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Standard Eurobarometer 82

Autumn 2014

EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

REPORT

Fieldwork: November 2014

This survey has been requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission,

Directorate-General for Communication.

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.

Standard Eurobarometer 82 / Autumn 2014 – TNS opinion & social

Project title

Special Eurobarometer 82 “European citizenship”

Linguistic Version EN

Catalogue Number NA-01-15-138-EN-N

ISBN 978-92-79-46177-4

DOI 10.2775/14950

© European Union, 2015

0

Standard Eurobarometer 82 Autumn 2014

European Citizenship

Survey conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the European Commission,

Directorate-General Communication

Survey coordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General Communication

(DG COMM "Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer" Unit)

STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82 EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 2

I. ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION ..................................................... 5

II. THE EUROPEAN UNION’S ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................... 17

III. EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP ......................................................................... 27

1. THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP .................................................... 27

1.1. UPDATE ON THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP ........................ 27

1.2. THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP COMPARED WITH NATIONAL

CITIZENSHIP .............................................................................................. 32

1.3. LEVERS FOR STRENGTHENING THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN

CITIZENSHIP .............................................................................................. 37

2. RIGHTS AS EUROPEAN CITIZENS ............................................................... 48

IV. THE OPENNESS OF EUROPEANS TO OTHERS ............................................ 54

V. VALUES.................................................................................................... 60

ANNEXES

Technical specifications


2

INTRODUCTION

This Standard Eurobarometer survey was carried out between 8 and 17 November 20141

in 35 countries and territories: the 28 Member States of the European Union, the six

candidate countries (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Iceland,

Montenegro, Serbia and Albania) and the Turkish Cypriot Community in the part of the

country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

The European Commission presided over by Jean-Claude Junker took office on 1

November 2014. As the votes cast by European citizens in the European elections of May

20142 had influenced the choice of President of the Commission, it is interesting to

analyse the evolutions in their answers to the questions on the theme of European

citizenship.

2014 was marked by the centenary commemoration of the outbreak of the First World

War3. Simultaneously, the Ukrainian crisis represents the return of armed conflict on the

European Union’s doorstep. As peace between the Member States is perceived as one of

the main achievements of European integration, it is appropriate to examine any changes

in the way Europeans define European identity and its values.

This Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2014 provides some answers, and

approaches the theme of European citizenship from the following angles:

- Attachment to the European Union;

- Perceptions of the European Union’s achievements: what do European

citizens see as the European Union’s most positive results?

- The concepts of European citizenship and identity: do Europeans see

themselves as European citizens? How can this feeling be strengthened? Do they

know their rights as European citizens? Do they want more information on the

subject?

- The openness of Europeans: have Europeans travelled to neighbouring EU

countries or socialised with other EU citizens, do they take an interest in European

culture or shop in other EU countries?

- Values: what values do Europeans most readily associate with the European

Union? What are their personal values?

1 Please consult the technical specifications for the exact dates of the fieldwork in each country. 2 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/elections2014-results/en/election-results-2014.html 3 The EU leaders attending the European Council of 26-27 June 2014 commemorated the beginning of the First World War at a ceremony in the city of Ypres (Belgium) on 26 June.


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The full report of the Standard Eurobarometer 82 consists of several volumes. The first

volume presents the main public opinion trends in the European Union. Three other

volumes present the opinions of Europeans on other themes: the Europe 2020 strategy;

European citizenship; and media use in the European Union. This volume is devoted to

European citizenship.

The general analysis and the socio-demographic analyses are based on the average

results of the 28 Member States. This average is weighted so that it reflects the

population of each Member State. The averages for the previous surveys represent the

results obtained in all the Member States of the European Union, as it was composed at

the time the survey was conducted.


4

The methodology used is that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys of the Directorate-

General Communication (“Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and

Eurobarometer” Unit)4. A technical note on the interviewing methods of the institutes of

the TNS opinion & social network is attached to this report. This note also specifies the

confidence intervals5, which are used to assess the accuracy of the results of a survey,

according to the size of the sample interviewed in relation to the total size of the

population studied.

The abbreviations used in this report correspond to:

ABBREVIATIONS BE Belgium LV Latvia BG Bulgaria LU Luxembourg CZ Czech Republic HU Hungary DK Denmark MT Malta DE Germany NL The Netherlands EE Estonia AT Austria EL Greece PL Poland ES Spain PT Portugal FR France RO Romania HR Croatia SI Slovenia

IE Ireland SK Slovakia IT Italy FI Finland CY Republic of Cyprus* SE Sweden LT Lithuania UK United Kingdom CY (tcc)

Turkish Cypriot Community EU28 European Union – weighted average for the 28 Member States

TR Turkey Euro area

BE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, CY,

MT, SK, LV

MK Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ** Non- euro area

BG, CZ, DK, HR, LT, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK

IS Iceland

ME Montenegro

RS Serbia AL Albania

* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the acquis communautaire has

been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

For practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the government of

the Republic of Cyprus are included in the “CY” category and in the EU28 average. The interviews carried out in

the part of the country that is not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus are included in the

“CY(tcc)” [tcc: Turkish Cypriot Community) category]

** Provisional abbreviation which in no way prejudges the definitive name of this country, which will be agreed

once the current negotiations at the United Nations have been completed

* * * * *

We wish to thank all the people interviewed throughout Europe

who took the time to participate in this survey.

Without their active participation, this survey would not have been possible.

4 http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm 5 The results tables are annexed. It should be noted that the total of the percentages indicated in the tables in this report may exceed 100% where respondents were able to choose several answers to one question.

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm


5

I. ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

– A majority of Europeans are attached to Europe, but only a minority feel

attached to the European Union –

The attachment of Europeans to their city/town/village and country

Almost nine out of ten Europeans are attached to their city/town/village, a

slightly higher proportion than in autumn 2013, but still slightly below the level of

attachment to their country (89%, +2 percentage points). An absolute majority of

Europeans now feel “very attached” to their city/town/village (52%, +3).

A very large majority of Europeans feel attached to their country (91%, versus

9% who are “not attached”, unchanged since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of

autumn 2013)6. More than half of Europeans feel “very attached” to their country (54%,

unchanged).

6 QD1. Please tell me how attached you feel to …


6

Although Europeans in general are slightly less likely to feel attached to their

city/town/village than to their country, more than 80% of respondents in 25 Member

States nevertheless do feel attached to their city/town/village, most notably in

Portugal (97%, +3 percentage points since autumn 2013), Bulgaria (96%, unchanged)

and Greece (96%, =). This attachment also exceeds 70% in three other Member States:

the Netherlands, (74%, +3), Estonia (78%, -3) and Malta (79%, -1). Here again, levels

of attachment have changed only slightly since autumn 2013, with the biggest increase

in Italy (92%, +5) and the biggest decrease in Sweden (85%, -4).


7

As was the case the last time this indicator was measured in the Standard

Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2013 (EB80), more than 80% of respondents in every

Member State are attached to their country, with the highest scores in Denmark (98%,

+2 percentage points since autumn 2013), Greece (97%, -1) and Portugal (97%, +1).

Attachment is relatively less pronounced in Belgium (83%, -1), Spain (83%, unchanged)

and the Netherlands (86%, +2). Evolutions since the autumn 2013 survey are relatively

modest: Cyprus (93%, -5) and Croatia (87%, -5) recorded the biggest decreases.

In almost all the Member States, respondents are more likely to feel attached to their

country than to their city/town/village. There are three exceptions: Spain (92% feel

attached to their city/town/village compared with 83% to their country), Croatia (91%

versus 87%) and Romania (93% versus 92%).


8

In the candidate countries, the situation is different since respondents in five

countries feel more attached to their city/town/village than to their country: in Albania,

where the survey was conducted for the first time (95% of respondents are attached to

their city/town/village compared with 94% who are attached to their country), the

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (92%, versus 84%), Montenegro (92%, versus

86%), Turkey (90%, versus 79%, the widest difference) and Serbia (84%, versus 81%).

Only respondents in Iceland feel more attached to their country (96%) than to their

city/town/village (82%).

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that:

- Attachment to the city/town/village increases with age, rising from 82% of

15-24 year-olds to 86% of 25-39 year-olds, 88% of 40-54 year-olds and 93% of

those in the 55-plus age group; and from 83% of those born after 1980 to 92% of

those born before 1946. It is also more pronounced among those who left school

at the age of 15 or earlier (92%) than among those who studied up to the age of

20 and beyond (86%), and among manual workers and white-collar workers (both

89% ) than among unemployed people (84%);

- Attachment to the country also increases with age: 85% of 15-24 year-olds

feel attached to their country, compared with 89% of 25-39 year-olds, 91% of 40-

54 year-olds and 95% of the 55-plus age group. It reaches 95% among those

born before 1946 compared with 87% of members of generation “Y”, those born

after 1980. Attachment is also slightly more prevalent among managers (93%)

than among unemployed people (87%).


9


10

Attachment to the European Union and Europe

Attachment to the European Union is more or less unchanged since the Standard

Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2013: 45% of respondents feel attached to the

European Union (-1 percentage point), while 52% do not (unchanged). Almost one in ten

Europeans feel “very attached” to the EU (9%, =).

Europeans were also asked about their attachment to “Europe”: 56% of respondents

feel attached to Europe, a decline of 11 percentage points since the Special

Eurobarometer survey of February-March 20077, while 42% (+10) feel no such

attachment.

Furthermore, the proportion of respondents who feel “very attached” to Europe is now

only slightly higher than the proportion who are “not at all attached” to it (13%, -7,

versus 12%, +6).

7 Special Eurobarometer survey 278 (EB67.1): European cultural values http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_278_en.pdf


11

A majority of respondents in 11 Member States feel attached to the European

Union, up from ten in autumn 2013. A majority of respondents now feel attached to

the EU in France (51% ‘attached’ versus 46% ‘not attached’, compared with 49% versus

50% in autumn 2013) and Estonia (50% versus 47%, compared with 46% versus 53%),

but only a minority now do so in Bulgaria (44% versus 53%, compared with 53% versus

43%). A majority of respondents continue to feel attachment to the EU in Luxembourg

(72%, +5 percentage points), Latvia (63%, +6), Poland (59%, +2), Romania (58%,

+10), Malta (55%, +5), Slovakia (54%, +3), Belgium (51%, -8), Hungary (51%, -3) and

Germany (49%, -6, versus 48%, +5).

While attachment has gained some ground, respondents in Cyprus (27%, +3 percentage

points) and Greece (30%, +3) remain the least likely to say they feel attached to the EU.

Attachment has gained ground in 16 Member States, led by Romania (58%, +10

percentage points), the United Kingdom (36%, +7) and Latvia (63%, +6). However, it

has decreased significantly in Bulgaria (44%, -9), Belgium (51%, -8) and Germany

(49%, -6).


12

A majority of respondents in 22 Member States feel attached to Europe, and

there is even an absolute majority in 21 of them, most notably in Luxembourg (79%, -3

percentage points since February-March 2007), Sweden (75%, -2) and Denmark

(72%, -8). Only minorities do so in Cyprus (35% ‘attached’ versus 64% ‘not attached’,

compared with 40% versus 60% in February-March 2007), Greece (37% versus 63%,

compared with 48% versus 52%), Slovenia (44% versus 54%, compared with 66%

versus 33%), Portugal (45% versus 54%, compared with 63% versus 36%), the United

Kingdom (45% versus 53%, compared with 52% versus 47%) and Italy (47% versus

50%, compared with 69% versus 30%).

In terms of changes since February-March 2007, attachment to Europe has decreased in

24 Member States (out of 27, as Croatia was not a member of the EU at that time), and

by more than ten percentage points in 11 of them, led by Italy (47%, -22 percentage

points), Slovenia (44%, -22), Hungary (69%, -19), Spain (50%, -19) and Portugal

(45%, -18). It has increased significantly only in Latvia (65%, +11), although it has also

gained ground, albeit only slightly, in Lithuania (49%, +3) and Estonia (52%, +1).

In 27 Member States, respondents are more likely to feel attached to Europe

than to the European Union. This is particularly true in the Nordic countries: there is a

difference of 35 percentage points in Sweden (75% ‘attached’ to Europe versus 40%

‘attached’ to the EU), 34 percentage points in Finland (69% versus 35%) and 27

percentage points in Denmark (72% versus 45%). Portugal is the only country where

respondents feel equally attached to the EU and Europe (45%, representing a minority in

both cases).


13

*NA = Not Asked: This question was not asked in this country in the previous survey

In all the candidate countries, only a minority of respondents feel attached to the

European Union, with scores ranging from 44% in Albania (versus 53% ‘not attached’) to

15% in Turkey (versus 77%). However, majorities feel attached to Europe in three of the

candidate countries: most strikingly in Iceland (73% ‘attached’ versus 26% ‘not

attached’), but also in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (52% versus 45%)

and Albania (49% versus 48%). In all the candidate countries, respondents are more

likely to feel attached to Europe than to the EU, particularly in Iceland (73% feel

‘attached’ to Europe versus 18% ‘attached’ to the EU, a difference of 55 percentage

points).


14


- Attachment to the European Union is:

o Slightly more widespread among men than among women (48% versus

44%), although it is the minority position in both cases;

o Shared by a majority of 15-24 year-olds (49% versus 47%), compared

with a minority of respondents in all the other age groups;

o The minority position in all generations, most notably among those born

before 1946 (41% versus 55%); far more prevalent – and the majority

position – among respondents who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond

(55%) than among those who left school at the age of 15 or earlier,

among whom it is the minority position (35% versus 62%);

o Shared by a majority of managers (58%) and students (52%), compared

with a minority of white-collar workers (46% versus 52%), pensioners

(44% versus 53%), manual workers (42% versus 55%), unemployed

people (38% versus 58%) and housepersons (36% versus 60%);

o Also shared by a majority of Europeans who see themselves as upper class

(65%), upper middle class (57%) and middle class (51%), compared with

a minority of those who say they are lower middle class (43% versus 54%)

and working class (37% versus 60%).

- A majority of respondents in the following categories feel attached to Europe:

o Both men (58%) and women (54%);

o All age groups: from 60% among 15-24 year-olds to 54% of those aged 55

or over;

o All generations, most notably among members of generation “Y”, those

born after 1980 (59%, compared with 50% of those born before 1946);

o Those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond (69%) and who

completed their studies between the ages of 16 and 19 (53%), whereas

this attachment is felt by only a minority of those who left school at the

age of 15 or earlier (41% versus 56%);

o Most socio-professional categories, from 72% of managers to 52% of

manual workers, the exceptions being unemployed people (49% versus

49%) and housepersons (44% versus 52%);

o The Europeans who consider that they belong to the higher class (76%),

upper middle class (72%), middle class (63%) and lower middle class

(55%), compared with a minority of those who see themselves as working

class (44% versus 53%).


15


16

The following tables show the results by socio-demographic criteria for the European

Union as a whole (EU28 average), for the six largest EU countries and for countries which

have received or currently receive European Union support for tackling the financial and

economic crisis.


17

II. THE EUROPEAN UNION’S ACHIEVEMENTS

- Europeans now see peace among Member States as the main positive result of

the EU, just ahead of freedom of movement -

For the first time since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2012 (EB77),

peace among Member States (56%, +2 percentage points since spring 2014) is once

again seen as the most positive result of the EU by Europeans, just ahead of the free

movement of people, goods and services within the EU (55%, -1)8.

The euro (24%, -1 percentage point) is in third place, a long way behind.

A group of four positive results follow with similar scores, namely student exchange

programmes such as ERASMUS (20%, -3 percentage points), the economic power

of the EU (20%, unchanged), the political and diplomatic influence of the EU in the

rest of the world (19%, -1) and the level of social welfare (healthcare, education

and pensions) in the EU (18%, =).

In last place, the Common Agricultural Policy is now mentioned by fewer than one in

ten Europeans (8%, -2 percentage points).

Europeans are also less likely to be unable to spontaneously identify any positive results

of the EU (8% said “none”, -2 percentage points).

Total of the “Firstly and “And then” answers

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)

8 QD4. Which of the following do you think is the most positive result of the EU? Firstly? And then?


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Respondents in the euro area countries and those in the non-euro area countries

rank the results of the European Union in a different order. In the euro area countries,

peace among Member States stands in first place (57%, +1 percentage point since

spring 2014) ahead of freedom of movement (55%, unchanged). This order is reversed

in the non-euro area countries, where respondents rank freedom of movement (55%, -1)

ahead of peace (54%, +4). This difference existed in the previous Standard

Eurobarometer survey of spring 2014 (EB81): nevertheless, the proportion of

respondents mentioning peace has increased the most perceptibly in the non-euro area

countries.

The most striking difference between these two groups of countries concerns the euro:

respondents in the euro area countries rank the single currency in third place (30%, -1

percentage point since spring 2014), whereas those in the non-euro area countries rank

it in seventh place (12%, +1), only ahead of the Common Agricultural Policy (10%, -2).

Respondents in the non-euro area countries (22%, +1, in third place) are also far more

likely than euro area respondents (16%, -1, in seventh place) to mention the level of

social welfare.

Total of the “Firstly” and “And then” answers

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)

A national analysis shows that, in the 28 Member States, the most positive result of

the European Union is either peace among the EU Member States or freedom of

movement.


19

Peace among the Member States of the EU tops the list of positive results in ten

Member States. It is also ranked in joint first place with freedom of movement in

Slovenia (both 60%). Peace was mentioned by more than 60% of respondents in Sweden

(75%, +1 percentage point since spring 2014), Germany (72%, -2), Denmark

(69%, +3), Finland (66%, +15), Luxembourg (65%, +4), France (64%, +3) and the

Netherlands (63%, +6, where it is nevertheless ranked behind freedom of moevement).

The proportion of respondents mentioning peace has increased in 20 Member States

since spring 2014, including Finland (66%, +15 percentage points), Poland (57%, +9),

Croatia (48%, +8) and Ireland (44%, +8), but has decreased in Austria (52%, -8) and

Slovakia (42%, -7).


20

The free movement of people, goods and services within the EU is seen as the

main positive result of the EU in 17 Member States (excluding Slovenia where this

achievement is ranked equally with peace). It was mentioned by at least seven out of ten

respondents in three countries: Bulgaria (72%, +2 percentage points), Slovakia

(71%, -2) and Lithuania (70%, -5).

This item has gained ground in 14 Member States since spring 2014, most notably in

Austria (60%, +6 percentage points), Denmark (55%, +6) and Italy (48%, +6); it has

lost the most ground in Cyprus (51%, -9), the Czech Republic (63%, -6) and Lithuania

(70%, -5).


21

The euro was mentioned by at least 40% of respondents in six countries, all euro area

members: Luxembourg (48%, unchanged), Ireland (48%, +3 percentage points),

Belgium (48%, +1), Finland (47%, =), Slovakia (44%, -1) and the Netherlands

(40%, +1).

The proportion of respondents mentioning the single currency has increased in Hungary

(19%, +4 percentage points), but has decreased in Greece (20%, -8), Slovenia

(37%, -6) and France (27%, -5).


22

Total of the “Firstly” and “And then” answers – First three items mentioned

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)


23


- 15-24 year-olds are most likely to mention student exchange programmes

(33%, versus 16% of those aged 55 or over);

- Those aged 55 or over are more attached to peace among Member States

(63%, versus 49% of 25-39 year-olds);

- However, these two age groups are less likely than average to mention freedom

of movement (53% of 15-24 year-olds and 52% of those aged 55 or over,

versus 59% of 25-39 year-olds and 58% of 40-54 year-olds);

- More broadly, Europeans who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond, those

without financial difficulties and those who consider that they belong to the higher

social classes are more likely to acknowledge the positive results of the European

Union: they mention most of these items more than the average. In contrast,

Europeans who left school at the age of 15 or earlier are more likely to say

spontaneously that “none” of the items represent positive achievements of the

EU, as are those who struggle to pay their bills most of the time and those who

see themselves as working class (12% in all three cases, compared with 8% on

average).


24

First four items mentioned


25

The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria for the

European Union as a whole (EU28), for the six largest EU countries and for countries

which have received or currently receive European Union support for tackling the

financial and economic crisis.


26


27

III. EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

1. THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

1.1. Update on the sense of European citizenship

- The sense of European citizenship is predominant, but in slight decline -

More than six out of ten Europeans feel that they are citizens of the European

Union9, slightly down on the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2014 (EB81)

(63%, -2 percentage points, versus 35%, +1)10. This decline in the sense of European

citizenship concerns those Europeans who consider that they are “definitely” citizens of

the EU (23%, -3), whereas the proportion who see themselves as citizens of the EU “to

some extent” has increased slightly (40%, +1).

9 QD2.1. For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to your own opinion. You feel you are a citizen of the EU 10 The sense of European citizenship as discussed in this chapter is based on the combined “Yes, definitely” and “Yes, to some extent” answers.


28

As in the previous two surveys, the feeling of being a citizen of the EU is more

widespread in the euro area countries (64%, -3 percentage points since spring 2014)

than in the non-euro area countries (62%, +1). However, the sense of European

citizenship continues to gain ground in the non-euro area countries: from 54% in autumn

2013, to 61% in spring 2014, and 62% in autumn 2014.

As in spring 2014, the sense of European citizenship is shared by a majority of

respondents in 25 Member States, with scores of more than 75% in five of them

(compared with eight in spring 2014): Luxembourg (89%, +4 percentage points), Malta

(85%, -2), Estonia (78%, +2), Finland (76%, -3) and Sweden (76%, -1).

On the other hand, it is shared by only a minority of respondents in Greece (45%,

-4 percentage points, versus 55%, +4), Italy (47%, unchanged, versus 51%, +1) and

Bulgaria (48%, +2, versus 51%, -2).

Since spring 2014, the sense of European citizenship has gained ground in Hungary

(67%, +8 percentage points), Romania (68%, +7) and Latvia (68%, +6). However, it is

now less widespread in Germany (74%, -5), Austria (73%, -4), Ireland (70%, -4), the

Netherlands (61%, -4) and Greece (45%, -4).


29

In terms of the European average, the decreased sense of European citizenship is most

perceptible among those who feel that they are “definitely” citizens of the EU (23%, -3

percentage points). A national analysis shows that this group of respondents has declined

in 18 Member States, most notably in Germany (30%, -8 percentage points for the

“definitely” answer), Portugal (15%, -8) and Poland (21%, -7). Conversely, the sense of

European citizenship has increased significantly only in Romania (25%, +6).


- The sense of European citizenship decreases with age, and is felt by 71% of 15-24

year-olds, 66% of 25-39 year-olds, 64% of 40-54 year-olds and 59% of those in

the 55-plus age group; 70% of those born after 1980 (generation “Y”), 64% of

those born between 1965 and 1980 (generation “X”), 63% of those born between

1946 and 1964 (baby-boomers) and 55% of those born before 1946;

- It is also more prevalent among those who studied up to the age of 20 and

beyond (73%) than among those who left school at the age of 15 or earlier (50%

versus 48%);

- The feeling of being a citizen of the EU is also more pronounced among managers

(76%) and students (74%) than among self-employed people (66%), white-collar

workers (65%) and manual workers (62%), and is least widespread among

unemployed people (60%), pensioners (58%) and housepersons (53%). Despite

these variations, a majority of Europeans in all the socio-professional categories

share a sense of European citizenship;

- There are also significant differences in accordance with the financial situation of

respondents: 69% of those who almost never have financial difficulties see

themselves as citizens of the EU, compared with a minority (45% versus 54%) of

those who struggle to pay their bills most of the time;


30

- The social class to which

respondents consider they

belong also influences their

sense of European

citizenship, since more than

70% of the Europeans who

consider that they belong to

the more privileged social

classes feel that they are

citizens of the EU (73% of

those in the upper class, 75%

of the upper middle class and

72% of the middle class),

compared with 61% of

Europeans in the lower

middle class and 53% of

those who see themselves as

working class;

- Lastly, Europeans who are in

favour of the euro (78%) are

more likely to feel that they

are citizens of the EU than

those who oppose it, only a

minority of whom do so

(45%, versus 53%);

- The feeling of European

citizenship cuts across the

socio-demographic

categories, and is shared

by the majority in almost

all categories except those

who regularly struggle to pay

their bills.


31






32

1.2. The sense of European citizenship compared with national citizenship

A comparison of the sense of European

citizenship and the sense of national

citizenship shows that a majority of

respondents continue to see

themselves as European citizens.

59% (unchanged since spring 2014) of

Europeans choose to define themselves

in terms of “nationality and European”,

“European and nationality” or

“European only”. However, almost four

out of ten Europeans define themselves

solely by their nationality (39%, =)11.

A closer analysis of the strength of this

sense of European citizenship shows

that:

- An absolute majority of

respondents define themselves first by their nationality and then as

Europeans (51%, unchanged);

- Respondents who define themselves first as European citizens and then by

their nationality remain in a minority (6%, unchanged);

- Lastly, as in spring 2014, only 2% of respondents define themselves as

“European only” (unchanged).

At national level, the sense of European citizenship is predominant in a very large

majority of Member States (24 out of 28). A majority of respondents define

themselves solely by their nationality in three Member States: the United

Kingdom (58%, -6 percentage points since spring 2014), Greece (53%, +4) and

Cyprus (51%, -1). In Bulgaria, identical proportions of respondents define themselves

solely by their nationality (49%, unchanged) and as citizens of the EU (49%, +2, for the

combined “nationality and European”, “”European and nationality” and “European only”

answers).

In detail, respondents in seven Member States are more likely than average to answer

“European and nationality”: Luxembourg (14%, +3 percentage points), Hungary

(10%, +2), Germany (9%, -1), Latvia (8%, unchanged), Belgium (8%, =), France

(7%, +1) and Austria (7%, -1). As was the case in the Standard Eurobarometer survey

of spring 2014, respondents in Luxembourg (6%, =) and Spain (6%, +1) are the most

likely to define themselves as “European only”.

11 QD3. Do you see yourself as … ?


33


34


- The sense of European citizenship:

o Is more prevalent among men than among women (62% versus 56%);

o Decreases with age, from 65% of 15-24 year-olds to 53% of those in the

55-plus age group;

o Is more pronounced among the most privileged categories of the

population, exceeding 70% among those who studied up to the age of 20

and beyond (72%), managers (74%) and students (71%), and among

those who see themselves as belonging to the upper middle class (76%);

o Varies considerably with the household’s financial situation: 62% of those

who never or almost never have difficulties paying their bills define

themselves as Europeans, compared with 42% of those who struggle to

pay their bills most of the time.

- In contrast, the respondents who define themselves solely by their nationality:

o Are more likely to be women than men (42% versus 36%), but are in the

minority in both cases;

o Are likely to be older: 45% of respondents in the 55-plus age group see

themselves solely as citizens of their country, compared with only 33% of

15-24 year-olds;

o Mostly left school at the age of 15 or earlier (56%, 30 percentage points

higher than for those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond, 26%);

o Represent a narrow majority of housepersons (49% versus 48%)

compared with a minority in all the other socio-professional categories,

especially managers (25%), students (27%), self-employed people (32%)

and white-collar workers (34%);

o Lastly, this feeling is also shared by a majority of those who struggle to

pay their bills most of the time (55%) and those who see themselves as

working class (52%).


35


36






37

1.3. Levers for strengthening the sense of European citizenship

The most effective means of creating a feeling of community

- Europeans see culture as the most effective means of creating a feeling of

community among EU citizens -

When asked to identify the means best suited to creating a feeling of community within

the European Union, respondents put culture at the top of their list. This item is

mentioned by three out of ten Europeans (30%)12, and is followed by:

- A group of three items, each with score of just under 25%: the economy and

sports are mentioned by 24% of respondents, in joint second place, just ahead of

history (23%);

- Next, in fifth place among the most unifying factors, come values (19%), just

ahead of geography (18%);

- Next, five items obtained scores of between 15% and 10%: languages, level

with the rule of law13 (both 15%), then solidarity with poorer regions (14%),

healthcare, education and pensions (13%) and inventions, science and

technology (12%);

- Finally, in twelfth and last place, fewer than one respondent in ten mentioned

religion as a means of strengthening the feeling of community among EU ctizens

(9%).

Following a change in the wording of one item (“legislation” replaced by “the rule of

law”), it is not possible to measure the evolution of the results since spring 2014

exactly, because it is not possible to determine to what extent the changes measured

result from this change in wording. A comparison between the two surveys reveals that

culture continues to be seen as the most effective means of creating a feeling of

community among EU citizens. Another noteworthy change concerns sports which are

now in second place, jointly with the economy. Otherwise, the ranking of these unifying

factors remains broadly unchanged, except that healthcare, education and pensions

have moved up one place to tenth, overtaking inventions, science and technology.

12 QD6. In your opinion, among the following issues, which are those that most create a feeling of community among European Union citizens? 13 Since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2014 (EB81), the item “legislation” has been replaced by “the rule of law”


38

(MAXIMUM 3 REPONSES)

At national level, culture is seen as the most effective means of creating a feeling of

community among EU citizens in 13 Member States: Luxembourg (41%), France (38%),

Germany (37%), Latvia (36%), Denmark (35%), Greece (34%), Cyprus (34%), Belgium

(33%), the Czech Republic (32%), Austria (30%), Malta (30%), Portugal (28%) and

Romania (24%).

The economy is seen as the most unifying factor in six Member States: Estonia (36%),

Lithuania (35%), Poland (31%), Spain (29%), Hungary (28%) and Italy (27%). In

Bulgaria, the economy is ranked joint first with geography (24%).

With the same score as the economy at European level, sports are seen as the most

effective means of creating a feeling of community among EU citizens in only four

Member States: Ireland (40%), Slovenia (33%), the United Kingdom (31%) and Croatia

(28%).

Sweden is the only Member States in which history tops the list of unifying factors

(35%). The same applies to values in Finland (36%).

Lastly, geography tops the list in two Member States: the Netherlands (37%) and

Slovakia (37%). As we have seen, this item was ranked joint first with the economy in

Bulgaria (24%).

None of the other items topped the list in any Member State, although some of them

were mentioned significantly more frequently in some countries, for example languages

in Luxembourg (31% versus 15% on average) and solidarity with poorer regions in

Portugal (26% versus 14% on average).


39

The rule of law, which was included for this first time in this survey, did not top the list

in any Member State. However, it was mentioned more than average in seven countries:

Finland (26% versus 15% on average), Germany (21%), Croatia (17%), Malta (17%),

the Netherlands (17%), Sweden (17%) and Spain (17%). On the other hand, fewer than

one in ten respondents mentioned this item in Lithuania (4%), Slovenia (6%), Austria

(9%) and Latvia (9%).

Healthcare, education and pensions were frequently mentioned in Malta (26% versus

13% on average), as were inventions, science and technology in Lithuania (24%

versus 12% on average) and, lastly, religion in Cyprus (17% versus 9% on average)

and Greece (16%).

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)


40

A socio-demographic analysis reveals that, broadly speaking, the results are fairly

consistent across the various categories. There are, however, some differences:

- Culture tops the list of means of creating a feeling of community among EU

citizens in all socio-demographic categories. Nevertheless, it is more likely to

strike a chord with those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond (35%

versus 30% on average), managers (36%) and those for whom the EU conjures

up a positive image (35%);

- Self-employed people are more likely than average to mention the economy

(28% versus 24% on average), as are people who trust the European Union

(29%) and those for whom the EU’s image is positive (29%);

- Young people (28% of 15-24 year-olds versus 24% on average) and the

respondents who see themselves as belonging to the upper class (28%) are more

likely to mention sports;

- Lastly, history is particularly recognised as a means of creating a feeling of

community among EU citizens by those who studied up to the age of 20 and

beyond (27% versus 23% on average), managers (30%), and those who consider

that they belong to the upper class (27%) and upper middle class (29%).


41

STANDARD EUROBAROMETER EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – AUTUMN 2014

42

The elements which would best strengthen the sense of European citizenship

- Europeans consider that a harmonised European social welfare system would

best strengthen their sense of European citizenship -

Among the elements most likely to strengthen their sense of European citizenship,

respondents tend to give preference to social aspects and those affecting their everyday

lives14:

- A European social welfare system harmonised between the Member

States (healthcare, education, pensions, etc.) tops the list of elements which

Europeans feel would strengthen their sense of European citizenship and was

mentioned by almost a third of Europeans (32%);

- Next, Europeans mentioned being able to move to any EU country after

retirement and to take your pension with you (27%);

- This was followed by three items that were mentioned by at least one in five

Europeans: being able to use your mobile phone in all EU countries at the

same price (23%), a European emergency response service to fight

international natural disasters (22%) and having a European ID card in

addition to national ID cards (20%);

- Next, in joint sixth place, Europeans mentioned an economic theme, being able

to shop online from all EU countries at the same price and with the same

consumer protection legislation (16%), and an aspect of the political life of

the European Union, a President of the EU directly elected by the citizens of

all Member States (16%);

- In similar proportions and in joint eighth place, respondents mentioned an

educational item, a European civic education course for children of primary

school age (15%), and a defence item, the creation of a European army

(15%);

- Next, two political themes, with slightly lower scores, but nevertheless mentioned

by more than one in ten Europeans: the right to vote in all elections

organised in the Member State where you live even if you are not a

citizen of that Member State (13%), followed by participating in national

debates about the future of Europe (11%);

- Finally, in twelfth and last place, the creation of EU embassies in non-EU

countries: only 6% of respondents believe that this would strengthen the sense

of European citizenship.

14 QD7. Which of the following elements would best strengthen your feeling about being a European citizen?


43

(MAXIMUM 4 ANSWERS)

A similar question was asked in the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2012

(EB77). However, because of the deletion of three items15, it is not possible to measure

the evolution of the results, since it is impossible to determine to what extent the

changes noted have been influenced by the deletion of these items. However, in

comparing the two surveys, we note that the creation of a harmonised European

social welfare system and being able to go and live in any EU country after

retirement are still the two most frequently mentioned elements seen as capable of

strengthening the sense of European citizenship. It may also be noted that being able to

use your mobile phone in all EU countries at the same price is now ranked in third

place, having overtaken a European emergency response service in this survey.

Similarly, the creation of a European army has gained two places to to ninth place.

A national analysis shows that the creation of a European social welfare system

harmonised between the Member States is ranked in first place in 16 Member

States: Greece (50%), Bulgaria (50%), Slovakia (41%), Spain (39%), Lithuania (39%),

Cyprus (38%), the Czech Republic (37%), Croatia (37%), Portugal (37%), Germany

(36%), Poland (35%), Estonia (35%), Hungary (34%), Romania (32%), Italy (31%) and

Slovenia (31%).

Being able to move to any EU country after retirement and to take your pension

with you is ranked in first place in Sweden (42%, one percentage point more than for

the social welfare system). However, this element is also ranked in first place in Finland

(38%) and the United Kingdom (23%), but jointly with being able to use your mobile

phone in all EU countries at the same price; this item also came in first place in

seven other countries: the Netherlands (42%), Denmark (39%), Luxembourg (38%),

Ireland (37%), Malta (37%), Belgium (35%) and Latvia (35%).

15 Three items used in question QD6 of the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2012 (EB77) were not used in this survey: “A European Parliament that had the right to decide on taxes raised in the European Union”; “Seeing the President of the European Commission on TV delivering a “general policy speech” in front of the European Parliament; and “Seeing a European researcher winning a Nobel prize”.


44

Austria is the only country where respondents give preference to the creation of a

European emergency response service to fight international natural disasters

(38%). In Austria, an above average number of respondents mentioned a European

civic education course for children of primary school age (24%, the same as in

Denmark, versus 15% on average) and EU embassies in non-EU countries (10%,

same score as in Estonia, versus 6% on average).

Lastly, the introduction of a European ID card in addition to national ID cards

was the most frequently mentioned item in France (36%), where respondents are also

more likely than average to mention a President of the EU directly elected by the

citizens of all Member States (23% versus 16% on average). The idea of a directly

elected President also appealed to more than one in five respondents in Germany (21%)

and Greece (21%).

The four remaining items obtained above-average scores in some countries, but without

being ranked in first place: for example, being able to shop online from all EU

countries at the same price and with the same consumer protection legislation

in Malta (32% versus 16% on average), and the creation of a European army in the

Netherlands (29% versus 15% on average), Cyprus (27%) and France (25%).

Respondents in Sweden stand out by attaching greater than average importance to

participating in national debates about the future of Europe (22%, same

proportion as in Greece, versus 11% on average) and being able to vote in all

elections organised in the Member State where you live, even if you are not a

citizen of that Member State (21% versus 13% on average).


45

(MAXIMUM 4 ANSWERS)


46


- A European social welfare system harmonised between the Member

States is seen as the most effective way of strengthening the sense of European

citizenship in almost all the socio-demographic categories. The only exceptions

are Europeans in the 15-24 age-group (29% versus 32% on average), members

of generation “Y”, i.e. those born after 1980 (30%), students (30%) and those

who see themselves as belonging to the upper class (26%);

- Being able to use your mobile phone in all EU countries at the same price

is ranked in first place in these same four categories: 33% of the 15-24 age group

(versus 23% on average), 32% among the members of generation “Y”, 33% of

students and 28% among the Europeans who consider that they belong to the

upper class;

- Being able to move to any EU country after retirement and to take your

pension with you was mentioned more than average (27%) by those who

studied up to the age of 20 and beyond (32%, versus 21% of those who left

school at the age of 15 or earlier), managers and self-employed people (34% and

31% respectively, versus 23% of housepersons and unemployed people), and by

respondents belonging to the upper middle class (34%, versus 22% of those who

see themselves as working class). It is interesting to note that this item is not

ranked in first place in any country, although it is ranked in second place at

European level;

- Lastly, Europeans for whom the EU conjures up a positive image (26%, versus

18% of those for whom the EU’s image is negative) are most likely to mention a

European emergency response service to fight international natural

disasters.


47

Five most frequently mentioned items


48

2. RIGHTS AS EUROPEAN CITIZENS

- Almost half of Europeans are aware of their rights as citizens of the EU; more

than two-thirds would like more information on these rights -

A minority of Europeans feel that they know their rights as citizens of the

European Union (47%, -1 percentage point since the Standard Eurobarometer survey

of spring 2014 (EB81), versus 51%, +1)16. Fewer than one in ten respondents answered

“yes, definitely” (9%, -2).

After a sharp increase since spring 2014, more than two-thirds of Europeans would

now like more information on their rights as a citizen of the EU (68%, +6

percentage points)17. More than a quarter of Europeans answered “yes, definitely”

(28%, +2).

16 QD2.2. For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to your opinion... You know what your rights are as a citizen of the EU 17 QD2.3. For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to your opinion. You would like to know more about your rights as a citizen of the EU


49

A national analysis shows that a majority of respondents say that they know their

rights as citizens of the EU in 15 Member States, led by Finland (72%, +2

percentage points), Luxembourg (65%, -1) and Germany (61%, -2).

However, only a minority of respondents are familiar with their rights in the remaining 13

Member States, with the lowest scores in Italy (31%, -1 percentage point), France

(34%, -3) and Bulgaria (38%, -1).

Since spring 2014, the feeling of familiarity with these rights as citizens of the EU has

gained ground in only five Member States (compared with 23 between autumn 2013 and

spring 2014), most notably in Romania (50%, +8 percentage points), where it is now the

majority position, and Hungary (48%, +5). In contrast, this feeling has decreased

significantly and is now the minority position in Malta (47%, -11) and Portugal

(45%, -9).


50

A large majority of respondents in the 28 Member States want more information

on their rights as EU citizens, with scores of 75% or more in six countries: Cyprus

(88%, unchanged), Malta (83%, +3 percentage points), Slovakia (77%, +7), Croatia

(76%, +7), Sweden (76%, +1) and Romania (75%, +6).

The proportion of respondents wanting more information has increased in 26

Member States, and by at least ten percentage points in seven of them: Poland

(70%, +13 percentage points), Portugal (65%, +13), Lithuania (70%, +12), the Czech

Republic (66%, +12), Hungary (66%, +11), Finland (58%, +11) and Estonia

(73%, +10). As a result of these increases, this is now the majority position in the two

countries where respondents wanting more information were in a minority in spring

2014, namely Finland (58%, +11) and the United Kingdom (55%, +7).

It has lost ground only in Italy (68%, -4 percentage points) and is stable in Cyprus

(88%, unchanged), which is also the country with not only the highest overall score, but

also the highest proportion of respondents saying “yes, definitely” (76%, =).


51


52






53


54

IV. THE OPENNESS OF EUROPEANS TO OTHERS

- Europeans are now more open to other countries -

Since autumn 2013 (EB80), the proportion of Europeans whose practices in five areas

during the previous 12 months reflect a certain openness to the other European Union

Member States has increased18:

- For the first time since this question was first asked (Standard Eurobarometer

survey of February-March 200619), a majority of respondents have socialised

with people from another EU country during the 12 months preceding the

survey (51%, +3 percentage points compared with autumn 2013, including 30%

“on several occasions”, unchanged);

- More Europeans – although still a minority – have visited another EU country

(43%, +3 percentage points, compared with 57%, -2, who have not done so);

- More than a third of respondents have now watched a TV programme in a

language other than their mother tongue (37%, +2 percentage points,

versus 62%, -3);

- Lastly, more than a quarter of respondents have read a book, magazine or

newspaper in a language other than their mother tongue (27%, +3

percentage points, versus 72%, -4), and have also used the Internet to buy a

product or service in another EU country (26%, +4, versus 73%, -4).

18 QD5a. In the last twelve months, have you …? 19 Special Eurobarometer survey 251 (EB65.1): The future of Europe http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_251_en.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_251_en.pdf


55

An analysis of the results by country shows that in 18 Member States (compared with 17

in autumn 2013), a majority of respondents have socialised with people from

another EU country during the 12 months preceding the survey, with scores in

excess of 75% in Luxembourg (93%, +3 percentage points), the Netherlands (83%,

unchanged), Sweden (80%, +7) and Cyprus (76%, -7). In contrast, a third or fewer

respondents have done so in Hungary (22%, -2), Bulgaria (31%, +8) and Romania

(33%, +9). The proportion of respondents who have socialised in this way has increased

in 21 Member States, led by Croatia (58%, +15), where it is now the majority position,

and Italy (41%, +11). It has decreased the most sharply in Cyprus (76%, -7) and

Germany (63%, -5).


56

In 12 Member States (unchanged since autumn 2013), a majority of respondents have

visited another EU country during the last 12 months. This is the case for more

than seven out of ten people in Luxembourg (91%, unchanged), the Netherlands (82%,

+4 percentage points), Denmark (74%, +2) and Sweden (71%, +2). However, fewer

than than 25% of respondents have done so in Greece (19%, +3), Spain (22%, +1) and

Bulgaria (25%, +6). This proportion has gained ground in 19 Member States, most

notably in Croatia (44%, +13), Finland (60%, +9), Italy (34%, +8) and Ireland

(58%, +8), and has decreased the most sharply in Germany (53%, -5), Austria

(67%, -4) and the Czech Republic (52%, -4).

A majority of respondents in 15 Member States (compared with 13 in autumn 2013)

have watched a TV programme in a language other than their mother tongue

during the last twelve months, with the highest scores in Luxembourg (95%, -1

percentage point), Malta (94%, unchanged), Sweden (91%, -1), Denmark (90%, +1),

the Netherlands (86%, +3) and Finland (86%, +8). In contrast, a quarter of respondents

or less have done so in Italy (20%, +7), Spain (25%, -1) and Hungary (25%, +4). This

practice has also gained ground in 18 Member States, with increases of at least ten

percentage points in Croatia (59%, +16) – where it is now the majority position –,

Bulgaria (32%, +11) and Romania (41, +10). It is also now the majority position in

Portugal (52%, +7). In contrast, it has lost the most ground in Slovenia (75%, -5) and

Latvia (79%, -4).

A majority of respondents say that they have read a book, newspaper or magazine

in a language other than their mother tongue in five Member States (compared with

six in autumn 2013): Luxembourg (94%, +1 percentage point), far ahead of Sweden

(68%, +5), Malta (67%, -2), the Netherlands (62%, +8) and Denmark (57%, +4). In

contrast, one in five respondents or less have done so in Bulgaria (14%, +2), Italy

(20%, +6), Hungary (20%, +4) and Poland (20%, +1). This practice has gained ground

in 23 Member States, most notably in Croatia (61%, +11) and Romania (26%, +10),

while the most significant decreases were recorded in Latvia (49%, -5), where it is now

the minority position, and Germany (26%, -4).

Lastly, majorities of respondents have now used the Internet to buy a product or

service in another EU country in three Member States (compared with two in autumn

2013): Luxembourg (67%, +6 percentage points), Malta (57%, +2) and Denmark

(52%, +5). This practice remains relatively marginal – although it is increasing – in

Bulgaria (13%, +4), Portugal (15%, +5), Italy (16%, +3) and Poland (16%, +2). The

practice of using the Internet for purchases in another Member State has gained ground

in almost all EU countries (25), and by more than ten percentage points in Croatia

(30%, +14), Finland (48%, +12) and Cyprus (48%, +11).


57


58

The index of openness to other countries

These five questions have been used to construct an index of openness to other

European Union countries.

For each of the five practices of openness analysed in this survey, points have been

attributed as follows: 2 points for every “yes, on several occasions” answer; 1 point for

every “yes, once or twice” answer, otherwise 0 points. Each individual could therefore

score between 0 and 10 points. Scores of 0 to 3 points correspond to a low international

openness index, 4 to 6 to a moderate international openness index and 7 to 10 to a high

international openness index.

A large majority of Europeans continue to have a “low” openness index, although

the proportion has decreased slightly since autumn 2013 (64%, -2 percentage points).

The proportions of respondents with a “moderate” (21%, +1) or “high” (15%, +1)

openness index have both increased very slightly, but these two categories are still very

much in the minority.

A national analysis of the various openness practices has already revealed the special

situation in Luxembourg, where respondents recorded the highest score for each of the

five practices analysed. The openness index highlights this special position: 84% of

respondents in Luxembourg have a “high” openness index (+4 percentage points),

around 40 percentage points higher than in the countries with the next highest openness

indices, Sweden (48%, +7), the Netherlands (47%, +5), Denmark (47%, +2) and Malta

(45%, +1).

In contrast, fewer than one in ten respondents have a “high” openness index in Italy

(5%, +2 percentage points), Bulgaria (5%, +2), Hungary (6%, unchanged), Portugal

(9%, +3), Romania (9%, +1), Poland (9%, =) and Spain (9%, -1).


59

In terms of evolutions, the proportions of respondents with a “high” openness index have

increased in 20 countries, most notably in Sweden (48%, +7 percentage points), Croatia

(17%, +7) and the Netherlands (47%, +5).

Conversely, “high” proportions have decreased the most sharply in Lithuania (18%, -5

percentage points), Latvia (27%, -3), Belgium (24, -3) and Germany (14%, -3).

The countries with the highest proportions of “low” indices are Italy (82%, -5 percentage

points), Hungary (82%, -1) and Bulgaria (81%, -4).


60

V. VALUES

The values that best represent the European Union

- Peace, human rights and democracy are the values that best represent the

European Union -

All the values that Europeans associate with the European Union have gained ground or

remained stable since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2014 (EB81), while

the ranking is relatively unchanged20:

- Peace remains the value that

Europeans associate first and

foremost with the European

Union: it was mentioned by four

out of ten respondents and has

strengthened its position as the

most frequently mentioned

value (40%, +3 percentage

points since spring 2014);

- Human rights (36%, +2

percentage points) and

democracy (31%, +1), both

with a slight increase, complete

the top three values associated

with the EU;

20 QD8. In the following list, which values best represent the EU?


61

- The other values which were suggested to respondents were mentioned by fewer

than two in ten Europeans. Three of them obtained scores of more than 15%: the

rule of law (18%, unchanged), individual freedom (17%, =) and respect for

human life (17%, +1 percentage point, now in sixth place, jointly with individual

freedom);

- Next, four values were mentioned by more than one in ten respondents, and it is

within this group that the ranking order has changed the most significantly:

solidarity is now ranked in seventh place (15%, +2 percentage points), just

ahead of respect for other cultures (14%, unchanged), while equality

(13%, +3) has overtaken tolerance (11%, =);

- Self-fulfilment (4%, unchanged) and religion (3%, =) are less associated with

the EU, and are mentioned by fewer than one in twenty Europeans.

First six items mentioned

Although the scores recorded for six of the twelve values have increased since spring

2014 (while those of the six others are unchanged), 5% (unchanged) of Europeans

continue to say spontaneously that they do not associate any of these values with the

European Union.


62

A national analysis shows that peace tops the list of values the most frequently

associated with the EU in 16 Member States. It was mentioned by an absolute majority

of respondents in Sweden (55%, +4 percentage points), France (54%, +7), Slovenia

(54%, +2), Luxembourg (53%, +5) and Germany (52%, +1). In contrast, it was

mentioned by 25% or fewer respondents in the United Kingdom (24%, unchanged) and

Romania (25%, =). The proportion of respondents mentioning peace has increased in 24

Member States, most notably in Greece (49%, +9), Belgium (44%, +9), Lithuania

(42%, +9), Finland (48%, +8), Croatia (33%, +8), France (54%, +7), Portugal

(34%, +7) and Bulgaria (34%, +7).

In two Member States, peace and human rights are ranked in joint first place: Lithuania

(42%, +9 percentage points for peace and +1 for human rights) and Cyprus (35%, +1

and -4 respectively).

Human rights top the list in nine Member States: Finland (53%, +9 percentage points),

Romania (43%, +2), Malta (42%, unchanged), Estonia (41%, +3), Ireland (40%, +4),

Latvia (39%, +5), the United Kingdom (37%, -4), Poland (37%, +8) and Croatia

(34%, -1). This item was also mentioned by at least four out of ten respondents in

Luxembourg (47%, +8), France (44%, +1), Belgium (41%, -1), the Netherlands

(41%, -2), Sweden (41%, =), Denmark (41%, -3) and Germany (40%, +5). However,

the proportion of respondents who mentioned this value was ten percentage points below

the European average in Italy (26%, +3) and Greece (26%, +1). Human rights obtained

a higher score than in spring 2014 in 17 Member States, including Finland (53%, +9),

Austria (36%, +9), Luxembourg (47%, +8) and Poland (37%, +8), but lost ground in

the United Kingdom (37%, -4), Cyprus (35%, -4) and Bulgaria (32%, -4).

Denmark is the only country where democracy is ranked in first place (48%, +3

percentage points). While not in first position, this value was nevertheless mentioned by

more than four out of ten respondents in Sweden (44%, -1), Germany (43%, +5) and

the Netherlands (42%, unchanged). In contrast, it was mentioned by 20% or fewer

respondents in Slovenia (19%, -1) and the United Kingdom (20%, =).

Since spring 2014, the proportion of people mentioning democracy has increased in 17

Member States, most notably in Austria (39%, +11), Malta (36%, +6) and the Czech

Republic (35%, +6), but has decreased in France (25%, -6), Spain (30%, -5 since spring

2014 when democracy was ranked in first place) and Hungary (23%, -5).

None of the nine other values suggested was ranked in first place in any Member State.

However, three of them were mentioned by at least 30% of respondents in some

countries: for example, the rule of law in Finland (34%, +2 percentage points),

individual freedom in Lithuania (33%, +2) and Latvia (31%, +2), and respect for

human life in Malta (30%, +3).


63

The scores recorded for some of these values have changed significantly since spring

2014: for example, the rule of law has gained ground in Spain (27%, +7 percentage

points) and Estonia (21%, +7), but has lost ground in Croatia (15%, -12), Italy

(11%, -6) and Slovenia (10%, -6); individual freedom has gained ground in Croatia

(26%, +8), as has solidarity in Bulgaria (22%, +8) and Lithuania (24%, +6), equality

in Portugal (19%, +6) and Romania (15%, +6), and finally tolerance in Croatia

(15%, +6).

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)


64


- Peace tops the list of values associated with the European Union in every socio-

demographic category: among men and women alike, and across all age groups

and generations, with the exception of Europeans aged 25 to 39 (35% versus

40% on average) and members of generation “Y”, i.e. those born after 1980

(36%). Another exception is those who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond,

who also ranked peace in second place among the values associated with the

European Union (40%);

- Human rights are ranked in first place in these last three categories in almost

identical proportions to those recorded for peace: 36% among 25-39 year-olds

(versus 36% on average), 37% among members of generation “Y” and 41%

among Europeans who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond;

- Men (33%) are slightly more likely than women (29%) to mention democracy.

Managers (38% compared 31% on average, and 26% of housepersons and

unemployed people), as are those who see themselves as belonging to the middle

class (35%), upper middle class (39%) and upper class (37%, versus 26% of

those who see themselves as working class) are more likely than average to

mention this value. Europeans for whom the EU conjures up a positive image are

also more likely to mention this value (39%, versus 19% among those for whom

it has a negative image). Ultimately, democracy does not top the list of values in

any of the socio-demographic categories.


65

Six most frequently mentioned items


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Personal values

- Peace, human rights and respect for human life are the three most important

personal values for Europeans -

The order in which Europeans rank the values which are the most important for them

personally has changed since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2013

(EB79)21:

- After recording the sharpest

increase among the personal

values of Europeans, peace is now

in first place (44%, +5 percentage

points since spring 2013);

- Human rights (40%, -1

percentage point) have remained

relatively stable, and were

mentioned by four out of ten

respondents. However, they have

now fallen to second place

following the sharp rise in

mentions of peace;

- Respect for human life (34%, -3

percentage points) remains in the

top three personal values despite a

slight decrease in the proportion of respondents mentioning this item;

- Two values share joint fourth place, and are mentioned by a quarter of

Europeans: democracy, which has lost a little ground since spring 2013 (25%, -1

percentage point), and individual freedom, which has gained ground slightly

(25%, +1);

21 QD9. In the following list, which are the three most important values for you personally?

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)


70

- Next, four values obtained scores of between 20% and 15%: while equality

(20%, -1 percentage point) remains in sixth place, solidarity (18%, +1) and

tolerance (17%, +1) have each gained one place, while the rule of law

(15%, -3), has fallen by two places to ninth;

- The three remaining values suggested to respondents were mentioned by fewer

than one in ten Europeans: respect for other cultures (9%, -2 percentage

points) and self-fulfilment (9%, unchanged) are ranked in joint tenth place;

finally, religion (6%, +1) is the last-ranked personal value, as it was in spring

2013. It is also the last-placed of the values which best represent the European

Union.


A comparison between the order in which Europeans rank their personal values and the

the values they associate with the European Union (possible because the items used for

these questions are identical) shows that respondents are more likely to mention nine of

the twelve proposed values as personal values than as values associated with the EU.

This applies in particular to respect for human life (34% as a personal value versus

17% as a value characteristic of the EU), considerably ahead of individual freedom

(25% versus 17%) and equality (20% versus 13%). The three values more associated

with the EU are democracy (31% as an EU value versus 25% as a personal value),

respect for other cultures (14% versus 9%) and the rule of law (18% versus 15%).

The rule of law is also the value whose position differs the most in the two ranking

orders: it is in fourth place among the values associated with the EU, but only in ninth

place among personal values.


71

A national analysis shows that peace is the most frequently mentioned personal value in

15 Member States. It was also mentioned by an absolute majority of respondents in

eight of them: Luxembourg (58%, +13 percentage points), Germany (58%, +1), Estonia

(55%, +19), Slovenia (54%, +11), Slovakia (53%, +14), Austria (53%, +3), Denmark

(51%, +5) and France (50%, +7). Though not the most important value, it was also

mentioned by at least half the respondents in Sweden (51%, +5) and Finland

(50%, +5). However, this item was mentioned by 30% or fewer respondents in Romania

(29%, -2), the only country to record a lower score than in spring 2013, and Bulgaria

(30%, +1). It has therefore gained ground in 27 Member States, and by more than ten

percentage points in six of them: Estonia (55%, +19), Lithuania (45%, +15), Slovakia

(53%, +14), Luxembourg (58%, +13), Slovenia (54%, +11) and Poland (44%, +11).

In Latvia, peace (46%, +7 percentage points) and human rights (46%, +2) are ranked

joint first; however, it is peace that has gained the most ground there since spring 2013.

Human rights are ranked in first place in eight Member States: Sweden (58%, -5

percentage points), Finland (51%, +5), Cyprus (47%, -13), Lithuania (46%, +1), Spain

(44%, -2), Croatia (42%, -6), Romania (41%, -5) and Italy (39%, +3). This item was

also mentioned by at least four out of ten respondents in Slovenia (44%, -6), Denmark

(43%, +2), Poland (42%, -4), Greece (41%, +2), Germany (41%, -2), Portugal

(40%, +3), Estonia (40%, +1) and France (40%, -4).

In contrast, fewer than a third of respondents mentioned human rights in Hungary

(32%, +2) or the Czech Republic (32%, -3). The proportion of respondents mentioning

this item has fallen since spring 2013 in 16 countries, most notably in Cyprus

(47%, -13), Bulgaria (42%, -9), Luxembourg (37%, -9) and Belgium (33%, -7).

Attachment to this value has increased significantly in only Finland (51%, +5), Ireland

(39%, +4) and Slovakia (39%, +4).

In Bulgaria, human rights (42%, -9 percentage points) and individual freedom

(42%, +6) are ranked in joint first place. More than 40% of respondents also mentioned

individual freedom in Austria (48%, -4), Lithuania (43%, +3) and the Czech Republic

(43%, unchanged). However, fewer than one in five respondents in Poland (17%, -1),

Spain (18%, +1), Sweden (19%, +2) and France (19%, -7) mentioned this item. The

proportion of respondents mentioning this value has increased in 15 Member States,

most notably in Italy (25%, +7), Bulgaria (42%, +6), Croatia (35%, +6) and Portugal

(23%, +6), while the sharpest falls were recorded in France (19%, -7) and Ireland

(24%, -5).


72

Respect for human life is ranked first in three Member States: Greece (48%, +8

percentage points), Ireland (46%, -4) and the United Kingdom (37%, -5). It was also

mentioned by more than four out of ten respondents in Cyprus (43%, -4), France

(42%, -6) and Spain (41%, +1). However, the proportion of respondents mentioning this

item has fallen sharply to less than quarter in Slovakia (21%, -13) and the Czech

Republic (24%, -10). In total this value has lost ground in 22 Member States, and – in

addition to Slovakia and the Czech Republic – by at least ten percentage points in

Luxembourg (38%, -12), Malta (36%, -11) and Romania (29%, -11). Its score has

increased significantly only in Greece (48%, +8), Italy (37%, +5) and Slovenia (38%,

+4).

None of the eight other personal values was ranked in first place in any Member State.

However, democracy was mentioned by more than four out of ten respondents in

Sweden (46%, -3 percentage points) and Denmark (43%, -1), and by at least three out

of ten in Germany (34%, unchanged), Greece (33%, +4) and Italy (30%, +3).

Other values were mentioned by approximately three out of ten respondents: the rule

of law in Finland (30%, +3); equality in Portugal (29%, -5); solidarity in France

(29%, +5) and Portugal (29%, -5); tolerance in Belgium (28%, +1).

Some of these eight values have seen significant evolutions since spring 2013: this is

particularly true for the rule of law, which has gained ground in the Netherlands (15%,

+7 percentage points), but has lost ground very dramatically in Slovenia (11%, -29),

Italy (6%, -23), Croatia (14%, -19) and, to a lesser extent, in Lithuania (5%, -9),

Denmark (13%, -8), Romania (12%, -8) and Cyprus (19%, -7). The proportion of

respondents mentioning democracy has decreased in Bulgaria (15%, -8), while the

score for solidarity has increased in Luxembourg (26%, +8) and the Netherlands

(22%, +7), as have mentions of tolerance in Austria (21%, +7).


73

(MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS)


74


- Peace tops the list in the majority of socio-demographic categories. Respondents

in the 55 or over age group (51% versus 44% on average), those belonging to

the generations born before 1946 (53%), retired people (51%) and those who see

themselves as belonging to the upper class (49%) are far more likely than

average to mention peace;

- Human rights are nevertheless ranked in first place in several categories, in

particular by Europeans aged 15-24 (42% versus 40% on average) and 25-39

year-olds (41%), by members of generation “Y”, i.e. those born after 1980

(42%), and by students (42%) and self-employed people (41%);

- Lastly, respect for human life, while not ranked in first place by any socio-

demographic category, is mentioned more by women (37% versus 34% on

average) than by men (31%); by housepersons (39%) and manual workers

(37%) than by students (27%); and by the Europeans who see themselves as

working class (37%) than by those who see themselves as belonging to the upper

class (25%).


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TS1

STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82 Public opinion in the European Union

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Between the 8th of the 17th of November 2014, TNS opinion & social, a consortium created between TNS political & social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the wave 82.3 of the EUROBAROMETER survey, on request of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate-General for Communication, “Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” unit. The wave 82.3 is the STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82 survey and covers the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the Member States and aged 15 years and over. The STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 82 survey has also been conducted in the six candidate countries (Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania) and in the Turkish Cypriot Community. In these countries, the survey covers the national population of citizens and the population of citizens of all the European Union Member States that are residents in these countries and have a sufficient command of the national languages to answer the questionnaire. The basic sample design applied in all states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each country, a number of sampling points was drawn with probability proportional to population size (for a total coverage of the country) and to population density.

In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative regional units", after stratification by individual unit and type of area. They thus represent the whole territory of the countries surveyed according to the EUROSTAT NUTS II (or equivalent) and according to the distribution of the resident population of the respective nationalities in terms of metropolitan, urban and rural areas. In each of the selected sampling points, a starting address was drawn, at random. Further addresses (every Nth address) were selected by standard "random route" procedures, from the initial address. In each household, the respondent was drawn, at random (following the "closest birthday rule"). All interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes and in the appropriate national language. As far as the data capture is concerned, CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview) was used in those countries where this technique was available. For each country a comparison between the sample and the universe was carried out. The Universe description was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all countries surveyed, a national weighting procedure, using marginal and intercellular weighting, was carried out based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS Opinion & Social applies the official population figures as provided by EUROSTAT or national statistic offices. The total population figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed below.


TS2

Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews, the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits:

various sample sizes are in rows various observed results are in columns

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

N=50 6,0 8,3 9,9 11,1 12,0 12,7 13,2 13,6 13,8 13,9 N=50

N=500 1,9 2,6 3,1 3,5 3,8 4,0 4,2 4,3 4,4 4,4 N=500

N=1000 1,4 1,9 2,2 2,5 2,7 2,8 3,0 3,0 3,1 3,1 N=1000

N=1500 1,1 1,5 1,8 2,0 2,2 2,3 2,4 2,5 2,5 2,5 N=1500

N=2000 1,0 1,3 1,6 1,8 1,9 2,0 2,1 2,1 2,2 2,2 N=2000

N=3000 0,8 1,1 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,6 1,7 1,8 1,8 1,8 N=3000

N=4000 0,7 0,9 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,5 1,5 1,5 N=4000

N=5000 0,6 0,8 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,3 1,4 1,4 1,4 N=5000

N=6000 0,6 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,3 1,3 N=6000

N=7000 0,5 0,7 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,1 1,1 1,1 1,2 1,2 N=7000

N=7500 0,5 0,7 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,1 1,1 1,1 1,1 N=7500

N=8000 0,5 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,1 1,1 1,1 N=8000

N=9000 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 N=9000

N=10000 0,4 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,0 N=10000

N=11000 0,4 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 N=11000

N=12000 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 N=12000

N=13000 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 N=13000

N=14000 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 N=14000

N=15000 0,3 0,5 0,6 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 N=15000

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

Statistical Margins due to the sampling process

(at the 95% level of confidence)


TS3

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