According to the latest results, nearly two thirds (64%) of EU and UK citizens feel that things are going rather badly in their country, while 29% are positive about the way things are going. A similar picture can be seen for the sense of prosperity. The vast majority of EU and UK respondents (56%) expect their own country’s economic situation to worsen in the next year or two. The proportion of those who are pessimistic about the prospects for future generations (49%) is also significantly higher than those who expect stagnation (23%) and optimism (20%).
The research clearly shows that economic problems will be the biggest challenge facing Europeans in 2022. When asked what they think was the most important problem facing their country, nearly three quarters (72%) of EU respondents said economic difficulties were the greatest challenge, while 7% said security risks related to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine were the greatest challenge.
The survey also revealed what values and public objectives Europeans associate with people with a conservative or liberal worldview. It is clear that European public opinion sees liberals as the most supportive of sexual minorities, gender equality and cultural diversity, while Europeans see conservatives as those who are most concerned with preserving traditions, strict immigration regulations and strict laws governing social life.
