While many Europeans are pessimistic about the state of the world and worried about the higher cost of living, around three quarters see the EU as a beacon of hope in dark times, and their country’s membership of the EU as a good thing.
The European Parliament’s Eurobarometer takes EU citizens' temperature every six months to see what they think about the EU and how they feel about the world.
The last check-in was in April and May. Of the 26,421 respondents, 75% agreed that the EU was a place of stability in a troubled world, up 8 percentage points from the last survey in autumn 2025. 74% of people view EU membership as beneficial, matching a record high in spring 2025.
Many (40%) see peace and security as the main benefit of the EU, even though defence is not one of the bloc's primary objectives. Nine out of ten want to see EU member states more united in handling global challenges. 73% want the EU to have more means to do so (tell that to the governments reluctant to boost the EU’s long-term budget).
Another striking result is that 90% want to see the EU promoting respect for international law by all countries. The survey was carried out not long after the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, which Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez denounced as a violation of international law. The EU and other European leaders said far less in the wake of a standoff with the US over Greenland, less US support for NATO, and a potential trade war.
For many people, these positive views of the EU come from a dark place. More than half of Europeans (58%) are worried about the future of the world, against 38% who see the glass as half full.
Inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living are a top priority for people, mentioned by 47% of respondents and putting it well ahead of economy and job creation (35%) and defence and security (34%).
The Eurobarometer findings of broad support for the EU contrast with how well people trust their governments, according to a study published this week by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). That was based on a survey carried out last year in several EU and European states as well as middle-income and richer nations like Canada, Brazil and South Korea. It did not include the US or the UK.
It found that 43% have little or no trust in government compared to those who have high or moderate trust, at 40%. Trust in the armed forces and police is highest, at 66% and 63% respectively.
Only 22% of French respondents had high trust in government, perhaps unsurprisingly after the 2024-2025 carousel of five prime ministers. But around half of the French do trust their local government, and about two-thirds trust the army and the police.
More than half (52%) of respondents to the OECD survey are not confident that their political system allows them a say in what government does, but the OECD report said trust in government can improve quickly when people see competence and fairness in decision-making.
“Investments in both the how (engagement of people and stakeholders, transparency, evidence-based communication) and the what (fairness) of decisions on complex policy areas will help increase trust levels in national government and the legislature,” it said.
Over to you, EU and governments.
It wasn't a surprise to me that many Europeans feel uncertain about the future of the world. What did surprise me is that nearly all of those questioned for the Eurobarometer want the EU to play a part in upholding international law. Moral leadership matters to the person on the street. We're not all cynics or in thrall to realpolitik.