A growing majority of European citizens believe their country benefits from being part of the European Union and want the EU to play a stronger role in protecting them from global crises and security risks, according to the European Parliament’s Winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey released Tuesday.
The survey found that 74% of citizens think their country benefits from EU membership — the highest level recorded since the question was first asked in 1983. In addition, 66% of respondents said they want the EU to take a more active role in protecting them from global threats, with support particularly strong among younger citizens.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the findings send a strong message: “Two-thirds of Europeans want the EU to play a greater role in their protection. This is a clear call for action which we will answer. Europe needs to be stronger so that our citizens feel safer. The European Parliament will ensure that every proposal put forward is bold and ambitious enough to match the serious level of threat Europe faces. Europe must step up today, or it risks being stepped over tomorrow.”
National-level results varied, with 87% of Swedes backing a stronger EU role in global protection, compared to 47% in Romania and 44% in Poland.
The data also shows a resounding desire for EU unity. Eighty-nine percent of respondents said EU member states should act more united in facing global challenges. Meanwhile, 76% believe the EU needs more tools and resources to address future crises.
Top Priorities: Security, Competitiveness
In today’s shifting geopolitical landscape, EU citizens want the bloc to focus on defense and security (36%) as well as competitiveness, economy and industry (32%) to reinforce its position globally. These topics also featured prominently during last week’s European Council, where Metsola called for faster action and bolder ambition.
Other areas of focus include energy independence (27%), food security and agriculture (25%), and education and research (23%).
Economic concerns remain high. Inflation, rising prices and the cost of living (43%) top the list of issues Europeans want the Parliament to address. This is followed by defense and security (31%), poverty and social exclusion (31%), and economic support and job creation (29%).
Inflation is a particularly strong concern in countries such as Portugal (57%), France (56%), Slovakia (56%), Croatia (54%) and Estonia (54%).
Economic Anxiety and Core Values
More Europeans now expect their standard of living to decline. Thirty-three percent foresee a drop in the next five years — up seven points from mid-2024. This pessimism is especially high in France (53%, up 8 points) and Germany (47%, up 15 points).
Still, citizens remain steadfast in supporting the EU’s core values. Peace (45%), democracy (32%), and human rights (22%) remain the top values Europeans want the European Parliament to defend.
Support for Parliament’s Role Grows
The survey shows growing support for the Parliament’s role. Fifty percent of respondents have a positive image of the EU, while 41% view the European Parliament favorably.
More than six in 10 Europeans (62%) want the Parliament to play a more important role — a six-point increase from early 2024, just before the June 2024 elections.
The Eurobarometer survey was conducted between Jan. 9 and Feb. 4, 2025, across all 27 EU member states. A total of 26,354 interviews were carried out, primarily face to face, with video interviews included in six countries. The results are weighted to reflect population sizes in each country. /BV
