Standard Eurobarometer 77
Spring 2012
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP
REPORT
Fieldwork: May 2012
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 77 / Spring 2012 – TNS Opinion & Social
Standard Eurobarometer 77
Spring 2012
European Citizenship
Survey carried out by TNS Opinion & Social at the request of
the European Commission,
Directorate-General for Communication
Survey coordinated by the European Commission,
Directorate-General for Communication
“Research and Speechwriting” Unit
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 2 I. EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ................................................................................ 4 1. What Europeans expect from the European Union ............................................................... 4 2. Attachment of Europeans to their city, their country and the European Union ..................... 7 3. The level of public authorities which has the greatest impact on living conditions ............. 11 II. THE RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS ............................... 13 1. The most positive results of the European Union ............................................................... 13 2. The benefits of the achievements of the European Union .................................................. 17 III. EUROPEAN IDENTITY AND CITIZENSHIP .............................................................................. 21 1. The feeling of being a European citizen .............................................................................. 21 2. Rights as a citizen of the European Union ........................................................................... 32 IV. THE OPENNESS OF EUROPEANS TO OTHERS ....................................................................... 36 V. THE EUROPEAN FLAG ............................................................................................................. 40 VI. THE PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN SOCIETY ..................................................................... 44 ANNEXES
Technical specifications
1 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
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INTRODUCTION
This Standard Eurobarometer survey was carried out between 12 and 27 May 2012 in 34
countries or territories1: the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU), the six
candidate countries (Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey,
Iceland, Montenegro and Serbia), and the Turkish Cypriot Community in the part of the
country not controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
The theme of European citizenship is examined from a number of perspectives:
-
The relationship of Europeans with the EU: How attached are citizens to the
European Union? What is its perceived influence on living conditions in comparison
with national and local public authorities? What do citizens expect from the
European Union?
-
Perceptions of the European Union’s achievements: What are the European
Union’s successes? What are the perceived benefits?
-
The notions of European citizenship and identity: Do Europeans see
themselves as European citizens? Do they define themselves primarily by their
nationality or by their European identity? What are the factors which contribute to
European cohesion? What are the best ways of enhancing the sense of European
citizenship? How do Europeans see their rights as citizens?
-
The openness of Europeans to other Member States: Have Europeans
travelled to neighbouring countries within the EU? Do they socialise with other EU
nationals, take an interest in European culture or shop in other EU countries?
-
Opinions of the European flag: What do Europeans think of this symbol of the
European Union? What place do they think it should have? Do they identify with
this flag?
-
The participation of citizens in society: For Europeans, what are the best
means of making their voice heard by decision-makers? What use would they like
to make of the European Citizens’ Initiative?
The full Standard Eurobarometer survey report consists of several volumes. This first
volume analyses the results of the historical indicators of the Standard Eurobarometer
surveys. Four other volumes present the state of European public opinion on other
themes: the financial and economic crisis; the Europe 2020 strategy; European
citizenship; values. This volume is devoted to European citizenship.
The general analysis and the socio-demographic analyses are based on the average
results in the 27 Member States. This average is weighted so that it reflects the actual
population of each Member State. The averages for previous years represent the results
obtained in all the Member States of the European Union, as it was composed at the time
the survey was conducted.
1
Please consult the technical specifications for the exact dates of the fieldwork in each country
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32,728 people from different social and demographic backgrounds were interviewed face
to face in their homes in their mother tongue at the request of the European
Commission. The methodology used is that of the Standard Eurobarometer surveys
conducted by the Directorate-General for Communication (Research and Speechwriting
Unit)2. A technical note concerning the interviews carried out by the institutes within the
TNS Opinion & Social network is annexed to this report. This note also describes the
confidence intervals3
The following abbreviations are used in this report:
ABREVIATIONS
LV
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK
BE
CZ
BG
DK
DE
EE
EL
ES
FR
IE
IT
CY
LT
Belgium
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Denmark
Germany
Estonia
Greece
Spain
France
Ireland
Italy
Republic of Cyprus***
Lithuania
CY
(tcc)
HR
TR
MK
IS
Croatia
Turkey
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia****
Iceland
ME
Montenegro
RS
Serbia
Latvia
Luxembourg
Hungary
Malta
The Netherlands
Austria
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom
Turkish Cypriot Community
EU27
European Union – 27 Member States
EU15
NMS12
Eurozone
BE, IT, FR, DE, LU, NL, DK, UK, IE, PT, ES, EL, AT, SE, FI*
NonEurozone
BG, CZ, EE, CY, LT, LV, MT, HU, PL, RO, SL, SK**
BE, FR, IT, LU, DE, AT, ES, PT, IE, NL, FI, EL, EE, SI, CY,
MT, SK
BG, CZ, DK, LV, LT, HU, PL, RO, SE, UK
* EU15 refers to the 15 European Union Member States before the enlargements of 2004 and 2007
** The NMS12 countries are the 12 “new Member States” that joined the European Union at the time of the
2004 and 2007 enlargements
*** Cyprus as a whole is one of the 27 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 EU27 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.
2
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm
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% when the respondent was able to choose several answers to the same question.
3
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I.
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
- Declining attachment to the European Union; the national level still seen to
have most influence on living conditions -
1. What Europeans expect from the European Union
When asked to indicate spontaneously their main expectations of the European
Union4, Europeans gave priority to subjects related to “the economy and fighting the
crisis” (51%). Various themes come under this heading:
-
Employment, in particular job creation and youth employment (15%).
-
The quality of life, i.e. the standard of living, improving purchasing power and
higher wages (12%).
-
The notion of economic stability (10%) in the sense of financial security, help in
an economic downturn, budgetary support and support for the banks.
-
Directly “combatting the crisis”, by supporting SMEs and companies in difficulty
and via the introduction of a financial transactions tax and Eurobonds (9%).
-
Europeans also mentioned managing deficits and debt (6%), growth (6%),
combatting
poverty
(3%),
regulating
financial
markets
(3%)
and
supporting the euro (1%).
After these economic issues related to tackling the crisis, Europeans also spontaneously
mentioned their expectations of the European Union in terms of “governance and
cooperation” (27%), such as solidarity and cooperation between the Member
States (13%), legislative harmonisation and improving the way the EU works
(7%), reducing bureaucracy, greater transparency and tackling corruption
(5%), a fair welfare and pension systems (3%) and crime in their country
(2%).
“Citizenship issues” (11%) come next in order of priority: defending European values,
peace, gender equality and justice (6%), human rights, democracy and the
Charter of Fundamental Rights (2%), listening to European citizens and the
European Citizens’ Initiative (2%), and the freedom to travel and work (2%).
Europeans also mentioned subjects relating to the “external relations” of the EU (6%),
such as developing a European defence policy (2%), managing immigration and
border controls (2%), development aid for poor countries (1%) and combatting
terrorism (1%).
These were followed by environmental aspects (3%), in particular the environment
and climate change (2%), energy issues (1%) and agriculture (1%).
4
QD1 Regarding the "European Union”, please tell me what you expect from it? Open question, no answers
were suggested and the interviewers noted the answers of the respondents. To facilitate interpretation of the
results, answers have been grouped together.
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Finally, they mentioned the subject of education and research (3%), which includes
education as such (2%), and new technology, and research and development
(1%).
The issues of withdrawal from the EU or the euro were spontaneously raised by 2% of
respondents.
Open question, several answers possible
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The economy and managing the crisis appear to be the priority expectations of the
European Union in all Member States, particularly in Bulgaria and Austria (both 70%) and
in Cyprus (64%), Italy (63%) and Latvia (62%).
Respondents in the EU15 countries (29%) are more likely than those in the NMS12
countries (20%) to mention governance and cooperation, with a particular focus on
this area in Austria (45%), the Netherlands (42%), Belgium (39%) and Italy (36%).
Expectations regarding citizenship are higher than elsewhere in Sweden (29%), Austria
(28%) and Estonia (25%).
Respondents in Cyprus (23%) and Luxembourg (19%) are the most likely to mention
issues relating to the UE’s external relations.
Environmental issues are most likely to strike a chord in Sweden (14%), Austria
(12%) and Latvia (12%) where respondents also attach significant importance to
educational matters (12%).
Respondents in Finland (5%) and the Czech Republic (4%) are slightly more likely than
average to mention withdrawing from the EU or the euro. This question was also
raised by 3% of respondents in Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria
and the United Kingdom.
Finally, a fifth or more of respondents in the United Kingdom (22%), Lithuania (21%)
and Hungary (20%) spontaneously said that they expected nothing of the European
Union. This view is also more prevalent in the non-Eurozone countries (14%) than in the
Eurozone countries (9%).
A socio-demographic analysis reveals only minor differences: the expectations of a very
large majority of respondents in all categories relate to economic issues.
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2. Attachment of Europeans to their city, their country and the European
Union
Attachment of Europeans to their country and town
A very large majority of Europeans are attached to their country5 (91%) and more
than half of them are “very attached” to it (51%). However, these proportions are lower
than those recorded in the Special Eurobarometer survey 346 of March 20106 (93%, of
whom 56% then described themselves as “very attached”).
Local attachments are also strong, though they have declined slightly: 88% of Europeans
are attached to their city/town/village (+1) including 49% who are “very attached”
(unchanged).
-
More than 80% of respondents in all Member States are attached to their
country. This attachment is particularly strong in Greece (99%, including 79%
who are “very attached”), Denmark (98% and 81%), Poland (97% and 54%),
Ireland (97% and 67%) and Cyprus (97% and 72%). Although still strong in all
countries, it is now less marked in several countries, in particular in Italy (87%,
representing a 10-point decline since March 2010, with an even more striking 20point fall to 41% for “very attached”), and to a lesser extent in Hungary (90%, 7), Estonia (91%, -6 and 55%, -11 “very attached”) and Lithuania (88%, -6).
-
Europeans are also attached to their city/town/village, with high scores in
all European Union countries (in excess of 70%). Once again, Greece leads the
way (97% and 71% “very attached”), followed by Bulgaria (95% and 73%) and
Poland (95% and 51%). Italy is again the only country where opinions have
deteriorated sharply (88%, -7). Conversely, attachment has grown in Malta (83%,
+11) and the Netherlands (73%, +9).
5
QD2.1-3 Please tell me how attached you feel to…: your city/town/village; (OUR COUNTRY); the European
Union.
6
Special Eurobarometer survey 346: New Europeans
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_346_en.pdf
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Attachment to the European Union
Opinions are far more divided as regards attachment to the European Union. Following a
significant deterioration since the spring 2010 survey (EB73), Europeans who are
attached to the European Union are now in the minority: 46% are attached to the EU (-7
percentage points) compared with 52% who feel no attachment to it (+7), 15% of whom
are “not at all attached” to it (+2).
Attachment is greater in the NMS12 countries, where it remains the majority position
(51%, -3 percentage points versus 44%, +3), whereas respondents who feel attached to
the EU are now in the minority in the EU15 countries (44%, -8 versus 54%, +7).
Although attachment has declined sharply in the Eurozone countries, where it is now the
minority position, Eurozone respondents (48%, -10 versus 50%, +9) are still more likely
than non-Eurozone respondents (42%, -2 versus 54%, +2) to be attached to the
European Union.
A majority of respondents are attached to the European Union in eight Member States
(compared with 14 in March 2010): Luxembourg (72%), Poland (60%), Belgium (58%),
France (55%), Latvia (54%), Bulgaria (53%), Germany (52%) and Romania (51%).
Opinions are evenly divided in Malta (49%).
Attachment to the EU has deteriorated sharply in several countries where this is now the
minority position: Italy (45%, -28 percentage points), Spain (46%, -15), Austria (41%,
-13), Slovakia (49%, -13), Hungary (46%, -12) and Portugal (42%, -12).
The countries where respondents are the least attached to the EU are the United
Kingdom (27%), Finland (33%), Cyprus (33%), Lithuania (34%), the Netherlands
(35%), Sweden (37%) and Greece (37%).
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A socio-demographic analysis reveals that:
-
Men are slightly more likely to be attached to the EU (48%) than women (44%).
-
Attachment varies very little according to age.
-
However, it is far more widespread among Europeans who studied up to the age
of 20 or beyond (57%) than among those who left school before the age of 16
(36%).
-
It is also more widespread among managers (55%) than among self-employed
people (48%) and white-collar workers (48%), and far more so than among
manual workers (43%), house persons (41%) and unemployed people (38%).
-
Attachment is more pronounced among who almost never have difficulties paying
their bills (50%) than among those who have such difficulties most of the time
(31%).
-
Attachment to the EU is far higher among Europeans who place themselves at the
top of the social scale (53%, versus 38% of Europeans at the bottom of the social
scale).
-
Finally, attachment to the EU is the majority position, and thus more widespread,
among Europeans with a high political interest index (56%, compared with 37%
of those with no interest in politics).
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3. The level which has the greatest impact on living conditions
Europeans consider that their national public authorities have the most impact on their
living conditions7 (51%), while just over a third of respondents mentioned regional/local
authorities (34%) and 9% mentioned the European level.
These proportions have changed somewhat since this question was last asked in the
autumn 2009 survey (EB72): the national level now seems far more predominant (+6),
while the local (-4) and European (-2) levels have slipped back.
The national level is seen as having the most influence on living conditions in almost all
Member States, except for Estonia and Austria where the regional/local level is ranked
first (46% in both countries). In Slovakia, national and local levels are ranked equally
(40%).
The influence of national decision-making particularly striking in Malta (80%) and Greece
(71%). Since the autumn 2009 survey (EB72), recognition of its influence has increased
significantly in several countries, including Cyprus (+17 percentage points to 68%),
Greece (+16 to 71%), France (+13 to 58%), Finland (+11 to 53%), Portugal (+10 to
61%) and Belgium (+10 to 56%).
7
QD14 In your opinion, which of these different levels of public authorities, European level, national level,
regional or local level, has the most impact on your living conditions: the European level, the national level or
the regional or local level?
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Respondents in Portugal (17%, although this proportion has declined sharply, -8),
Slovakia (16%, -7) and Greece (15%, -5) are far more likely than average to say that
the European level has the most influence on their living conditions. This view has gained
the most ground in Poland (12%, +3).
A socio-demographic analysis reveals some slight differences, although almost all
categories consider that the national level is the most influential:
-
Women are slightly more likely than average to mention the regional/local level
(37%, versus 32% of men), as are Europeans aged 55 or over (39%, versus 28%
of 15-24 year-olds).
-
The local level is seen as particularly influential by respondents who studied the
least (44%, versus 43% for the national level), whereas the most educated
respondents are far more likely to mention the national level (58%, versus 28%
for the local level).
-
Finally, Europeans with a strong political interest index are more likely than
average to mention both the national level (56%) and the European level (10%),
whereas respondents with no interest in politics are more likely than average to
mention the local level (40%).
12 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
II.
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
THE RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE
PERCEIVED BENEFITS
- The euro is now more often seen a positive result of the European Union. The
reduction of border controls is still seen as the EU achievement from which
citizen have benefited the most 1. The greatest achievements of the European Union
Europeans were then asked to choose the most positive results of the European Union8,
“firstly” and “then”. The answers as a whole suggest that although the ranking of areas
in which the European Union is thought to have achieved positive results is more or less
the same as in the Special Eurobarometer survey 379 of December 20119, there have
been some significant changes, in particular a downward trend in the scores for most
items.
Peace among the Member States is still seen as the EU’s greatest achievement (53%),
though it is mentioned less often than in December 2011 (-4 percentage points). It is
followed by the free movement of people, goods and services within the EU (51%), also
with a lower score (-6).
The euro, in joint 3rd place with other items in December 2011, is now mentioned more
often (28%, +3).
The next highest scores (albeit lower than previously) were recorded by the economic
power of the EU (22%, -3), its political and diplomatic influence in the rest of the world
(21%, -4) and student exchange programmes, such as ERASMUS (21%, -1).
Social welfare (healthcare, education and pensions) was also mentioned by fewer
respondents (19%, -4). However, it is still ahead of the CAP (12%, -1).
In this context of lower scores for most items (apart from the euro), the proportion of
Europeans who spontaneously answered “none” has increased (12%, +3).
When we turn to the first answer given by respondents, the ranking is the same as for
total answers, with peace (33%, =), free movement (24%, -3) and the euro (10%, +2)
occupying the first three places. The next highest scores were obtained by the economic
power of the EU (6%, +1), student exchange programmes such as Erasmus (5%, =), the
political influence of the EU in the rest of the world (5%, -1), the level of social welfare
(healthcare, education and pensions) in the EU (4%, -2) and the common agricultural
policy (2%, =). Finally, 6% of Europeans spontaneously answered that the EU has
achieved no positive results (+1) and 5% expressed no opinion (+2).
8
QD8T Which of the following do you think is the most positive result of the EU? Firstly? And then?
Special Eurobarometer survey 379: Future of Europe.
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_379_en.pdf
9
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Perceptions vary quite markedly between respondents in the EU15 countries and those in
the NMS12. The latter give pride of place to the free movement of people, goods and
services within the European Union (62%), followed by peace (54%), whereas the order
is reversed in the EU15 countries (48% and 53%). While respondents in the EU15
countries then mentioned the euro (30%), those in the NMS12 countries preferred the
economic power of the EU (25%) and ERASMUS programmes (24% versus 23% for the
euro).
Respondents in the Eurozone countries also ranked the euro in 3rd place among the
positive results of the European Union (36%), after peace and the freedom of movement,
whereas the euro is ranked lower in the non-Eurozone countries (15%).
Peace among the Member States is seen as the EU’s most positive result in 11
Member States, with the highest scores in Germany (73%) and Denmark (70%).
However, this achievement was mentioned far less frequently than in December 2011 in
Finland (55%, -12 percentage points), Sweden (64%, -11), Hungary (41%, -10) and
Spain (31%, -10).
The free movement of people, goods and services within the European Union
was mentioned as its most positive result in 16 Member States, in particular in Bulgaria
(76%) and Slovakia (71%). However, this achievement was mentioned far less
frequently than in December 2011 in Finland (47%, -15 percentage points), Sweden
(57%, -12) and Italy (43%, -12).
Respondents in Belgium (52%, +3 points) and in Finland, which has seen a spectacular
increase (50%, +15 percentage points), are more likely than average to mention the
euro. Significantly higher scores were also recorded in the Netherlands (44%, +14
percentage points), Ireland (44%, +13), Cyprus (29%, +12), Estonia (32%, +10) and
France (35%, +10). Romania is the only country where the number of respondents
mentioning the euro has fallen sharply (36%, -7).
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Decline in the recognition of social welfare as a positive result of the EU is particularly
evident in Denmark (24%, -17 percentage points), the Netherlands (16%, -16) and
France (19%, -14). Conversely, there was a steep rise in the number of respondents
mentioning this item in Cyprus (38%, +14).
Respondents in the United Kingdom (28%, +5), Greece (22%, +2), Spain (14%, +5)
and Italy (13%, +3) are the most likely to say spontaneously that they can see “no”
positive results of the European Union.
The differences between the socio-demographic categories on this question are limited.
However, men are slightly more likely than women to mention the free movement of
people, goods and services within the European Union (53%, versus 48% of
women). Education levels produce more pronounced differences: 59% of those who
studied beyond the age of 19 mentioned this positive result of the European Union,
compared with 39% of those who left school before the age of 16. Fairly logically, the
youngest respondents (30% of 15-24 year-olds) and students in particular (35%) are
more likely to mention student exchange programmes such as Erasmus than the
oldest (17%) or least educated (14%) respondents. Equally, people who almost never
have difficulties paying their bills are generally more likely to mention the various
positive results of the European Union: that is the case for peace among the Member
States (57%, versus 46% of those who have such difficulties most of the time), the
free movement of people, goods and services within the European Union (54%
versus 44%) and the euro (31% versus 23%). Conversely, they are less likely to
answer “none” spontaneously to this question (11%, versus 18% of those have these
problems most of the time).
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2. The benefits of the EU’s achievements
A majority of Europeans say that they have not benefited directly from the various
achievements of the European Union tested in this survey10. The results are unchanged
or slightly lower than in the spring 2010 (EB73) survey. We note that:
-
The reduction in border controls when travelling abroad is, by far, the main
achievement of the EU from which Europeans say that they have benefited (44%,
unchanged since the spring 2010 survey (EB73)).
-
Around a quarter of Europeans say that they have benefited from improved
consumer rights when buying products or services in another EU country
(26%, -1 percentage point) and from lower communication costs when using
a mobile phone in another EU country (25%, -2).
-
Enhanced air passenger rights in the EU were mentioned by 18% of the
people polled, 3 points less than in the spring 2010 (EB73) survey. Receiving
medical assistance in another EU country was mentioned by 15% of
respondents (-4).
-
Living in another EU country, included for the first time in this survey, was
mentioned by 13% of Europeans, as was working in another EU country.
Finally, 11% of Europeans have benefited from the opportunity to study in
another EU country.
10
QD13 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 consumer rights when buying products or
services in another EU country; Less expensive communication costs 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.
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In general, respondents in the NMS12 countries are more likely than EU15 respondents
to say that they have benefited from the European Union’s various achievements, except
for the benefits of reduced border controls, for which the scores are identical in both
groups of countries (44%):
-
Respondents in the NMS12 countries are more likely to say that they have
benefited
from
improved
consumer
rights
(35%,
versus
24%
of
EU15
respondents), lower communication costs (34% versus 22%), medical assistance
in another EU country (24% versus 13%) and enhanced air passenger rights
(25% versus 17%).
-
There are particularly striking differences as regards living in another EU country
(27%, versus 9% for EU15 respondents), working there (29% versus 9%) and
studying there (23% versus 7%).
A national analysis highlights significant differences from one country to another:
A majority of respondents say that they have benefited from reduced border controls
in 13 Member States, led by Luxembourg (83%), Slovakia (73%), Slovenia (69%) and
the Netherlands (67%). That is also the case in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria,
Belgium, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia. However, relatively few
respondents share this opinion in Hungary (only 18%), Romania (23%), Bulgaria (23%)
and Portugal (24%).
Improved consumer rights have especially benefited respondents in Slovakia (61%),
Malta (50%) and Poland (49%), where they are in the majority. However, this view is
less widespread in Italy (19%), Romania (17%), Portugal (15%), Bulgaria (13%), Spain
(13%) and Hungary (10%): fewer than one in five people in these countries say that
they have benefited from this European Union achievement.
More generally, Poland and Slovakia are the two Member States in which respondents
are most likely to say that they have benefited from the achievements of the European
Union: a majority in these two countries say that they have benefited from lower
mobile phone communication costs (58% in Slovakia, 52% in Poland), and the
opportunity to work in another EU country (50% and 48% respectively). In Slovakia
this also applies to studying in another EU country (48%). Further, even when they do
not form a majority, respondents in Poland and Slovakia are almost always the most
likely to have benefited from the EU’s other achievements.
Conversely, the countries where respondents seem to have benefited the least from the
achievements of the European Union are Hungary, Bulgaria and Spain.
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The experience of the EU’s achievements is also very divided on socio-demographic lines:
the youngest respondents, those who stayed the longest in full-time education and the
Europeans who place themselves at the top of the social scale are far more likely to say
they have benefited from the achievements of the EU than those aged 55 or over, the
least educated and those at the bottom of the social scale.
20 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
III.
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
EUROPEAN IDENTITY AND CITIZENSHIP
1. A sense of European citizenship
- A majority of Europeans feel that they are citizens of the EU, with significant
shared elements, such as the currency and values, and a key lever for
strengthening the sense of citizenship: social harmonisation –
State of play regarding the sense of European citizenship
Six out of ten Europeans see themselves as citizens of the European Union11, more or
less unchanged since the spring 2011 (EB75) and the spring 2010 (EB73) surveys.
Conversely, 38% of respondents do not feel that they are European citizens (+2
percentage points since the spring 2011 survey and +1 since spring 2010).
The sense of European citizenship is shared equally by EU15 respondents (60%) and
NMS12 respondents (61%). However, it is more widespread in the Eurozone countries
(63%) than in the non-Eurozone countries (55%).
This feeling is shared by a majority of respondents in almost all Member States, led by
Luxembourg (85%), Denmark (75%) and Germany (74%). It is the minority view in two
countries: the United Kingdom (42%, +1 since the spring 2100 (EB75) survey, compared
with 57% who do not feel that they are citizens of the EU) and, now, Italy (45% versus
54%), as a result of a sharp decline over one year (-16 percentage points). It has also
lost ground, while remaining the majority view, in Slovakia (70%, -9) and Portugal
(60%, -8).
11
QD3.1 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.
21 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
However, the sense of European citizenship has gained ground in several countries.
Whereas it was the minority view last year, it is now shared by a majority of respondents
in Bulgaria (50%, +6), Greece (50%, +6) and Latvia (54%, +6). It has also gained 7
percentage points in France (65%).
A
socio-demographic
analysis
reveals
sometimes
significant
differences
between
categories:
-
The sense of European citizenship is slightly more prevalent among men (62%)
than among women (59%).
-
It decreases with age: 67% of 15-24 year-olds, 62% of 25-39 year-olds, 61% of
40-54 year-olds and 56% of those aged 55 or over.
-
Although this feeling is shared by a large majority of Europeans who have studied
up to the age of 20 or beyond (72%), only a minority of those who left school
before the age of 16 feel that they are EU citizens (48% versus 50%).
-
It is also more widespread among managers (71%) and white-collar workers
(64%) than among self-employed people (61%) and manual workers (59%),
even if it is still the majority opinion.
-
Finally, Europeans who almost never have difficulties paying their bills (66%) are
far more likely to feel that they are citizens of the EU than those who struggle to
pay their bills most of the time, only a minority of whom share this feeling (41%
versus 58%).
22 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
23 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
The sense of citizenship in the near future
Almost four out of ten Europeans continue to define themselves only by their
nationality12 (38%, -1 percentage point since the Special Eurobarometer survey 379 of
December 2011). Nonetheless, an increased majority of Europeans define themselves
by their nationality and as Europeans (49%, +3 percentage points). This feeling has
increased significantly since the spring 2010 survey (EB73) when only 41% of
respondents gave this answer, compared with 46% who then defined themselves solely
by their nationality. Just 6% (- 2) of respondents mentioned “European and
(NATIONALITY)”. Only 3% (- 1) of the people polled mentioned “European only”.
Respondents in the United Kingdom (60%) are particularly likely to define themselves
only by their nationality; this mirrors the low European citizenship score recorded in the
UK (42% of UK respondents feel that they are citizens of the EU, the lowest percentage
in Europe13). The nationality-only option was also frequently mentioned in Lithuania
(56%) and Ireland (52%), despite the high European citizenship score of 60% or above
in those two countries (60% and 69% of respondents respectively see themselves as
citizens of the EU).
12
QD5 In the near future, do you see yourself as…? (NATIONALITY) only; (NATIONALITY) and European;
European and (NATIONALITY); European only.
13
See the results of QD3.1 “Do you feel you are a citizen of the EU?”
24 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
Levers for strengthening the sense of European citizenship
When asked to identify levers for strengthening their sense of European citizenship14,
respondents first mentioned the creation of a harmonised EU social welfare system
(37%), + 3 percentage points since the spring 2010 survey (EB73)15. Being able to move
to another EU country after retirement and take their pension with them is again in
second place, albeit with a slightly lower score than two years earlier (24%, -3).
Next, respondents mentioned creating a European response service to fight natural
disasters (19%, -4 percentage points), followed, in similar proportions, by the creation of
a European ID card in addition to national ID cards (18%, -3) and being able to use a
mobile phone in all EU countries at the same price (18%, -1).
A directly elected President of the EU is ranked in 6th place (17%, -1), ahead of a
European civic education course for primary school children (14%, -4).
With a fairly similar score, Europeans then identified being able to shop online in all EU
countries at the same price and with the same consumer protection legislation (13%, 1).
The number of respondents who mentioned being able to vote in all elections organised
in the Member State where they live even if they are not a citizen of that country has
fallen slightly since spring 2010 (13%, -4).
A European Parliament with the right to set taxes is seen as a way of strengthening the
feeling of European citizenship by 12% of respondents (unchanged). The opportunity to
participate in national debates on Europe (included for the first time in this survey) was
mentioned by 10% of respondents, ahead of the creation of a European army (9%, -1
percentage point). There is relatively little support for seeing the President of the
European Commission on TV delivering a general policy speech to the European
Parliament (6%, -1), creating EU embassies in non-EU countries (5%, -2) or seeing a
European researcher winning a Nobel prize (3%, unchanged).
14
QD6 Which of the following elements would best strengthen your feeling about being a European citizen?
A new elements has been added since the EB73 survey, namely “participating in national debates about the
future of Europe”; this may have an impact on the analysis of changes.
15
25 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
A harmonised EU social welfare system is the most frequently mentioned item in all
Member States, except for Finland and the United Kingdom where respondents are more
likely to opt for being able to retire to another EU country and take their pension with
them (32% and 22% respectively). A common social welfare system is mentioned most
often in Cyprus (60%), Bulgaria (57%), Sweden (55%), Romania (54%) and the Czech
Republic (53%). In general, this item is more frequently cited in the NMS12 countries
(45%) than in the EU15 (35%).
26 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
A national analysis shows that:
-
Respondents in Cyprus are particularly receptive to the idea of creating a
European response service to fight natural disasters (40%).
-
Respondents in Luxembourg are more likely than average to emphasise the
importance of being able to make phone calls at the same price in all EU countries
(35%).
-
In France, respondents attach more importance than their neighbours to a
European ID card (29%), the election of a President of the EU (26%) and the
creation of a European civic education course at primary school level (23%),
which was also frequently mentioned in Romania (23%).
-
Respondents in Ireland are most likely to mention the right of citizens to vote in
elections in the European country where they live (33%).
-
The new item, participation in national debates on the future of Europe, strikes a
chord in particular in Greece (21%) and Cyprus (21%).
The elements which go to make up the European identity and create the sense
of a European community
When asked to identify the most important elements that go to make up the European
identity16, Europeans first mentioned the euro (41%), just ahead of democratic values
(40%), followed by culture (26%) and history (26%).
The success of the European economy (European navigation satellite, European airplane
manufacturers, high-speed international trains, etc.) is also seen as an important
element (21%), ahead of geography (18%), the European flag (16%) and the European
Union’s motto “Unity in Diversity” (12%). The European hymn was mentioned by only
7% of respondents.
16
QD7 The European identity can be composed of several elements. In your opinion, which of the following are
the most important elements that go to make up the European identity?
27 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
There are few differences between the answers in EU15 countries and NMS12 countries,
except that NMS12 respondents place democratic values just ahead of the euro and are
more likely than average to mention the European flag.
The single currency is seen as the most important element of the European identity in
14 Member States, led by the Netherlands (69%), Slovakia (65%), Slovenia (64%) and
Belgium (64%).
In 12 Member States, democratic values are perceived to embody the European
identity, in particular in Denmark (69%), Sweden (64%), Germany (57%) and Cyprus
(57%).
In one country geography is identified as the most important element of the European
identity: Latvia (38%).
Respondents in Denmark attach special importance to history (56%) and culture
(42%), while the success of the European economy (30%) is seen as particularly
important in Italy. The European flag is seen as a special symbol in Slovenia (35%).
A socio-demographic analysis reveals few variations for this question: however,
respondents who studied beyond the age of 19 are more likely to mention most of these
elements than those who completed their studies at an earlier age. This is particularly
true in the case of democratic values (49% of those who studied the longest, versus 32%
of those who left school before the age of 16).
28 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
29 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
When asked next to decide which issues most create a feeling of community among
European Union citizens17, Europeans first mentioned the economy (26%) ahead of
values (23%), culture (22%) and history (20%). In comparison with the spring 2007
survey (EB67), when this question was last measured, the scores for the economy (-1
percentage point) and history (-1) are more or less unchanged. However, the number of
respondents mentioning values has increased slightly (+3), while culture has lost
significant ground (-5).
Next came “solidarity with poorer regions” (18%, +1), which has now overtaken sports
(17%, -3).
The wording of this question has been changed slightly: the item “Welfare State”, which
was mentioned by 12% of respondents in the autumn 2007 survey (EB67), has been
replaced by “healthcare, education and pensions”. This new item is ranked in 7th place,
with a score of 16%, ahead of languages (14%, -3), geography (14%, -2), legislation
(12%, =), inventions, science and technology (11%, -3), and religion, which has lost
ground since spring 2007 (8%, -5).
17
QD9 In your opinion, among the following issues, which are those that most create a feeling of community
among European Union citizens?
30 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
This question reveals no significant differences between the EU15 countries and the
NMS12 countries, although EU15 respondents are slightly more likely to mention sport
(18% versus 14%). Two items are mentioned slightly more frequently in the Eurozone
countries than elsewhere: the economy (28%, versus 22% for the non-Eurozone
countries) and solidarity with poorer regions (19% versus 15%).
The economy is seen as the issue the most likely to create a feeling of community in 13
Member States (Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, the
Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia), while values are ranked
first in eight Member States (the Czech Republic, Greece, France, Cyprus, Luxembourg,
Malta, Finland and Sweden). Respondents are evenly divided on these issues in Bulgaria.
For respondents in Lithuania the economy is particularly important (34%), as are values
in Cyprus (40%).
It should be noted that:
-
Respondents Denmark mentioned history as the issue the most likely to create a
feeling of community (35%).
-
Respondents in Ireland and the United Kingdom put sport at the top of their list
(31% and 22% respectively).
-
In Latvia, interviewees believe that geography (34%) is the issue that most
creates a feeling of community.
-
In Portugal, healthcare, education and pensions obtained the highest score
(24%), but this subject also recorded high scores in Malta (25%) and Ireland
(24%).
31 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
2. Rights as a citizen of the European Union
– A widespread desire to know more about the rights of European citizens in a
context where a majority say they know little about them
Familiarity with rights as European citizens and a wish to know more18
A majority of Europeans, slightly more than in the spring 2011 (EB75) survey, feel that
they do not know their rights as Europeans (54%, +2, versus 45% who are aware of
them, -2).
A majority of respondents also want to know more about these rights (63% versus
34%), though this majority has shrunk since the spring 2011 survey (-10 percentage
points).
There are no significant differences on these questions between the EU15 countries and
the NMS12 countries.
A majority of respondents in 14 Member States feel that they know little about their
rights as a European citizen, notably in France (68%), Italy (68%) where this feeling has
increased significantly (+13 percentage points), Greece (62%), Hungary (62%) and
Portugal where it has also gained significant ground (61%, +9). It is also the case in
Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Romania, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Spain, Belgium,
Slovenia and Malta.
However, a large proportion of respondents Germany (62%), Luxembourg (62%),
Denmark (59%), Estonia (58%) and the Netherlands (58%) are familiar with these
rights. This view has gained the most ground in Latvia (43%, +5 percentage points).
18
QD3.2-3 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; you would like to know more about your rights
as a citizen of the EU.
32 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
Respondents in Cyprus (89%), Slovakia (81%), Sweden (78%), Romania (75%), Malta
(74%), France (73%), Estonia (70%) and Luxembourg (70%) are the most likely to want
to know more about their rights as European citizens. This list includes not only countries
where citizens feel that they are ill-informed (in particular France and to a lesser extent
Romania), but also some well-informed countries (such as Luxembourg and Estonia).
Conversely, countries such as the United Kingdom and Portugal, where respondents are
more likely than average to know little about their rights, are less likely than average to
want to know more (48% in both cases).
The areas in which Europeans would like to know more
The Europeans who would like to know more about their rights19 are primarily interested
in working in another EU country (41%), followed by receiving medical assistance in
another EU country (36%) and living in another EU country (35%). These items were
followed in lower proportions by opportunities for study (16%), buying goods (15%) or
services (11%) in another EU country, and voting there (10%). 14% of respondents
spontaneously answered “none”, although they had previously said that they wanted to
know more about their rights as a citizen of the EU.
Base: those who would like to know more about their rights as a European citizen (63% of the sample)
19
QD4T About which rights as a citizen of the EU would you like to know more? Firstly? And then?
33 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
For some items, there are significant differences between the EU15 countries and the
NMS12 countries, as well as between the Eurozone countries and the non-Eurozone
countries. Respondents in the NMS12 (42%) and in the non-Eurozone countries (41%)
are more likely than respondents in the EU15 countries (34%) and in the Eurozone
(33%) to want to know more about the right to receive medical assistance in
another EU country. There is an even more striking difference between NMS12
respondents (52%) and those in the EU15 countries (38%) on the right to work in
another EU country; however, for this item, there are less pronounced differences
between non-Eurozone (44%) and Eurozone countries (39%).
In 16 Member States, the right to work in another EU country is the first right about
which respondents would like to know more, particularly in Bulgaria (62%), Hungary
(58%) and Lithuania (56%), but also in Spain, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, Greece,
Slovenia, Latvia, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, France, Finland and Ireland. In Greece,
Portugal and Denmark, the right to work in another EU country was mentioned as
frequently as the right to live in another EU country. In Finland and Ireland, the right to
work in another EU country was the most frequently mentioned item, jointly with the
right to receive medical assistance in another EU country.
Receiving medical assistance in another EU country was mentioned most in Cyprus,
Luxembourg and Malta. This is the first item cited in eight other countries: the Czech
Republic, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Finland, the United Kingdom and
Ireland.
Living in another EU country tops the list in Romania, Greece, Portugal, Denmark and
Austria.
The rights about which respondents would like to know more vary considerably between
the socio-demographic categories. For example:
Men are more likely to be interested in the right to work in another EU country
(44%, versus 38% of women). The latter are more likely to want to know more about
receiving medical assistance in another EU country (37%, versus 34% of men).
The differences based on the respondent’s age are more striking: the youngest
respondents are far more likely to mention studying, living and working in another
EU country than those aged 55 or over, while the latter are more likely to mention
receiving medical assistance in another EU country.
34 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
The most vulnerable respondents are more likely to want to know more about working
in another EU country: this is particularly true in the case of people who struggle to
pay their bills almost all the time (48%), those who place themselves at the bottom of
the social scale (45%) and unemployed people (59%), compared with 41% of Europeans
as a whole.
35 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
IV.
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
THE OPENNESS OF EUROPEANS TO OTHERS
– The index measuring openness to other European countries is still low,
but stable –
Europeans were polled on several elements to measure their openness to their EU
neighbours20. The results reveal that:
-
Almost half of Europeans have socialised with people from another EU country
during the twelve months preceding the survey, unchanged since the EB73 survey
of spring 2010 (49%): 30% have done so on several occasions and 19% have
done so once or twice.
-
A slightly smaller proportion of respondents have visited another EU country
during the last twelve months: 43% (including 18% on several occasions and
25% once or twice). However, this proportion has risen by two percentage points
since the spring 2010 survey (EB73).
-
Just over a third of Europeans have watched a TV programme in a language other
than their mother tongue (36%, -1).
-
Just over a quarter of Europeans have read a book, magazine or newspaper in a
language other than their mother tongue (26%, unchanged).
-
Finally, use of the Internet to buy a product or service in another EU country
(21%) is less widespread, but the percentage has increased slightly since spring
2010 (+2).
20
QD12.1-5 In the last twelve months, have you …? Visited another EU country; read a book, a newspaper or
magazine in a language other than your mother tongue; socialised with people from another EU country;
watched TV programmes in a language other than your mother tongue; used Internet in order to purchase a
product of a service from another EU country.
36 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
The answers to this question on openness reveal fairly significant national differences.
Socialising with people from another EU Member State seems to be a relatively
widespread practice and a majority of respondents in 17 Member States have done so
during the last 12 months, including almost all the interviewees in Luxembourg (96%)
and more than three-quarters in the Netherlands (81%) and Cyprus (80%). But it is also
true in Sweden, Malta, Slovakia, Germany, Finland, Estonia, the United Kingdom,
Denmark, Belgium, Latvia, Slovenia, Ireland, Lithuania and Austria. However, less than a
quarter of respondents in Hungary (24%) have socialised with other EU residents during
the last 12 months.
In 11 Member States, a majority of respondents have visited another EU country at
least once during the last 12 months. This is particularly true in the Benelux
countries (Luxembourg, 89%, the Netherlands, 79%, and Belgium, 67%), Austria (72%),
Denmark (72%) and Sweden (66%). But it is also true in Slovakia, the Czech Republic,
Slovenia, Finland and Germany. In contrast, it is far less true in Bulgaria (20%), Portugal
(20%), Greece (22%) and Romania (25%).
Europeans are slightly less open when it comes to their cultural habits: in 13 Member
States, a majority of respondents have watched a TV programme in language other
than their mother tongue and, once again, this practice is most widespread in
Luxembourg; majorities in only five countries have read a book, newspaper or
magazine in a language other than their mother tongue (Luxembourg, Malta,
Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark); finally, Luxembourg and Malta are the only two
countries in which a majority have used the Internet to buy a product or service in
another EU country.
We have constructed an international openness index on the basis of the answers to this
question21. As in spring 2010, two-thirds of Europeans have a “low” openness index
(66%, -1), 21% a “moderate” index (stable) and only 13% (+1) a “high” index.
21
For each of the five practices of international openness analysed in this survey, points were attributed as
follows: 2 points for every “yes, on several occasions” answer; 1 point for every “yes, once or twice” answer,
otherwise 0 points. Therefore, each individual had a number of points between 0 and 10. 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.
37 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
There are significant differences between countries for this indicator. As in spring 2010,
Luxembourg stands out, with 84% of respondents having a high openness index. Malta
has the second highest score, at 47%; although this is considerably lower than the
Luxembourg result, it is still above the European average. Denmark (44%), the
Netherlands (44%) and Sweden (40%) have the next highest scores.
Conversely, Portugal (5%), Italy (6%) and Bulgaria (6%) are the countries with the
lowest proportions of high international openness indices.
38 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
A socio-demographic analysis reveals significant divisions between categories:
-
19% of 15-24 year-olds, 17% of 25-39 year-olds and 14% of 40-54 year-olds
have a high openness index, compared with only 7% of those aged 55 or over.
-
22% of the most educated respondents have a high openness index, compared
with only 3% of Europeans who left school before the age of 16.
-
The index also varies significantly according to the respondent’s occupation: 26%
of managers, 23% of self-employed people, 15% of white-collar workers, 12% of
manual workers and 8% of unemployed people have a high openness index.
-
It also varies according to the respondent’s subjective social position: 23% of
Europeans who place themselves at the top of the social scale have a high
openness index, compared with 7% of those who place themselves at the bottom
of the social scale.
-
Opinion leaders are more likely to have a high openness index (25% of the
respondents in the ++ opinion leadership category) than those with the lowest
opinion leadership index (8% in the - - category).
39 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
V.
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
THE EUROPEAN FLAG
– The European flag is seen as a positive symbol for Europe, but there is
reluctance to adopt it –
Familiarity with the European flag
Almost all Europeans have seen the European flag22 (95%, unchanged since the spring
2007 survey (EB67)). There are no differences between the EU15 and NMS12 countries
on this subject.
Italy is the only country where more than one in ten respondents have never seen it
(11%).
In the candidate countries, Turkey stands out with more than a quarter of respondents
saying that they have never seen the European flag (27%). The proportion is also slightly
higher than the European average in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and
Serbia (both 7%, versus 4% for the EU as a whole).
Opinions of the European flag
When asked for their views on the flag23, the vast majority of Europeans consider that:
-
It is a good symbol for Europe (83%), despite a slight decrease since the EB67
survey of spring 2007 (-2 percentage points).
-
It “stands for something good” (73%), but with a decline since spring 2007
(-5).
22
QD10 Have you ever seen this symbol?
QD11.1-4 This symbol is the European flag. I have a list of statements concerning it. I would like to have
your opinion on each of these. For each of them, could you please tell me if you tend to agree or tend to
disagree?
23
40 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
We observed that:
-
Respondents in the NMS12 countries are slightly more likely than EU15
respondents to say that the European flag stands for something good (77%
versus 72%).
-
The feeling that it is a good symbol for Europe has declined significantly in Greece
(-10 percentage points since the EB67 survey, to 78%).
-
The feeling that it stands for something good has fallen sharply in Cyprus (-12 to
69%), Hungary (-12 to 73%) and Portugal (-11 to 64%).
-
These opinions are also held by a majority of respondents in the candidate
countries, although the proportions are considerably below the average in Turkey,
as a result of the high “DK” rate (35% and 42% respectively).
Other statements, tested only in the Member States, are supported by a narrower
majority:
-
The idea of flying the European flag on all the country’s public buildings next to
the national flag is supported by 54% of Europeans. However, this proportion is
lower than in the EB67 survey of spring 2007 (-7 percentage points, versus 36%
who tend to disagree, +5).
-
A narrow majority of Europeans identify with the flag (53%), fairly stable over the
last five years (-1), compared with almost four out of ten respondents who take
the opposite view (38%, unchanged).
The suggestion of placing the European flag next to the national flag in all public places is
supported by a majority of respondents in 20 Member States. Support is far stronger in
the NMS12 countries (63%) than in the EU15 countries (52%) and exceeds 70% in
Bulgaria (77%), Cyprus (76%), Slovakia (72%) and Slovenia (70%). Support is also
stronger in the Eurozone countries (59%) than in the non-Eurozone countries (46%).
41 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
The countries where support is weakest include not only those where the sense of
European citizenship is strong, such as Denmark (where only 18% are in favour of flying
the European flag on all public buildings) and Finland (27%), but also the United
Kingdom (27%), where only a minority of respondents feel that they are EU citizens.
Furthermore, support for this proposal has fallen sharply since the spring 2007 survey
(EB67) in several countries: Spain (-15 percentage points to 58%), Greece (-13, 54%),
Hungary (-12, 56%), Estonia (-11, 39%) and also, despite strong continuing approval, in
Cyprus (-14 to 76%), Poland (-12, 65%), Slovenia (-11, 70%) and Italy (-10, 67%).
A majority of respondents in 17 Member States identify with the European flag. Again,
scores are slightly higher in the NMS12 countries (57%) and in the Eurozone countries
(55%) than in the EU15 countries (52%) and non-Eurozone countries (49%), but the
differences are smaller than for the previous question. Identification with the flag is
particularly strong in Slovakia (80%), and also in Germany (71%) and Ireland (71%),
ahead of Poland (64%) and Slovenia (64%).
The countries where respondents identify the least with the European flag include the
Netherlands (29%), Finland (32%), Sweden (35%), Lithuania (35%) and Denmark
(35%).
Identification with the flag has undergone significant changes in some countries since the
spring 2007 survey (EB67):
-
It has lost ground significantly in Italy (56%, -12), Hungary (49%, -9) and Spain
(54%, -8);
-
But has increased strongly in Latvia (42%, +15) and Romania (45%, +10).
A socio-demographic analysis reveals that:
-
Opinions about the European flag vary very little with age.
-
However, there are sharper differences depending on the respondent’s level of
education. Europeans who studied the longest (58% of those who studied up to
the age of 20 or beyond) are more likely than those who completed their studies
before the age of 16 (45%) to identify with the European flag. The view that the
European flag stands for something good is also more widespread among
Europeans who studied beyond the age of 19 (80%) than among those who left
school before the age of 16 (64%).
-
There are also significant differences between Europeans who almost never have
difficulties paying their bills, who are more likely to identify with the European flag
(57%) and those who often have financial difficulties, only a minority of whom
identify with the flag (39%). Respondents who almost never have difficulties
paying their bills are also more likely to say that the European flag stands for
something good (77%), and that it is a good symbol for Europe (86%), than
those who have financial difficulties most of the time (61% and 73%
respectively).
42 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
-
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
Finally, 71% of the Europeans who feel that their voice counts in the EU identify
with the flag, compared with 45% of those who say it does not. Respondents who
feel that their voice is heard in the European Union are also more likely to
consider that the European flag is a good symbol for Europe (92%, versus 80% of
those who do not feel that their voice counts), that it stands for something good
(88% versus 67%), and even that it should fly next to the national flag on all
public buildings (69% versus 48%).
43 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
VI.
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
THE PARTICIPATION OF CITIZENS IN SOCIETY
– Europeans still consider that voting in elections is the best way of
making their voice heard. The European Citizens’ Initiative appeals to one
in five Europeans –
What is the best way for Europeans to make their voice heard?
When asked to identify the best way of making their voice heard by decision-makers24, a
large majority of Europeans mentioned “voting in elections” (54%), albeit with a
considerably lower score than that recoded in the spring 2010 survey (EB73) (-6
percentage points)25. Signing a petition was the second most effective means, but with a
far lower score (14%, -2).
Participating in local debates (“town hall meetings”), included for the first time in this
survey, was ranked third with a score of 13%.
Joining a political party (12%, -3) has lost some ground and is now ranked equally with
going on strike (12%, +1) and joining a demonstration (12%, unchanged). Respondents
then mentioned joining a trade union (9%, -2), a consumer association (6%, -1) or an
NGO (6%, -1). Finally, participating in online debates was mentioned by 5% of
Europeans (-2).
24
QD15 Which two of the following do you think are the best ways of ensuring one’s voice is heard by decisionmakers?
25
An additional item has been added since survey EB73, namely “participating in debates at local level”, which
may have an impact on the analysis of evolutions.
44 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
Although voting in elections is regarded as the most effective means of have one’s voice
heard in the NMS12 countries, it is mentioned much less often than in EU15 countries
(40% versus 57%). NMS12 respondents have more faith in going on strike (16%, versus
11% in the EU15) and in taking part in demonstrations (also 16%, versus 11%).
We observe that:
-
Voting in elections is seen as the most effective means of making one’s voice
heard by decision-makers in all Member States, in particular in Denmark (81%),
France (76%), the Netherlands (75%), Sweden (73%), Malta (70%) and Finland
(70%). It was mentioned much less often in Slovenia (34%), Poland (31%) and
Italy (30%), although this option nevertheless attracted a relative majority in
these three countries. Voting in elections as a means of making one’s voice heard
was mentioned far less frequently than in spring 2007 in many European
countries, especially in Hungary (44%, -26), Slovakia (37%, -16), Ireland (63%, 16) and Cyprus (50%, -15). However, the number of respondents mentioning this
option has increased significantly in Greece (65%, +20).
-
Respondents in the United Kingdom (23%), Hungary (22%) and Slovakia (21%)
are most likely to mention signing a petition as a means of making their voice
heard.
-
Participating in debates or town-hall meetings at local level (tested for the
first time) was mentioned the most frequently in Denmark (26%), Sweden (23%)
and the Czech Republic (20%).
-
Joining a political party also enjoys strong support in Sweden (37%).
Respondents in Bulgaria are most likely to opt for striking and demonstrating
(24% for both).
-
Support for joining a trade union was greatest in Denmark (19%) and the
Netherlands (19%).
-
Respondents in Ireland (12%) are the most likely to consider that the most
effective means is to become a member of a consumer association.
-
Respondents in Slovenia are most likely to mention becoming a member of an
NGO (11%).
-
Participating in debates using the Internet also obtained its highest score in
Slovenia (12%).
45 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
46 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
The European Citizens’ Initiative
The Citizens’ Initiative, the principle of which was explained to respondents26, appeals to
one in five Europeans27, broadly unchanged since the spring 2007 survey: 21% said that
they would probably use it (-1), while 67% (+3%) would probably not.
Except for Cyprus (where 54% of respondents said that they would probably use the
European Citizen’s Initiative, +4 since the EB73 survey), no more than a third of
interviewees in any Member State thought that they would use this right. The lowest
scores were recorded in Spain (13%) and Sweden (15%).
Although the youngest respondents (27%, versus 14% of those aged 55 or over), the
most educated respondents (26%, versus 11% of the least educated) and the Europeans
who place themselves at the top of the social scale (28%, versus 18% of those at the
bottom) are slightly more likely than average to use the European Citizens’ Initiative,
respondents in all socio-demographic categories are distinctly unlikely to do so.
The following introduction was read to respondents: The Lisbon Treaty came into force in December 2009. It
has introduced the "European Citizens’ Initiative". The initiative enables one million European Union citizens to
call on the European Commission to bring forward an initiative of interest to them in an area of EU competence. 27
QD16 How likely or not do you think you would make use of this European Citizens’ Initiative?
26
47 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
Whether or not they might make use of the European Citizen’s Initiative, respondents
were then asked in which areas they would be the most likely to use it28.
As in the spring 2010 survey (EB73), employment was by far the most frequently
mentioned subject (37%, unchanged), followed by the fundamental rights of European
citizens (24%, +2), which now ranks equally with pensions (24%, -1). Education was
also frequently mentioned (23%, -2), ahead of the environment, which has lost ground
since spring 2010 (20%, -4) and is now equal with taxation (20%, +1) and consumer
protection (20%, =).
Scores were also lower for the items cited next: crime (16%, -3), immigration (15%, -2)
and energy (14%, -2), ahead of problems with the national government (12%, +1) and
the common foreign and security policy (10%, -1). Terrorism, with a far lower score than
in 2010 (8%, -4), now ranks equally with the mobility of EU citizens (8%, =). Agriculture
has also lost ground (7%, -10) and now brings up the rear with the enlargement of the
EU (6%, -1) and sport (4%, =).
28
QD17 And whether or not you think you might make use of it or not, if you were to do so, in which of the
following fields would you be most likely to use the European Citizens’ Initiative?
48 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
Employment tops the list of subjects for which citizens would be the most likely to make
us of their right of initiative in 20 Member States.
The following countries therefore stand out:
-
Sweden and Denmark, where respondents put the environment first (40% and
37%)
-
Germany, where respondents prioritise the fundamental rights of citizens (35%)
-
the Czech Republic where the emphasis is on pensions (34%)
-
Austria, where a third of respondents mention immigration first (33%)
-
and The Netherlands (34%) and Estonia (29%) which place the emphasis on
education.
Those Europeans who said that they would probably make use of the European Citizens’
Initiative mentioned employment first (46%), followed by the fundamental rights of
European citizens (30%) and then the environment (28%, versus an average of 20%).
49 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
50 STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Between the 12th and the 27th of May 2012, TNS Opinion & Social, a consortium created between TNS plc and TNS
opinion, carried out the wave 77.3 of the EUROBAROMETER, on request of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Directorate-General for Communication, “Research and Speechwriting”.
This wave is the STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77 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 77 has also been conducted in the six candidate countries (Croatia, 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 above.
TS1
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
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=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%
TS2
STANDARD EUROBAROMETER 77
ABBR.
BE
BG
CZ
DK
DE
EE
IE
EL
ES
FR
IT
CY
LV
LT
LU
HU
MT
NL
AT
PL
PT
RO
SI
SK
FI
SE
UK
TOTAL
EU27
CY(tcc)
HR
TR
MK
IS
ME
RS
TOTAL
COUNTRIES
INSTITUTES
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Rep.
Denmark
Germany
Estonia
Ireland
Greece
Spain
France
Italy
Rep. of Cyprus
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Hungary
Malta
Netherlands
TNS Dimarso
TNS BBSS
TNS Aisa
TNS Gallup DK
TNS Infratest
Emor
Ipsos MRBI
TNS ICAP
TNS Demoscopia
TNS Sofres
TNS Infratest
Synovate
TNS Latvia
TNS LT
TNS ILReS
TNS Hoffmann Kft
MISCO
TNS NIPO
Österreichisches
Gallup-Institut
TNS OBOP
TNS EUROTESTE
TNS CSOP
RM PLUS
TNS Slovakia
TNS Gallup Oy
TNS GALLUP
TNS UK
Austria
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom
Turkish Cypriot
Community
Croatia
Turkey
Former Yugoslav Rep. of
Macedonia
Iceland
Montenegro
Serbia
Kadem
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP – SPRING 2012
N°
INTERVIEWS
1.076
1.016
1.002
1.007
1.502
1.000
1.000
1.001
1.006
1.007
1.036
505
1.007
1.019
507
1.010
500
1.012
FIELDWORK
DATES
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
25/05/2012
21/05/2012
24/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
25/05/2012
25/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
24/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
26/05/2012
27/05/2012
POPULATION
15+
8.866.411
6.584.957
8.987.535
4.533.420
64.545.601
916.000
3.375.399
8.693.566
39.035.867
47.620.942
51.252.247
651.400
1.448.719
2.849.359
404.907
8.320.614
335.476
13.288.200
993
12/05/2012
27/05/2012
6.973.277
1.000
1.010
1.073
1.023
1.000
1.001
1.019
1.305
12/05/2012
14/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
22/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
32.306.436
8.080.915
18.246.731
1.748.308
4.549.954
4.412.321
7.723.931
51.081.866
26.637
12/05/2012
27/05/2012
406.834.359
500
12/05/2012
25/05/2012
143.226
Puls
TNS PIAR
1.000
1.000
12/05/2012
14/05/2012
27/05/2012
27/05/2012
3.749.400
52.728.513
TNS Brima
1.056
12/05/2012
18/05/2012
1.678.404
Capacent
TNS Medium Gallup
TNS Medium Gallup
500
1.015
1.020
12/05/2012
12/05/2012
21/05/2012
17/05/2012
252.277
492.265
6.409.693
32.728
12/05/2012
27/05/2012
472.288.137
TS3