BULGARIA'S FIRST 10 YEARS IN THE EU TAKING STOCK AND LOOKING FORWARD

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1 BULGARIA'S FIRST 10 YEARS IN THE EU TAKING STOCK AND LOOKING FORWARD

2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURVEY Contractor Alpha Research Contracting Authority Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria Fieldwork period September 2017 Representativeness For the adult population of the country Sample 1021 effective interviews Sampling method Stratified, quota sample, based on main socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age, education) Method of collection of information Direct standardized interview at the homes of respondents Aims of the survey To study the public attitudes towards the European Union and the EU membership of Bulgaria ten years after joining the Union.

3 ATTITUDE TOWARDS BULGARIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION (%): 47% 48% 48% 45% 39% 37% 40% 39% 53% 50% 33% 34% 14% 14% 11% 16% 13% 16% XII.2008 III.2009 II.2010 I.2014 I.2015 IX.2017 Positive Neutral Negative Bulgaria in the EU Me in the EU 51% 26% Bulgaria has benefitted from becoming a member Bulgaria has lost from becoming a member 19% I have benefitted 65% It has not affected me 15% I have lost

4 BULGARIANS ABOUT THE EU 10 YEARS AFTER THE ACCESSION The EU has a positive image among Bulgarian citizens It is perceived as democratic (63%), protective (52%), solidary (52%), and to a lesser extent as bureaucratic (46%) and inefficient (32%) Notable progress in areas with direct input from the EU Bulgaria is more stable economically and politically; infrastructure and towns and villages have improved 40% Slower progress in areas where Bulgaria has to advance on its own Bulgaria's voice is more clearly heard in the EU according to 36% Bulgaria has a greater influence in international trade negotiations for 35% Gradual rise of Bulgarians' self-esteem as citizens of the EU; the majority still say otherwise The share of Bulgarians expressing self-confidence as EU citizens has risen from 24% to 34%. 66% still lack such confidence

5 MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF JOINING THE EU (%): Major advantages of EU membership in 2008 Major advantages of EU membership in 2017 Travelling to EU countries more often 15 Travelling to EU countries more often 49 Town/village has improved thanks to EU funds 12 Infrastructure in the country has improved 32 Town/village has improved thanks to EU funds 28 Higher income 8 Access to more markets and goods for Bulgarian producers and consumers 26 New professional opportunities 6 European rules and standards are now in place 24 A family member has found work in an EU country 6 A family member has found work in an EU country 22

6 GREATEST CHALLENGES FOR THE EU AND BULGARIA Competition from non-eu economies (47% ) Energy self-sufficiency (44%) Common agricultural policy (38%) Common foreign and security policy (30%) Overcoming difficulties due to linguistic diversity (20%) Fight against terrorism (63%) Immigration policy (49%) Common foreign and security policy (44%) Relations with Russia (36%) Competition from non-eu economies (35%) Closing of companies due to mass influx of foreign goods (47%) Bulgarians are not equal on the labour market in the EU (39%) Emigration of Bulgarian professionals to the EU (37%) Purchase of land and real estate by foreigners (37%) Competition from European goods (34%) Dual standards for food quality (60%) A decrease in purchasing power (50%) Human and drug trafficking (47%) Bulgarians are not equal on the labour market in the EU (46%) Emigration of Bulgarian professionals to the EU; influx of immigrants from non-eu countries; terrorist threats (44% each)

7 PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS ABOUT EU'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS (%) XII.2008 IX I expect the EU to change for the better and become more stable and unified I don't expect a major change I expect things to get worse and the foundations of the Union to be undermined No answer What kind of future for the EU? Option 6 "A stronger, more connected and more democratic EU through greater integration of member states, including in Schengen and the euro area" 48% Option 1 "EU carries on as before" 31% Option 5 "Doing more together" 29%

8 FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EU Major priorities for the future development of the EU (%) Employment and economic growth Health Should Bulgaria join the Schengen area and the euro area? (%) Migration 38 Foreign policy and security 31 I approve I disapprove No opinion Schengen Euro area Education 25 Civil rights protection Social protection Support for new countries joining the EU (%) Serbia Macedonia Energy 14 Moldova Ukraine Environmental protection Research and innovation 6 14 Bosna and Herzegovina Montenegro Albania Digital economy 4 Kosovo Turkey 23 40

9 Thank you for your attention!