European citizens, including citizens from Greece, prioritize the economy, peace, democracy, and security while advocating for a stronger EU role according to the winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey.
The survey, conducted by the research company Verian between 9 January and 4 February 2025 in the 27 EU Member States, reveals significant sentiments among European citizens amidst a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
There is a clear demand for the European Union to prioritize defense, security (36 percent), and competitiveness in economy and industry (32 percent), as highlighted by respondents across member states. In Greece, enhancing competitiveness in the economy and industry takes precedence, closely followed by defense and security at 36 percent.
Notably, while defense and security concerns have held steady since early 2024, there has been a notable five-point increase in prioritization of competitiveness, economy, and industry. Additionally, sectors such as energy independence (27 percent), food security and agriculture (25 percent), and education and research (23 percent) also feature prominently.
Majority in Europe and Greece advocate for a stronger EU role
Furthermore, a significant majority of Europeans (66 percent) advocate for a stronger EU role in managing global crises and security risks, underscoring a widespread desire for cohesive European action in uncertain times. This sentiment is echoed strongly in Greece, where three-quarters of respondents (75 percent) believe in the EU’s capacity to bolster security measures.
Moreover, there is a prevailing belief (74 percent) among EU citizens that their countries have benefited from EU membership, with peace and security (35 percent) cited as primary advantages. This optimism extends to a consensus (89 percent) that EU member states should unite more effectively to confront global challenges, with overwhelming support in countries like Greece and Cyprus (94 percent and 95 percent, respectively).
In Greece, respondents place a strong emphasis on enhancing the country’s competitiveness, economic growth, and industrial development as their top priorities. This is followed closely by concerns related to defense and security, with 36 percent of respondents highlighting the need for reinforced security measures.
Greece’s respondents focus on economic hardships
At the same time, economic hardships remain a pressing issue for Greek citizens. More than half (52 percent) of respondents identify inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living as the most urgent challenges that need to be addressed.
Additionally, 48 percent stress the importance of economic stability and job creation, underscoring a broader concern about financial security and employment opportunities.
Support for EU membership remains high across the bloc, with 74 percent of EU citizens believing that their country has benefited from being part of the Union. This marks the highest level of approval ever recorded for this question in a Eurobarometer survey since it was first introduced in 1983.
In Greece, 65 percent of respondents continue to affirm that EU membership has had a positive impact on their country, in line with previous survey findings.
Respondents in Greece prioritize strengthening competitiveness, economy and industry, followed by defense and security (36 percent).
At the same time, more than half of respondents in Greece (52 percent) say that inflation, rising prices and the cost of living are issues that need to be addressed as a priority, followed by the economy and job creation (48 percent).
In line with past trends, in times of crisis citizens look to the EU for decisive action and solutions. When the EU is seen to be coming together and delivering results, support levels are high – something that is still the case today, with 50 percent of respondents having a positive view of the EU.
In the last decade, this positive perception has only been higher once (at 52 percent), in spring 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The positive view of the EP remains stable at a high level (41 percent).
Core values
When it comes to the core values that Europeans want the European Parliament to uphold, peace emerges as the top priority, cited by 45 percent of respondents. This is followed by democracy (32 percent) and the protection of human rights both within Europe and globally (22 percent).
In Greece, peace is the most valued principle, with 53 percent of respondents ranking it as their top priority. This is followed by the rule of law (33 percent) and democracy (29 percent).
In Greece, 75 percent of respondents—an increase of two percentage points—view the EP as a crucial institution, while in Cyprus, this sentiment has surged by nine points to an impressive 94 percent. These findings indicate a recognition of the European Parliament’s significance, even among those who may not hold strong opinions about its overall image.