” to Europe. After a dip between 1991 and 1995 (-5 points), this attachment increased gradually until 2004, when, in the European Union as a whole, 67% of citizens declared their attachment to Europe. The situation remained relatively stable until Spring 2007, when around two-thirds of Europeans (67%) said that they felt attached to Europe. Citizens’ attachment to Europe 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
Attached
1998
1999
Not Attached
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
DK
Questions and Sources Q: People may feel different levels of attachment to their village, town or city, to their region, to their country, to Europe or to the world. Please tell me how attached you feel to…Europe EB62 (Autumn 2004) EB67 (Spring 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
17
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
4. NATIONAL CITIZENS, EUROPEAN CITIZENS OR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME?
Being a European citizen in the near future Since Spring 2000, the majority of persons interviewed have declared that, when thinking of the near future, they see themselves as “citizens of their country and Europeans”. Previously, a majority of respondents had tended to identify exclusively with their own nationality. From 1994 to 2005, on average 4% of respondents saw themselves as exclusively “European”. Figures from Spring 2007 give a similar picture: 4% saw themselves as exclusively European, while 42% identified with their nationality only and 44% saw themselves as citizens of their country and of the European Union. National and European citizenships
60% 40% 20% 0%
1995
1996
1997
1998
(Nationality) and European
1999
2000
(Nationality) only
2001
2002
2003
European and (Nationality)
2004
2005
2006
2007
European only
Questions and Sources Q: In the near future, do you see yourself as…? (NATIONALITY) only; (NATIONALITY) and European; European and (NATIONALITY); European only. EB67 (Spring 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
18
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
ZOOM 2 EUROPEANS AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
T
he main reference for European citizens remains their national identity. However, from 1979, the opportunity to elect their representatives to the European Parliament and, from 1992, to vote and stand in municipal elections, represent an embryonic political citizenship that stretches across the continent.
This political citizenship has been accompanied by an economic citizenship resulting from the growth in trade and the movement of people within the internal market and, more widely, within the European Economic Area. Moreover, electronic trade within the Community could reinforce this sense of belonging to a major economic power.
Key dates: 19 January 1972: The European Community adopted a European anthem, the Ode to Joy (Beethoven’s 9th symphony). 1992, 1997: Citizenship of the Union, introduced in the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992 and further developed by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997, supplements but does not replace national citizenship. 28 February 2002: The Convention on the Future of Europe, chaired by Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, started its work in Brussels.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
19
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
ZOOM 2 EUROPEANS AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE EUROPEAN UNION • Almost half (49%) of people interviewed declared that they feel attached to the European Union compared with nine Europeans in ten who expressed a similar feeling for their country (91%). Source: Standard Eurobarometer 68 Fieldwork: September - November 2007; publication: May 2008 QA10: “People may feel different levels of attachment to their village, town or city, to their country or to the European Union. Please tell me how attached you feel to… Your city/town/village; (OUR COUNTRY); European Union How attached do you feel to…? % EU OUR COUNTRY
91%
Your city/town/village
87%
The European Union
49%
Attached
9% 0%
13% 0%
48%
Not attached
3%
DK
• 16% of people interviewed often think of themselves as European, 38% sometimes and 43% never. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 66 Fieldwork: September - October 2006; publication: June 2007 QA30: “Do you ever think of yourself as not only (NATIONALITY), but also European? Does this happen often, sometimes or never?” Do you ever think of yourself as not only (NATIONALITY), but also European? EU%
2% 2%16%
16%
43% 43% 38% 38%
Often
Sometimes
Never
DK
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
20
CHAPTER I 35 years of in-depth analysis of the opinions of European citizens
THERE IS STILL A LOT TO BE DONE BEFORE WE CAN SPEAK OF A REAL COMMUNITY OF VALUES AND A COMMON CULTURAL IDENTITY The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, proclaimed in Nice on 7 December 2000, sets out all the rights specifically acknowledged by the Member States and their citizens - rights which distinguish them from other populations. Accordingly, it may be considered that the European public’s awareness of this charter is a potential indicator of the existence of a community of values. The use of a single currency is a second element capable of reinforcing the sense of belonging to such a community. Finally, to varying degrees, Europeans feel that they share a cultural identity, and this is another, if less objective, element of belonging.
Key finding 7 Despite an increasingly heightened sense of belonging to the European Union among citizens of the Member States, it is still as yet difficult to define a cultural identity and common values.
Charter of Fundamental Rights European Union citizens were still fairly unfamiliar with the Charter of Fundamental Rights in 2002: in 11 of the 15 countries, the majority of respondents had never heard of it. The score was as high as 67% in the United Kingdom and Greece and 68% in Sweden. In five countries, a small majority of respondents had at least heard of the Charter, namely Austria (58%), Luxembourg (54%), Portugal (54%), Italy (53%) and Germany (50%). Despite sometimes significant differences between the Member States regarding knowledge of the Charter, overall a small minority of citizens declared that they knew what it represented (8%). Only 2% of citizens in France and Denmark declared that they knew the Charter’s content. Austrian citizens seemed to be the best informed about the Charter: 22% declared that they knew what was involved.
A shared cultural identity In Autumn 1999, 38% of European Union citizens believed that a European cultural identity existed while 49% disagreed with that view. However, there were important differences between the 15 Member States. The strongest support for the idea of a shared cultural identity in Europe was in Greece (49%) and Portugal (47%), followed by Germany (43%) and Italy (42%). Citizens in Finland (65%), France and Denmark (59% in both countries) were the most sceptical. In Spring 2008, a clear majority of Europeans agreed (61%) that, compared with other continents, it is much easier to see what Europeans have in common in terms of values. The results were, however, rather divided when it came to assessing European values in the context of global “western” values: a relative majority of Europeans (44%) believed that there are no common European values but global western values only. 37% would not agree with this.
The role of the euro in developing a European identity In 2002, 64% of people interviewed believed the euro could play a role in developing a European identity. Support for this view was particularly strong in Ireland and Italy (81% and 73% respectively). Three countries took a negative view: the Netherlands (49%), Austria (41%) and Greece (39%). Opinion was divided in the other euro zone countries between a positive camp (near the European average of 64%) and a negative camp (ranging between 29% and 38%).
Questions and Sources Q: For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you strongly agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or strongly disagree? When compared to other continents, it is much easier to see what Europeans have in common in terms of values; There are no common European values, only global western values. EB52 (Autumn 1999) EB FLASH EFS N°121 “Attitudes on the euro” EB FLASH EFS N°133 “10 years of European citizenship”
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
21
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
22
CHAPTER II
HOW DO CITIZENS OF EUROPE PERCEIVE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION?
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
23
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
24
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
1. EUROPEAN CITIZENS TESTED ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION From the outset, the Eurobarometer has regularly measured European citizens’ levels of knowledge of the European Community/Union and has examined the sources of information they most frequently use.
Key finding 8 European citizens do not feel sufficiently informed about the European Union or its policies and institutions, and increasingly want to know more.
Citizens’ satisfaction with information about the European Community/Union The first data available concerning the knowledge of European citizens about the European Community dates from Spring 1974. At that time, just under a third of citizens considered that they were sufficiently well-informed about the issues the European Community has been dealing with. The main reason given to explain this lack of knowledge was a lack of interest in this type of information; a harsh but frank judgement by the people interviewed who seemed to want to challenge the European institutions on this point. There was no significant change during the 1980s in EC citizens’ views of the information available to them, despite the growing interest they showed in European affairs. The percentage of people interviewed who indicated an interest in European affairs exceeded 30% for the first time in 1988 (39% in November 1988). Nevertheless, more than 70% of respondents still considered that they were ill-informed about the problems of the European Community. At the end of the 1990s, European Union citizens still felt that their knowledge of the European Union was limited, but a large number of them expressed a wish to learn more about it (65%). In Autumn 2005, 48% of people interviewed wanted to have more information about the European Union and 18% thought that they had a “real need to know a lot more about the European Union”. Nevertheless just under a third of Europeans (31%) declared that they were satisfied with their level of knowledge.
Self-assessment of knowledge about the European Union In order to determine the subjective level of knowledge of EU citizens, the Eurobarometer waves carried out since 2000 have asked EU citizens to rate their level of knowledge on a scale from 1 (knowing nothing at all) to 10 (knowing a lot). In Autumn 2006, a majority of people interviewed (53%) rated their level of knowledge between 3 and 5, i.e. knowing a bit about the European Union. Just under a quarter of respondents (23%) gave themselves a score between 6 and 8; while only 2% thought that they knew a lot about the European Union (scores 9 and 10). Finally, the percentage of the population that considered that they knew nothing about the European Union (scores 1 and 2) was 22%. From a socio-demographic point of view, the respondents who felt the least knowledgeable about the European Union were women and people who left school at the age of 15 or earlier. That Europeans are rather critical about their level of information is again confirmed in Spring 2007, when an overall majority of citizens (68%) declare that they do not feel well informed about European affairs. Meanwhile, just under a third of Europeans (30%) confirm that they do feel informed about these matters. However, when assessing the level of information of their fellow citizens, Europeans are even more pessimistic: three quarters of respondents think that people in their country are poorly informed about European affairs, while just above a fifth have an opposite opinion (22%).
Questions and Sources Q: Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion? I really need to know a lot more about the European Union; I would like to have some more information about the European Union; As far as I am concerned I am happy with what I already know Q: Using this scale, how much do you feel you know about the European Union, its policies, its institutions? Q: Overall, do you think that you are well informed or not about European political affairs? Q: Overall, do you think that in (OUR COUNTRY), people are well informed or not about European political affairs? EB1 (Spring 1974) EB30 (Autumn 1988) EB50 (Autumn 1998) EB64 (Autumn 2005) EB66 (Autumn 2006) EB67 (Spring 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
25
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 3 EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
T
he European institutions are often seen by Europeans as distant, bureaucratic and inefficient, except for the European Parliament, elected by direct universal suffrage every five years since June 1979, which is regarded as a more familiar institution.
Perceptions of the European institutions are also influenced by the way in which they are presented by the national authorities and media in the Member States, in the absence of school programmes designed to present them clearly. The question of Europe’s “democratic deficit” is therefore at the centre of a political debate focused on ways of making citizens feel more closely involved in the European decision-making process. However, the debate on the ratification of the “Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe”, in 2005 and 2006, repeatedly highlighted this distance between public opinion and European public affairs as a whole.
Key dates: 1January 1995: Departure of Jacques Delors after ten years as President of the European Commission. 16 March 1999: Collective resignation of the European Commission, under the presidency of Jacques Santer, following the threatened vote of censure by the European Parliament. June 2004: 6th election of MEPs by direct universal suffrage (732 MEPs representing 25 Member States).
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
26
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 3 EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS • Half of European citizens trust the European Union. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA12: “I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain institutions. For each of the following institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it. The (NATIONALITY) justice and legal system/ Political parties/ The (NATIONALITY) government/ The (NATIONALITY PARLIAMENT)/ The European Union/ The United Nations”. Trust in certain institutions – %EU 51%
54% 50% 45%
46% 46% 33% 34%
30%
32%
17% 18%
The United Nations
The The The The European (NATIONALITY) (NATIONALITY (NATIONALITY) Union justice / the PARLIAMENT) Government judicial system
EB 66 Aut. 2006
EB 69 Spr. 2008
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
27
Political parties
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 3 EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS • Awareness of the European institutions: 87% of people interviewed had heard of the European Parliament (11% had never heard of it); 78% for the European Commission (20% replied “never”); 62% for the Council of the European Union (34% had never heard of it). Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA16: “Have you heard of …? The European Parliament / The European Commission / The Council of the European Union.”
Awareness of the European Parliament - % EU
92%
91%
91%
92%
92%
90%
89%
89%
90%
89%
88%
87%
9%
7%
7%
7%
7%
7%
8%
10%
9%
10%
10%
10%
11%
1%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
2%
2%
Aut.2001 EB56
Spr. 2002 EB57
Aut.2002 EB58
Spr. 2003 EB59
Aut.2003 EB60
Spr. 2004 EB61
Aut.2004 EB62
Spr.2005 EB63
Aut.2005 EB64
Spr.2006 EB65
Aut.2006 EB66
Spr.2007 EB67
Aut.2007 EB68
Spr.2008 EB69
81%
82%
82%
79%
78%
17%
17%
16%
19%
20%
1%
2%
2%
2%
Aut.2007 EB68
Spr.2008 EB69
89%
90%
91%
91%
89%
91%
89%
8%
8%
7%
8%
9%
7%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Spr. 1999 EB51
Aut.1999 EB52
Spr. 2000 EB53
Aut.2000 EB54
Spr. 2001 EB55
No
Yes
DK
Awareness of the European Commission - % EU 79%
78%
79%
17%
18%
17%
4%
4%
Spr. 1999 EB51
Aut.1999 EB52
80%
79%
78%
19%
18%
19%
3%
4%
3%
4%
3%
3%
Aut.2000 EB54
Spr. 2001 EB55
Aut.2001 EB56
Spr. 2002 EB57
Aut.2002 EB58
Spr. 2003 EB59
78%
77%
19%
3%
Spr. 2000 EB53
17%
78%
19%
81%
17%
16%
17%
2%
2%
2%
80%
16% 3%
Aut.2003 EB60
No
Yes
82%
81%
Spr. 2004 EB61
Aut.2004 EB62
Spr.2005 EB63
79%
19%
2%
Aut.2005 EB64
3%
Spr.2006 EB65
Aut.2006 Spr.2007 EB66 EB67
DK
Awareness of the Council of the European Union - % EU
62%
31%
6%
Spr. 1999 EB51
65%
63%
63%
32%
32%
5%
5%
5%
6%
Aut.1999 EB52
Spr. 2000 EB53
Aut.2000 EB54
Spr. 2001 EB55
60%
34%
60%
34%
63%
66% 62%
65%
66%
32%
31%
32%
32%
2%
3%
2%
Aut.2004 EB62
Spr.2005 EB63
Aut.2005 EB64
65%
62%
64%
36%
33%
30%
32%
5%
5%
4%
5%
5%
4%
Aut.2001 EB56
Spr. 2002 EB57
Aut.2002 EB58
Spr. 2003 EB59
Aut.2003 EB60
Spr. 2004 EB61
29%
Yes
68%
64%
No
DK
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
28
32%
4%
Spr.2006 EB65
63%
34%
62%
62%
35%
34%
29%
2%
3%
3%
4%
Aut.2006 EB66
Spr.2007 EB67
Aut.2007 EB68
Spr.2008 EB69
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 3 EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS • More than half of Europeans (52%) trust the European Parliament, compared with just under a half for the European Commission (47%). Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA19: “And, for each of them, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it? The European Parliament / The European Commission”. Trust in the European Parliament – % EU 57% 50%
28%
22%
Spr. 1999 EB51
53%
52%
53%
27%
28%
28%
20%
Aut.1999 EB52
52%
25%
24%
23% 19%
Spr. 2000 EB53
19%
Aut.2000 EB54
19%
Spr. 2001 EB55
Aut.2001 EB56
59% 54%
57%
54%
27%
24% 22%
Spr. 2002 EB57
23%
23%
19%
20%
Aut.2002 EB58
Spr. 2003 EB59
Tend to trust it
20%
Aut.2003 EB60
54%
29%
57%
56% 52%
31%
51%
52%
34% 30%
16%
Spr. 2004 EB61
Aut.2004 EB62
Tend not to trust it
18%
Spr.2005 EB63
16%
Aut.2005 EB64
28%
19% 16% Spr.2006 EB65
52%
32%
26%
17%
55%
52%
Aut.2006 EB66
16%
Spr.2006 EB67
27%
18%
27%
21%
Spr.2006 EB68
Spr.2006 EB69
50%
47%
DK
Trust in the European Commission – % EU 53% 50% 44%
45%
46%
29%
30%
30%
52%
52%
50% 47%
45%
46%
48%
46%
46%
47%
48%
40% 33% 28% 25% 27%
Spr. 1999 EB51
26%
Aut.1999 EB52
25%
Spr. 2000 EB53
27% 24%
Aut.2000 EB54
Spr. 2001 EB55
25%
Aut.2001 EB56
27% 24% 25%
Spr. 2002 EB57
24%
Aut.2002 EB58
26% 24%
Spr. 2003 EB59
Tend to trust it
28%
29%
31%
33%
23%
Spr. 2004 EB61
Tend not to trust it
23%
21%
Aut.2004 EB62
Spr.2005 EB63
DK
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
29
27%
27% 26% 26%
26%
Aut.2003 EB60
31% 29%
27%
24% 21%
Aut.2005 EB64
Spr.2006 EB65
24% 21%
21%
Aut.2006 EB66
Aut.2006 EB67
Aut.2006 EB68
Aut.2006 EB69
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
EUROPEANS AND THEIR MEDIA SOURCES
Television is the most used media source
Key finding 9 Television is the principal source used by European citizens when they want to obtain information about the European Union.
Most used information sources In Spring 1980, the Eurobarometer introduced several questions about the intensity of public exposure to information media, first of all independently of any reference to the European Community. The results showed that television was an indispensable medium: 60% of the people interviewed, on average, declared that they watched the television news every day, compared with 47% who listened to the news every day on the radio and 41% who declared that they kept up-to-date with politics by reading a daily newspaper. In Spring 2006, television was still the leading medium used by European citizens: 66% of them declared that they watched television news programmes every day and 21% watched them several times a week. Radio was also still widely used: 40% of respondents declared that they listened to the radio news every day and 16% did so several times a week. Finally, 35% of European citizens declared that they read the news in a daily newspaper every day, while 17% consulted daily newspapers several times a week. Radio, however, was the most trusted media source among Europeans in Spring 2008. 61% of citizens said that they tend to trust this particular source of information. Television ranked only secondly with just over half of the population (53%) finding it trustworthy. 44%, moreover, trusted the press and 36% trusted the Internet.
Sources of information about the European Union The most recent Eurobarometer waves have identified more precisely the media used by European citizens to obtain information about the European Union. For example, in Spring 2007, 63% of respondents declared that they relied on television and around four in ten also stated that they consulted daily newspapers (41%), while 28% relied on the internet and around a quarter (26%) used the radio as a source of information.Compared with results from one year earlier - from Spring 2006 - television and radio tended to be slightly less popular sources of information about the European Union. The internet, however, had gained ground.
Questions and Sources Q: About how often do you...? Watch television news programmes; Read the news in daily newspapers; Listen to radio news programmes. Q: I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in certain institutions. For each of the following institutions, please tell me if you tend to trust it or tend not to trust it. Q: When you are looking for information about the European Union, its policies, its institutions, which of the following sources do you use? Which else? Attending conferences, talks, meetings; Discussions with relatives, friends, colleagues; Daily newspapers; Other newspapers, magazines; Television; Radio; The Internet; Books, brochures, information leaflets. EB13 (Spring 1980) EB65 (Spring 2006) EB67 (Spring 2007) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
30
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 4 HOW DO EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS OBTAIN INFORMATION ON EUROPE?
I
t is now widely acknowledged that a lack of information on Europe affects the way in which citizens perceive the European Union and their involvement in its construction.
Communication about Europe today relies mainly, as in the past, on national mass media which very often focus on national news and tend to ignore European news. In response to this situation, media with a specific European dimension (such as for example the Euronews television channel and its Internet site: euronews.net) have a truly international approach to relaying European news.
It is also an established fact that a communication policy targeting a very broad public must include the media most widely used by the public, namely television, radio, daily papers, magazines and now the Internet. The success of the European Commission’s “Plan D” (Democracy, Dialogue and Debate) launched on 13 October 2005, as the cornerstone of an in-depth dialogue on the future of Europe, now involves the increased use of mass media and the Internet.
Key dates: 1963: The first European Documentation Centre was set up. Installed mainly in universities, the network had more than 600 centres in 2006. 1January 1993: Launch of the Euronews television channel based in Lyon. 2000: Creation of Europe Direct by the European Commission, a telephone-based information service on Europe. Number of pages viewed on the Europa site * : 1998: 82,198,020 1999: 177,617,743 2000: 318,319,268 2001: 479,389,879 2002: 612,818,201 2003: 840,915,076 2004: 1,060,181,999 2005: 1,394,343,602 2006: 1,394,684,283 2007: 1,412,647,371 2006: Launch of the "Debate Europe" discussion forum * Source: http://europa.eu/abouteuropa/stat/index.htm
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1272&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
31
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 4 HOW DO EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS OBTAIN INFORMATION ON EUROPE? • Around two-thirds of Europeans confirm that they watch television on a daily basis (66%), while 40% listen to radio news programmes every day and more than a third (35%) read a newspaper every day. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 65 Fieldwork: March - May 2006; publication: January 2007 QA18.1/2/3: “About how often do you ...? Watch television news programmes / Read the news in daily newspapers / Listen to radio news programmes”. About how often do you…? – EU % Watch television news programmes
66%
Listen to radio news programmes
40%
Read the news in the daily newspapers
Every day
16%
35%
Several times a week
17%
21% 9%
15%
Once or twice a week
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
32
7% 14%
15%
Less often
4%
1% 20%
18%
Never
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 4 HOW DO EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS OBTAIN INFORMATION ON EUROPE? • A growing number of Europeans search the Internet for information about the European Union. Currently, it is the third most commonly used source of such information. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 67 Fieldwork: April - May 2007; publication: November 2007 QA25: “When you are looking for information about the European Union, its policies, its institutions, which of the following sources do you use? Which else? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)”. Sources used to obtain information about the European Union, its policies and its institutions - % EU 63%
Television
70% 41% 41%
Daily newspapers 28% 23%
Internet
26% 31%
Radio
21% 22%
Discussions with family, friends and colleagues 15% 15%
Other newspapers, magazines
11% 11%
Books, brochures, fact-sheets
Attending conferences, talks, meetings
4% 3%
Telephone (Information lines, Europe Direct etc)
1% 1%
Others (SPONTANEOUS)
1% 1% 13%
Never look for this kind of information, not interested (SPONTANEOUS) DK
12% 1% 1%
EB65 Spr. 2006
EB67 Spr. 2007
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
33
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE MEDIA AND THE OBJECTIVITY OF THIS INFORMATION DO NOT SEEM TO BE CALLED INTO QUESTION
Key finding 10 Relative majorities of Europeans feel that there is insufficient television and radio coverage of European news.
Place given by the media to European news In Autumn 2007, 45% of respondents considered that the press in their country gave sufficient coverage of the European Union, more than a third felt that coverage was insufficient (36%) and 7% believed that coverage was excessive. The situation regarding television and radio coverage is slightly different: relative majorities of Europeans confirmed that these media sources covered European affairs insufficiently (48% for television and 46% for radio). Coverage of the European Union on websites was considered sufficient by 30% of respondents, while nearly half of Europeans (47%) felt unable to answer this question.
Objectivity of the media when presenting European news In Autumn 2007, 53% of people interviewed in the European Union considered that their national television presented the European Union in an objective way; 51% of respondents shared this view as regards the press and 51% as regards the radio. 15% of respondents considered that their country’s television presented European affairs in too positive a light, compared with 12% for the press and 11% for the radio. More than one citizen in ten stated that television and the press were too negative in their coverage of the European Union (13%).
Questions and Sources Q: Generally speaking, do you think that the (NATIONALITY) ... talk(s) too much, about the right amount or too little about the European Union? Television; Radio; Press; Websites Q: Do you think that the (NATIONALITY) ... present(s) the European Union too positively, objectively or too negatively? Television; Radio; Press; Websites EB68 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
34
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
2. WHAT THE EUROPEAN UNION EVOKES FOR EUROPEAN CITIZENS
THE EUROPEAN UNION EVOKES ABOVE ALL A FEELING OF HOPE By the end of 2005, around four in ten respondents stated that the European Union evoked a feeling of hope (42%).
Key finding 11 A majority of respondents have a positive view of the European Union and consider that their respective countries have benefited from being a Member State.
What the European Union represents for Europeans An analysis of the European Union’s image in Spring 2008 revealed that 48% of respondents considered that the European Union had a positive image, compared with 35% and 15% respectively for whom its image was neutral or negative. Over and above the question of the European Union’s general image, the respondents were asked to identify the characteristics which, in their opinion, defined the European Union. In the EU27 as a whole, the freedom to travel, study and work anywhere in the European Union emerged as the most defining feature of the European Union: this freedom was mentioned by 49% of citizens.
The feelings that the European Union inspires in Europeans When people interviewed were asked what the European Union evokes for them, their replies expressed mainly positive feelings. Thus, by the end of 2005, just over four in ten respondents declared that the European Union evoked a feeling of hope (42%). In addition, the European Union inspired trust among 22% of the interviewees. The least positive feelings evoked by the European Union were anxiety (21%) and mistrust (20%).
Questions and Sources Q: In general, does the European Union conjure up for you a very positive, fairly positive, neutral, fairly negative or very negative image? Q: What does the European Union mean to you personally? (ROTATE - MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE ): Peace; Economic prosperity; Democracy; Social protection; Freedom to travel, study and work anywhere in the EU; Cultural diversity; Stronger say in the world; Euro; Unemployment; Bureaucracy; Waste of money; Loss of our cultural identity; More crime; Not enough control at external frontiers Q: Does the European Union give you personally the feeling of...? Enthusiasm; Hope; Trust; Indifference; Anxiety; Mistrust; Rejecting it EB64 (Autumn 2005) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
35
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
2. WHAT THE EUROPEAN UNION EVOKES FOR EUROPEAN CITIZENS
THE EUROPEAN UNION EVOKES ABOVE ALL A FEELING OF HOPE Approval of European Union membership Since 1973, the Eurobarometer has examined whether the people interviewed see their country’s membership of the European Community / European Union as a good thing. From 1973 to 1980, support for the European Community fluctuated between a maximum of 63% (1975) and a minimum of 53% (1976, 1978 and 1980). At the beginning of the following decade, on average 55% interviewees considered that their country’s membership of the Community was a “good thing”. The change over the decade as a whole was slightly negative, except in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark. Support for European Union membership was the lowest in the mid-1990s, falling from 72% in 1991 to 46% in Spring1997. The European Union’s popularity increased slightly towards the end of the decade and, in Spring 1998, support broke through the 50% level for the first time since 1995 (53%). In the first half of the current decade, support for European Union membership was on average 52%. The most recent results show a similar figure: 52% of Europeans saw their country’s membership of the European Union as “a good thing” in Spring 2008. However, this represents a decline in support for membership, compared with results of Autumn 2007 (58% finding it “a good thing”).
Approval of country’s membership of the European Community / European Union 80%
60%
40%
20% 1973
1975 1976
1978 1979 1980
1982 1983
1985 1986
1988 1989 1990
1992 1993
1995 1996
1998 1999
2001 2002 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Questions and Sources Q: Generally speaking, do you think that (OUR COUNTRY)'s membership of the European Union is...? A good thing; A bad thing; Neither good nor bad EB49 (Spring 1998) EB68 (Autumn 2007) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
36
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
2. WHAT THE EUROPEAN UNION EVOKES FOR EUROPEAN CITIZENS
THE EUROPEAN UNION EVOKES ABOVE ALL A FEELING OF HOPE Perceived benefits of European Union membership In Autumn 1984 half of Europeans, on average, considered that their country had benefited from being part of the Community. However there were marked differences from one country to another: the vast majority of citizens in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy and Ireland shared a positive view, while 57% of British citizens took the opposite stance. From 1984 to 2008, a majority (whether an absolute or a relative majority) of respondents agreed that their country had benefited from being a member of the European Union (between a minimum of 41% and a maximum of 59%). In Spring 2008, 54% of European citizens considered that, overall, their country had benefited from being a member of the European Union, versus 31% who disagreed. Irish respondents, shortly before rejecting the Treaty of Lisbon in the June 2008 referendum, were the most convinced that their country had benefited from EU membership. The results in the two countries that initially rejected the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in referendums were also predominantly positive (France: 49% and the Netherlands: 70%) in Spring 2008. Of the other states, citizens in Denmark, Poland, Estonia and Slovakia were particularly convinced of the benefits of membership. More “critical” voices were heard in Hungary, the United Kingdom, Austria and Italy. A socio-demographic analysis of these results showed that, across the European Union, men, the youngest age groups, those who spent the longest time in education, students, managers and self-employed people were the most convinced of the benefits of their country’s membership of the European Union.
Benefits of membership of the European Community / European Union 80%
60%
40%
20% 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Questions and Sources Q: Taking everything into account, would you say that (OUR COUNTRY) has on balance benefitted or not from being a member of the European Union? Benefited; Not benefited EB22 (Autumn 1984) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
37
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 5 MY COUNTRY AND ITS MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
P
oliticians sometimes carry out a cost-benefit analysis of their country’s contribution to the European budget and the expected benefits of their country’s membership of the European Union. Although some nationalist political parties have suggested that their country should withdraw from the European Union, only a minority of European citizens support this idea.
Membership of the European Union is undoubtedly seen as an established fact by younger generations who take advantage more readily of the opportunities of the European single market, while older generations recall that reconciliation between European countries, previously divided by repeated wars, forms the very basis of European integration.
Key dates: 25 September 1972: In a referendum, Norwegian citizens rejected their country’s proposed membership of the European Community. 1January 1973: Accession of Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland. 1January 1981: Accession of Greece. 1January 1985: Following a referendum in 1982, Greenland, a Danish province, left the European Community. 1January 1986: Accession of Spain and Portugal. 22 November 1994: In a referendum, , Norwegian citizens rejected EU membership for the second time 1January 1995: Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. 4 March 2001: Switzerland decided by referendum not to open membership negotiations with the European Union. 1January 2004: Accession of ten States: Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. 1January 2007: Accession of Bulgaria and Romania.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
38
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 5 MY COUNTRY AND ITS MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION • In Spring 2008, 52% of people interviewed considered that European Union membership is a good thing; 14% believed that it is a bad thing and 29% considered that it is neither good nor bad. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA7: “Generally speaking do you think that (OUR COUNTRY’S) membership of the European Union is …? A good thing; A bad thing; Neither good nor bad”. Support for membership of the European Union – % EU 54% 48%
28%
17%
49%
48%
46%
30%
15%
28%
53%
51%
28%
9%
49%
50%
27%
27%
14%
14%
26%
27%
27%
12%
12%
12%
12%
9%
8%
14%
12% 8%
50%
8%
53%
55%
48%
29%
13%
56%
54% 48%
28%
28%
31%
29% 27%
15% 12%
11%
7%
8%
10%
6% 10%
9%
10%
9%
28%
17% 13%
11% 6%
3% 6%
30% 27%
15%
16%
4%
4%
A bad thing
28%
27%
16% 13%
58% 52%
4%
4%
29% 25%
15%
3%
25%
13%
14%
4%
5%
7%
Aut. 1996 Spr. 1997 Aut. 1997 Spr. 1998 Aut. 1998 Spr. 1999 Aut. 1999 Spr. 2000 Aut. 2000 Spr. 2001 Aut. 2001 Spr. 2002 Aut. 2002 Spr. 2003 Aut. 2003 Spr. 2004 Aut. 2004 Spr. 2005 Aut.2005 EB46 EB47 EB48 EB49 EB50 EB51 EB52 EB53 EB54 EB55 EB56 EB57 EB58 EB59 EB60 EB61 EB62 EB63 EB64
A good thing
57% 53%
50%
48%
29%
55%
54%
Neither good nor bad
Spr.2006 Aut.2006 Spr. 2007 Aut.2007 Spr.2008 EB65 EB66 EB67 EB68 EB69
DK
Question: QA7: Generally speaking do you think that (YOUR COUNTRY’S) membership of the European Union is / would be…? Answers: A good thing
Country results The Netherlands
75%
Ireland
73%
Luxembourg
73%
Belgium
66%
Denmark
65%
Spain
65%
Poland
65%
Romania
64%
Germany
60%
Lithuania
60%
71% - 100%
Malta
60%
61% - 70%
Estonia
58%
51% - 60%
Slovakia
57%
41% - 50%
Sweden
54%
0% - 40%
European Union (27)
52%
Cyprus
52%
Slovenia
52%
Bulgaria
51%
Portugal
50%
France
48%
Czech Republic
48%
Greece
47%
Finland
44%
Italy
39%
Map Legend
Austria
36%
Hungary
32%
United Kingdom
30%
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey
Latvia
29%
Croatia
72% 49% 30%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
39
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 5 MY COUNTRY AND ITS MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION • More than half (54%) of European citizens consider that their country has benefited from membership of the European Union; just under a third disagree (31%). Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA8: “Taking everything into consideration, would you say that (OUR COUNTRY) has on balance benefited or not from being a member of the European Union?” Benefits from being a member of the European Union – % EU 59% 52% 49% 44%
42%
41%
36%
36%
21%
22%
46%
44%
46%
47%
47%
31%
32%
32%
35% 31%
31%
29%
22%
23% 20%
30% 26%
25% 21%
53% 50%
21%
23%
21%
55% 52%
50%
45%
27%
27% 21%
51%
28%
29%
22%
21%
46%
47%
34%
35%
34%
54%
33%
34%
34%
36% 33%
19%
58% 54%
31%
29%
18% 12%
12%
Aut. 1996 Spr. 1997 Aut. 1997 Spr. 1998 Aut. 1998 Spr. 1999 Aut. 1999 Spr. 2000 Aut. 2000 Spr. 2001 Aut. 2001 Spr. 2002 Aut. 2002 Spr. 2003 Aut. 2003 Spr. 2004 Aut. 2004 Spr. 2005 Aut.2005 EB46 EB47 EB48 EB49 EB50 EB51 EB52 EB53 EB54 EB55 EB56 EB57 EB58 EB59 EB60 EB61 EB62 EB63 EB64
Not benefited
54%
30%
12%
Benefited
54%
12% Spr.2006 EB65
12%
12%
11%
Aut.2006 Spr. 2005 Aut.2005 EB66 EB63 EB64
15%
13% Spr.2006 EB65
Aut.2006 Eb66
DK
Question: QA8: Taking everything into consideration, would you say that (OUR COUNTRY) has on balance benefited / would benefit or not from being a member of the European Union? Answers: Benefited/ Would benefit
Country results Ireland
82%
Denmark
77%
Poland
77%
Estonia
76%
Slovakia
76%
Lithuania
75%
Greece
73%
Slovenia
71%
Belgium
70%
76% - 100%
The Netherlands
70%
66% - 75%
Malta
69%
56% - 65%
Luxembourg
68%
46% - 55%
Spain
66%
0% - 45%
Romania
65%
Czech Republic
64%
Portugal
61%
Germany
55%
Cyprus
55%
European Union (27)
54%
Finland
51%
Sweden
50%
France
49%
Latvia
48%
Bulgaria
47%
Italy
37%
Austria
36%
United Kingdom
36%
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey
Hungary
36%
Croatia
Map Legend
82% 58% 44%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
40
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
3.WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE EUROPEAN UNION PLAY? HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY MUST REMAIN NATIONAL AREAS OF COMPETENCE For the last 35 years, the Eurobarometer has tested the views of European citizens on the division of responsibilities between national governments and the European Union, as well as on the role that the European Union plays or should play on the international stage.
Key finding 12 European citizens are in favour of the European Union having decisionmaking responsibility in areas which have a clear international dimension
The sharing of areas of competence between national governments and the European Union In the first wave of the Standard Eurobarometer, in April-May 1974, more than seven out of ten people in the Community as a whole took the view that important problems were more likely to be solved by joint action than by each country acting separately. That preference for joint European action was most widespread in the six founding countries of the Community. From 1976 to 1984, there was a perceptible increase in support in all countries for joint action. In Spring 1992, when asked for their views on the policy areas where decisions should be taken at European Community level rather than by national governments, at least seven out of ten European citizens mentioned “cooperation with developing countries, the Third World” (82%), “scientific and technological research” (77%), “protection of the environment” (72%) and “foreign policy towards countries outside the European Community” (70%). On the other hand, an absolute majority of respondents preferred matters relating to “health and social security” (56%) and “education” (55%) to remain the responsibility of national governments.
Questions and Sources EB1 (Spring 1974) EB37 (Spring 1992)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
41
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 6 PREFERRED LEVEL OF DECISION-MAKING
T
he European Union has sometimes been accused of adopting excessively detailed regulations on subjects portrayed as futile. That is why the 1992 Treaty of Maastricht introduced the principle of subsidiarity in order to determine at what level - local, national or European responsibility should lie. Subsequently, the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, followed by the Treaty of Lisbon proposed to boost subsidiarity by giving national parliaments a role in monitoring the application of this principle.
Key dates: 28 February 1992: Article 3B of the Treaty of Maastricht introduced the principle pf subsidiarity. 16 December 2003: Signature of an inter-institutional agreement between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council entitled “Better Regulation” intended to reduce pointless regulation. 10 December 2004: The “Transports” Council validated the operational development phase of GALILEO, the European satellite navigation system.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
42
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
ZOOM 6 PREFERRED LEVEL OF DECISION-MAKING • Citizens favour decision-making at European level in a wide range of fields. Health and social welfare are, however, matters that they would prefer their national Government to decide on. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA36: “For each of the following areas, do you think that decisions should be made by the (NATIONALITY) Government, or made jointly within the European Union?”
For each of the following areas, do you think that decisions should be made by the (NATIONALITY) Government, or made jointly within the European Union?
Scientific and technological research
25%
Support for regions facing economic difficulties
70%
33%
Energy
35%
Competition
36%
62% 61% 55%
Fighting inflation
44%
51%
Agriculture and fishery
44%
51%
Consumer protection
46%
Transports Economy Health Social welfare
50%
48%
48%
49%
47%
64%
33% 30%
67%
Jointly within the EU (NATIONALITY) Government
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
43
CHAPTER II How do citizens of Europe perceive European integration?
3.WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE EUROPEAN UNION PLAY? HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY MUST REMAIN NATIONAL AREAS OF COMPETENCE
The role of the European Union on the international stage As we have seen, European citizens seem to be in favour of the delegation of powers to the European Union in areas with an international dimension. When comparing the performances of the European Union and the United States on the international stage in Autumn 2006 European Union citizens declared, that the area in which the European Union had the biggest lead over the United States was the protection of the environment (59%). The other strengths of the European Union, compared to the United States, mainly concerned social policies (healthcare systems, combating social disparities and discrimination). A relative majority of European citizens also agreed that the European Union was slightly ahead in education and fighting unemployment. On the other hand, European public opinion considered that the European Union was undoubtedly behind the United States as regards science, medical research, innovation and technology and business creation. For example, 50% of people interviewed considered that the United States was ahead of the European Union in scientific research. Relative majorities of respondents (43%) thought that the European Union lagged behind the United States when it concerns medical research, business creation and innovation and technology.
Perceptions of the European economy’s performance In 2005, at the time of the mid-term evaluation of the Lisbon strategy which is intended to make the European Union the most dynamic, knowledge-based society in the world by 2010, more than half of respondents considered that it was unlikely that the European Union’s objective would be achieved, while 35% considered that the objective was attainable. Finally, when asked to compare the European economy’s performance with that of other world economies in Spring 2008, significant proportions of Europeans thought that the European economy was performing better than the Russian, Brazilian and Indian economies. However, a relative majority of respondents considered that the European economy was performing worse than the Japanese and Chinese economies.
Questions and Sources Q: For each of the following fields, could you tell me whether you think Europe is ahead of, behind, or at the same level as the United States? Scientific research; Medical research; Protection of the environment; Innovation technology; The healthcare system; Education; Fighting social disparities; Fighting; unemployment; Fighting discrimination; The creation of new companies. Q: In your opinion, could the European Union become the world’s top economic power within the next five years? Q: Would you say that the European economy is performing better, performing worse or performing as well as the … economy? American; Japanese; Chinese; Indian; Russian; Brazilian EB63 (Spring 2005) EB66 (Autumn 2006) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
44
CHAPTER III
EXPECTATIONS, FEARS AND QUESTIONS
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
45
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
46
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
1. THE HOPES AND FEARS CREATED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE 1978: EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN UNIFICATION Two questions are regularly used by the Eurobarometer to measure changes of opinion and attitudes towards the construction of Europe: one concerns the overall support for European unification and the other focuses on how citizens perceive the speed of the European integration process. In addition, since 1996, the Eurobarometer has been asking European citizens about their fears with regard to the construction of Europe.
Key finding 13 From the outset, the Eurobarometer has recorded strong support among European citizens for the unification of Europe.
Support for the political unification of Europe European citizens have been asked to express their views on the efforts made to unify Europe between 1973 and 1995. At the beginning of that period, the Eurobarometer revealed that 63% of European citizens were in favour of the unification of Europe. The percentage increased in the following years and in 1978 more than 70% of people interviewed shared this favourable opinion (75%). A pro-unification consensus then persisted until 1995 with more than 70% of replies remaining favourable (except for 1981: 69%). Nevertheless, from 1992 to 1995 the percentage of respondents opposed to European unification increased somewhat.
Attitudes towards the European unification movement 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 For
Against
Questions and Sources Q: "In general are you for or against efforts being made to unifyWestern Europe?" EB10 (Autumn 1978) EB16 (Autumn 1981) EB44 (Autumn 1995)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
47
DK
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
1. THE HOPES AND FEARS CREATED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE
Speed of the European integration process and desired changes Since 1986, the Eurobarometer has used an instrument called the “Eurodynamometer” to determine the way in which Europeans perceive the speed of European integration and the speed they wish it to be. This instrument is based on a scale of seven positions representing a moving person. In the first position the person is standing still, while in the last position the person is running as fast as possible. Interviewees are asked to indicate which person corresponds the most closely to their idea of the speed of European construction and what they believe to be the most suitable speed.
1 2
5
4
3
7
6
In 1987, the average perceived speed was 3.38 versus an average desired speed of 5.38. Since the beginning of the 1990s, European citizens have felt that Europe is progressing more quickly than in the past yet they still want progress to be even quicker. In Autumn 2006, the perceived speed of European integration was 3.8 compared to a desired speed of 4.7. Thus, a significant fall in the difference between the desired speed and the perceived speed was recorded in the space of two decades. Whereas in 1987, one year after the Eurodynamometer was first used, the public considered that the process was far slower than they wanted, with a difference of 2 points, however 20 years later, in 2006, the differential was as low as 0.9 points.
Speed of the European integration process 6 5 4 3 1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
Perceived speed
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Desired speed
Questions and Sources Q: In your opinion, what is the current speed of building Europe? Please look at these figures. N°1 is standing still, N°7 is running as fast as possible. Choose the one which best corresponds with your opinion of the current speed of building Europe. EB28 (Autumn 1987) EB66 (Autumn 2006)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
48
2007
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 7 AT WHAT SPEED SHOULD EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROGRESS?
T
he choice of the optimal speed for European integration varies with the expectations expressed by each individual regarding the construction of Europe.
European citizens consider that the time taken to launch the single currency, the euro, in 2002 - more than 30 years after the Werner report of 1971 - was excessively long. The time it took before physical border controls were eliminated on 1 November 1993, or before the European Union turned its attention to the question of employment in 1998 - despite the fact that European countries had been severely affected by the economic crisis since the first oil shock in 1973 - was also perceived as too long. On the other hand, recent debates have demonstrated that the creation of a single market for services in Europe, based on the so-called rule of origin, was implemented too quickly and gave rise to numerous complaints which emphasised, among other things, the risk of social dumping.
Key dates: 14 June 1985: Signature of the Schengen agreements eliminating physical border controls between EU countries and strengthening police and customs cooperation. 23-24 March 2000: The European Council of Lisbon decided to put in place a process intended to make the European Union the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010, capable of creating jobs and ensuring greater economic and social cohesion between the Member States. 1 January 2002: The euro became the common currency of 12 EU countries (the “euro area�). 1 January 2007 / 1 January 2008: With the adoption of the euro as national currency in Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus the euro area now covers 15 countries.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
49
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 7
AT WHAT SPEED SHOULD EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROGRESS?
• 41% of Europeans believe that within five years the European Union will play a more important role in their daily life; 46% would like the European Union to play a more important role in their daily life. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 65 Fieldwork: March – April 2006; publication: July 2006 Qa16a: “In your opinion, in five years' time, will the European Union play a more important, a less important or the same role in your daily life?” QA16b: “And, in five years' time, would you like the European Union to play a more important, a less important or the same role in your daily life?” In your opinion, in five years’ time, will the European Union play a more important, a less important or the same role in your daily life? - % EU EB 65 Spr. 2006
41% 44%
EB 63 Spr. 2005
47%
EB 62 Aut. 2004
More important
9%
42%
8%
9%
40%
7%
7%
38%
8%
Less important
Same role
DK
And, in five years’ time, would you like the European Union to play a more important, a less important or the same role in your daily life? 46%
EB 65 Spr. 2006
49%
EB 63 Spr. 2005
51%
EB 62 Aut. 2004
More important
31%
8%
14%
29%
7%
13%
29%
7%
15%
Less important
Same role
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
50
DK
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
Fears concerning the construction of Europe Despite their ongoing support for the European integration process, European citizens have a certain number of fears regarding this process. In Spring 2006, they feared above all that jobs were going to be transferred to Member States with lower production costs. This was followed by one’s country paying more and more to the European Union, more difficulties for farmers, and increasing drug trafficking and international organised crime. Citizens’ fears regarding the building of Europe changed significantly over a ten-year-period. In 1996 drug trafficking and organised crime were of most concern, followed by the possible difficulties for farmers.
Fears about the construction of Europe 80%
60%
40%
20%
0% The loss of national identity and culture
A loss of power for the smaller Member States
1996
An economic crisis
An increase in drug trafficking and international organised crime
More difficulties for farmers
The transfer of jobs to other Member Countries which have lower production costs
2005
x
Questions and Sources
Q: Some people may have fears about the building of Europe, the European Union. Here is a list of things which some people say they are afraid of. For each one, please tell me if you, personally, are currently afraid of it, or not? A loss of power for smaller Member States; An increase in drug trafficking and international organised crime; Our country paying more and more to the European Union; The loss of social benefits; The loss of national identity and culture; An economic crisis; The transfer of jobs to other Member Countries which have lower production costs; More difficulties for (NATIONALITY) farmers; The end of (NATIONAL CURRENCY) EB45 (Spring 1996) EB65 (Spring 2006)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
51
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 8 EXPECTATIONS AND QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
E
uropeans find the European Union “reassuring” when, for example, the European currency protects the Member States from the consequences of “competitive devaluations” or when it is successful in combating crime and fraud thanks to cooperation between the Member States (e.g. Europol, Eurojust and the European Anti-Fraud Office).
However, the construction of Europe also gives rise to certain fears within the Member States. For example, European citizens are worried when - without establishing a precise delimitation of its borders - the European Union embarks on a process of further enlargement which many of them do not really understand and which they often perceive as forging ahead regardless.
Key dates: April 1997: The closure of the Renault plant in Vilvorde (Belgium) led the Commission to reflect on the social consequences of company restructuring operations and to adopt a new directive. 12 May 2004: Europe adopted a European Neighbourhood Policy with a view to avoiding fresh divisions between the enlarged EU and neighbouring countries (10 Mediterranean countries and 6 Eastern European countries. 16 February 2006: The European Parliament voted to adopt the Bolkestein directive which provides for the elimination of obstacles to the free movement of services in the EU.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
52
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 8 • • • •
EXPECTATIONS AND QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
40% of people interviewed currently fear a loss of power for the smallest Member States (51% disagree). 60% currently fear an increase in drug trafficking and international organised crime. 63% of the people interviewed currently fear that their country will have to pay more and more to the European Union. Half of Europeans currently fear the loss of social benefits.
Source: Standard Eurobarometer 65 Fieldwork: March – April 2006; publication: July 2006 QA17: “Some people may have fears about the building of Europe, the European Union. Here is a list of things which some people say they are afraid of. For each one, please tell me if you, personally, are currently afraid of it, or not.”
• More than one European in two (55%) considers that the enlargement of the European Union is something positive. Source: Special Eurobarometer 251: “The Future of Europe” Wave 65.1; fieldwork: February - March 2006; publication: May 2006 QA18. “Could you tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. 4. Overall, the enlargement of the European Union is something positive”.
Question: QA18.4 Could you tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements Option: Overall, the enlargement of the European Union is something positive Answers: Agree
Country results Slovenia
76%
Poland
73%
Cyprus
71%
Lithuania
69%
Slovakia
68%
Sweden
66%
Estonia
65%
Belgium
64%
Czech Republic
64%
Ireland
62%
Malta
62%
Netherlands
61%
71% - 100%
Denmark
60%
61% - 70%
Greece
59%
Italy
59%
Hungary
59%
Latvia
59%
Map Legend
51% - 60% 41% - 50% 0% - 40%
European Union (25)
55%
Spain
55%
Germany
52%
Portugal
52%
United Kingdom
49%
Luxembourg
48%
Finland
45%
France
42%
Austria
40%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
53
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
2. EUROPEANS AND THE CAP A POLICY WHICH, PARADOXICALLY, SEEMS TO LACK VISIBILITY The common agricultural policy is one of the European Union’s oldest policies. It came into force in 1962 and is intended to benefit both consumers and farmers. For 35 years of its existence, the Eurobarometer has monitored the general attitude of European citizens to this policy, their knowledge of it and their perception of its objectives and main benefits.
Key finding 14 European citizens see the common agricultural policy as a way of guaranteeing the security and quality of food products, but are not satisfied by its action to protect small and medium-sized farms.
General attitude During the 1990s, the vast majority of European citizens supported the idea that agricultural matters should be managed at community level rather than at national level. Since then, almost every time the question has been asked, the proportion of citizens who believe that decisions concerning agriculture and fishery should be taken at European Union level has been higher than the proportion in favour of national decision-making. That trend was reversed only twice during the period 1995-2008: at the end of the first half of 1999 (EB51.0: 47% “national government level” versus 45% “jointly within the European Union”) and 2000 (EB53.0: 47% “national government versus 46% for “jointly within the European Union”). In Spring 2008, 51% of European citizens thought that decision-making concerning agriculture and fishery should be made jointly within the European Union. The socio-demographic categories the most in favour of a joint agriculture policy included men, respondents who spent the longest time in education, managers and self-employed people. Awareness Recent Eurobarometer results in 2007 showed a lack of knowledge regarding the European Union’s Common Agriculture and Rural Development Policy. Only 9% of people interviewed confirmed that they had heard or read something about this policy and that they knew exactly what it was. Around a third of Europeans (34%) had heard or read about the policy but did not exactly know what it comprised and a majority of citizens (53%) had not heard of it. Similar results were obtained in a Flash Eurobarometer survey in 2000: 19% of the people interviewed had heard or read something about the common agricultural policy and 8% had heard something about the “Common Agricultural Market”. Some 21% of respondents declared that they had heard of it, but could not give any details about it. 50% declared that they had never read or heard anything about it. Objectives In 1995, the Eurobarometer asked citizens for the first time about the main objective that the common agricultural policy should pursue. In response, citizens mentioned “ensuring that farm products are healthy and safe”. In 2007, Europeans see “ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers” as main priority of the agriculture and rural development policy, followed by “ensuring reasonable food prices for consumers” and “ensuring that agricultural products are healthy and safe”.
Questions and Sources Q: For each of the following areas, do you think that decisions should be made by the (NATIONALITY) Government, or made jointly within the European Union? Agriculture and fishery Q: Have you ever heard or read about the European Union's Common Agriculture and rural development Policy, the "CAP", or not? Q: In your opinion, which of the following should be the main priorities of the European Union in terms of agriculture and rural development policy? First priority? EB43 (Spring 1995) EB Special N°112 – “European Union citizens and agriculture from 1995 to 2003” (September 2004) EB43 (Spring 1995) EB Flash N°85 "The public's attitudes towards the Common Agricultural Policy" EB68 (Autumn 2007) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
54
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
2. EUROPEANS AND THE CAP
Effects According to the data collected by the Eurobarometer from 2001 to 2003 and in 2005, European citizens perceive the European Union’s agricultural policy as a guarantee of the security and quality of food products. This assessment is particularly positive in the light of the fact that they are the two main objectives previously highlighted by most European Union citizens. In their view, the common agricultural policy also ensures that consumers have “enough information about how the food was produced and processed” and that they can buy food “at a reasonable price”. Advantages of the Common Agricultural Policy 40%
20% 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
It guarantees that the food you buy is safe to eat It guarantees that the food you buy is of good quality It guarantees that the food you buy is healthy It guarantees that you know enough about where your food comes from It guarantees that the food you buy is reasonably priced
On the other hand, the winter 2007 results of the Eurobarometer indicated that the European Union’s agricultural policy had met the expectations of only just above a third of European citizens when it comes to ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers (35%). This is seen as the main priority by nearly one in five of Europeans.
Questions and Sources Q: The European Union’s Common Agriculture and rural development Policy (CAP) currently fulfils its role rather well or rather badly in…? - Ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers EB64 (Autumn 2005), EB59 (spring 2003), EB57 (spring 2002) and EB55 (spring 2001). EB59 (Spring 2003) – “And do you think that the European Union’s agricultural policy currently plays its role rather well or rather badly to … ?” EB68 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
55
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
3. WHAT IS THE OVERALL PERCEPTION OF THE PROJECT FOR ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNIFICATION? A SINGLE MARKET WHICH HAS MANY BENEFITS The Single Market, in which goods, services, people and capital can move freely, was officially completed at the end of 1992. In the same year, the European Union decided to put in place an economic and monetary union including the introduction of a single currency managed by a European Central Bank.
Key finding 15 The establishment of the Single Market inspires a spirit of hope among European citizens who initially feared that it would have negative
Feelings provoked by the creation of the Single Market Between 1989 and 1992, on average 42% of European citizens declared that the creation of the Single Market was a “good thing�. During that period, less than 10% of European citizens declared that they were against the Single Market.
Support for the Single Market 60% 40% 20% 0% 1989
1990
1991
A good thing
A bad thing
1992
Neither good nor bad
1993
DK
In Autumn 1992, half of citizens declared that the Single Market was, for them, a symbol of hope (51%), while more than a third saw it as synonymous with fear (37%). The major fears provoked by the Single Market included loss of jobs (33%), too much immigration (30%) and the loss of national identity (29%).
Feelings regarding the creation of the Single Market 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Hope
Questions and Sources EB38 (Autumn 1992)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
56
1993
Fear
1994
DK
1995
1996
1997
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
3. WHAT IS THE OVERALL PERCEPTION OF THE PROJECT FOR ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNIFICATION?
Effects of the Single Market Ten years after the completion of the Single Market, two-thirds of people interviewed felt that travelling within the European Union was easier than before. In addition, European Union citizens considered that they had access to a greater choice of products from other Member States (57%) but that the Single Market had had a negative effect on the prices of products in general (48% versus 41%). Finally, increased competition in areas such as transport, telecommunication services, banking services and insurance was perceived positively by the vast majority of European Union citizens. Support for the single currency In Autumn 1998, support for the single currency reached its highest level since 1993, when the Eurobarometer introduced this question. 64% of European citizens were in favour of the euro, versus 25% who were against it. Over the years, the public has become more optimistic about the effects of the single currency. Whereas in 1993, 33% of Europeans still believed that the euro had more drawbacks than benefits, only 28% agreed in 1998. In Spring 2008, 60% of interviewees declared that they were in favour of European Monetary Union with a single currency. Resistance to the adoption of the single currency was strongest in Greece, Sweden and the United Kingdom: 49% of people interviewed in Greece, 47% in Sweden and as many as 66% in the United Kingdom were against a European Monetary Union with a single currency. The support for the European Monetary Union was clearly stronger in the euro area (67%) than in the countries that have not (yet) adopted the euro as their national currency (46%).
Questions and Sources Q. The single market increased competition in a number of domains such as transport, telecommunication services, banking and insurance services. In general, would you say that this has a … effect? Positive; Negative; Neither positive nor negative (SPONTANEOUS) Q. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. - A European Monetary Union with one single currency, the euro Flash EB N°131 – “The Single Market” (09/09/2002 – 19/09/2002). EB50 (Autumn 1998) EB63 (Spring 2005) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
57
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 9 HOW HAVE EUROPEAN CITIZENS ADJUSTED TO THE SINGLE CURRENCY?
F
rom the Werner plan in 1971 to the launch of the European currency in 2002, some 30 years were needed to create the euro. The euro is not only an instrument of monetary exchange; it also symbolises Europeans’ membership of a vast monetary zone which is destined to expand. Within the twelve new Member States, the intention is that all the countries should join the euro area, following the example of Slovenia which adopted the single currency in 2007 and Cyprus and Malta, who entered the euro area in 2008.
The euro has therefore established itself over the years in the eyes of Europeans as a way of facilitating price comparisons and eliminating foreign exchange costs when crossing national borders.
Key dates: December 1995: Choice of the name of the euro (instead of the ECU). 1 January 1999: the euro quoted on financial markets. 1 January 2002: The euro became the common currency of 12 member countries. The Danish and British governments chose to keep their national currencies. Sweden decided on the basis of a referendum on 14 September 2003 not to join the euro area. 1 January 2007: Slovenia accessed the euro area. 1 January 2008: Malta and Cyprus became part of the euro area.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
58
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 9
HOW HAVE EUROPEAN CITIZENS ADJUSTED TO THE SINGLE CURRENCY?
• More than half of Europeans consider that overall the switch to the euro has been beneficial for their country from 2002 to 2005. 2006 sees a drop below 50% for the first time. Flash EB 193 – The euro zone, 5 years after the introduction of euro coins and banknotes Source: Flash Eurobarometer 193 Publication: September 2006 Q14a: “In your opinion, for (COUNTRY) is the adoption of the euro advantageous overall and will strengthen us for the future, or rather the opposite, disadvantageous overall and will weaken us? The majority continues to consider that the adoption of the euro is advantageous overall Advantageous Globalement overall avantageuse
Disadvantageous Globalement overall désavantageuse
(sans (no change) changement)
(DK/NA) (NSP/SR)
September Septembre2002 2002 November Novembre2002 2002
59% 59% 54% 59%
29% 59% 32% 59%
8% 59% 7% 59%
4% 59% 7% 59%
November Novembre2003 2003 November Novembre2004 2004
52% 59% 53% 59%
36% 59% 36% 59%
5% 59% 5% 59%
7% 59% 6% 59%
October Octobre2005 2005 September 2006 Octobre 2005
51% 59% 48% 59%
39% 59% 38% 59%
5% 59% 7% 59%
5% 59% 7% 59%
Q14a: In your opinion, for (COUNTRY) is the adoption of the euro advantageous overall and will strengthen us for the future, or rather the opposite, disadvantageous overall and will weaken us? Answer: Advantageous overall
Country results Ireland
75%
Finland
65%
Luxembourg
64%
Austria
62%
Belgium
58%
Spain
55%
France
51%
Map Legend 71% - 100% 61% - 70%
EU (euro area)
51% - 60%
48%
Germany
46%
Portugal
43%
Italy
41%
Greece
38%
Netherlands
38%
41% - 50% 0% - 40%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
59
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 9
HOW HAVE EUROPEAN CITIZENS ADJUSTED TO THE SINGLE CURRENCY?
• In Spring 2008, six out of ten Europeans (60%) are in favour of European Monetary Union with a single currency, the euro. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March – May 2008 QA37.1: “What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. A European monetary union with one single currency, the euro”. A European Monetary Union with a single currency, the euro - % EU 80% 60%
58%
40% 32%
33%
60%
55% 37%
59%
33%
61%
30%
67%
25%
66%
63%
30%
27%
59%
60%
35%
35%
63%
31%
59%
60%
59%
61%
63%
61%
60%
35%
34%
34%
33%
31%
31%
33%
6%
7%
6%
6%
20% 0%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
8%
Aut. 1999 EB52
Spr. 2000 EB53
Aut. 2000 EB54
Spr. 2001 EB55
Aut. 2001 EB56
Spr. 2002 EB57
Aut. 2002 EB58
Spr. 2003 EB59
Aut. 2003 EB60
Spr. 2004 EB61
Aut. 2004 EB62
Spr. 2005 EB63
For
Against
DK
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
60
7% 8%
Aut.2005 EB64
Spr.2006 EB65
Aut.2006 EB66
Spr.2007 EB67
Aut.2007 EB68
Spr.2008 EB69
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
4. GLOBALISATION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EUROPE? VERY MIXED PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTS OF GLOBALISATION Globalisation, or the opening up of economies around the world leading to the creation of a world market, is an increasingly topical subject. The Eurobarometer has therefore enlarged its questionnaire to discuss this topic with European citizens. The aim is to identify with them not only the benefits and drawbacks of globalisation, but also the institution which is the most capable of managing the effects of globalisation.
Key finding 16 The European Union is perceived as the organisation best placed to protect European citizens against the excesses of globalisation.
General attitude In Autumn 2003, 64% of European citizens were in favour of globalisation. However, of these 51% were “fairly in favour” while only 13% were “totally in favour”. Moreover, of the 29% who were against globalisation, 8% were “totally opposed to it”. In Spring 2007, 46% of European citizens interviewed stated that globalisation was a positive phenomenon while 39% saw it as negative. The socio-demographic categories that were most positive about globalisation were men, young respondents (aged 15-24 years) and those who had spent the longest time in education. Advantages and drawbacks In Spring 2008, clear majorities of Europeans held the opinion that globalisation enables people to be more open to external cultures, that it means more foreign investment in their countries and that it is an opportunity for economic growth. In addition, 39% of respondents think that globalisation, due to the opening-up of markets, represents a good opportunity for companies in their countries. More critical voices were, however, also heard when it concerns globalisation: 43% of Europeans feel that globalisation represents a threat to employment and companies in their countries and vast majorities of citizens confirmed that globalisation makes common rules at world level necessary and that it is profitable only for large companies and not for citizens. Around six in ten respondents, moreover, disagreed that globalisation gives protection against price increases. The organisation in which citizens have the most confidence to control the effects of globalisation In Spring 2001, from a list including national governments, citizens themselves and the United Nations, European citizens chose the European Union as the organisation in which they had the most confidence to control the effects of globalisation, with a score of 36%, followed by consumer rights associations and citizens themselves. In Spring 2004, Europeans were less inclined to designate the European Union as the most suitable organisation for controlling the effects of globalisation (-9 points).
Questions ans Sources Q. Could you please tell me for each of the following, whether the term brings to mind something very positive, fairly positive, fairly negative or very negative. - Globalisation Q. Which of the following two propositions is the one which is closest to your opinion with regard to globalisation? Globalisation represents a goo opportunity for (NATIONALITY) companies thanks to the opening-up of markets; Globalisation represents a threat to employment and companies in (OUR COUNTRY) Q. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree. Globalisation is an opportunity for economic growth; Globalisation increases social inequalities; The European Union and the USA have the same interests when dealing with globalisation; Globalisation protects us from price increases; Globalisation helps peace in the world; Globalisation represents a threat to (NATIONALITY) culture; Globalisation is profitable only for large companies, not for citizens; Globalisation means more foreign investments in (OUR COUNTRY); Globalisation helps the development of poorer countries ; Globalisation makes common rules at world level necessary ("worldwide governance"); Globalisation enables people to be more open to external cultures Flash EB N°151b – “Globalisation” (08/10/2003 - 16/10/2003) EB65 (Spring 2005) EB55 (Spring 2001) EB61 (Spring 2004) EB67 (Spring 2007) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
61
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
4. GLOBALISATION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EUROPE?
The organisation in which citizens have the most confidence to control the effects of globalisation 27%
The European Union
36% 26%
Consumer rights associations
20% 23% 22%
Citizens themselves
19%
The national government
25%
The World Trade Organisation
17% 16%
Green/environmental/ecological groups
16% 16%
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
13% 15%
The United Nations
13% 16% 13%
Anti- or alter-globalisation movements
10%
The World Bank/ International Monetary Fund Trade Unions
9% 8%
No one
9% 8% 7%
Political parties
Multinational companies
5% 6%
The United States’ government
3% 5%
Others
1% 1%
Don’t know
EB55 (Spring 2001)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
62
14% 15%
EB61 (Spring 2004)
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
5. COMMON FOREIGN, SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICIES: THE VIEWS OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FOR A COMMON FOREIGN POLICY Over the last two decades, the European Union has attempted to play a role more fitting of its status as a leading trade and economic power in the area of foreign and security policy. Although a common foreign and security policy was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, some say that much remains to be done before such a policy becomes reality. Since 1992 the Eurobarometer has sounded out public opinion on this subject.
Key finding 17 European public opinion supports the European Union in its efforts to develop a common foreign policy and a European security and defence policy.
Foreign policy European public opinion has been in favour of a common foreign policy since the Eurobarometer first tested the views of citizens on this subject. On average, almost two-thirds of citizens are in favour of it. In Spring 2008, 68% of people interviewed supported a common foreign policy for the European Union. Attitudes towards a common foreign policy 80% 60% 40% 20%
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
For
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
DK
Against
Security and defence policy Similarly, the majority of European citizens support the idea of a common security and defence policy. In Spring 2008, on average, more than three quarters supported the idea of such a policy (76%).
Attitudes towards a common security and defence policy 80% 60% 40% 20%
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
For
2000
Against
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
DK
Q: What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. A common foreign policy among the Member States of the EU, towards other countries; A common defence and security policy among EU Member States EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
63
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
6. ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: THE ATTITUDE OF EUROPEANS TO THE VARIOUS ACCESSION WAVES ON THE EVE OF 1 MAY 2004, 42% OF PEOPLE INTERVIEWED WERE IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPENDING MAJOR ENLARGEMENT Since the accession of Denmark, Ireland and Great Britain in 1973, the European Community has experienced several consecutive waves of enlargement. In 1981 Greece joined, followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986 and Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. Finally, on 1 May 2004, the European Union welcomed ten new Member States and on 1 January 2007 Romania and Bulgaria entered the Union. The Eurobarometer has described the attitudes of European citizens to these various accession waves, in a relatively succinct way for the first waves and in more detail way for later waves. Key finding 18 The European population welcomed the first waves of enlargement, but had more reservations about the most recent accession waves in 2004 and 2007.
Spain and Portugal In Autumn 1978, in the Community as a whole, approximately one in three people (31%) considered that Spain’s accession would be a good thing for their own country and seven out of ten people (70%) thought that it would be a good thing for Spain. Further, all the surveys conducted in Spain in the five years preceding its accession to the European Community had shown that the Spanish population was very much in favour of joining. At that time, the results in Portugal were less positive, although support for Community membership increased strongly after the signature of the treaty of accession. Austria, Finland and Sweden In 1995, the European Union welcomed three new Member States. More than three-quarters of the population of the European Union were in favour of the accession of each of the three countries when they were still candidates: 76% for Finland, 78% for Austria and 79% for Sweden. In Spring 1995, just over half of those interviewed in the 15 States knew that Sweden and Austria had joined the European Union (55% and 54% respectively) but considerably less than half of them were aware of Finland’s membership (40%). Four months after the official accession of the three new EU Member States, the impact of this enlargement was perceived as having the most positive effects for the European Union in general (64% of answers), as well as for the respective countries (49%) and for the European Union’s competitiveness in the world (47%). Integration of ten new Member States Due to its scale, the enlargement of 1 May 2004 was one of the most important stages in the building of Europe. In Autumn 2000, 44% of European citizens supported that enlargement, versus 35% who were against and 21% who felt unable to express an opinion. The proportion of people in favour declined to 42% just ahead of 1st May 2004. At the same time, the percentage of people against it increased from 30% to 39%. The most recent accession wave: Bulgaria and Romania A few months before the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union, public opinion concerning these countries becoming part of the Union appeared to be rather divided. While a relative majority said they were in favour of Bulgaria entering the EU (46%), a minority were in favour of Romania’s accession (41%).
Questions and Sources Q. For each of the following countries, would you be in favour or against it becoming part of the European Union in the future? EB10 (Autumn 1978) EB24 (Autumn 1985) EB43 (Spring1995) EB54 (Autumn 2000) EB66 (Autumn 2006)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
64
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 10 THE EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT PROCESS
T
he European Union enlargement process started on 1 January 1973 with the accession of Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland. It culminated in the accession of ten new Member States on1 May 2004 and of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007. Pre-accession aid is used by the EU to familiarise the candidate countries with the Community’s institutional mechanisms and the management systems of Community programmes. The success of such a process entails the strong support of not only the population of the acceding country but also of the EU Member States. At a time when the question of the EU budget is a politically sensitive issue, the question of the cost of enlargement is a crucial concern. However, the cost must be seen in the light of the opportunities which will be created over time by a market of almost 500 million consumers.
Key dates: December 1997: The European Council launched the SAPARD, PHARE and ISPA pre-accession programmes. October 2002: The Franco-German agreement resulted in CAP expenditure being restricted during the period 2007-2013. 16 April 2003: Under the Treaty of Accession signed in Athens the ten new Member States which joined on 1 May 2004 must become member of the euro area.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
65
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 10
THE EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT PROCESS
• Three out of ten Europeans see the enlargement of the European Union as a source of hope. However, 17% are indifferent and for 15% it arouses fear. Source: Special Eurobarometer 251: “The Future of Europe” Wave 65.1; fieldwork: February - March 2006; publication: May 2006 QA19: “When you hear discussions about a further enlargement of the European Union, which of the following first comes to mind?” QA19. When you hear discussions about a further enlargement of the European Union, which of the following first comes to mind Hope
30%
17%
Indifference
15%
Fear
Annoyance
12%
Frustration
9%
8%
Satisfaction
Excitement
4%
Other (SPONT.) 2%
DK
5%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
66
CHAPTER III Expectations, fears and questions
ZOOM 10
THE EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT PROCESS
• 47% of people interviewed support the enlargement of the European Union to include other countries and 39% oppose it. Support is particularly high in countries that recently joined the European Union. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA37 “What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. 4. Further enlargement of the European Union to include other countries in future years”. Support for enlargement of the European Union to include other countries – EU27
14% 47% 39%
For
Against
DK EB69 - Spring 2008
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
67
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
68
CHAPTER IV
WHAT FUTURE FOR EUROPE?
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
69
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
70
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
1. THE PRIORITIES OF EUROPEANS THE ABSOLUTE PRIORITIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE COMBATING UNEMPLOYMENT AND FIGHTING POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION From the outset, the Eurobarometer has gauged the attitudes of citizens to certain key policies and actions of the European Union. The priorities identified by European citizens for the European Union reflect their concerns at the time of the survey and their expectations regarding developments in European integration.
Key finding 19 The priorities set by European citizens for the European Union reflect their concerns: mainly rising prices in the 1970s and unemployment from the mid1980s.
Combating rising prices In 1974, the common fight against rising prices was considered to be the main problem for the European Community. On average, 44% of citizens in the nine European Community countries agreed. Furthermore, it was the most important issue in all Member States, with scores ranging from 56% in Ireland to 34% in the Netherlands. Over the years this fear gradually slipped in importance in relation to other concerns. Creating jobs In Spring 1984, when asked to identify the priority areas for common Community action, one problem stood out clearly in all countries: creating jobs, followed by social protection. The replacement of national currencies and the fight against unemployment While the top priority was combating rising prices in 1974, the replacement of national currencies by the single currency was the top priority for Europeans in 1998. There was also a broad consensus in 1998 on the subject of unemployment: 92% of the population considered that combating unemployment should be a priority for the European Union and 89% took a similar view as regards combating poverty and social exclusion. In autumn 2006, fighting poverty and social exclusion ranked first on the list of priorities (43%) for the European Union, closely followed by combating unemployment (score of 40%). Actions in areas beyond national borders Over the last decade, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, European citizens have increasingly supported the idea that the European Union should take decisions in areas which go beyond national borders, such as combating drug trafficking, foreign policy, scientific and technological research and humanitarian aid. Problems related in particular to security (maintaining peace and security in Europe, combating organised crime and terrorism) and protection of the environment continue to top their list of expectations. In terms of policies, Europeans think that priority should be given to combating terrorism (44%) on the one hand and climate change (40%) on the other hand. A substantial proportion of citizens (39%), moreover, think that priority should be given to improving consumer and public health protection.
Questions and Sources Q: �The nine countries of the EEC - the Common Market - are together dealing with a number of shared problems. Here is a list of them. Could you please tell me which one of these problems is the most important at the present time? And which is the next most important problem?� Q. From the following list of actions, could you tell me what should be, for you, the three actions that the European Union should follow in priority. (SPLIT A) Welcoming new Member Countries; Getting closer to European citizens, for example by giving them more information about the European Union, its policies and its institutions; Successfully implementing the single European currency, the euro; Fighting poverty and social exclusion; Protecting the environment; Protecting consumers and guaranteeing the quality of products; Fighting unemployment; Reforming the institutions of the European Union and the way they work; (SPLIT A) Fighting organised crime and drug trafficking; Asserting the political and diplomatic importance of the European Union around the world; Maintaining peace and security in Europe; Guaranteeing the rights of the individual and respect for the principles of democracy in Europe; Fighting terrorism; Fighting illegal immigration Q. The European Parliament defends the development of certain policies at European Union level. In your opinion, which of the following policies should be given priority? Eb1 (Spring 1974) EB21 (Spring 1984) EB66 (Autumn 2006) EB68 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
71
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
2. ATTITUDES TO FURTHER ENLARGEMENT THE BIGGER THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE MORE IMPORTANT ITS ROLE IN THE WORLD WILL BE AND THE MORE IT CAN PROMOTE PEACE AND SECURITY Since 2004, the European Union has welcomed twelve new Member States. In the years preceding these enlargements, European citizens were asked by the Eurobarometer to express their views of enlargement. The aim was to determine, on the one hand, whether or not European citizens were in favour of further enlargement and, on the other hand, to define their fears and expectations. Since the completion of the sixth wave, the Eurobarometer has continued to test the views of European citizens regarding further enlargement.
Key finding 20 On the eve of the largest enlargement of the European Union, the European population feared the economic consequences of further accessions.
General attitude In Spring 2008, nearly half of European citizens (47%) were in favour of further EU enlargement. The highest levels of support were recorded in some of the countries that had joined the European Union relatively recently: Poland (74%), Slovenia (74%) and Lithuania (69%). This support was in sharp contrast to the reluctance to accept further enlargement in Austria, France and Luxembourg, where approximately six out of ten respondents rejected the proposal.
Attitudes towards further enlargement
60% 40% 20%
2001
2002
2003
2004
For
2005
Against
2006
2007
2008
DK
Questions and Sources Q. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. Further enlargement of the European Union to include other countries in future years EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
72
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
2. ATTITUDES TO FURTHER ENLARGEMENT In the candidate countries, Croatia and Turkey, support for further EU enlargement fell significantly between Spring 2005 and Spring 2008. Currently around half of Croatians and Turks are in favour of further EU enlargement, whereas this figure was two thirds in spring 2005. However, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia support levels for further enlargement of the European Union are overwhelmingly high, with 90% support. Among the current EU Member States, the strongest support for further enlargement of the European Union can be found in those countries that joined the European Union in the last two accession waves.
Fears and expectations aroused by further enlargement In Spring 2006, enlargement gave Europeans the sense that the bigger the European Union, the more important its role in the world would be (72%) and that an enlarged European Union would be better for promoting peace and security (64%). In addition, they considered that an enlarged Europe would be richer culturally (64%). However, a not insignificant percentage of the population feared the economic consequences of further enlargement: some 47% of European citizens believed enlargement would be expensive for their country. The same proportion considered that their country would receive less financial aid from the European Union once new states had joined. Support for the accession of specific countries When asked for their views on the potential accession of countries on a case by case basis, the positions of European citizens vary considerably. In 2008, they were in favour of membership for the countries forming the European Free Trade Area, namely Iceland (71%) and, in particular, Norway (78%) and Switzerland (77%).
Questions and Sources Q. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. Further enlargement of the European Union to include other countries in future years Q. Please tell me, for each of the following statements, if you agree or disagree with it? In political terms, the enlargement of the European Union… And in economic terms, the enlargement of the European Union… And in social terms, the enlargement of the European Union… Q.. For each of the following countries and territories, would you be in favour or against it becoming part of the European Union in the future? Switzerland; Norway; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Serbia; Iceland; Albania; Ukraine; Turkey; Montenegro; Kosovo EB63 (Spring 2005) EB65 (Spring 2006) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
73
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
2. ATTITUDES TO FURTHER ENLARGEMENT The majority of European citizens are against the possible accession of Turkey to the European Union. They are, however, more positive about the possible accession of Croatia.
In Spring 2008, approximately half of European Union citizens are in favour of Croatia's accession (52%) to the European Union, while a third (34%) state that they are against it. Europeans seem divided regarding the possible accession of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the European Union. The most recent results from Spring 2008 show that 40% are in favour of this country becoming part of the European Union, while 43% are against it. Finally, there is a clear majority against the idea of further enlargement to include Turkey: in spring 2008, 55% of respondents were against the idea compared with 31% in favour.
Attitudes towards the accession of Turkey to the European Union 60% 40% 20%
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
For
2001
2002
Against
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
DK
Questions and Sources Q. For each of the following countries and territories, would you be in favour or against it becoming part of the European Union in the future? Switzerland; Norway; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Serbia; Iceland; Albania; Ukraine; Turkey; Montenegro; Kosovo. EB63 (Spring 2005) EB69 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
74
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
ZOOM 11 THE INTEGRATION PROCESS AND THE MAP OF EUROPE: POTENTIAL FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
B
ulgaria and Romania, which started their negotiations in February 2000, joined the European Union on 1 January 2007. However, the question of Turkey's accession (negotiations started on 3 October 2005) is more controversial in certain Member States. Although the Western Balkan countries are expected to join the European Union within the next few years, the question of the possible accession of Ukraine following the “orange revolution� in December 2004 is still under discussion.There is also the question of the possible membership of former Eastern bloc countries, such as Belarus and Moldova.
Key dates: 30 March 1998: Launch of accession negotiations with an initial group of six countries: Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. December 1999: Turkey granted candidate country status by the European Council of Helsinki. 15 February 2000: Opening of accession negotiations with a second group of 6 countries: Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovakia. June 2004: Croatia granted the status of candidate country. December 2005: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia becomes a candidate country.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
75
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
ZOOM 11
THE INTEGRATION PROCESS AND THE MAP OF EUROPE: POTENTIAL FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
• More than three-quarters of people interviewed are in favour of the European Union being enlarged to include Switzerland and Norway; one in two Europeans is against the accession of Turkey (55%) and Albania (51%). Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69 Fieldwork: March - May 2008 QA44: “For each of the following countries, would you be in favour or against it becoming part of the European Union in the future?”
Support for enlargement of the European Union – Potential countries Norway
78%
Switzerland
77%
Iceland
71%
Croatia
52% 43%
Ukraine
12%
10%
13%
10%
16%
13%
34%
14%
42%
15%
Montenegro
41%
41%
18%
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
40%
43%
17%
40%
44%
16%
Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia
38%
47%
15%
Kosovo
34%
50%
16%
Albania
34%
51%
15%
55%
14%
Turkey
31%
In favour
Against
DK
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
76
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
3. WHAT SUPPORT IS THERE FOR A EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION? A PRINCIPLE WHICH IS NOT CALLED INTO QUESTION The remit of the European Convention, put in place following the European Council of Laeken in December 2001, was to propose a new architecture to the Member States for the enlarged European Union. Since spring 2000, the Eurobarometer has gauged public opinion on this subject.
Key finding 21 The majority of European citizens are in favour of the idea of the European Union adopting a constitution.
Support for a Constitution In spring 2000, there was strong support for a constitution for the European Union with 70% of people interviewed confirming that they were in favour and only 6% of Europeans being against the idea. By Spring 2005, support levels had fallen by 9 percentage points to 61%. Despite the victory of the no votes in the French and Dutch referendums on the ratification of the European Constitution and the ensuing political debate on its future, a constitution for the European Union was still strongly supported by public opinion in Autumn 2005: 63% of European citizens supported the project and 21% were against it. In the Netherlands, the percentage in favour of a Constitution (which does not imply there is no need to change the text from that proposed in the referendum) stood at 62% at that time. In France, support was as high as 67%. After 2005, support for a European constitution increased among Europeans and in spring 2007 two-thirds of them declared that they were for it.
Attitudes of citizens towards a constitution for the European Union
80% 60% 40% 20%
2000
2001
2002
2003
For
2004
Against
2005
2006
2007
DK
In June 2008, Irish citizens rejected the Lisbon Treaty through a referendum. Their no-vote, was, however, not reflected in their general attitude to the Irish EU membership. Shortly before the referendum took place, support for their country's membership of the European Union was among the highest in the European Union.
Questions and Sources Q. What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement, whether you are for it or against it. - A constitution for the European Union EB67 (Spring 2007) EB53 (Spring 2000) EB64 (Autumn 2005)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
77
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
3. WHAT SUPPORT IS THERE FOR A EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION?
Reasons underlying people's position on a Constitution In Autumn 2006, a majority of European Union citizens considered that the adoption of the Treaty establishing a Constitution would make the running of the European Union stronger in the world (68%), more democratic (65%), more efficient (64%), more competitive economically (64%), more transparent (58%) and more social (57%). Future of the Constitution The majority of European citizens do not call into question the need for a constitution for the European Union. Although public opinion was divided in the Netherlands in autumn 2006, in France there was strong support among interviewees (67%) for the idea that a European Constitution was necessary to ensure that the European institutions continued to work well. In Autumn 2006, Europeans, however, considered that the Constitution, as it was presented during the ratification process, should be renegotiated (48%). Only around one in four citizens considered that the Member States should pursue the ratification process (23%) and a minority believed that the European Constitution should be abandoned (13%). France, Belgium (both 66%) and the Netherlands (65%) had the highest proportions of citizens who wanted the European Constitution to be renegotiated.
Expected effects of the adoption of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (Autumn 2006) Europe will be stronger in the world
69%
17%
14%
Europe will be more competitive economically
64%
20%
17%
The running of the European Union will be more democratic
64%
20%
17%
The running of the European Union will be more efficient The running of the European Union will be more transparent Europe will be more socially-minded
61%
56%
54%
21%
17%
24%
20%
26%
19%
Questions and Sources Q. For each of the following please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree. If all Member States adopt the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, it will make the running of the European Union... More democratic; More efficient; More transparent; Stronger in the world; More competitive economically; More socially-minded Q. Which of the two following statements, best describes your view? A European Constitution is necessary to ensure that the European Institutions work well; A European Constitution is not necessary to ensure that the European Institutions work well Q. 15 countries have ratified the European Constitution, but France and the Netherlands voted "no". Which of the following best describes your view? The European Union Member States should continue the ratification process of the European Constitution; The European Constitution should be renegotiated; The European Constitution should be dropped EB66 (Autumn 2006) . Eb64 (Autumn 2005)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
78
CHAPTER IV What future for Europe?
4. 2010 AND THE LISBON STRATEGY: THE DOUBTS OF EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS DOUBTS REGARDING THE EUROPEAN UNION'S ABILITY TO COMPETE WITH OTHER WORLD In March 2000, the European Council unveiled a ten year strategy intended to make the European Union's economy the most competitive and dynamic economy in the world. The Eurobarometer has examined how European citizens view the European economic situation in the light of the Lisbon Agenda's objectives. Europe's economic performance compared with that of other world economies Key finding 22 European citizens believe that the economic situation in Europe will improve in the coming years, even if they think it is unlikely that the European Union will become the world's leading economic power during that time, which was the objective fixed as part of the Lisbon Strategy.
In Spring 2008, the majority of respondents considered that, in comparison to other world economies, the performance of the European economy was not as good as that of the Japanese economy (42% versus 22% who took the opposite view) or that of the Chinese (39% versus 30% who thought that the European Union had performed better). On the other hand, a majority of respondents considered that the European economy was performing better than the economies of the US (36% versus 28%), India (45% versus 22%), Brazil (48% versus 15%) and, above all, Russia (49% versus 17%). Europe’s economic performance compared to other world economies (Spring 2008)
36%
American
Japanese
28%
22%
42%
30%
Chinese
39%
45%
Indian
Russian
49%
Brazilian
48%
Performing better
21%
Performing worse
15%
16%
20%
11%
20%
22%
9%
24%
17%
11%
23%
15%
8%
Performing as well as
29%
DK
Forecasts for the future In 2005, more than half of European citizens believed that the European economic situation would improve over the next five years compared with a quarter of people interviewed who expected it to deteriorate. At the time of the mid-term evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy, more than half of interviewees nevertheless considered that it was unlikely that the European Union would become the world's leading economic power by 2010, while 35% thought that this objective could be achieved. Priorities for improving the performance of the European economy The objective of the Lisbon Strategy has been only partially achieved, as can be seen from the European Commission's mid-term evaluation in 2005. In order to improve the performance of the European economy, European citizens suggest improving education and professional training (65%), increasing investment in research and innovation (47%) and making it easier to set up businesses (43%).
Questions and Sources Q. Would you say that the European economy is performing better, performing worse or performing as well as the ‌ economy? American; Japanese; Chinese; Indian; Russian; Brazilian Q. In your opinion, could the European Union become the world's top economic power within the next five years? Yes, certainly; Yes, probably; No, probably not; No, certainly not Q. Which of the following statements would you prioritise to improve the performance of the European economy? Increase the legal number of working hours; Improve education and professional training; Invest in research and innovation; Facilitate the creation of companies; Use energy more efficiently; Invest in transport infrastructure (motorways, railways, etc.). Eb69 (Spring 2008) EB63 (Spring 2005) EB66 (Autumn 2006)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
79
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
80
CHAPTER V
SNAPSHOTS OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN EUROPE
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
81
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
82
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
1. HOW EUROPEANS SEE CERTAIN SOCIAL ISSUES In this last part, we shall visit and observe - via recent Eurobarometer results - the daily lives of our fellow citizens. How do Europeans feel about a range of social and environmental topics? What values matter to them? How do they position themselves in relation to the challenges posed by the information society? And how do they see the future of their continent? Through its “Standard”, “Special” and “Flash” surveys, the Eurobarometer has provided an analysis which tries to answer these questions.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
83
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
THERE IS TOO MUCH TOLERANCE NOWADAYS • 84% of European Union citizens believe that criminals should be punished more severely and that there is too much tolerance nowadays. The vast majority of Europeans – both on the left and right of the political spectrum – seem to agree on this point (90% on the right and 78% on the left). Source: Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008 Question: QD1a.3 For each of the following propositions, tell me if you…? Option: Nowadays there is too much tolerance. Criminals should be punished more severely. Answers: Agree
Country results Cyprus
97%
Czech Republic
94%
Hungary
93%
Slovakia
93%
Bulgaria
92%
Belgium
90%
United Kingdom
89%
Estonia
89%
Ireland
88%
Lithuania
88%
Romania
88%
Portugal
87%
71% - 80%
Slovenia
87%
0% - 70%
Greece
86%
Italy
86%
Poland
86%
Spain
85%
Luxembourg
85%
European Union (27)
84%
Latvia
84%
Germany
81%
Finland
81%
Malta
81%
The Netherlands
80%
France
77%
Austria
77%
Sweden
77%
Denmark
68%
Map Legend 91% - 100% 81% - 90%
Croatia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey
94% 91% 72%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
84
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
MORE EQUALITY AND JUSTICE … EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM • Citizens want more equality and justice even if that means less individual freedom. Almost two out of three citizens share this view (65%). However, the survey revealed considerable differences between Member States, with percentages ranging from 45% in the Netherlands to 78% in Portugal, Hungary and Italy. Source: Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008 Question: QD1a.2 For each of the following propositions, tell me if you…? Option: We need more equality and justice even if this means less freedom for the individual Answers: Agree
Country results Italy
78%
Portugal
78%
Hungary
78%
Romania
75%
Spain
71%
Bulgaria
69%
Slovakia
67%
Slovenia
67%
Belgium
66%
Map Legend
Lithuania
66%
76% - 100%
European Union (27)
65%
66% - 75%
Germany
65%
61% - 65%
Estonia
65%
Poland
65%
Czech Republic
62%
56% - 60% 0% - 55%
Malta
62%
France
61%
Ireland
61%
Greece
59%
Cyprus
59%
Luxembourg
58%
United Kingdom
58%
Latvia
58%
Finland
55%
Sweden
54%
Austria
53%
Turkey
80%
Denmark
52%
74%
The Netherlands
45%
Croatia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
72%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
85
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
THE CONTRIBUTION OF IMMIGRANTS TO SOCIETY • On average, 44% of European citizens believe that immigrants make an important contribution to their country. However, an even higher proportion disagree (47%). The attitude of respondents is influenced considerably by their political sympathies and their level of education. People on the left of the political spectrum tend to be more likely to agree that immigrants contribute to their country than those with right-wing sympathies (55% versus 40% respectively). Respondents who spent the longest time in full-time education are also more likely to agree (58% of those who studied up to the age of 20 or over agree that immigrants make an important contribution to their country compared with 35% of those who left school aged 15 or younger). The most striking differences are between countries: in Sweden more than eight out of ten people interviewed consider that immigrants make a valuable contribution to their country (83%) compared with just 10% in Hungary. Source: Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008 QD1a4. For each of the following propositions, tell me if you‌ Option: Immigrants contribute a lot to (OUR COUNTRY) Answers: Agree
Country Results Sweden
83%
Portugal
67%
Spain
64%
Finland
61%
Luxembourg
60%
Ireland
58%
Denmark
57%
The Netherlands
56%
Romania
54%
Map Legend
France
49%
Greece
45%
61% - 100%
United Kingdom
45%
51% - 60%
European Union (27)
44%
41% - 50%
Belgium
38%
31% - 40%
Germany
38%
0% - 30%
Poland
38%
Austria
37%
Italy
36%
Cyprus
36%
Slovenia
35%
Lithuania
26%
Bulgaria
20%
Estonia
19%
Czech Republic
18%
Malta
17%
Latvia
15%
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
29%
Slovakia
12%
Turkey
20%
Hungary
10%
Croatia
19%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
86
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE LEGALISATION OF CANNABIS • A quarter (26%) of European Union citizens believe that the personal consumption of cannabis should be legalised in Europe; two-thirds (68%) of respondents are against the idea. Also young Europeans are predominantly against the legalisation of cannabis (57% of respondents aged between 15 and 24 are against it). Once again, the European average conceals fairly strong differences from one country to the next. In Finland (8%) and Sweden (9%) the idea of legalising cannabis is overwhelmingly rejected. On the other hand, in the Netherlands, where the personal consumption of cannabis is tolerated, just under half of respondents think that it should be legalised in Europe (49%). Source: Eurobarometer 66, Autumn 2006 QA47_10. For each of the following proposals, tell me if you‌ Option: Personal consumption of cannabis should be legalised throughout Europe Answers: Agree
Country Results Netherlands
49%
Spain
40%
United Kingdom
32%
Czech Republic
32%
Ireland
30%
France
28%
Italy
28%
Austria
28%
Portugal
27%
European Union (25)
26%
Map Legend 41% - 100% 31% -40%
Belgium
26%
Denmark
22%
Slovenia
22%
Luxembourg
20%
Germany
19%
Greece
19%
Lithuania
16%
21% - 30%
Slovakia
16%
11% -20% 0% - 10%
Malta
15%
Estonia
14%
Hungary
13%
Cyprus
12%
Latvia
12%
Poland
11%
Sweden
9%
Bulgaria
11%
Finland
8%
Romania
9%
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
87
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
SOCIAL INCLUSION: WHAT IMPACT HAS THE EUROPEAN UNION HAD? Key Figures : 79% of respondents also consider that the European Union has had a positive impact on improving access to education and training. 76% of Europeans agree with the following statement: life-time jobs with the same employer are a thing of the past. 76% of Europeans consider that being able to change easily from one job to another is a useful asset to help people find a job nowadays. 76% of Europeans believe that the European Union has had a positive impact on promoting gender equality. 72% of Europeans think that work contracts should become more flexible to encourage job creation. 71% of Europeans consider that the European Union has had a positive impact in combating social exclusion and poverty. Source: Eurobarometer 65.3, Spring 2006
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
88
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
NEARLY HALF OF CITIZENS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO “MAKE ENDS MEET” • Nearly half of Europeans (47%) have problems paying all their bills at the end of the month. This percentage for the European Union as a whole masks significant differences at national level. Clear majorities of respondents have difficulties “making ends meet” in Bulgaria (76%), Portugal (71%) and Greece (65%), while people living in the Nordic EU countries and the Netherlands seem to have far fewer problems when it comes to paying their bills at the end of the month. The profile of the people who have problems managing their monthly budget is fairly specific. They are above all people aged between 25 and 39, people who left school the earliest and, as expected, unemployed people. Source: Standard Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008
Question: QA28 Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement: You have difficulties paying all your bills at the end of the month. Answers: Agree
Country results Bulgaria
76%
Portugal
71%
Greece
65%
Italy
63%
Romania
62%
Slovenia
59%
Cyprus
58%
Hungary
58%
Lithuania
58%
Spain
55%
Latvia
55%
Czech Republic
50%
Map Legend 51% - 100% 41% - 50%
Slovakia
49%
31% - 40%
European Union (27)
47%
21% - 30%
France
46%
0% - 20%
Malta
44%
Poland
44%
Ireland
43%
Austria
43%
Belgium
42%
United Kingdom
41%
Germany
35%
Estonia
31%
Luxembourg
25%
The Netherlands
21%
Finland
19%
Denmark
15%
Sweden
12%
Turkey Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Croatia
84% 79% 51%
m
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
89
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
OVERALL, EUROPEANS APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD HEALTH l • More than 70% of Europeans consider that their health does not restrict them in carrying out moderate physical activities such as carrying their shopping or going up several flights of stairs. • Every year, more than one European adult in four is affected by mental health problems. Mental health problems are responsible for 58,000 suicides a year in Europe. The number of Europeans who have suffered from serious depression is estimated to be 18.4 million, while 18.5 million are estimated to have suffered from specific phobias over the last twelve months. • In the weeks before the survey took place in the winter of 2005 - 2006, a significant majority of Europeans experienced positive and balanced feelings rather than negative emotions such as feeling depressed. Source: Special Eurobarometer N° 248: “Mental well-being”, December 2005
Questions and Sources Q: To what extent, if at all, does your health limit you from…? Doing moderate activities, such as moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner or carrying your shopping; Climbing several flights of stairs Q: For each question, please give the one answer that comes closest to the way you have been feeling. How much of the time during the past 4 weeks?Have you felt full of life; Have you felt particularly tense; Have you felt so down in the dumps that nothing could cheer you up; You felt calm and peaceful; Did you have lots of energy; Have you felt downhearted and depressed; Have you felt worn out; Have you felt happy; Did you feel tired “Green paper on mental health”: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/mental/green_paper/mental_gp_en.pdf EB64.4 (December 2005 - January 2006)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
90
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
2. VALUES DEFENDED BY EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS PERSONAL AND EUROPEAN VALUES
• Peace (45%), human rights (42%) and respect for human life (41%) are Europeans’ most important personal values. When asked which values best represent the European Union, respondents put human rights, peace and democracy in the first three places . Europeans therefore recognise indirectly that the main objective of the founding fathers of the Union has been achieved. Source: Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008 Values representing the European Union
Personal values of Europeans 45%
Peace Human rights Respect for human life Democracy
27% 21%
Individual freedom
21%
Rule of law Equality
19% 16%
Tolerance Solidarity
13% 11%
Self-fulfilment Respect for other cultures Religion
9% 7%
Human rights
37%
42%
Peace
35%
41%
Democracy
34% 22%
Rule of law Respect for other cultures
17%
Solidarity
15%
Respect for human life
14%
Equality
13% 11%
Individual freedom
10%
Tolerance Self-fulfillment
4%
Religion
3%
Questions and Sources Q: And in the following list, which are three most important values for you personally? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS); The Rule of Law; Respect for human life; Human rights; Individual freedom; Democracy; Peace; Equality; Solidarity, support for others; Tolerance; Religion; Self-fulfillment; Respect for other cultures Q: Which three of the following values, best represent the European Union? (MAX. 3 ANSWERS); The Rule of Law; Respect for human life; Human rights; Individual freedom; Democracy; Peace; Equality; Solidarity, support for others; Tolerance; Religion; Self-fulfillment; Respect for other cultures
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
91
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
2. VALUES DEFENDED BY EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS STATE INTERVENTION AND FREE COMPETITION
• Around six out of ten respondents believe that free competition is the best guarantee of economic prosperity (61%) and that the State intervenes too much in their lives (58%). Although people on the right of the political spectrum are more likely to support a non- interventionist and market economy approach, this view also has considerable support among people on the left of the political spectrum. Source: Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008
For each of the following proposals, tell me if you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree...
Free competition is the best guarantee 61% for prosperity
25%
The state intervenes too much in our 58% lives
% Total: agree
37%
% Total: disagree
Questions and Sources Q: For each of the following propositions, tell me if you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree? The State intervenes too much in our lives; Free competition is the best guarantee for economic prosperity
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
92
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS The state of the environment has become one of the most challenging issues of the 21st century. Recent Eurobarometer surveys reveal that Europeans are currently greatly concerned about environmental issues, something that is undeniably influenced by the lively public debate around the topic of climate change that intensified over the past years.
State of the environment is of important influence on Europeans’ quality of life By the end of 2007, citizens were asked to what extent certain factors affect their quality of life. A great majority of Europeans feel that all three have a great impact in their lives with more than three-quarters indicating that those factors influence their daily lives either very much or quite a lot. Economic factors (84%) are seen to have the greatest impact, closely followed by the state of the environment (80%) and social factors (76%). All these factors have become increasingly important for citizens’ quality of life since 2004. This could be seen to reflect, for example, the turbulent economic situation with high inflation expectations and the increasing importance of environmental problems, such as climate change, which were widely debated during 2007.
In your opinion, to what extent do the following factors influence your “quality of life”? - % Influence EB68.2/ 2007
EB62.1/ 2004 84%
Economic factors
State of the environment
Social factors
Questions and Sources Q: In your opinion, to what extent do the following factors influence your “quality of life”? EB68.2 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
93
78%
80% 72%
76% 72%
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS CLIMATE CHANGE IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR EUROPEANS
Climate change has become a major concern for many citizens Alarming reports about the harmful and threatening consequences of climate change have made it an ever-present issue on political agendas around the world. Thanks to a lively public debate around this topic and great media attention in recent years, climate change has become a major concern for many citizens. In Spring 2008, three-quarters of Europeans considered climate change / global warming to be a very serious problem . In fact, it was considered to be the most serious problem currently faced by the world, after poverty . European public opinion, however, remained relatively optimistic: the issue of climate change was seen as serious but not as an unstoppable process. In your opinion, which of the following do you consider to be the most serious problem currently facing the world as a whole? Firstly? Any others? - % EU Poverty, lack of food and drinking water
68%
Global warming/ climate change
62%
International terrorism
53%
Armed conflicts
38%
A major global economic downturn
24%
The spread of an infectious disease
23%
The proliferation of nuclear weapons
23%
The increasing world population DK
19% 3%
The European Union to decide on environmental matters In Spring 2008, Europeans clearly expressed their preference for decision-making at European Union level when it concerns environmental protection. Around seven in ten citizens thought that such decisions should be made jointly within the European Union, whereas 26% would prefer their national government to be in charge of it. A third of citizens, moreover, think that the European institutions should put emphasis on environmental issues in the coming years, to strengthen the European Union in the future. Questions and Sources Q: And how serious a problem do you think global warming / climate change is at the moment? Please use a scale from 1 to 10, 1 would mean that it is not a serious problem at all and 10 would mean that it is extremely serious. Scores between 7 and 10 were defined as “a very serious problem”, between 5 and 6 as “a fairly serious problem” and between 1 and 4 “not a serious problem” Q: In your opinion, which of the following do you consider to be the most serious problem currently facing the world as a whole? Any others? Climate change / global warming; International terrorism; Poverty, lack of food and drinking water; The spread of an infectious disease; A major global economic downturn; The proliferation of nuclear weapons; Armed conflicts; The increasing world population Q: For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you totally agree, tend to agree, tend to disagree or totally disagree…? Climate change is an unstoppable process Q: For each of the following areas, do you think that decisions should be made by the (NATIONALITY) Government, or made jointly within the European Union? - Protecting the environment Q: European integration has been focusing on various issues in the last years. In your opinion, which aspects should be emphasized by the European institutions in the coming years, to strengthen the European Union in the future? (ROTATE – MAX. 3 ANSWERS) The Internal market; Cultural policy; European foreign policy; European defence policy; Immigration issues; European education policy; Environment issues; Energy issues; Solidarity with poorer EB69.2 (Spring 2008)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
94
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
4. EUROPEANS AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY INCREASING NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION WITH ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Universal television and telephone access In the European Union, 96% of the households interviewed have at least one television. The proportion is close to 100% in Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta. The lowest score (92%) was recorded in Finland. Virtually all European households (95%) have access to a telephony at home, but the type of access -fixed line vs. mobile phone - is changing rapidly. The use of mobile telephony is increasing, while there has been a decline in fixed telephone penetration. In the beginning of 2008, 57% have both fixed and mobile telephone access and 24% have solely mobile access. It is, moreover, noteworthy that a significant percentage of households in Romania (20%), Bulgaria (10%), Lithuania (9%) and Portugal (9%) do not have any telephone access.
Questions and Sources Q: For each of the following, please tell me how many of them are available in your household. Television (standard screen - 4\3, wide screen - 16\9, flat screen) Q: For each of the following, please tell me how many of them are available in your household. Mobile phone accesses on a contract (billed); Mobile phone accesses on a pre-paid arrangement (pre-paid or top-up card); Fixed telephone accesses (including those provided by a cable operator or by an operator providing voice over IP) e.g. one standard line plus a second line (2nd number) for fax or Internet counting as 2 EB68.2 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
95
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
4. EUROPEANS AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY PENETRATION RATES OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Nov. - Dec. 2007 (EU27)
Nov. - Dec. 2006 (EU25 + BG & RO)
Dec. 2005 - Jan. 2006 (EU25)
95% 95% 97%
Overall telephone access 83% 81% 80%
Mobile telephone access 70% 72%
Fixed telephone access
78% 57% 58% 61%
Both fixed and mobile telephone access 24% 22% 18%
Mobile but no fixed telephone access
14% 15% 18%
Fixed but no mobile telephone access
57% 54% 52%
Personal Computer
49%
Internet access at home
42% 40% 36%
Broadband Internet access
28% 23% 29%
ADSL
Cable-modem
Narrowband Internet access
22% 19% 7% 6% 4% 10% 12% 16% 22%
Wifi router
14% 11%
96% 97% 97%
Overall Television 41% 45% 50%
Aerial 34% 35% 33%
Cable-TV 22% 21% 22%
Satellite 12%
Digital terrestrial television
7% 5%
29%
Service package (bundle)
20% 18%
Source: Special Eurobarometer N° 293: “E-communications Household Survey”, November - December 2007
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
96
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
4. EUROPEANS AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY RADIP INCREASE IN INTERNET PENETRATION RATES IN EUROPEAN HOUSEHOLDS At a time when use of the Internet and new information and communication technologies is becoming increasingly widespread, the European Union has expressed a clear determination to develop an information society accessible to everyone. The Eurobarometer has attempted to examine how Europeans perceive some of the problems related to this development in our society. When asked to identify which countries have benefitted the most from the development of new information and communication technologies, European Union citizens mainly mentioned, and with more or less the same frequency, Japan and the United States (each with approximately a third of replies), well ahead of Europe (13%), China (8%) and in particular of India (only 3% of mentions).
Key finding 23 At the beginning of this century, the European population’s access to the Internet - and therefore use of it - was still limited.
Regions or countries that have benefitted the most from the development of new information and communication technologies (Autumn 2004)
8%
13%
Europe Japan
8%
USA
3%
34% 33%
India China None DK
Questions and Sources Q: Which of the following regions or countries, in your opinion, makes best use of the development of new information and communication technologies (the Internet, mobile telephone, etc.)? Europe; the United States; China; Japan; India EB62.1 (Autumn 2004).
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
97
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
4. EUROPEANS AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY THE TOOLS OF A REVOLUTION IN PROGRESS: COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET
Computer ownership In the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark more than eight out of ten households have at least one computer. In nine European Union countries this percentage is below 50%. The countries with the lowest scores are Bulgaria (27%) and Romania (35%). A demographic analysis reveals a close link between the size of the household and ownership of a PC. The larger the household the more likely it is to have a PC.
Internet access In May 2000, Eurobarometer 53 revealed that only 18% of European citizens had an Internet connection at home. At the beginning of 2008, nearly half of European households (49%) had Internet access. In recent years Internet access has increasingly used a broadband connection, while narrowband Internet access has rapidly lost ground across the European Union. Among households with Internet 36% accessed it through broadband (an increase of 8 percentage points compared with one year earlier) and 10% used narrowband technology. Lack of interest appears to be the main reason for not having Internet access at home.
Internet uses An investigation of the purposes for which interviewees used the Internet by the end of 2004 revealed that it was mainly used to look for information and for communication. Reasons why European citizens do not use the Internet EB66 November - December 2006
EB68 November - December 2007 50%
No one in your household is interested in the Internet
45%
The cost of buying a personal computer and modem is too high
15% 13% 14% 12%
The monthly subscription cost is too high The interested members of your household have access at work, school or elsewhere and this is sufficient
9% 8%
You do not know exactly what the Internet is
9% 8%
Your household plans to subscribe\ connect in the next 6 months
8% 9%
You are concerned about the existence of websites with unsuitable content
3% 2%
7%
Other (SPONTANEOUS) DK
12% 4% 4%
Questions and Sources Q: For each of the following, please tell me how many of them are available in your household. Computers (desktop, laptop); Internet accesses (free or not) (one single access can connect several PCs) Q: You said you do not have Internet access at home. Among the following list, which ones best explain why your household does not have access to the Internet? EB53 (Spring 2000) EB62.1 (Autumn 2004) EB68.2 (Autumn 2007)
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
98
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
Question: QD.1.7. How many of the following services do you have in your household? Option: Internet access (free or not) (one single access can connect several PCs) Answers: At least one
86% 80% 78% 67% 66% 59%
56% 56% 54% 54% 53% 53% 52%
49% 44%
41% 40% 39% 38% 37% 36% 29% 28% 27%
NL
DK
SE
FI
LU
SI
BE UK DE
EE
FR MT
AT
IE
CZ
IT
LV
CY
ES
PL
LT
PT
24% 22% 22%
HU SK RO EL
BG
12% 20% 18% 25% 30%
45%
60%
47% 47% 53% 54%
57%
33%
14% 19%
26%
30%
30% 30% 34%
40% 41%
44% 51%
69% 80%
77%
Nov. - Dec. 2007
EU27
Nov. - Dec. 2006
EU25 + BG & RO
49%
2007
42%
2006
Source: Special Eurobarometer N° 293: “E-communications Household Survey”, November-December 2007
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
99
CHAPTER V Snapshots of everyday life in Europe
Question: Q.1. How many of the following services do you have in your household? Option: Broadband internet access
Country Results The Netherlands
77%
Denmark
69%
Sweden
61%
Finland
58%
Luxembourg
53%
Belgium
51%
France
48%
United Kingdom
47%
Estonia
45%
Malta
45%
Slovenia
39%
European Union (27)
36%
Austria
34%
Germany
33%
Spain
28%
Czech Republic
28%
Poland
26%
Hungary
24%
Latvia
24%
Italy
23%
Cyprus
23%
Portugal
22%
Ireland
20%
Lithuania
19%
Slovakia
17%
Romania
15%
Greece
14%
Bulgaria
14%
Map Legend 66% - 100% 51% - 65% 41% - 50% 26% - 40% 0% - 25%
Source: Special Eurobarometer N° 293: “E-communications Household Survey”, November - December 2007
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
100
CONCLUSION
A
lthough the creation of the Eurobarometer was very ambitious from the outset, it is now possible to claim that the initial challenges and undertakings have been met and respected. Almost 70 successive Standard Eurobarometers have been organised, and they provide a treasure trove of information for a wide range of users. These opinion polls have, in line with their original objective, helped the European institutions and more specifically the European Commission to assess, define and validate numerous policies, first in the European Communities and then in the European Union.
However, these opinion polls are not used solely by the European institutions; they are very widely used by a large number of stakeholders in the European integration process who attempt, through the results of these polls, to identify ideas, arguments to use in developing strategies, or useful information intended for specific target groups (for example the academic world) or the general public. The press in particular have used Eurobarometer results fairly systematically for several years to cover developments in the construction of Europe. It can therefore be said that the media coverage enjoyed by Eurobarometer results – both within the European Union and beyond its borders – has been a part of the general success of this tool. There is a wide consensus among various professionals, that the Eurobarometer is a very useful and valuable tool. Though for 35 years of its existence, the Eurobarometer has constantly retained its quality and significance, there is still a need for further optimisation of the tool. In October 2006, a group of stakeholders of public opinion reasearch met in Madrid to discuss how to improve the Eurobarometer in order to "better anticipate and understand trends in public opinion in relation to issues of crucial importance for the future of Europe�. The general conclusions of the Madrid Conference were the following: 1- Optimisation Eurobarometer - Valuable tool but faster and wider dissemination of results desired - Secondary analysis of the results should be encouraged - Should use more qualitative research - Should use more complementary tools, but only if this clearly improves the quality of the surveys 2- Network Political network - Feedback on the quality of topics and questionnaires - Feedback on how to use and disseminate results - Collecting and linking regional, national and European data - Providing political and media analysis for deeper understanding of results - Improving the accessibility and the visibility of results Methodological network - Exchanging best practices, developing synergies and assisting the EU on methodological issues, i.e. sampling issues, technological innovations, quality improvement and additional methods. The Paris Conference (21-22 November 2008) is envisaged as a continuation and deepening of the Madrid Conference. We hope that this conference will enable us contribute to a better understanding of the citizens' expectations towards the EU.
35 YEARS OF EUROBAROMETER
101