New EU survey: Citizens see Union as anchor of stability – but confidence is fading

Despite this subdued mood, most people rate their personal situation positively. In Germany, 83 percent of respondents are satisfied with their quality of life; EU-wide the figure is also 83 percent. In Austria too, the survey shows high satisfaction with personal quality of life.

Personal satisfaction remains high

When asked what good quality of life means in concrete terms, respondents EU-wide most frequently cited their financial situation and the ability to make ends meet – 54 percent agreed most strongly with this aspect. This was followed by physical and mental health and social life, at 53 percent each. The quality of and access to healthcare, as well as public and personal security, also play a central role, at 43 percent each.

Europeans were also asked which changes would most improve their quality of life. Here, the financial situation tops the list at 43 percent, followed by the quality of and access to healthcare (37 percent) and social life (34 percent). In Austria, 43 percent cited the financial management of the cost of living as the most important concern.

Concern about the standard of living

Many respondents are worried about the road ahead: 38 percent of Austrians believe their own standard of living will deteriorate over the next five years, while 46 percent expect no change. The personal and family future, however, is viewed considerably more positively than that of the world as a whole: in Austria, 81 percent see the future for their own family and themselves optimistically; for their own country, the figure is 69 percent.

Another key finding concerns the tasks the European Parliament should focus on in the future. Respondents in Germany and across the EU most frequently named the fight against inflation and rising living costs (46 percent), EU defence and security (43 percent), and the economy and job creation (33 percent). 60 percent of EU citizens also want a more important role for the European Parliament – in Austria the figure is 49 percent.

Expectations of the European Parliament

When asked what the EU should focus on to strengthen its position in the world, energy independence (41 percent), defence and security (38 percent), and competitiveness (37 percent) top the list in Germany. For Austrians, independence in energy and other resources is particularly important at 33 percent, while EU-wide defence and security (39 percent) is regarded as the most pressing concern.

That the EU contributes to strengthening peace and security is believed by 40 percent of respondents EU-wide and 38 percent in Austria. This assessment has become more firmly held in Austria compared with previous years: 62 percent there take the view that the EU is an anchor of stability – two percentage points more than in 2025 and eight more than five years ago.

Security and peace as core tasks

A total of 74 percent of those surveyed across Europe consider their country's EU membership beneficial. In Austria, other benefits most frequently cited are the EU's contribution to economic growth (33 percent), new job opportunities (30 percent), and improved cooperation with other EU states (27 percent). EU-wide too, the safety and quality of food (40 percent, 35 percent in Germany) ranks among the most frequently mentioned benefits of membership.

For the survey, 26,421 people aged 15 and over were interviewed in person across Europe between April and May; in Austria the figure was 1,003 respondents, in Germany 1,507. The results are considered representative of the population of the respective countries.

Survey methodology

The survey thus paints a nuanced picture: the EU continues to be perceived by a large majority as a reliable anchor in times of crisis, but economic pessimism – especially in Germany – and concern about global developments are dampening the mood. The issues of inflation, security, and energy independence in particular dominate citizens' expectations of policy in the years ahead.