Close to three quarters (73%) of European citizens agree that the European Union is a ‘place of stability in a troubled world’, with support for the bloc remaining resilient despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
According to the Spring 2026 Eurobarometer survey, which was undertaken in March and April, 72% of Europeans believe their country has benefited from EU membership, while 81% support the development of a common EU defence and security policy, more than in any previous survey.
More than three quarters of respondents (76%) said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses a threat to EU security, while the same proportion agreed the EU should continue supporting Ukraine until a ‘just and lasting peace’ is achieved. More than half (55%) said they were satisfied with the EU’s response to the conflict.
Trust in the European Union
Trust in the EU has also risen modestly. The survey found that 51% of Europeans say that they trust the EU, up three percentage points since autumn 2025, while six in ten respondents said they were optimistic about the bloc’s future.
However, the research highlights growing anxiety around global instability and household finances.
For the first time, the conflict in the Middle East emerged as the top concern at EU level, cited by 25% of respondents, ahead of the broader international situation (23%) and Russia’s war against Ukraine (20%).
Cost of living
In addition, cost-of-living pressures remain dominant. Around 36% of EU citizens identified inflation and living costs as the main issues facing their country, while 52% said it was their biggest personal concern.
Economic sentiment has softened slightly. While 44% described the EU economy as currently being in a ‘good’ state, only 15% expect conditions to improve over the next year. A plurality of 42% expect the economy to remain unchanged, while 36% believe it will worsen.
Support for the euro nevertheless remains at a record high. Across the EU, 74% back the single currency – the strongest level recorded since its introduction in 2002 – rising to 82% within euro area countries. Read more here.
