Citizens of the European Union and the Western Balkans have different priorities and outlooks on life, a Eurobarometer survey conducted in the spring of this year shows.
While those in the EU remain focused on security issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, those in the Western Balkans are most concerned about rising food prices, crime, corruption, and the quality of healthcare.
The survey also reveals differences between the Western Balkan countries, especially Serbia, and the rest of the region, in terms of optimism, trust in the EU, distrust in NATO, and support for potential membership.
For three years in a row, more than a quarter of respondents from 27 countries agree that the war in Ukraine poses a direct threat to the EU’s security, while a fifth prioritize defense and security.
The Western Balkans, on the other hand, focuses on daily survival.
Compared to the same survey conducted in the fall, North Macedonia recorded the largest increase in concerns about crime, while Kosovo recorded the largest increase in concerns about rising prices.
Kosovo stands out compared to the rest of the Western Balkans for its optimism, with 76 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction with the labor market.
Around 40 percent of respondents in other countries think that the chances of finding a job in their country are good, which is in line with the European Union average.
Compared to the Eurobarometer survey in the fall, Albania records the largest increase in optimism – by 17 percent, while Bosnia and Herzegovina records the largest increase in pessimism – by 6 percent.
As for the general situation in the country, two-thirds of respondents in Serbia think it is bad. At the same time, this is also the largest increase in negative perception: 19 percent.
Unlike others, 80 percent of respondents in Kosovo assessed the situation in their country as good.
Pessimism on this issue has increased the most in Serbia – by 19 percent – compared to October 2024.
Respondents in Kosovo and Montenegro are optimistic about the direction their countries are taking.
Meanwhile, pessimism has increased significantly in Bosnia and Herzegovina – 14% more people than in the fall of 2024 think that the country is on the wrong path.
A similar increase in negative opinion was also recorded in Serbia, by 11%.
While the majority of citizens in the EU and the Western Balkans believe that their lives will not change next year, optimism dominates in Kosovo and Albania.
In these two countries, the majority believe that their lives will improve, while one in five respondents in Serbia and North Macedonia fear that the future will be more difficult.
Compared to the same survey conducted in the fall of 2024, in Montenegro the number of those who think that everything will remain the same has increased by 20 percent, while in the rest of the region the results are approximately the same.
In Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the majority of citizens predict a deterioration of the general situation in their countries over the next year.
Kosovo and Albania stand out from this trend, as most respondents expect improvement in the future, even more so than last fall.
Pessimism has increased the most in Bosnia and Herzegovina, by 6 percent.
Membership in the European Union, meanwhile, remains desirable for all Western Balkan countries, except Serbia.
Enthusiasm is highest in Albania and Montenegro, where the majority of respondents believe that membership will bring benefits to their countries.
In Serbia, opinions on EU membership are evenly divided between those who support it, oppose it, or are indifferent.
Montenegro recorded the largest increase in optimism for EU membership compared to the previous autumn survey – by 13 percent.
The EU enjoys great trust in Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo – which is consistent with their pro-European orientations.
On the other hand, 57 percent of respondents in Serbia say they do not trust the EU.
As for EU citizens, 52 percent trust European institutions, while 41 percent do not.
Compared to the previous survey, trust has remained almost unchanged – with an increase of 9 percent in Kosovo.
The lack of trust in NATO in Serbia is even more pronounced, with 92 percent of respondents not trusting the organization.
The situation is different in Kosovo, where 95 percent of people express trust in NATO.
The majority of EU citizens and over 60% of residents of Montenegro and North Macedonia – both member states – have confidence in the North Atlantic Alliance.
The largest increase in trust in NATO was recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina – by 11 percent./REL