Eurobarometer: Sense of belonging to the EU grows seven points among Spaniards

The European Commission Representation in Spain yesterday hosted the presentation of the Autumn Eurobarometer for Spain (EB 102).

The feeling of belonging to the European Union has shown an upward trend among Spaniards in this edition of the Eurobarometer. Seven out of ten Spanish citizens (70%) say they feel attached to the European Union, above the European average of 63%. This feeling has improved by 3 percentage points compared to spring 2024 and by 7 points compared to autumn 2023.

Almost all Spaniards express, firstly, a clear feeling of belonging to their town or village (94% of Spaniards compared with 89% of Europeans as a whole) and, secondly, to their own country (91% of Spaniards compared with 92% of Europeans as a whole). In the first case, the figure is the same as in the Standard Eurobarometer 101 (spring 2024), although in the second case there is an improvement (6 percentage points higher).

During the presentation, Lucas González Ojeda, acting director of the European Commission Representation in Spain, reflected on this data “In the autumn wave, Spain is among the five countries with the highest Europeanist sentiment in the European Union. The boost to public awareness brought about by the European Parliament elections, as well as the positive impact of the projects financed with NextGenerationEU funds, is felt in every corner of the country. This is being felt by citizens and translates into a growing sense of belonging to the European Union”.

The Secretary General for the EU, David Navarro , took stock of this autumn’s edition: “The Eurobarometer results indicate that Spanish citizens have a high degree of confidence in the Union’s ability to tackle common challenges – from social policy issues, such as the creation of jobopportunities, to access to housing, improvingthe quality of and access to education, and reducing inequalities, to reducing inequalities. opportunities, to access to housing, improving the quality of and access to education, and reducing inequalities, to those related to the major issues on the international agenda, such as strengthening peace and stability and European security and defence, climate and environmental protection, international trade and international cooperation”.

Defence, in favour of increased cooperation

In the area of defence, 76% of Spaniards are in favour of increasing cooperation in defence matters at the EU level. This figure, although slightly lower than the European average of 78%, reflects broad support for collaboration in security and defence. In addition, 55% of Spaniards would support an increase in defence spending, although this percentage is lower than the European average (64%).

Main problems the EU needs to address

The report also highlights the main problems that the European Union needs to tackle, according to Spanish citizens. Immigration is mentioned by one in three Spaniards (34%), with a significant increase of 13 percentage points compared to spring 2024. For European citizens as a whole, this issue comes in second place with 28% of mentions. The war in Ukraine and the international situation accounted for 27% of Spaniards’ responses, making them the next problems to be tackled by the EU, after immigration.

Problems Spain has to face

While the vast majority of Spaniards (88%) and of EU citizens as a whole (86%) are satisfied with their daily lives, very similar to previous editions, this wave of the Standard Eurobarometer shows important changes in the main concerns of Spanish citizens:

• Housing is the main problem for 35 % of Spaniards, a significant increase of 18 percentage points compared to spring 2024. In the ranking of concerns, this problem has moved from fifth to first place.
• Inflation remains a major concern for 30% of Spaniards, although it has decreased by 8 percentage points compared to spring 2024.
• Immigration is the third main concern for 21% of Spaniards, with an increase of 7 percentage points compared to spring 2024.

Confidence in the European Union is maintained

The level of trust in the European Union remains stable, with 51% of Spanish citizens trusting the EU, almost the same as in spring 2024 and 9 percentage points higher than in autumn 2023.

On the other hand, trust in the national government is significantly lower, at 27%, 2 percentage points lower than in spring 2024. In the case of local and regional authorities, it is 48%, 6 points lower than in spring 2024.

As for the media, 57% of Spanish citizens consider that they provide reliable information, although 58% think that media coverage is subject to pressure.

Where should the EU spend its budget?

When asked where the European Union should direct its budget, for Spaniards the top three priorities would be, firstly, spending on employment, social services and public health (62%), secondly, education, training, culture and media (50%) and, thirdly, funding for scientific research and innovation (34%).

For EU citizens as a whole,the top priority would be spending on employment, social services and public health (44%), followed by defence and security (35%) and education, and training, culture and media (34%), with climate change and environmental protection coming a close second and third (33%).

 

More information: European Commission.