EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

Transcription

1 Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014 EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP REPORT Fieldwork: June 2014 This survey has been requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication. 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 81 / Spring 2014 TNS opinion & social

2 Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014 European citizenship Study conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the European Commission - Directorate-General for Communication Study coordinated by the European Commission - Directorate- General for Communication (DG COMM - "Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit".)

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 3 I. EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP Update on the sense of European citizenship The sense of European citizenship compared with national citizenship Levers for strengthening the sense of European citizenship THE RIGHTS OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS II. THE RESULTS AND PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION THE RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION THE BENEFITS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION S ACHIEVEMENTS III. THE VALUES THAT BEST REPRESENT THE EUROPEAN UNION ANNEX Technical specifications 2

4 INTRODUCTION This Standard Eurobarometer survey was conducted between 31 May and 14 June in 34 countries and territories: the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU), the five candidate countries (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Iceland, Montenegro and Serbia), and the Turkish Cypriot Community in the area of the country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. Between 22 and 25 May 2014, European citizens were called upon to directly elect their European Parliament representatives. For the very first time, by voting in the European elections EU citizens could hope to indirectly influence the choice of the next President of the European Commission. Against this background, it is useful to analyse the evolutions in the way Europeans relate to their European citizenship. This Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2014 (EB81) measures a number of indicators which can provide us with some possible answers to this question. The theme of European citizenship is discussed here from a range of angles: - The concepts of citizenship and European identity: do Europeans feel like European citizens? Do they know their rights as European citizens? Do they have any expectations in terms of information on this subject? And if so, in what areas in particular? - Perceptions of the achievements of the European Union: what do Europeans feel are the most positive results of the European Union? What are the main achievements of the EU from which Europeans feel they have benefited? - EU values: in the eyes of Europeans, what values best represent the European Union? The full Standard Eurobarometer 81 survey is composed of several volumes. The first volume presents the main trends in public opinion in the European Union. Four further volumes are dedicated to the opinions of Europeans on other themes: European citizenship; the economic and financial crisis; the Europe 2020 strategy; and living conditions in the European Union. This volume focuses on European citizenship. Both the general and socio-demographic analyses are based on the average results of all 28 Member States. This average is weighted to reflect the population of each of the Member States. The averages for previous surveys represent the results obtained in all Member States of the European Union as it was composed at the time the study was conducted. 1 Please consult the technical specifications for the exact interview dates in each country. 3

5 ABBREVIATIONS BE Belgium LV Latvia BG Bulgaria LU Luxembourg CZ Czech Republic HU Hungary DK Denmark MT Malta DE Germany NL 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 (TC C) Turkish Cypriot Community EU28 European Union - weighted average for the 28 Member States TR Turkey MK Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ** IS Iceland ME Montenegro RS Serbia The methodology used is that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys of the Directorate- General for Communication (-"Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer Unit") 2. A technical note on the interviewing methods of the institutes of the TNS Opinion & Social network is attached to this report. This note also indicates the confidence intervals 3, which are used to assess the accuracy of the results of a poll according to the size of the sample interviewed in relation to the total size of the population studied. The abbreviations used in this report are as follows: Euro area Noneuro area BE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, CY, MT, SK, LV BG, CZ, DK, HR, LT, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK * 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 take part in this survey. Without their active participation, this survey would not have been possible

6 I. EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP 1. THE SENSE OF EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP 1.1. Update on the sense of European citizenship - An increased sense of European citizenship - Nearly two-thirds of Europeans say that they feel they are citizens of the European Union 4 : 65%, an increase of six percentage points compared with the Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2013 (EB80), while 34% say they do not feel they are EU citizens, -6 points). It is the most emphatic opinions that are gaining ground, more than a quarter of Europeans now saying they "definitely" feel they are European citizens (26%, +6). The sense of European citizenship has thus reached its highest level since the first time that this question was asked, in the Standard Eurobarometer survey in spring 2010 (EB73). 3 All results are annexed. It should be noted that the total of percentages indicated in the report may exceed 100% in cases where the respondents were able to choose several answers to a question. 4 QD1.1. 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 5

7 The feeling of European citizenship is more pronounced in countries within the euro area (67%, +5 percentage points compared with the autumn 2013 survey), but has gained most ground in countries outside the euro area (61%, +7). A majority feel they are EU citizens in 25 Member States (compared with 23 in autumn 2013) and more than 75% do so eight of them: Malta (87%, +13 percentage points), Luxembourg (85%, no change), Germany (79%, +6), Finland (79%, +6), Austria (77%, +14), Poland (77%, +10), Sweden (77%, +8), and Estonia (76%, +4). In contrast, respondents who feel they are European citizens are still in the minority in Bulgaria (46%, -3 vs. 53%, +3), Greece (49%, +7 vs. 51%, -7), and Italy (47%, +2 vs. 50%, -3). They are now the majority in Cyprus (53%, +7 vs. 47%, -7) and also in the United Kingdom where the sense of European citizenship has gained significant ground since the autumn 2013 survey (52%, +10 vs. 46%, -10). Other Member States in which the feeling of European citizenship has risen significantly since autumn 2013 are Austria (77%, +14 percentage points), Malta (87%, +13), Portugal (69%, +11), and Poland (77%, +10). The only two countries in which it has declined are Bulgaria (46%, -3) and Croatia (55%, -3). 6

8 Finally, the sharpest increases in the number of respondents who report that they "definitely" feel they are citizens of the EU are recorded in Austria (35%, +21 percentage points), Malta (47%, +18), Luxembourg (54%, +15), and Estonia (38%, +15). A socio-demographic analysis shows that: - The majority of respondents feel that they are citizens of the EU in all categories of the population except among Europeans who report having the most difficulties in paying their bills, despite a slight improvement (44%, +3 percentage points compared with 54%, -3). There is thus a considerable gap between this group and those Europeans who say they almost never have difficulty in paying their bills (71%, +6); - This has become the majority opinion among those Europeans who left school at the age of 15 earlier (51%, +5 percentage points), although it remains much more pronounced among those who continued their studies up to the age of 20 or later (73%, +3); - The sense of European citizenship has increased in all age categories, but more particularly among young people, where it is more widespread (75%, +11 percentage points among the age group; 65%, +3 among the age group; 65%, +6 among the age group; and 60%, +5 among the 55 and over age group). - The sense of European citizenship has risen sharply among the self-employed (72%, +11 percentage points). It is also more notable among managers (76%, no change) than white-collar workers (66%, +4), manual workers (62%, +5), and unemployed people (56%, +4), despite an improvement in all three of these categories. 7

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10 The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 9

11 1.2. The sense of European citizenship compared with national citizenship When the sense of European citizenship is compared with the sense of national citizenship, an increasing majority of Europeans say that they feel they are European citizens (59%, +5 percentage points compared with autumn 2013, while 39%, -3 say they define themselves solely by their nationality) 5. In detail: - More than half the respondents defined themselves first by their nationality and then by their European citizenship (51%, +4 percentage points); - The proportion of respondents who say that they define themselves first by their European citizenship and then by their nationality is still small (6%, +1); - Only 2% say that they see themselves solely as European citizens (no change). National analysis shows that a majority of respondents define themselves solely by their nationality in three Member States: the United Kingdom (64%, +1 percentage point vs. 33%, no change), Cyprus (52%, +6, vs. 47%, -4), and Bulgaria (49%, -1, vs. 47%, -1). People are most likely to see themselves primarily as European (answers "European and nationality" and "European only") in Luxembourg (17%, -3 percentage points), Germany (12%, +3), and Belgium (11%, -2). This feeling has declined substantially in Romania (7%, -8). 5 QD3. Do you see yourself as...? 10

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13 Analysis by socio-demographic criteria shows that: - Women tend to define themselves solely by their nationality more than men (43% vs. 36%); - Europeans aged 55 and over are also more likely to do so (45%) than young people (34% among the age group); - An absolute majority of Europeans who left school at the age of 15 or earlier also see themselves as solely as citizens of their own country (56%), whereas this figure is halved among Europeans who continued their studies until the age of 20 or later (28%); - Europeans who have difficulties in paying their bills were also more likely to define themselves solely by their nationality (53%) than those who say they almost never have financial difficulties (36%). - The categories of the population most likely to see themselves as Europeans (either "national and European", "European and national" or "European only") are men (61% vs. 54% of women); young people aged 15 to 24 (63% vs. 53% of those aged 55 and over); students (70%); self-employed people and managers (70%); and people who studied up to the age of 20 and beyond (69% compared with 42% of those who left school at the age of 15 or younger 42%). - Respondents who say they almost never have financial difficulties are also more likely to identify as Europeans (62%) than those who have difficulty paying their bills most of the time (44%). 12

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15 The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 14

16 1.3. Levers for strengthening the sense of European citizenship - Culture and the economy are identified as the best levers for creating a sense of community within the European Union - The hierarchy of subjects that Europeans identify as being likely to strengthen the feeling of European citizenship has changed very slightly since autumn : - Culture continues to lead the subjects most likely to strengthen the sense of community among European citizens (27%, -1 percentage point); - However, the economy also continues to occupy second place among subjects perceived as the most unifying factors (24%, +1 percentage point); - History remains in third position, but with a perceptible decline since autumn 2013 (20%, -3 percentage points). Geography is also mentioned less than in autumn 2013 (in sixth position, 15%, -3); - Sports continue to be mentioned by a fifth of Europeans (20%, -2 percentage points), before values (18%, -1) and languages (14%, no change); - The main evolution concerns the greater importance ascribed in this wave to laws (13%, +3 percentage points) which rises from twelfth to eighth position among the items identified as being most likely to strengthen the feeling of European citizenship; - This item is now mentioned as often as solidarity with poorer regions (13%, no change) and ahead of inventions, science and technology (12%, -1 percentage point), and health care, education and pensions (11%, -1); - Religion is mentioned a little less than in autumn 2013 among subjects identified as potentially unifying factors within the EU (9%, -2 percentage points). 6 QD6. In your opinion, among the following issues, which are those that most create a feeling of community among European Union citizens? 15

17 Culture comes at the top of the list of the areas identified as most creating a sense of community among European citizens in 13 Member States: Greece (34%, +2 percentage points since autumn 2013), Luxembourg (33%, +2), Denmark (32%, -3), Germany (32%, -5), France (31%, -5), Latvia (31%, +3), Belgium (30%, -6), Cyprus (30%, +6), the United Kingdom (29%, -1), and Portugal (27%, +3). In three Member States, it is given the same weight as the economy: Hungary (29%, +5), Malta (29%, +8), and Romania (19%, +1), where it is also equal with sports. Culture is mentioned significantly less often than in autumn 2013 in Slovenia (18%, -7 percentage points), but has gained ground in Malta (29%, +8), and Bulgaria (23%, +7). The economy is thought to be the leading area capable of creating a sense of community among European citizens by respondents in 12 Member States, led by Slovenia (34%, +4 percentage points), the Netherlands (32%, no change), Lithuania (31%, -1), Estonia (30%, +2), and Poland (30%, +6). A sharp decline was recorded in Croatia (19%, -11). Sports lead the areas regarded as unifying factors in four Member States: Romania (19%, -1 percentage point, equal with culture and the economy), Ireland (41%, +6), the Czech Republic (30%, +1), and Croatia (22%, -2). History is the leading subject mentioned in Sweden, despite a decrease since autumn 2013 (27%, -6 percentage points), and geography tops the list in Slovakia (30%, -5). It is also frequently mentioned in the Netherlands (31%, +2). Values are in first place in Finland (30%, +2 percentage points). 16

18 Note also: - Laws are mentioned more frequently than the average in Cyprus (26%, -1 percentage point). This item has also gained significant ground since autumn 2013 in the United Kingdom (11%, +8) and in France (13%, +7), but has declined in Bulgaria (20%, -8); - Languages are mentioned more than the average in Luxembourg (29%, -2 percentage points); - Solidarity with poorer regions receives particular attention in Croatia (20%, +6 percentage points), and inventions, science and technology are similarly singled out in the Czech Republic (20%, +2); - A quarter of respondents mention health care, education and pensions in Denmark (25%, +6 percentage points); - Finally, religion is mentioned more often than the average in Greece (15%, no change). 17

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20 Analysis by socio-demographic criteria shows that: - Young people are more likely than average to mention sports (27% to 20% on average) and languages (21% to 14% on average) as unifying factors in the EU; - Managers are more likely than average to mention culture (33% to 27% on average) and values (28% to 18% on average), whereas the responses of white collar and manual workers are closer to the average; - Europeans who say they have a positive image of the EU are also more likely than average to mention culture (33% to 27% on average), the economy (29% to 24% on average), and values (24% to 18% on average). Those Europeans who say they have a negative image of the EU mention all the items less often than average, particularly culture (21%) and the economy (18%). They are also more likely to state spontaneously that none of the areas tested create a sense of community within the EU (12% to 6% on average). 19

21 2. THE RIGHTS OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS - More Europeans both feel they know their rights as European citizens and want to learn more - Only a minority of Europeans say that they know their rights as citizens of the European Union, but more do so than at the time of the Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2013 (48%, +5 percentage points compared with 50%, -5) 7. The proportion of Europeans who say they know these rights is higher than at any time since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2010 (EB73). More than six in 10 Europeans would like to know more on the subject (62%, +3 percentage points vs. 35%, -3, who do not wish to learn more) 8. 7 QD1.2. For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to your own opinion. You know what your rights are as a citizen of the EU 8 QD1.3. For each of the following statements, please tell me to what extent it corresponds or not to your own opinion. You would like to know more about your rights as a citizen of the EU 20

22 An analysis of the results by country shows that a majority of respondents say they know their rights as EU citizens in 16 Member States (compared with 13 in autumn 2013), led by Finland (70%, +6 percentage points), Luxembourg (66%, +8), Estonia (64%, +6), Germany (63%, +7), Denmark (62%, +4), and Sweden (62%, +5). The countries in which this knowledge is weakest are Italy (32%, +1 percentage point), France (37%, +8), and Bulgaria (39%, +3). While the numbers who said they knew their rights as European citizens had declined in a majority of countries in autumn 2013, the trend has now reversed, and the proportions who are familiar with their rights has risen in 23 Member States - and by more than 10 percentage points in Slovenia (60%, +14), Portugal (54%, +13), and Malta (58%, +12). A majority of respondents want to know more about their rights as citizens of the EU in 26 Member States (compared with 23 in autumn 2013). This proportion reaches or exceeds the 75% mark in Cyprus (88%, +5 percentage points), Malta (80%, +12), and Sweden (75%, -1), and in particular has increased significantly in Bulgaria (66%, +22), Italy (72%, +14), Austria (55%, +14), Greece (68%, 13), and Malta (80%, +12). The only two Member States in which only a minority want to know more are the United Kingdom (48%, no change, vs. 50%, -2 percentage point) and Finland (47%, -2 vs. 51%, =). 21

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24 The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 23

25 A CALL FOR INFORMATION The rights about which Europeans would like to have further information have not changed significantly since autumn 2013 and spring : - The first three subjects about which respondents would like to know more are working in another EU country (36%, +1 percentage point), receiving medical assistance in another EU country (35%, +1), and living in another EU country (31%, -1); - These are followed by benefiting from consular protection of any EU country when you are outside the EU and your own country is not represented there (21%, +1 percentage point); - Somewhat fewer people say they would like to know more about studying in another EU country (14%, no change), and buying goods in another EU country (13%, =). Buying services in another EU country is mentioned by 10% of respondents (=); - Voting in elections in another EU country interests Europeans a little less than it did in autumn 2013 (5%, -3 percentage points). The number of Europeans spontaneously saying that have no wish for information on any of these subjects remains stable (13%). 9 QD2. About which rights as citizen of the EU would you like to know more? Firstly? And then? 24

26 Asked of those that would like to know more on their rights as European citizens (=62% of the sample) Total responses "Firstly" and "And then" (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) Asked of those that would like to know more on their rights as European citizens (=62% of the sample) 25

27 When we focus on the first answer mentioned rather than the aggregated answers, the order remains similar: - Working in another EU country is still the item that interests Europeans most (20%, -1 percentage point since autumn 2013), but it now receives the same score as receiving medical assistance in another EU country (20%, no change); - Although living in another EU country remains in third position, it is nevertheless somewhat behind (15%, -1 percentage point) and is mentioned only slightly ahead of benefitting from consular protection of any EU country when you are outside the EU and your own country is not represented there (12%, +2); - Studying in another EU country is once again in fifth place (7%, no change), but at a comparable level to buying goods (6%, =) and buying services in another EU country (5%, +1 percentage point); - Voting in elections in another EU country is in last position (2%, -2 percentage points). Although the hierarchy of these subjects is similar in countries within the euro area and outside it, we found that: - Respondents in countries outside the euro zone are more likely to want to know more about working in another EU country (41% vs. 34% in the euro area) and receiving medical assistance in another EU country (41% vs. 32%). - On the other hand, respondents in euro area countries are more likely to mention consular protection (22% vs. 18% outside the euro area) or buying goods in another EU country (14% vs. 10%). They are also more likely to say spontaneously that they do not want any information (15% compared with 9%). Working in another EU country is the right about which respondents are most likely to want more information in 10 Member States, although mentions have fallen in several of them: Bulgaria (50%, -8 percentage points), Croatia (50%, +3), Slovakia (50%, +1), Hungary (49%, -7), Romania (49%, +1), Lithuania (47%, +3), Poland (46%, +3), Spain (42%, -4), Italy (37%, -3), and Portugal (36%, -5). The wish for information about working in another Member State has increased noticeably in the United Kingdom (30%, +7). Receiving medical assistance in another EU country heads the list of areas about which respondents wish to be better informed in 16 Member States. This topic is mentioned very frequently in Cyprus (50%, +3 percentage points). However, there is a particularly sharp increase in the wish for information on this subject, with rises of at least 10 percentage points, in five Member States: Ireland (42%, +13), Hungary (38%, +12), Latvia (43%, +11), Austria (40%, +11), and Greece (37%, +10). 26

28 Living in another EU country is the subject that most interests respondents in Greece, despite a decline since autumn 2013 (42%, -7 percentage points), and France, where this item has gained ground (34%, +7). More respondents want this information in Sweden (41%, +7), but fewer do so in Romania (42%, -7). Benefitting from consular protection is mentioned more frequently than average in Luxembourg (32%, -5 percentage points since autumn 2013), but also in three countries where this item has gained most ground: Portugal (30%, +12), Estonia (29%, +13), and Austria (29%, +11). Above average proportions of respondents would like more information about studying in another EU country in Cyprus (28%, +4 percentage points), Latvia (23%, -4), and Malta (21%, +7), the countries in which this item has gained most ground. Buying goods in another EU country is frequently mentioned in Malta (22%, +6 percentage points, once again the sharpest rise) and Germany (22%, +2); buying services in another EU country is mentioned most often in Latvia (20%, no change). Finally, voting in elections in another EU country is mentioned fairly often in Ireland (10%, -3 percentage points). 27

29 Asked of those that would like to know more on their rights as European citizens (=62% of the sample) Total responses "Firstly" and "And then" (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 28

30 Analysis by socio-demographic criteria shows that the more modest and vulnerable categories are most likely to want information about working in another EU country: this is the case for people who have difficulties in paying their bills most of the time (45% vs. 36% on average) and unemployed people (56%). However, the youngest respondents are also very likely to want information in this area (52% of those aged 15 to 24), as are students (49%), who also often mention studying in another country (47% vs. 14% on average). The following table shows the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 29

31 II. THE RESULTS AND PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 1. THE RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - Europeans continue to see free movement and peace as the two most positive results of the EU - The free movement of people, goods and services within the EU (56%, -1 percentage point since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2013) and peace between Member States (54%, +1) remain the two main positive results of the European Union in the eyes of Europeans 10. These are followed by the euro (25%, no change) and student exchange programmes such as ERASMUS (23%, =). Next, mentioned in identical proportions, come the economic power of the EU (20%, no change) and the political and diplomatic influence of the EU in the rest of the world (+1 percentage point), just ahead of the level of social welfare (healthcare, education, pensions) in the EU: 18% (+1). The Common Agricultural Policy is mentioned as among the most positive results of the EU by one European in 10 (10%, no change). The number of Europeans who spontaneously say there are no positive results of the EU (answer none ) has declined slightly (10%, -2 percentage points). Total responses "Firstly" and "And then" (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 10 QD4. Which of the following do you think is the most positive result of the EU? Firstly? And then? 30

32 When we focus on the first option cited rather than the aggregated answers, peace between Member States comes in first position (32%, no change) ahead of the free movement of goods and people (29%, =). Total responses "Firstly" and "And then" (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) There are some differences between the aggregated responses of respondents in countries within the euro area and outside it: peace (56%, +2 percentage points) and free movement (55%, -3) head the list of results of the EU identified in countries inside the euro area. In countries outside the euro area, the order of these two first responses is reversed: free movement tops the list (56%, -1) ahead of peace (50%, -2). The main difference between these two groups of countries lies in the importance given to the single currency: it is the third positive result of the EU for respondents in countries in the euro area (31%, no change) and appears very much lower down the list outside the euro area, in eighth and last position (11%, -2 percentage points). In countries outside the euro area, the single currency ranks far below the level of social welfare (21%, =), student exchange programmes (20%, -1), the economic power of the EU (20%, =), the political and diplomatic influence of the EU in the rest of the world (18%, +1) and the CAP (12%, =). 31

33 National analysis shows that the free movement of people, goods and services within the EU is seen as the most positive result of the EU in 19 Member States (compared with 22 in autumn 2013). This item is mentioned by more than 70% of respondents in Lithuania (75%, +3 percentage points since autumn 2013) and Slovakia (73%, -2). There were fewer mentions in comparison with autumn 2013 in several Member States, led by Hungary (50%, -8 percentage points), Austria (54%, -8), Italy (42%, -7), and France (42%, -7). Conversely, this item was mention more frequently in Portugal (65%, +7). 32

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35 Peace among the Member States of the EU is identified as the most positive result of the EU in nine Member States (compared with six in autumn 2013): Germany (74%, +1 percentage point), Sweden (74%, +1), Denmark (66%, +1), France (61%, -1), Luxembourg (61%, no change), Austria (60%, -1), Belgium (53%, -1), Malta (48%, +3), and the United Kingdom (45%, -3). It is mentioned much less often than in autumn 2013 in Croatia (40%, -17 percentage points) but much more frequently in Slovakia (49%, +9). The euro is mentioned as one of the EU s positive results much more often than average in Luxembourg (48%, +6 percentage points), Belgium (47%, -2), Finland (47%, +3), Ireland (45%, no change), Slovakia (45%, -2), and Slovenia (43%, +10). 34

36 The euro is identified as a positive result of the EU significantly more often than in autumn 2013 in Latvia (26%, +14 percentage points), Slovenia (43%, +10), Estonia (39%, +8), and Greece (28%, +8), but it has lost ground in Romania (24%, -8). Total responses "Firstly" and "And then" - The first three items mentioned 35

37 Analysis by socio-demographic criteria shows that: - Europeans in the 55+age group are a little more likely than average to mention peace among the most positive results of the European Union (60% vs. 54% on average). Younger Europeans particularly interested in student exchange programmes (34% vs. 23% on average), but also in the level of social welfare (23% vs. 18% on average); - Europeans who studied until the age of 20+and people who position themselves at the top of the social scale are more likely than average to mention all the EU s positive results. However, Europeans who left school the age of 15 or younger and people who put themselves at the bottom of the social scale more often spontaneously say that there are no positive results of the EU (15% and 14% compared with 10% on average). First four items mentioned 36

38 The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 37

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40 2. THE BENEFITS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION S ACHIEVEMENTS - More Europeans feel they have benefited from the European Union s achievements - Asked to identify the achievements of the European Union from which they have benefitted directly, the Europeans interviewed mentioned more benefits than they did in the Standard Eurobarometer survey of autumn For the first time since the Standard Eurobarometer survey of spring 2010 (EB73), a majority of respondents say they have benefited from no / less border controls when travelling abroad, representing a significant increase since autumn 2013: 52%, +12 percentage points (compared with 44%, -11 who report no benefits). Of the eight other achievements tested, the Europeans who say they have benefited from them are still in the minority, but with an increase in numbers: - After reduced border controls when travelling abroad, Europeans say they have benefited most from commercial advantages. A third of respondents have benefited from cheaper calls when using a mobile phone in another EU country (34%, +8 percentage points since autumn 2013) and less expensive flights and a wider choice of airlines (33%, +8); - This is followed by the protection and improvement of citizens : improved consumers rights when buying products or services in another EU country (24%, +5 percentage points) and the strengthened rights of air transport passengers in the EU (22%, +5); - More Europeans also report that they have benefited from medical assistance in another EU country (16%, +4 percentage points); - Finally, although the numbers are still low, more Europeans now say they have lived (14%, +3 percentage points), worked (14%, +3), or studied (11%, +3) in another EU country. 11 QD5.1 to QD5.9. For each of the following achievements of the EU, could you tell me whether you have benefited from it or not. No\less border controls when travelling abroad; improved consumers rights when buying products or services in another EU country; cheaper calls when using a mobile phone in another EU country; receiving medical assistance in another EU country; strengthened rights of air transport passengers in the EU; working in another EU country; living in another EU country; studying in another EU country; less expensive flights and a wider choice of airlines. 39

41 EURO AREA NON-EURO AREA There are some differences between countries inside the euro area, and those outside it: - More respondents in countries within the euro area have benefited from no or fewer border controls when travelling abroad (55%, +13 percentage points) than have done so in countries outside the euro area (45%, +9 compared with 50%, -9), although a significant increase is seen in both cases; 40

42 - However, the reverse applies to the other achievements of the EU: respondents in non-euro area countries are systematically more likely to say they have benefited from them than respondents in the euro area. The difference ranges from four percentage points for the strengthened rights of air transport passengers in the EU (25%, +5 percentage points, say they have benefited from this in countries outside the euro area compared with 21%, +6 inside the euro area), improved consumers rights when buying products or services in another EU country (27%, +6 compared with 23%, +6), and less expensive flights and a wider choice of airlines (35%, +7 compared with 31%, +8) to twelve percentage points in the case of working in another EU country (22%, +6 percentage points, say they have benefited from this opportunity in countries outside the euro area compared with 10%, +2 in the countries inside the euro area). In more detail, the national results show that: - No or fewer border controls when travelling abroad is the achievement from which a majority of respondents have benefited in 26 Member States (compared with 25 in autumn 2013 and 23 in spring 2013), with the highest scores in Luxembourg (87%, +11 percentage points since autumn 2013) and the Netherlands (80%, +11). However, only a little more than a quarter of respondents say they have benefited in Bulgaria (26%, +6), Greece (27%, +5), Hungary (27%, +7), and Romania (27%, +10). This indicator has seen spectacular increases since autumn 2013 in many countries, though the extent to which they have benefited varies: +20 points (39%) in Croatia, +16 (60%) in Poland, +15 (52%) in Lithuania, +15 (34%) in Italy, +14 (75%) in Germany and +14 (57%) in France; - As was the case in autumn 2013, Malta is the only Member State in which a majority of respondents say they have principally benefited from improved consumer rights (55%, -1 percentage point). However, in a further four countries, a majority of people also say they have benefited from improvements in this area: Slovakia (52%, +13), Ireland (47%, +1 vs. 46%, -1), Luxembourg (46%, +6 vs. 38%, -13), and Poland (44%, +13 vs. 43%, -17); - Cheaper calls when using a mobile phone in another EU country heads the achievements tested in Romania (27%, +12 percentage points, equal with no or fewer border controls when travelling abroad). A majority now say they have benefited from this achievement in nine Member States (compared with four in autumn 2013): Slovenia (62%, +12), Slovakia (61%, +4), Belgium (56%, +8), Poland (55%, +11), Ireland (54%, +4), Czech Republic (51%, +10), Luxembourg (50%, +3), Malta (50%, +3), and the Netherlands (48%, +9 vs. 46%, -10). The proportions saying they have benefited from this achievement have risen by more than 10 points in Cyprus (37%, +13), Romania (27%, +12), Slovenia (62%, +12), Lithuania (45%, +12), Croatia (26%, +11), and Poland (55%, +11); 41

43 - A majority of respondents say they have benefited from less expensive flights and a wider choice of airlines in seven Member States (compared with three in autumn 2013), in some cases with significant increases since autumn 2013: Ireland (64%, +10 percentage points), where it remains the most-mentioned achievement, Sweden (57%, +4), Luxembourg (54%, +6), Finland (53%, +17), Cyprus (51%, +12), Belgium (49%, +8 compared with 46%, -10), and Poland (45%, +10 compared with 44%, -13). In the United Kingdom, this achievement tops the list (40%, +6) along with the reduction in border controls; - Poland differs from the other Member States in terms of working in another EU country: 45% of respondents say they have benefited from this achievement, with a significant increase since autumn 2013 (+10 percentage points), the same proportion as those who say they have not done so (45%, -14). Only a minority of respondents say they have benefited from this achievement in all other countries, but these numbers have increased sharply in Romania (20%, +11, against 76%, -11). An increasing number of respondents in Romania also say they have had the opportunity to live in another EU country (23%, +13, vs. 73 %, -13). Luxembourg, Slovakia and Poland are the three Member States in which all three of the opportunities to live, work and study in another EU country are mentioned most often. 42

44 43

45 Analysis by socio-demographic criteria shows that the Europeans who are most likely to have benefited from the achievements of the EU are mainly the youngest category, those who continued their studies up to the age of 20 or later, managers, and those who position themselves towards the top of the social scale. 44

46 45

47 The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 46

48 III. THE VALUES THAT BEST REPRESENT THE EUROPEAN UNION - Peace, human rights and democracy are the three values Europeans most associate with the EU - After shifting somewhat between spring and autumn 2013, the hierarchy of values associated with the European Union has now stabilised 12 : Peace is the value that best represents the European Union (37%, no change); Human rights also continue to occupy a leading position among the values associated with the EU (34%, no change); These are followed by democracy (30%, no change); Lagging a little behind comes the rule of law (18%, no change), just ahead of individual freedom (17%, -1); (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) Respect for human life remains at the same level as in autumn 2013 (16%, no change). Respect for other cultures has lost a little ground (14%, -2); Next come solidarity, support for others (13%, -1 percentage point), tolerance (11%, +1), and equality (10%, -1); Self-fulfilment (4%, no change) and religion (3%, -1 percentage point) remain by some distance the least mentioned as values associated with the EU. The proportion of Europeans who spontaneously say they identify none of these values with the European Union is one percentage point lower than in autumn 2013 (5%). Peace tops the list of values most associated with the European Union in 15 Member States, equal with human rights in Estonia (38 %, no change) and democracy in Poland (31 %, +2 percentage points). Peace is mentioned very often in Slovenia (52%, +3), Sweden (51%, -5) and Germany (51%, +2), but significantly less often than in autumn 2013 in Belgium (35%, -8), France (47%, -7), Finland (40%, -7), and Croatia (25%, -7). 12 QD7. In the following list, which values best represent the EU? 47

49 Human rights are the first value associated with the EU in 12 Member States, including Estonia (38%, -1 percentage point, equal with peace). Human rights are mentioned by more than four in 10 respondents in Finland (44%, -8), Belgium (42%, +3), Malta (42%, +1), Lithuania (41%, +2), Romania (41%, -5) and the United Kingdom (41%, +3). This is also the case in the Netherlands (43%, +7), France (43%, -4), Denmark (44%, -4), and Sweden (41%, -1), although this issue does not top the list in these countries. Human rights are less frequently mentioned as EU values than in autumn 2013 in Luxembourg (39%, -11) and Finland (44%, -8), but more frequently in the Netherlands (43%, +7). Democracy is the value most associated with the EU in three Member States: Denmark (45%, -5 percentage points since autumn 2013), Spain (35%, +8, the steepest rise for this item), and Poland (31%, -1, equal with peace). It is also frequently mentioned in Sweden (45%, -3) and the Netherlands (42%, +4). Democracy is associated less with the EU than it was in autumn 2013 in both Bulgaria (22%, -9) and Luxembourg (28%, -7). Other findings include: - The rule of law is mentioned more than the average in Finland (32%, +7 percentage points, the greatest increase for this value since autumn 2013) and Croatia (27%, -5); - Individual freedom continues to be mentioned by more than three in ten respondents in Lithuania (31%, +2 percentage points) and records above average mentions in Latvia (29%, +2). This item has lost ground in Austria, after increasing its score sharply in the previous wave (25%, -9). However, individual freedom is now more frequently associated with the EU by respondents in Portugal (19%, +9). 48

50 (MAX. 3 ANSWERS) 49

51 Analysis by socio-demographic criteria shows that: - Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely than average to mention human rights among the values that best represent the European Union (39%, vs. 34% on average), in addition to equality (15%, vs. 10% on average). Europeans aged 55 and over frequently mention peace (41%, vs. 37% on average); - Managers and white-collar workers are slightly more likely than average to mention democracy (37% of managers and 34% of white-collar workers, vs. 30% on average) and human rights (36% of managers and 36% of white collar workers, vs. 34% on average) among the values that best represent the European Union. Manual workers often mention human rights (34%), but are less likely to mention democracy (27%). - The Europeans who say they have a positive image of the European Union in general mention all the values more than average, especially democracy (40% compared with 30% on average). Europeans who have a negative image of the European Union are more likely than average to say spontaneously that none of these values represents the EU (13% compared with 5% on average). 50

52 The following tables show the average results by socio-demographic criteria throughout the European Union (EU28), in the six largest countries of the EU, and in four countries particularly affected by the economic crisis. 51

53 52

54 53

55 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 81 European citizenship TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Between the 31 th of May and the 14 th of June 2014, TNS opinion & social, a consortium created between TNS political & social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the wave 81.4 of the EUROBAROMETER survey, on request of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate-General for Communication, Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer unit. The wave 81.4 is the STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 81 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 81 survey has also been conducted in the five candidate countries (Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro and Serbia) 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. TS1

56 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: Statistical Margins due to the sampling process (at the 95% level of confidence) 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= ,4 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,0 N=10000 N= ,4 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 N=11000 N= ,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 N=12000 N= ,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 N=13000 N= ,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 N=14000 N= ,3 0,5 0,6 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 N= % 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% TS2

57 TS3