Views on European Union Enlargement - European Commission

Flash EB No255 — Dual circulation period, Slovakia

Annex

Flash Eurobarometer

European Commission

Views on European Union Enlargement Analytical Report

Flash Eurobarometer 257— The Gallup Organization

Fieldwork: February 2009

This survey was requested by DG ENLARGEMENT A.2 “Information, Communication” and coordinated by Directorate General Communication 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.

Flash EB No257 — Views on European Union Enlargement

Analytical Report

Flash EB Series #257

Views on European Union Enlargement Conducted by The Gallup Organization, Hungary upon the request of the DG Enlargement A.2 "Information, Communication

Coordinated by Directorate-General Communication 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.

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

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Analytical Report

Table of Contents Table of Contents .....................................................................................................................................3 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................4 Main Findings ..........................................................................................................................................5 1. The Fall of the Iron Curtain ..................................................................................................................8 1.1 Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. 8 1.2 Effects of the Fall of the Iron Curtain ......................................................................................... 16 2. The 2004-2007 Enlargements ............................................................................................................20 2.1 Perceived Advantages ................................................................................................................. 20 2.2 Remaining Challenges ................................................................................................................. 30 3. Considerations for Future EU Enlargement .......................................................................................36 I. Annex Tables ......................................................................................................................................50 II. Survey Details..................................................................................................................................103 III. Questionnaire .................................................................................................................................107

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Analytical Report

Introduction This Flash Eurobarometer survey on the ―Views on European Union Enlargement‖ was conducted at the time of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain. The survey aimed to a) collect citizens’ views on the affect of the integration of 10 Central and Eastern European countries1 on the 27 Member States of the enlarged union and b) assess citizens’ views about factors that could be important when policy-makers consider further enlargements. This analytical report also includes the average results for the European Union and highlights the variances in responses based on the interviewees’ country of residence and their socio-demographic background. The fieldwork was conducted from 26 January – 1 February, 2009. More than 27,000 randomly selected individuals, aged 15 and older, were interviewed in the 27 EU Member States. Interviews were predominantly carried out via fixed-line telephones, with approximately 1,000 being conducted in each Member State. Because of the relatively low fixed-line telephone coverage in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, face-to-face (F2F) interviews were also conducted (700 telephone and 300 F2F interviews) in those countries. Note: Flash Eurobarometer surveys systematically include mobile phones in samples in Austria, Finland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. To correct for sampling disparities, a post-stratification weighting of the results was implemented based on the main socio-demographic variables. More details on survey methodology are included in the ―Annex Tables and Survey Details‖ section of this report.

1

In this report, ―CEE countries‖ refers to Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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Analytical Report

Main Findings The Fall of the Iron Curtain In the enlarged European Union overall, people are convinced that the fall of the Iron Curtain has: o brought more freedom to all parts of Europe (79% agreed) o provided good business opportunities for Western enterprises in the CEE region (80%) o contributed to the free movement of people within Europe (86%) A large majority (about two thirds) of EU citizens feel that the changes because of enlargements have brought a better quality of life and an improved situation to the countries of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. Polish respondents are overwhelmingly positive, with three-quarters in agreement that their standard of living has improved considerably since 1989 and only 14% disagreeing. Similar positive results can be seen in the Czech Republic (70% agreed vs. 23% disagreed), Slovenia (68% vs. 28%) and Estonia (67% vs. 18%). The responses are mixed on living standards and security, however. In Hungary and Bulgaria, the majority (51% and 50%, respectively) disagree that the post-1989 freedoms has resulted in an improved standard of living in their country. The majority in the enlarged European Union (51%) feel that the demise of a divided Europe and the subsequent social, political and economic changes have made life more insecure in their own country. Relatively few (19%) of respondents indicate that, compared with today, the situation in the CEE countries was better before the Iron Curtain was demolished. This proposition finds agreement with 28% of citizens in the CEE countries and 17% in the EU15 countries only2. The 2004-2007 Enlargements An overwhelming majority (92%) in the European Union agree that the integration of the CEE countries into the European Union has led to increased possibilities to move and travel freely within the European Union . About three-quarters of respondents agree that the enlargements have: o contributed to the modernisation and growth in CEE economies (76%) o facilitated the spread of democratic values and protection of human rights (73%) o increased the EU’s global role (73%)

2

The 15 pre-2004 Member States: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom

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Analytical Report

About 6 in 10 citizens (58%) agree that the integration of the CEE countries into the European Union has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe, and the same proportion thought that it has increased security because of improvements in the fight against organised crime and the control of illegal immigration. Opinions in the EU15 and CEE are relatively close concerning the benefits of the enlargement of the European Union. One exception is the appreciation of Europe’s increased security and stability, which has been confirmed more often in the CEE countries (67%) than in the EU15 (56%) countries. The most widely accepted benefit of the EU enlargement is the freedom to move and travel. In each Member State, at least 9 in 10 respondents agree that this is one of the (positive) consequences resulting from the integration of the CEE region. At least half or more of the EU respondents consider that enlargement has: o made the enlarged EU more difficult to manage (66%) o contributed to job losses in their country (56%) o caused problems because of the divergent cultural traditions of the new Member States (54%) o led to an increased feeling of insecurity (50%) in the European Union as a whole Respondents in the EU15 countries are much more likely to believe that the enlargement of the European Union brought up issues that resulted from increased cultural diversity across Member States (57% in EU15 countries and 42% in CEE countries). Similarly, respondents from the EU15 are more likely to assume that the enlargement of the European Union have made it more difficult to manage (69% in EU15 countries and 51% in CEE countries; 20% in the CEE countries have no opinion on the subject) and have increased feelings of insecurity (52% in EU15 countries and 44% in CEE countries). Considerations for Future Enlargements The Key issues which respondents want to be taken into consideration when deciding future EU enlargement are freedom and democratic values and economic issues. Freedom and democratic values constitute the most essential value in EU decisions and personal decisions by citizens regarding future enlargement of the European Union. Economic issues were given prominence for national decisions concerning future EU enlargement. Freedom and democratic values: In Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, in Spain, respondents considered freedom and democratic values more important than respondents in other countries. It garnered less support in Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta and Bulgaria.

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Economic issues: Relatively speaking, residents in Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia considered this issue particularly important. This aspect received less attention, though, in Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Immigration issues: In Italy, Malta, the United Kingdom and, to a certain extent, Austria, respondents are more likely to consider immigration as an important factor when it came to assessing future enlargements of the European Union. On the other hand, people in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania give less importance to this specific matter. Cultural/religious issues: In relative terms, respondents in only one Member State, Italy, considered this to be an important issue to be considered when deciding future EU enlargements. In contrast, those from the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia attached less importance to such differences. Others factors are more of a secondary consideration for considering future enlargements: stability at the EU’s borders (except in Slovenia, Estonia, Greece Finland, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania where it is still important), the EU’s role in the world (except in Germany, France and Luxembourg) and ageing European population.

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Analytical Report

1. The Fall of the Iron Curtain The Iron Curtain divided Europe into two distinct areas from the conclusion of World War II until the end of the Cold War in 1989, preventing the free movement of people, ideas and goods between these. In May 1989, Hungary started to remove its border fence at the Austrian border (both countries are now EU Member States with no border controls), and during that same year, on Nov. 9, the process culminated in the fall of the Berlin Wall. While the chain of events that led to the removal of the Iron Curtain effectively liberated several Central and Eastern European countries from direct Soviet rule (even if not from a military presence, which only ended in 1994), some EU Member States only regained their independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union was dissolved. Yugoslavia, and thus, Slovenia, was never formally behind the Soviet-managed Iron Curtain and its people were free to travel. However, both countries do share a similar communist past as do the other countries in the CEE group.

1.1 Opportunities Twenty years on, popular perceptions acknowledge the historic nature of the events surrounding and after the fall of the Iron Curtain. These events have brought several important opportunities for Europe as a whole. Respondents were asked to comment on six statements regarding the consequences of the fall of the Iron Curtain. Consequences of the changes following ”the fall of the Iron Curtain” Agree

Disagree

These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe

DK/NA

86

9 5

These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe

80

9

These changes have brought more freedom to everyone in Europe

79

14

These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries

66 44 39

23 46 51

11 7 11 9 10

Q1. Bearing in mind the changes following "the fall of the Iron Curtain" in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % EU27

In the European Union, where nine current Member States (and East Germany) were behind the Iron Curtain (or, from the opposite perspective, sixteen current Member States were cut off from significant cooperation with the Eastern bloc), respondents had little doubt that the end of the Iron Curtain: contributed to the free movement of people within Europe (86%) provided good business opportunities for Western enterprises in the CEE region (80%) 8


Analytical Report

brought more freedom to all parts of Europe (79% agreed) As to whether the liberation of the CEE nations brought prosperity and better living standards to the nations of this Eastern region, opinions are less clear cut. The majority of EU citizens were of the opinion that the end of the Cold War, and the newly gained liberty of the CEE countries, has brought a better standard of living (66% agreed and 23% disagreed). However, while a significant number of EU citizens saw immediate benefits (for example 46% disagreed that the changes only brought opportunities for younger people), 44% said that only future generations could enjoy the true benefits of the end of the Cold War. Almost 4 in 10 (39%) agreed that these changes were only important for the CEE region, and significantly more, 51%, felt that the importance of these events could not be restricted to the CEE region. Opinions in the two areas of the European Union that belonged to different parts in the bipolar world of the Cold War era (the CEE countries and the 15 pre-2004 EU Member States3) did not differ much in their responses. As the following table shows, the difference in agreement between the citizens of the two areas was the highest as far as the standard of living was concerned. Table 1. Bearing in mind the changes following the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? EU15

CEE % Don’t know/Not % answered Agree

% Disagree

% Don’t know/Not answered

81

12

7

12

62

28

10

46

10

47

46

7

85

10

5

90

5

4

Q1_E. These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries

38

53

9

41

45

14

Q1_F. These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in CEE countries

80

10

10

80

7

12

% Agree

% Disagree

Q1_A. These changes have brought more freedom to everyone in Europe

79

14

7

Q1_B. These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe

67

22

Q1_C. These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation

44

Q1_D. These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe

Those in the EU15 region (including Germany, part of which was also behind the Iron Curtain) were somewhat more likely to perceive a positive change (67%) compared with those countries that were behind the Iron Curtain for several decades (62%). From a Western perspective, fewer EU15 citizens

3

Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Note that Cyprus and Malta are only included in the EU27 average.

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Analytical Report

(85%) said that the disappearance of the Eastern borders contributed to the free movement of people and goods compared with their former COMECON counterparts (90%). In addition, respondents in the EU15 countries were slightly more likely to say they saw immediate benefits (with 44% agreeing and 46% disagreeing that the changes would only be beneficial for the younger generations). However, a slim majority (47% agreed and 46% disagreed) of residents coming from the CEE region said that these changes would only be important for younger people. Without any notable variation in the results, the overwhelming majority in each Member State concluded that the elimination of the Iron Curtain contributed to the disappearance of borders and free movement within Europe. The level of agreement ranged from 83% in three of the EU’s island nations (United Kingdom, Malta and Cyprus) to 93% in Slovakia and 94% in Slovenia. These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe Agree 100

51

2 5

4 5

2 7

2 7

5 4

4 5

4 5

3 7

7 4

4 6

Disagree 4 7

3 9

5 7

7 6

DK/NA 6 7

4 9

4 9

3 10

5 9

3 2 5 11 12 10

6 9

80

4 7 7 12 11 10 11 5

6 11

60

40

94 93 92 91 91 91 91 90 90 90 90 90 88 88 88 87 87 87 86 86 86 86 85 85 85 83 83 83 83

20

CY

MT

BE

UK

AT

ES

EU15

EL

DK

EU27

FR

DE

LV

BG

LT

IE

SE

CZ

RO

PT

NL

CEE

EE

PL

LU

FI

HU

SK

SI

0

Q1. Bearing in mind the changes following "the fall of the Iron Curtain" in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % by country

The agreement on this issue was overwhelmingly high in each broader social segment, but the least so among those aged 15 to 24, especially those from the EU15 in this age group scored below the average (81%). The pattern was similar in the CEE as well, with the youngest people with no or limited direct experience with the pre-1989 era least likely to agree (85% in CEE countries compared with the 90% average in the region)4. NOTE: Despite some evident variations in the opinions of the broad social segments, the direction of the opinions of all segments in each question asked in this survey coincided with the general direction of the replies received in total on the EU level. The relevance of the described variations is therefore secondary to the general sentiment recorded from the public at large. Furthermore, variations were much more strongly correlated with the respondents’ country of residence than with their sociodemographic background.

4

Please note that for each question a socio-demographic breakdown is provided in the ―Annex Tables and Survey Details‖ section of this report. Where relevant (results differ), the text sometimes refers to sociodemographic segments comparing the EU15 and the CEE region. For those references are made, the percentage results are provided in the analysis.

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Analytical Report

Opinions were also relatively uniform when it came to asking whether the end of Cold War had opened up business opportunities for Western European enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe. Respondents in Slovenia and Austria (both 89%) and in Hungary, Luxembourg and Ireland (all 88%) were the ones in most agreement with this statement. However, the results were virtually as high (within the sampling error) in the first nine places, including Denmark, Germany, Finland and Sweden (see the following graph). These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe Agree 100

4 7

6 6

7 4

5 7

4 8

3 10

5 7

9 5

11 4

8 9

80

Disagree

DK/NA

7 8 12 13 10 11 7 10 12 14 13 13 15 17 10 12 15 15 11 21 10 10 7 6 10 9 13 10 8 7 9 10 8 7 13 11 9 10 15 5

60

40

89 89 88 88 88 87 87 86 85 82 82 82 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 79 78 77 77 77 76 76 76 75 74 74

20

LT

IT

UK

ES

EE

PT

CY

BE

RO

BG

MT

LV

EU15

EL

EU27

PL

FR

CZ

CEE

SK

NL

FI

SE

DE

DK

IE

LU

AT

HU

SI

0


Even in those countries with the least number of people who agreed with this statement, the survey found that approximately three-quarters of interviewees felt that the fall of the Iron Curtain opened up opportunities for Western European businesses (these countries were the United Kingdom at 74%, Lithuania at 74% and Italy at 75%; however, the differences between the rankings of the bottom 10 countries were minimal). The proportion of those who did not provide an answer to this question was 1 in 10 (11%) at the EU level and reached 1 in 6 or more in Portugal (17%) and Lithuania (21%). Results varied across social segments only in the proportion of those who lacked an opinion (reaching its highest at 20% among those with primary education only) at the expense of affirmative replies. The proportion of those who explicitly disagreed in the various socio-demographic segments remained rather stable and low at 8% to 10% (for the EU27 level, see Annex Table 6b).

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Analytical Report

These changes have brought more freedom to everyone in Europe Agree 100

3 7

5 7

2 3 5 10 10 11

8 9

80

Disagree

DK/NA

10 6 5 7 8 6 7 9 10 4 7 7 5 6 7 13 8 6 7 8 8 4 10 14 7 11 13 11 10 12 12 11 10 16 14 14 16 15 15 9 14 17 19 18 19 22 18 22

60

40

90 88 87 87 84 83 83 82 82 82 81 81 81 80 80 80 79 79 79 79 78 78 78 77 74 74 74 73 72

64

20

BG

EL

BE

CY

FR

IT

LV

CZ

ES

EE

SK

HU

EU15

EU27

PT

AT

LT

CEE

SE

DE

FI

NL

UK

PL

MT

LU

RO

SI

IE

DK

0


The vast majority of respondents in each Member State agreed that the changes that followed the end of the Cold War had brought more freedom to everyone in Europe. This view was held primarily by the Danish (90%), Irish (88%), Slovene (87%) and Luxembourgian respondents (87%), while fewer respondents in Bulgaria felt that this was indeed the case (64%). Other than in Bulgaria, in each Member State at least 7 in 10 respondents agreed that the fall of the Iron Curtain had brought more freedom to Europe in general. The survey found relatively lower levels of enthusiasm in Belgium (72%), Greece (73%), Latvia, Cyprus and France (all 74%). As Annex Table 1b clarifies, the differences across broad social segments were merely cosmetic in most of the analytical breakdowns. The level of education, however, was once again a relatively important factor: 11% of those with elementary education did not have an opinion about the issue, and overall, only 74% agreed with the statement. In contrast, 4% of those who completed higher education had no opinion and 84% agreed with the statement. Looking at, for example, the age segments in the CEE countries only, it is evident that the two middle-aged groups (ranging from 25 to 54 years of age) were significantly more likely to agree that the changes brought more freedom (83% to 84%) compared with their younger (76%) or older (78%) counterparts. The tendency was similar but less pronounced in the EU15 region (with results varying within four percentage points only, between 76% and 80%). When it came to living standards, opinions were more diverse. In several CEE Member States, the responses were mixed, especially in Hungary and Bulgaria, where the majority (51% and 50%, respectively) disagreed that the post-1989 freedoms had resulted in an improved standard of living in their country. Many citizens were also sceptical in Latvia and Romania.

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Analytical Report

These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe Agree 100

80

60

40

Disagree

DK/NA

4

5

10 9 13 6 11 15 8 9 7 11 16 15 12 10 16 9 11 11 10 17 9 8 9 17 7 13 8 13 14 11 18 14 11 14 12 20 19 23 28 21 17 18 22 24 25 23 23 28 29 31 30 36 18 21 24 38 51 50 81 80 77 77 76 75 73 72 71 70 68 68 68 67 67 66 66 66 66 65 62 62 62 61 61 59 57

20

50

41 37

BG

LV

HU

IT

RO

SK

EL

LT

CY

FR

CEE

AT

EU27

PT

DE

EE

EU15

BE

UK

SI

CZ

ES

NL

SE

PL

LU

MT

FI

IE

DK

0


Not all respondents in the CEE countries have doubts as to whether changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe. For example, those interviewed in Poland were overwhelmingly positive about this aspect, with three-quarters (75%) of respondents agreeing and only 14% disagreeing. A similar situation was seen in the Czech Republic (70% agreed vs. 23% disagreed), Slovenia (68% vs. 28%) and Estonia (67% vs. 18%). However, agreement was the most widespread in countries where residents were observing rather than experiencing these changes: Denmark (81% agreed vs. 14% disagreed), Ireland (80% vs. 11%), Finland (77% vs. 14%) and Malta (77% vs. 11%). At the EU level, one in eight (12%) did not have an opinion. Annex Table 2b reveals that men were clearly more likely to assume such positive effects on living standard (EU27: 70% vs. 62% among women); however, the gap between the two genders was considerably smaller in the CEE region (64% male and 60% female). In the EU15 countries, there was essentially no difference in the various age groups (results varied from 66% to 67%). Those that made up the oldest segment (those aged 55 and older) in the CEE countries were clearly less satisfied: only 52% found that living standards improved because of the changes after 1989. Those not working in the CEE zone (partially overlapping with the previously mentioned age group) were also relatively less likely to admit such an outcome (56% agreed and 31% disagreed), while employees appreciated the change in this aspect the most (74%). In the CEE region, residents’ satisfaction with the post-1989 living standard decreased with the size of the city where the interview was conducted: 69% in large cities, 64% in smaller cities and 56% in villages agreed this was a positive change. Such patterns were not found in the EU15 countries.

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Analytical Report

These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation Agree 100

80

4

4

33 33

60

8

10 12

8

8

7

5

9

7

6

Disagree 14

7

5

11

DK/NA 8

9

10 12 13

6

12 10

4

35 36 35 40 40 41 45 43 46 46 46 50 44 48 46 46 45 45 52 46 51 58 39

18

45

7

9

57 55

11 11

58 61

40

20

63 62 57 55 54 52 52 52 49 48 48 48 47 47 45 45 45 44 44 43 42 42 42 39 37 37 37 37 31 28

FI

MT

AT

SE

DE

SI

EE

RO

UK

FR

BE

EU15

EU27

IT

PL

HU

CEE

PT

LU

EL

CY

IE

CZ

LV

NL

ES

LT

SK

BG

DK

0


With the next statement (―These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation‖), disagreement indicated a favourable response that the changes did not bring benefits to the younger generation only, but brought changes to a broader segment of the society. Those who tended to disagree and thereby suggested that it was not only the younger generation who would benefit from the collapse of the regimes that erected and operated the Iron Curtain were seen particularly in Malta (61%), Finland and Slovenia (both 58%), Germany (57%) and Austria (55%). On the other hand, such ―gradual‖ benefits were perceived by the dominant majority in Denmark (63%), Slovakia (62%), Bulgaria (57%), Spain (55%) and Lithuania (54%). In several Member States, the public was divided on this issue: The agreement and disagreement to this statement were almost equally split (e.g. within the sampling error) in 10 countries. Half (51%) of those aged 55 and older agreed that the fruits of these changes will only be harvested by the next generation, but only 38% of those between the ages of 15 and 24 agreed (see Annex Table 3b). This pattern was not different between residents in EU15 and CEE countries. In the CEE zone the self-employed were standing out from all broad occupational groups by seeing immediate benefits (with 57% disagreeing that only future generations can enjoy benefits, compared with the 46% average in the region).

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Analytical Report

These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries Agree 100

6

11

19

10

18

9

10 11 14

9

3

Disagree 11 12 10

9

DK/NA 6 20

10

7

6

8

4

7

23

18 15

5

6

10

80

44

43

60

35

46

39

57 48 47 48 49 49 51 53 45 51

42

57 53 57 57 42

60 64 61

50 54

66 67 65

40

20

51 46 46 44 43 43 43 41 41 40 40 40 39 39 38 38 38 37 36 35 35 34 32 31 31 31 29 27 25 FI

SE

SI

MT

EE

IE

DE

LV

NL

UK

AT

HU

LT

LU

EU15

PL

EU27

BE

DK

CY

FR

CEE

CZ

ES

RO

IT

BG

SK

EL

0


As many as a fifth of the respondents in Latvia (23%), Lithuania (20%), Bulgaria (19%), Romania (18%) and Estonia (18%) did not have an opinion as to whether the end of the bipolar Europe was only important for the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In four Member States, a slim majority agreed that this change was primarily a local issue: in Greece (51% agreed and 44% disagreed), in Slovakia (46% vs. 43%), in Bulgaria (46% vs. 35%) and in Romania (43% vs. 39%). In most Member States, however, the majority disagreed with the statement, indicating that it was not only the CEE region where the fall of the Iron Curtain was important. This opinion was most widespread in Finland (67%), Slovenia (66%), Sweden (65%) and Ireland (64%). The more educated the respondent, the more likely he or she was to acknowledge that the disappearance of the Iron Curtain had broader benefits beyond the CEE region (see Annex Table 5b). This tendency was more pronounced in the EU15 countries where only 31% of those with a higher education degree, but 47% of those with elementary education, assumed that the changes were only important for the CEE countries. In the CEE region, the respective results were 34% and 45%. Manual workers were most likely to see such limited benefits (45% on EU27 level; essentially no difference between EU15 and CEE). The age slope was also more evident in the EU15 countries, where only 28% of the youth perceived regional benefits, as opposed to 48% of those aged 55 and older. In the CEE countries, this gap was smaller (between 36% and 44%) and the association was not linear (for example, the result in the 25 to 39 age group, 43%, almost matched that found in the older age group).

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Analytical Report

1.2 Effects of the Fall of the Iron Curtain The results of the survey showed that relatively few EU citizens are nostalgic about the days before the fall of the Iron Curtain. Even so, almost a fifth (19%) of those citizens indicated that in their opinion, compared with today, the situation in the CEE countries was better before the Iron Curtain was demolished (21% disagreed that the quality of life had improved in the CEE region as a result of the post-1989 changes). The majority of EU citizens (51%) felt that the demise of a divided Europe and the subsequent social, political and economic changes made life more insecure in their own country. Overall impact of the changes following ”the fall of the Iron Curtain” Agree The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989

Disagree

DK/NA

68

21

51

These changes made life more insecure in our country The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today's one

19

41

68

11 8

13

Q2. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % EU27

Although the differences between CEE countries and the pre-2004 Member States is evident (see Table 2), there are strong similarities. In both groups of countries: the dominant opinion was that the changes in the past 20 years have increased insecurity (although residents in the CEE countries were more likely to agree with this statement) the majority felt that the changes brought a better quality of life and an improved situation in the countries of the CEE region In both regards, EU15 citizens had a more favourable opinion compared with those living in the CEE countries. The sharpest contrast was in the proportion of those who agreed that the pre-1989 situation in the CEE countries was better than the present one: 28% of residents in the CEE countries and only 17% of residents in the EU15 countries agreed. Table 2 Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? (row %) EU15

CEE

% Don’t % Don’t % know/Not % know/Not Agree % Disagree answered Agree % Disagree answered Q2_A. The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989

69

20

11

64

27

9

Q2_B. The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today's one

17

70

13

28

59

13

Q2_C. These changes made life more insecure in our country

50

43

7

58

32

11 16


Analytical Report

In 12 Member States, more people agreed that life is now more insecure than it was before 1989. This was especially the case in Bulgaria and Hungary (where 76% agreed); similar response rates were seen in Portugal (73%) and in Greece (72%). Residents in Finland (68%), Sweden (65%) and the Netherlands (60%) did not have increased feelings of insecurity in their countries. Overall, there were eight Member States where favourable assessments clearly outnumbered the negative ones. These changes made life more insecure in our country Agree 100

80

10

6

7

3

7

7

6

13 18 20 24 25 29 33

14 10

9

5

11

Disagree 8

7

26 30 33 32 42 41 43

60

40

20

13

6

DK/NA 9

6

10

5

10

38 47 45 49 47 52 48

5

5

20

40

56 56

17

45

6

6

58 60

15

9

6

55 65 68

76 76 73 72 68 65 61 60 60 58 58 53 51 50 49 47 46 44 44 43 42 40 39 39 38 36 34 29 26 25 FI

SE

MT

IE

NL

EE

LU

LT

DK

SI

FR

BE

UK

CZ

DE

PL

EU15

AT

EU27

ES

CEE

SK

LV

IT

CY

EL

RO

PT

HU

BG

0

Q2. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % by country

Women (53%) were more likely than men (49%) to perceive a decreased level of security in their own country because of the effect of these changes. Also, such perceptions increase linearly with age: The gap found between the youngest (15- to 24-year-olds) segment (37%) and those aged 55 and older (59%) is rather remarkable. While the gender gap was smaller in the CEE countries (57% male and 59% female vs. 47% male and 52% female in the EU15 countries agreed), the age slope was even steeper: The EU15 results ranged between 36% in the 15- to 24-year-old group and 58% among the 55 and older group. The matching numbers recorded in the CEE zone were 40% and 66%. Regarding occupation, manual workers stood out in both regions as the occupational group that perceived less security in their countries because of the changes (on the EU27 level, 60% shared such concern compared with the average of 51%). The level of education respondents had had a profound effect on the replies received, especially in the EU15 zone: 39% of those with higher education degrees versus 53% with secondary and 61% with primary education agreed that the fall of the Iron Curtain made life more insecure in their country. In the CEE, the survey did not identify such a clear trend. Finally, in both regions, thus on EU27 level as well, those from rural zones were more likely than others to perceive such an effect: 54% (versus 46% in metropolitan areas on the EU27 level). There was a consensus in most Member States that the changes that took place since 1989 have led to an improvement in the quality of the lives of residents in the countries in the CEE region. The Western Member States of the EU, in particular, agreed with this statement (Ireland: 83%, Denmark: 79%, Malta: 77%, Luxembourg: 76%), but the vast majority of some respondents in CEE region 17


Analytical Report

countries (Poland: 76% and the Czech Republic: 75%) also acknowledged such improvement in living standards. The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989 Agree 100

8 9

80

6

Disagree

DK/NA 5

6

12

15

10 16 15 19 14 15 15 24 24 22 22 29 27 28 14 20 21 15 20 19 14 21

8

9

11 12 12 13 10

9

16 11 12 17 11

8

9

12 12

9

9

20 19

11

7

28 33

12

6

38 54

60

40

83 79 77 76 76 75 75 73 73 72 70 70 69 69 69 69 68 68 67 66 66 66 64 63 61 61 60

20

51

17

46

40 37

BG

LV

HU

FR

RO

LT

SK

SI

CEE

BE

NL

EL

AT

PT

EU27

IT

EU15

SE

DE

CY

EE

FI

UK

ES

CZ

PL

LU

DK

MT

IE

0


This is, however, not true for all Member States. Opinions were clearly less favourable in the CEE countries overall, and specifically in the three EU Member States. In Latvia, only 51% agreed that the quality of life had improved since it declared independence from the Soviet Union, and the majority in Hungary (54%) and Bulgaria (46%) actually disagreed with this statement. Generally, looking at the broad socio-demographic segments in the EU15 countries (or on the EU27 level, which is dominated by the EU15 group with its huge share of population [see Annex Table 7b]), opinions varied only slightly, within four to five percentage points. In a similar analysis, marked differences could be identified in the CEE countries. The social segment least likely to agree with this statement in the CEE zone was those aged 55 and older: Only slightly more than half in this group agreed that the quality of life had improved since the fall of the Iron Curtain (as mentioned, such an age-specific pattern was not identified in the EU15 countries). The gap between those CEE residents who are currently employed (73%) and those who are not working (59%) is remarkable as well, but not surprising. The agreement that the 1989 transition brought positive changes in life quality progressively decreased with the level of urbanisation in the CEE zone: 72% in large cities, 65% in smaller towns and 58% in villages provided such a favourable reply. Similarly, the better educated the respondent, the more likely he or she was to give a favourable reply (primary: 54%, secondary: 64%, higher education: 73%).

18


Analytical Report

In 26 of the 27 Member States, a majority of respondents did not agree that the situation in the CEE countries was better in communist times. This was most clearly the case in the following EU15 countries where more than three-fourths disagreed: Finland (84%), Sweden (82%), Austria (79%) and Luxembourg (78%). The only Member State where nostalgia for the communist era attracted a plurality of the citizens was in Hungary: 43% agreed that the general situation was better before 1989 and 40% disagreed. Respondents in Latvia and Bulgaria were also almost evenly split; however, in those two countries, the nostalgic camp was in a slight minority. The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one Agree 100

13 12 16 13 13 16 21 24

5

8

13

25

Disagree 8

11

8

26

DK/NA 17

10 13 14 11 13 12

8

10 12 16 13 16 10

80

70 65

71 68 72 52

40

AT

FR

MT

IT

LU

DE

EU15

BE

NL

IE

CZ

UK

ES

PT

SI

LT

EL

DK

SK

RO

LV

BG

HU

0

30 28 28 26 25 22 22 22 22 21 21 20 20 19 19 18 17 17 15 15 15 13 12 10 CEE

43 38 37 37

CY

20

63 70 68 67 72 70 74 78 69 74 71 79 84 82

6

6

FI

53

SE

51 59 70 56 59 61

PL

40 39

EU27

40

EE

60


Most of the differences observed across major socio-demographic segments on EU level (e.g. that rural citizens, those with less formal education and those working in manual-level jobs or not working are somewhat less likely to agree that the current situation is better compared with the pre-1989 era (see Annex Table 8b) are because of segmented opinions in the CEE region. In the EU15 countries, the opinions varied only moderately (within four to five percentage points) across these broader segments, whereas in the CEE zone the differences were more pronounced. For example, only 19% of those aged 15 to 24 years agreed that the pre-1989 situation was better compared with 37% of those aged 55 and older (there was no such pattern in the EU15 countries, in which obviously no regime change took place). Thirty-four percent of the CEE rural respondents provided such a nostalgic response versus 20% of metropolitan residents (again, no such difference in the EU15). Thirty-eight percent of those with primary education versus 17% of those higher education degrees agreed (there is a slight similar tendency in the EU15, with a range of five percentage points between those with less education and those with more education). Finally, more than 3 in 10 of the manual workers (31%) and those not working (32%) said that the situation before 1989 was more favourable than the current one in the CEE countries, as opposed to 19% of employees (a similar tendency was observed in the EU15 countries as well, again with a range of five percentage points).

19


Analytical Report

2. The 2004-2007 Enlargements The survey tested several statements regarding the EU’s enlargement by the addition of countries from the CEE region in 2004 and 2007. Each statement asked reflected the most frequent stereotypes that occur in public discourse in relation to these events. Eight of these statements were generally positive (or neutral) and five were generally negative.

2.1 Perceived Advantages A strong majority (92%) of respondents agreed that the integration of the CEE region (meaning those countries that already joined the European Union) had led to increased possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union. About three-quarters of respondents agreed that the enlargements had contributed to the modernisation and growth in CEE economies (76%), facilitated the spread of democratic values and protection of human rights (73%) and increased the EU’s role in world politics (73%). Positive consequences were mainly seen by younger people (those aged 24 and younger), the more educated (who left school/college at the age of 20 or later) and Europeans living in metropolitan centres (see tables in the Annex).

Positive consequences of the integration of CEE countries into the European Union Agree

Disagree

It has increased people's possibilities to freely move and travel within the EU

DK/NA

92

It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of CEE countries

44

76

13

10

It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe

73

17

10

It has increased the European Union's weight in world politics

73

16

11

It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize

70

It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole

62

15 27

15 11

It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole

58

31

10

It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration

58

33

10

Q3. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % EU27

Almost as many, 7 out of 10 respondents agreed that Western European countries performed ―massive financial transfers‖ to take part in the modernisation of these countries. Slightly more than 6 in 10 (62%) confirmed that, in their opinion, the enlargement of the European Union had increased its prosperity and economic competitiveness as a whole. However, almost 3 in 10 citizens (27%) disagreed with this statement (note that the survey was conducted during a pessimistic economic mood 20


Analytical Report

shaded by the increasing effect of the global financial and economic crisis). Opinions were similar in the questions related to internal and external security: 58% agreed that the inclusion of the CEE countries in the European Union had helped to preserve security and stability in Europe, and the same proportion acknowledged that it had increased security because of improvements in the fight against organised crime and the control of illegal immigration. However, about 3 in 10 citizens disagreed with both statements (31% and 33%, respectively). As Table 3 shows, apart from two notable exceptions, opinions were relatively close in the former two areas of the divided Europe as far as the benefits of the EU’s enlargements were concerned. One of the exceptions was the appreciation of increased security and stability of Europe; this was confirmed more often in the CEE countries (67%) than in the EU15 (56%) countries. In a related matter, the latter were also slightly less optimistic as to whether the EU’s eastward expansion has led to better results in fighting organised crime or controlling illegal immigration (56% in EU15 countries and 65% in CEE countries). Table 3. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? (row %) EU15

CEE

% Don’t % Don’t % know/Not % know/Not Agree % Disagree answered Agree % Disagree answered Q3_A. It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole

56

34

10

67

21

12

Q3_C. It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe

73

18

9

72

15

13

Q3_E. It has increased the European Union's weight in world politics

73

17

11

72

14

14

Q3_G. It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole

62

28

10

62

23

14

Q3_I. It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration

56

35

9

65

23

13

Q3_J. It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries

78

13

10

72

16

13

Q3_K. It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize

71

14

15

67

19

15

Q3_L. It has increased people's possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union

92

5

3

93

3

4

Respondents in the EU15 countries were more likely to say that the EU’s enlargements had led to growth and modernisation of the economies in the former communist Member States (78% in EU15 countries and 72% in CEE countries). In addition, more than 7 out of 10 (71%) of respondents in EU15 countries and 67% of those in CEE countries agreed that addition of these countries has led to 21


Analytical Report

Western European countries making massive monetary transfers to help the accession countries in the modernisation process. In the other dimensions, the opinions did not differ. The most widely accepted benefit of the integration of countries into the European Union was the broadened geographical space where people were free to move and travel. In almost every Member State, at least 9 in 10 respondents agreed that this was one of the (positive) consequences. (As Annex Table 21b shows, the opinions recorded in each of the broader socio-demographic segments were over overwhelmingly positive, the differences were only minimal and opinions were not different in the EU15 and CEE zones.) It has increased people's possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union Agree 100

21

21

31

31

3 2

2 3

3 2

3 2

1 4

3 3

51

4 3

Disagree 4 3

4 3

4 4

3 5

DK/NA 3 5

3 6

4 4

4 5

8 2

8 2

4 6

6 5

7 4

7 4

3 8

1 10

9 4

7 6

80

60

40

98 97 97 96 96 95 95 94 94 94 94 93 93 92 92 92 92 92 91 91 91 91 90 89 89 89 89 88 87 87

20

BE

DK

MT

IT

ES

PT

EE

LV

BG

LT

CZ

CY

UK

FR

EU15

RO

EU27

SE

CEE

PL

EL

IE

HU

AT

NL

SK

DE

SI

FI

LU

0

Q3. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % by country

Opinions varied more when it came to the economic benefits for the CEE region. While the citizens of most Member States had little doubt that the economies of the region had benefited from the addition of these countries (the level of disagreement was equal to or less than 15% in 20 Member States), a significant minority, especially in some CEE countries, did not agree that the economies of Central and Eastern benefited (e.g. 34% in Latvia and 27% in Hungary). It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries Agree 100

6 6

6 7

6 7

6 7

7 9

80

Disagree

DK/NA

7 5 12 7 10 10 10 8 5 12 8 11 14 13 11 18 15 12 13 15 16 15 10 20 23 10 12 10 15 13 13 13 8 13 16 20 12 10 9 19 17 14 16 19 8 14 18 27 20 34

60

40

20

88 88 87 87 84 83 83 78 78 78 78 77 77 76 76 76 76 76 75 72 72 72 72 72 70 68 67 62 57 53

LV

BG

HU

EE

RO

IT

CEE

LT

BE

CY

EL

PT

MT

ES

DK

CZ

EU27

SE

FR

UK

EU15

PL

SK

SI

NL

FI

DE

AT

LU

IE

0


22


Analytical Report

Another sign of the lack of positive assessment was the percentage of respondents who answered ―don’t know.‖ The percentage of people that did not have an opinion amounted to 20% in Lithuania and 23% in Bulgaria. However, even in the most sceptical countries, the majority agreed that the integration of Central and Eastern European countries had facilitated the growth and modernisation of the economies in the region. Men in the European Union were more positive on this statement than women (with 80% vs. 73% agreeing, respectively), but the source of this difference lies in the proportion of the undecided replies (7% male and 14% female) rather than in explicit disagreement (13% for both [see Annex Table 19b]). This pattern is rather dominant: Most of the differences in agreement levels across segments were because of variations of the proportion who did not offer an opinion rather than those who disagreed. For example, while the same proportion (13% to 14%) disagreed, those who were self-employed were significantly more likely to agree (80%) than those who were not working (74%) that the EU enlargement led to growth and modernisation of the CEE region (EU27 level). Those who explicitly disagreed were above the average (13% on EU level) among manual workers (18%) and those with primary education only (17%). Those aged 55 and older were more likely in the CEE zone to be discontent, especially in contrast with those aged 25 to 39. The 67% agreement level in the CEE zone among older respondents is 10 percentage points below the result found in the 25 to 39 segment in the CEE. The 76% of the 55 and older generation who agreed with this statement in the EU15 was only three percentage points below the results found among younger respondents. Urbanisation as well as education had a more pronounced effect in the CEE countries (all in the familiar directions), especially because of the differential rate of those who lacked an opinion. For example, 22% of respondents in the CEE with primary education did not have an opinion, contrasted with only 6% of residents with a higher education (the difference was between 16% and 7% in the EU15). This resulted in a difference of agreement ranging from 62% (primary education) and 81% (higher education) in the CEE and between 67% and 83%, respectively, in the EU15 countries.

23


Analytical Report

It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe Agree 100

80

Disagree

DK/NA

5 5 5 3 7 10 12 9 9 8 7 9 13 9 14 9 10 13 6 7 9 11 14 16 11 18 13 16 11 18 14 14 16 13 10 11 14 15 17 18 17 14 18 13 18 17 15 22 21 20 19 16 26 15 20 14 19 17 27 25

60

40

82 81 81 80 80 77 77 76 75 75 74 74 74 73 73 73 72 72 72 71 70 70 70 69 69 68 67 67 61 58

20

LV

EE

HU

BE

BG

IT

LT

PT

EL

SK

UK

CZ

CY

CEE

EU27

RO

EU15

SE

FR

AT

NL

ES

DE

FI

PL

IE

MT

SI

DK

LU

0


A dominant majority in each Member State agreed that the integration of Central and Eastern European countries had contributed to the consolidation of human rights protection and the spread of democratic values. Even in the most sceptical countries, the proportion of those who disagreed with this statement barely exceeded a quarter of respondents: 27% in Hungary and 26% in Greece. Agreement was the highest in Luxembourg (82%), Slovenia and Denmark (both 81%) and Ireland and Malta (both 80%). Once again, the ―don’t know‖ replies created some variation in the generally favourable response patterns across socio-demographic segments. The proportion who disagreed remained between 17% and 18% in all EU-level respondent segments (see Annex Table 12b). Variations in level of disagreement were stable in the CEE and EU15 zones. Similarly, there was relatively little doubt in the European Union that the addition of the newest Member States had increased the European Union’s weight in world politics: Those who agreed with this statement outnumbered those who held the opposite viewpoint by at least a two to one margin in each country. In this regard, Czech respondents were most sceptical (27% disagreed), while agreement was highest in Slovenia (84%), Luxembourg (83%) and Finland (82%).

24


Analytical Report

It has increased the European Union's weight in world politics Agree 100

80

Disagree

DK/NA

4 11 5 5 7 6 10 12 8 11 13 13 7 9 13 11 10 10 12 14 10 18 12 13 18 14 17 11 17 20 12 12 11 14 13 23 7 12 10 11 18 17 17 14 16 18 17 16 14 19 12 18 18 13 17 14 22 13 27 23

60

40

84 83 82 81 80 79 77 77 76 75 74 73 73 73 73 73 73 72 72 71 70 70 70 69 69 69 67 67 63 61

20

CZ

LV

BG

LT

UK

IT

EE

BE

HU

CY

RO

ES

CEE

AT

FR

SK

EU27

DK

EU15

EL

NL

PL

PT

SE

DE

IE

MT

FI

LU

SI

0


In this aspect, the social segments in which the proportion of respondents that did not give an opinion was lower, respondents were generally more likely to agree and to disagree with the statement, indicating that those who had an opinion had a rather similar proportion of affirmative and negative answers in every segment. For example, men (on EU level [see Annex Table 14b]) were more likely than women to agree (75% vs. 71%) as well as to disagree (18% vs. 14%) that the EU’s enlargements had a positive influence on its weight in world politics. Women on the other hand were twice as likely to not have an opinion (15%) than men (7%). Overall, the level of agreement with those who had an opinion did not vary substantially across socio-demographic segments.

25


Analytical Report

In Luxembourg (86%), Germany (84%) and Austria (83%) most respondents reported that the EU’s enlargements had induced massive money transfers from the Western Member States to the newer ones in the CEE region. Agreement was widespread throughout the European Union; most people who disagreed were found in the Czech Republic (29%), Hungary (23%) and Finland (22%). It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize Agree 100

6 8

8 8

7 9

80

8

16

18

7

9

10 12

8

16 17 14 18

Disagree

DK/NA

11 12 13 18 15 19 15 19 14 18 25 18 20 14 19 15 15 21 15 21 16 8 14 15 17 9 15 10 15 21 14 18 14 19 23 17 22 18 12 20 20 29

60

40

86 84 83

76 76 75 74 74 73 73 71 70 70 70 70 69 69 69 68 68 67 67 65 65 64 64 63 61 60 57

20

CZ

LV

BG

SE

UK

FI

IT

HU

CEE

ES

PL

SI

BE

FR

MT

EE

RO

CY

EU27

PT

EU15

NL

DK

IE

SK

LT

EL

AT

DE

LU

0


Of all occupation groups, manual workers in the EU15 countries were the most likely to agree with this statement (75%, in contrast with the 71% EU15 average), while their counterparts in the CEE countries were the most likely to disagree (of course only relatively speaking, with a rate of 21%, compared with the average of 19% in that region). But generally, the segments overwhelmingly agreed with this proposition. The proportion of those who did not provide an opinion differed, however, reaching 22% on the EU level among those with a primary education only (see Annex Table 20b) on EU27, EU15 and CEE levels alike.

26


Analytical Report

In 25 Member States, a majority of respondents agreed that the EU’s enlargements had increased competitiveness and prosperity in Europe; in most of these Member States, there was overwhelming agreement. The Irish (81%), Maltese (77%) and Slovak (75%) respondents were particularly positive in this regard. Although most people agreed, the larger proportion of ―don’t know‖ replies in Bulgaria (26%), Lithuania (23%), Latvia (20%) and even Portugal (17%) indicated relatively widespread doubts as to whether the enlargement of the European Union had really boosted the European economy. Finally, Hungarian respondents were more likely to believe that the expansion had no positive effect on the prosperity and competitiveness in Europe (48%) than the opposite (41%). It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole Agree 100

5 14

80

12

9

5

7

8

6

13

8

12

8

14

Disagree 8

7

8

11 16 21 20 20 22 16 22 20 24 18 26 29 29

DK/NA

10 11 11 14 17 14 17 17 23 11

6

13

31 39 20 23 28 27 28 25 24 24 34 18

60

40

20

26 20

11

48 25 36

81 77 75 74 73 72 72 72 71 69 68 68 66 64 64 63 62 62 62 62 61 59 59 59 58 56 53 50 44 41

LV

HU

BG

IT

EL

LT

FR

SE

RO

CZ

BE

EU15

EU27

PT

CEE

DE

UK

AT

EE

FI

ES

PL

CY

SI

NL

LU

DK

SK

MT

IE

0


The rate of agreement with this statement varied between about 60% and 67% considering the sociodemographic segments on EU27 level (see Annex Table 16b). Most likely to disagree were those aged 40 to 54 (31%) and manual workers (30%), while the youth (aged 15 to 24) were the least likely (23%). However, if one looks at similar breakdowns separately in the EU15 and CEE zones, it appears that those aged 40 to 54 were less likely to provide pessimistic replies in the CEE countries (22%) than those in the EU15 zone (32%). Similarly, 30% of the self-employed respondents in the EU15 zone disagreed that the expansion of the European Union has increased prosperity and competitiveness (which is the highest of the occupational segments), but only 19% had a similar opinion in the same segment in the CEE region, making the self-employed the least likely to disagree of all occupational groups with this statement.

27


Analytical Report

Security and stability was an issue where EU citizens, especially in the Western, pre-2004 Member States, were relatively less satisfied. While the dominant mood was generally positive, in most countries the proportion of those providing an unfavourable response was clearly higher than in the aspects discussed so far. It was respondents in Denmark (77%), Slovenia (76%) and Ireland and Malta (both 73%) once more that were the most positive. Some EU15 countries were at the bottom end of the scale, including Portugal (42% vs. 43% disagreeing), Italy (46% agreed), and Belgium (49% agreed). It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole Agree 100

80

4

4

19 21

13

6

13 12

8

5

Disagree

12 12 11 10 16

9

15 17

DK/NA 7

10 10

9

9

6

9

8

14 22 17 18 22 28 21 21 24 27 22 30 25 24 34 31 34 35 35 38 37 38

19

27

12 15 12 12 14 35

60

40

20

36 39 42 43

77 76 73 73 71 70 70 67 67 67 65 63 63 61 61 59 59 58 56 56 56 56 54 54 54 53 49 49 46 42

IT

PT

BE

ES

LV

AT

EE

EL

HU

FR

NL

EU15

EU27

BG

UK

LT

CY

SE

DE

CZ

CEE

SK

LU

FI

RO

IE

PL

SI

MT

DK

0


Socio-demographic segments varied once again mostly in the proportion who did not have an opinion (see Annex Table 10b), and the structure of the replies were almost identical in the EU15 and CEE countries, as well. The segments with the most significant minorities to disagree with the statement were (on EU27 level) the middle-aged groups (33% of 25- to 39-year-olds and 34% of 40- to 54-yearolds), rural citizens (33%) and manual workers (36% — 43% in the EU15 and 25% in the CEE zone, the highest of all occupational groups in both).

28


Analytical Report

It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration Agree 100

80

60

40

20

12

7

8

6

8

12 13

6

8

11 13

8

Disagree

DK/NA

16 15 18 21 10 13 10

6

11 16 11

9

10 15

9

19

5

9

17 24 23 28 27 24 23 29 28 25 23 30 22 32 29 33 36 32 27 32 35 36 24 24 48 33 41 21 31 54

71 70 69 66 66 65 65 65 64 64 64 63 63 60 58 58 58 58 58 58 57 57 57 56 55 53 50 50 47

38

SI

IT

LV

BE

UK

AT

EU15

BG

HU

ES

EL

MT

EU27

LT

FR

SE

EE

CY

RO

PT

NL

LU

DE

FI

CEE

CZ

DK

IE

SK

PL

0


More specifically, progress in combating organised crime and controlling illegal immigration was also an issue where many people in the European Union did not see progress. While assessments were generally positive, significant minorities in many Member States did not agree that the integration of Central and European countries had brought any improvement in this matter. The most sceptical countries were Italy (where 54%, a clear majority, disagreed) and Slovenia, where the survey found respondents split in their opinions (48% agreeing vs. 47% disagreeing) as to whether the EU expansion had decreased problems related to organised crime and illegal immigration. On the other hand, those from Poland (71%), Ireland (70%) or Slovakia (69%) saw positive progress. The segments with the most significant minorities to disagree with the benefits of EU enlargement in combating organised crime and illegal immigration were (on EU27 level) once again the middle-aged groups (34% of 25- to 39-year-olds and 36% of 40- to 54-year-olds) and rural citizens (34%). But for this indicator, it was the self-employed group (instead of manual workers in the previous, broader analysis) in which the rate of disagreement was highest, at 36% (40% in the EU15 and only 20% in the CEE zone). In the latter group, manual workers had the least positive opinions with 27% disagreeing.

29


Analytical Report

2.2 Remaining Challenges Of all these challenges, the one that found the highest level of agreement was that the integration of CEE countries into the European Union made it more difficult to manage. Almost two-thirds of EU citizens agreed with this statement. More than half of the EU respondents considered that the EU’s enlargements had contributed to job losses in their country (56%), that it has created problems because of the divergent cultural traditions of the new ex-communist Member States (54%) and exactly half considered that the expansion had increased the feeling of insecurity in the EU as a whole. —Note that citizens had a generally positive assessment that the end of the Cold War contributed positively to security in Europe in general; however, they were less convinced about this aspect when it came to the enlargement of the European Union. While many acknowledged the contribution of the enlargement to fight against organised crime and illegal immigration as well as to the stability of Europe (see the previous section), on balance and in the broader, existential sense of the word, the majority felt that the enlargement of the European Union has rather increased the feeling of insecurity in general. Older respondents, manual workers and those in the rural areas were most likely to agree with each of these consequences. Negative consequences of the integration of CEE countries into the European Union Agree It has made the European Union more difficult to manage

Disagree

65

It has contributed to job losses in our country

56

It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the EU

54

It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole

DK/NA

23 38 38

50 39

11

43 47

6 8 8 15

Q3. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Base: all respondents, % EU27

30


Analytical Report

The proposition that the expansion of the European Union had lowered social standards in Europe received the least amount of support from respondents; this was the only proposition in which a relative majority of those questioned actually disagreed (47%). The level of agreement was similar in the CEE countries and the EU15, 38% and 39%, respectively, agreed that social standards had suffered because of the expansion (see Table 4). Table 4. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? (row %) EU15 CEE % Agree

% Don’t % know/Not % Disagree answered Agree

% Don’t % know/Not Disagree answered

Q3_M. It has made the European Union more difficult to manage

69

22

9

51

29

20

Q3_D. It has contributed to job losses in our country

55

39

6

58

34

8

Q3_B. It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union

57

36

7

42

45

13

Q3_H. It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole

52

42

6

44

44

12

Q3_F. It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole

39

48

14

38

44

18

In other aspects, the opinions were more divergent. Respondents in EU15 countries were much more likely to agree that the enlargement of the European Union had brought up problematic cross-cultural issues (57% in the EU15 countries and 42% in the CEE countries). Similarly, those from the EU15 Member States were more likely to agree that the expansion had made the European Union more difficult to manage (69% in the EU15 countries and 51% in the CEE countries; in the latter group, 20% had no clear opinion) and that it had increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe (52% in the EU15 countries and 44% in the CEE countries). On the other hand, those from the former communist Member States were somewhat more likely to indicate that the accession to the EU had contributed to job losses in their country (55% in the EU15 countries and 58% in the CEE countries). A majority in almost all Member States agreed that the proposition that the enlargements had made the European Union more difficult to manage (with the smallest, Malta, being the exception with a public that was polarised on this issue). However, the level of agreement seemed to be largely determined by a Member State’s accession date. Among the least convinced by this proposition featured 10 of the 11 countries that joined the European Union in 2004 or later. On the other hand, only Slovenia appears in the top 10 list of the countries where a majority thought that the increased complexity and size of the European Union brought up management issues; the rest of the 10 highest ranked countries were EU15 Member States. There was a considerable gap between the proportion of ―don’t know‖ answers (9% in the EU15 countries and 20% in the CEE countries). Concerns were found to be the most widespread in the aforementioned Slovenia (where 88% agreed that manageability was an issue), in Portugal (83%), France (79%) and Austria (78%). 31


Analytical Report

It has made the European Union more difficult to manage Agree 100

5 7

80

60

40

20

Disagree

DK/NA

6 7 7 9 5 7 10 9 9 6 8 8 11 8 10 12 12 16 20 17 18 17 20 20 10 14 13 19 25 25 28 29 26 17 17 18 22 25 24 26 23 30 35 28 29 33 24 32 29 16 20 25 37 39 36 28 33 40

88 83 79 78 76 76 73 73 69 69 68 67 65 62 62 60 60 59 58 55 52 52 51 49 46 45 44 43 42 39

MT

LT

RO

CZ

SK

EE

HU

SE

CEE

CY

BG

ES

LV

IE

PL

NL

UK

FI

EU27

IT

DK

DE

EU15

EL

BE

AT

LU

PT

FR

SI

0


Age is an important factor in whether people in the European Union agree or disagree that the integration of Central and Eastern European countries made the union more difficult to manage. Among the youngest Europeans surveyed (aged 15 to 24) there is a significant minority who did not see such problems, while this proportion shrunk gradually as the age of the respondents increased to 18% among those aged 55 and older (see Annex Table 22b). Such a trend characterised the CEE and EU15 respondents similarly. In other breakdowns, the variation remained rather limited. In 18 of the 27 Member States, the majority agreed that the EU enlargements had contributed to redundancies and job cuts in their country. Agreement with this statement was the most prevalent in Greece (80%), Hungary (75%), Cyprus (73%), Portugal (72%) and Romania and Latvia (both 70%). In the remaining nine Member States, the majority did not share this sentiment; the most people who disagreed with this statement were in Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland. It has contributed to job losses in our country Agree 100

2 18

80

4

4

5

6

8

20 24 23 23 23

12

7

6

6

8

7

Disagree 6

6

6

5

DK/NA 3

8

9

3

26 30 35 35 34 36 38 39 40 42 44 40 39 46

12

8

6

39 45 48

60

40

80 75 73 72 70 70

20

16

41

4

6

54 54

11

6

6

9

51 58 58 58

63 63 59 59 58 58 56 55 55 53 53 52 52 52 49 47 46 43 42 41 38 36 36 33

SE

FI

NL

LU

MT

LT

DK

PL

AT

SI

EE

ES

BE

IE

UK

IT

EU15

CZ

EU27

FR

CEE

SK

DE

LV

BG

PT

RO

CY

HU

EL

0


32


Analytical Report

As Annex Table 13b shows, women (58%) were more likely than men (53%) to attribute job losses to recent expansions of the European Union (especially in the EU15 countries, where the gap between the two genders was six percentage points versus only two percentage points in the CEE region). Manual workers were most likely to agree with this statement (67% on EU27 level). In the EU15 zone, manual workers provided the least favourable assessment of all segments analysed. At the same time in the CEE countries, those aged 55 and older were most likely to attribute job losses to EU enlargement/or membership among all groups analysed (68%). Place of residence was also a major factor in agreement or disagreement with this statement: metropolitan residents were least likely to provide unfavourable responses (47% on EU level) compared with those living in smaller towns (57%) or villages (58%). In only three EU countries did a clear majority disagree that the expansions brought up issues related to an increased cultural diversity across Member States. In most countries, a usually slim majority agreed that the inclusion of the CEE countries in the European Union created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union. This opinion was more frequently confirmed in the EU15 region, especially in Germany (65%), Austria (64%), Greece (63%), Italy (62%) and Portugal and Cyprus (both 61%). On the other hand, a clear majority disagreed in Romania and Ireland (both 50%) and Poland (47%). In some of the new Member States, the proportion of those without a clear opinion was well above average: Lithuania (19%), Bulgaria (17%) and Estonia (15%). It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union Agree 100

80

5

5

3

7

9

4

7

7

4

3

30 31 34 32 29 35 36 36 40 42

15 30

6

Disagree 8

6

5

8

DK/NA 9

8

11 10 11

39 38 42 44 41 40 42 40 42 42

60

17 12

5

10 14 13 12 16 19

50 46 36 41 44 45 40 47 50

40

20

65 64 63 62 61 61 57 57 56 55 55 55 54 53 52 52 51 50 50 47 47 47 46 45 45 42 42 41 41

35

PL

RO

LT

SE

CEE

IE

HU

BG

MT

CZ

SK

LV

FR

ES

BE

SI

NL

UK

EU27

EE

DK

FI

LU

CY

EU15

IT

PT

EL

AT

DE

0


The perception of such intercultural problems increases with age (see Annex Table 11b). The majority of the youngest generation (aged 15 to 24) did not agree that such problems were present. The youth interviewed in the EU15 countries were about evenly split (47% agreed and 46% disagreed), while the same group in the CEE countries was more inclined to disagree (50% versus 39% who agreed). As age increases, more respondents in the EU15 region tended to agree that an increased cultural diversity in the expanded European Union was a source of problems (for example 64% of those aged 55 and older in the EU15 zone agreed), while in the CEE countries, there was only a slight trend in this regard (agreement levels ranged from 39% among the youngest to 43% in the oldest group). 33


Analytical Report

Again, rural citizens were more likely to agree that such cultural differences were a source of problems (58%) than metropolitan residents (49%). In this regards, the trends were dissimilar. While in the EU15 countries, villagers were the most likely to agree (62% compared with the average of 57%), and in the CEE countries, they were least likely to agree (38% compared with 42% in that region overall). As mentioned previously, while in several questions the survey found relatively favourable opinions when security was mentioned (mostly in a safety — e.g. in relation to organised crime and illegal immigration — or geopolitical/military perspective — ―security and stability‖), this item was encompassing the broadest meaning of the word including the existential connotations, the state of being free of fears and dangers. In this sense, there were highly polarized perceptions concerning an increase in the feeling of insecurity in Europe because of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries. A majority disagreed in 12 Member States and agreed in 11 countries; in the rest of the countries, the public was about evenly split on this issue. The feeling of increased insecurity was the most prevalent in some of the Southern EU Member States: Portugal (71%), Greece (68%), Italy (66%) and Spain (64%). On the other hand, the vast majority in Sweden (69%), Finland (65%) and Ireland (62%) disagreed with such a consequence of the expansion of the European Union. It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole Agree 100

80

7

3

7

8

4

21 30 27 28 36

6

12

5

6

38 33 42 42

13

36

60

40

20

5

8

Disagree 11

4

6

5

DK/NA 12 13

3 21

45 43 48 49 51 54 41 44 44

38

8

7

12 13 16 17

5

19

6

10

52 53 49 62 50 48 65 48 49 69

71 68 66 64 61 56 56 53 52 51 50 50 49 49 45 44 44 43 43 41 41 40 40 37 36 35 33 32 28

21

FI

SE

LT

IE

EE

SK

MT

PL

UK

CZ

BG

DK

HU

FR

CEE

LU

NL

BE

EU27

LV

DE

AT

EU15

CY

RO

SI

ES

IT

EL

PT

0


Women (53%) were more likely than men (47%) to say the expansion of the European Union has increased feelings of insecurity in Europe (see Annex Table 17b). The less educated are more likely than the highly educated (60% vs. 40%, respectively) to say this. Also, the rural citizens are more than those in metropolitan centres (53% vs. 45%) to say this. And of all occupational segments, the manual workers (59%) are the most likely to agree with this statement. The cited percentage results were on the EU level, but patterns almost completely matched with those in the CEE and EU15 countries. It is, however, noteworthy that on the CEE level, it was 40- to 54-year-olds (and not the oldest group) and those with a secondary education (and not those with primary education) who were most likely to agree that the expansion has increased insecurity in Europe as a whole in the respective breakdowns.

34


Analytical Report

One of the most often voiced concerns about the 2004 enlargement was that the inclusion of several countries that were significantly less affluent than the pre-2004 members of the European Union would lower the social standards throughout Europe. Currently, the majority of respondents in 12 Member States did not confirm such a consequence of the expansion, with 10 of these countries belonging to the EU15. It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole Agree 100

80

10

5

28 43

13 19 11 18 36

60

31

40

38

27

30

15 12

42 45

27 22

Disagree

16 14 15 10 18

DK/NA 5

8 23

23 21 20

9

10 15

5

9

14 13

31

57 57 45 48 47 52 44 58 59 54 61 32 37 41 43 45 47

69 40

61 68

40

62 20

52 51 50 49 45 44 43 43 41 41 39 39 39 38 38 38 36 34 34 34 33 33 31 31 30 29 26 25

18 SE

IE

MT

EE

NL

PL

AT

FI

UK

LT

SK

ES

LU

DK

CEE

DE

EU27

BE

EU15

BG

RO

CZ

FR

IT

LV

PT

CY

SI

HU

EL

0


Even so, in several Member States, the majority agreed that social standards were indeed lowered as the result of the EU’s eastward expansion; this view was the most prevalent in Greece (62%). Curiously, in the CEE countries of Slovenia and Hungary more than half of respondents agreed with this statement (52% and 52%, respectively). As Annex Table 15b shows, those with a primary education were more likely than those who were highly educated to feel such an effect (44% vs. 31%, respectively, on an EU level). Those aged 55 and older were more likely than younger citizens (41% vs. 32%) to agree, and of all occupational segments, the manual workers (46%) have the most unfavourable perception of social standards resulting from the EU’s eastward expansion. Patterns were identical in the CEE and EU15 countries.

35


Analytical Report

3. Considerations for Future EU Enlargement The survey asked respondents for their views on which issues should be taken into account prior to future EU enlargements; they were asked to give their opinions from a personal, national and EU-level viewpoint. This was achieved via the following question: Q4. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two issues from the following list to be taken into account by Europe as a whole/by [OUR COUNTRY]/for you personally when making a decision? a) b) c) d) e) f) g)

Freedom and democratic values Ageing of European population European Union's role in the world Economic issues Stability at European Union's borders Cultural and religious issues Immigration issues

Looking at the views of EU citizens in general, the ranking order of the issues did not fundamentally differ at the three levels, i.e. European Union, national and personal. Issues to be considered prior to further EU enlargements - two choices per respondent combined Freedom and democratic values

43 40

Economic issues

43 25

Immigration issues

25

50 46 46

30

21 20 22

Cultural and religious issues 17 16 15

Stability at European Union’s borders European Union’s role in the world

13 12

17

10 10 9

Ageing of European population 6 6

DK/NA 0

For Europe as a whole For "our country" For you personally

8 10

20

30

40

50

60

Q4A. In case the European Union would consider accepting new Member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues from the following list to be taken into account? %, Base: all respondents

As the chart shows, the rank order is similar for the three levels with the exception of the economic issues that citizens considered more important as a factor for their country than freedom and democratic values. The latter issue, however, was considered the most essential factor at the EU and 36


Analytical Report

the personal level. These two aspects, nevertheless, emerged as the two key issues that citizens would like to be taken into consideration when further enlargements are on the table. The third most important issue was immigration (this was given more importance as a national issue than at the EU and personal levels), and this was followed by cultural and religious issues. The matter of stability at the EU’s borders was only a secondary consideration in most Member States (not all, however, as will be seen later), and a similar ranking was given to the EU’s role in the world, which was ranked sixth of the seven factors proposed to EU citizens. The last position was claimed by the issue of an ageing European population; this was the least frequently mentioned factor to be considered, on all levels. As evident from these results, EU respondents do not have fundamentally different opinions about the factors to be considered prior to further expansions — at the EU, national or personal levels — . The differences are subtle at most, but some of these nuances could be important to the understanding the motives or underlying attitudes toward the potential support for or opposition to the inclusion of new EU Member States. The same is true for the various socio-demographic segments: opinions did not vary when assessing the three levels. Generally, men were more interested in border stability, while women found immigration problems to be more relevant. Economic considerations were most pertinent for younger adults (between the ages of 25 and 34) and least so for the older segment of the population (aged 55 and older). The respondents’ educational levels were strongly correlated with freedom and democratic values: the higher the level of educational attainment, the more likely respondents were to attribute importance to those values. Finally, manual workers gave less importance to human rights and democratic values, and they were the most pragmatic in the sense that they considered economic criteria to be more important in comparison with the other occupational groups (see Annex Tables 23b, 24b and 25b). To accentuate these nuances, a score was created for each issue: describing the percentage (not percentage point) difference from the EU27 average (e.g. if an issue was regarded as important by 10% of EU citizens and by 13% of those in a particular country, the score would be +305). This approach allowed to correct for the fact that a three-percentage-point difference might be a small one (e.g. between 47% and 44%, and relatively a more significant one —— as in the example, between 10% and 13% —— as well6.) The following chart provides an overview of these differences by country for the various issues tested. These country scores are based on the average of the opinions provided at the three levels: EU, national and personal. The basic data are available in the ―Annex Tables and Survey Details‖ section (Tables 23a, 24a and 25a).

5

Consider this formula: If the average (10) = 100%, then 13 = 130%; thus, the difference between the two = +30. 6 Readers are reminded that the measurement error associated with lower percentage results are lower, therefore a smaller percentage point difference might be more likely to indicate a real, ―significant‖ difference than the same percentage point difference between higher percentage results. The table on margins of error included in the Annex’s ―Survey Details‖ section provides examples.

37


Analytical Report

Considerations for future enlargements Issue relevance compared to EU average BE

CZ

DK

DE

EE

EL

F AGE BR I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

ES

FR

IE

IT

CY

LV

F AGE BR I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

F AGE BR I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

PL

PT

SI

SK

FI

SE

F AGE BR I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

UK

BG

RO Legend:

F AGE BR I

F AG E B R I

F AG E B R I

F Freedom & democracy A Ageing G EU global role

E B R I

Economic issues Stability at EU borders Cultural/religious issues Immigration issues

The previous chart reveals the differences in EU citizens’ preferences concerning the issues surrounding future EU enlargements. The chart shows for each aspect (abbreviated as shown in the legend) if they are regarded more (bar points upward) or less (bar points downward) important compared with the EU average in the particular country. The horizontal line represents the EU average. For instance, the aspect of ageing was regarded as a more important consideration by respondents in Belgium (average of the three levels is 13%), compared with the EU27 average (10%), so the positive score of 30 (see formula in the previous footnote) is shown on this graph. Here is a summary of the findings: Freedom and democratic values (F): This was considered more important by respondents than elsewhere in the European Union, in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and, to a lesser extent, in Spain. On the other hand, this issue garnered less support from respondents in Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta and Bulgaria. Ageing of the EU’s population (A): As this was an infrequently mentioned issue, significant deviations from the EU average were more frequent (e.g., a one-percentage-point difference from the 10% average would result in a score of 10). This factor was particularly important to people in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia. On the other 38


Analytical Report

hand, it had less support from respondents in Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus and, to some extent, the United Kingdom and Austria. The EU’s global role (G): Compared with the rest of the European Union, this issue was especially important to those in Germany, France and Luxembourg and, to a lesser extent but still clearly above the average,— Denmark and Slovakia. On the other hand, this was a factor that was given les weight,— compared with the EU average, in Greece, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland and Austria. Economic issues (E): The citizens of each Member State ranked economic issues as either the most or the second most important factor to consider in regard to future EU expansions. The issue received particular importance from respondents —in Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia. This aspect received less attention, though, in Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Stability at the EU’s borders (B): This factor was most important to respondents in Slovenia, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. It had less consequence in Italy and Malta. Cultural/religious issues (R): These issues were seen to be an important issue in only one Member State: Italy. In contrast, those from the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia attached less importance to such differences. Immigration issues (I): In Italy, Malta, the United Kingdom and, to a certain extent, Austria, citizens were more likely to consider immigration as an important factor when it came to assessing future EU enlargements. People in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania, on the other hand, gave less importance to this specific concern.

39


Analytical Report

In the next step of the analysis, for each issue in question, the average importance of the three (EU/country/personal) levels was calculated and countries were ranked according to this figure (see the Annex of this report for the basic data, specifically Tables 23a, 24a and 25a). The issue that received the most importance regarding future EU enlargements was that of freedom and democratic values. Respondents in individual Member States attributed varying levels of significance to this issue: more than twice as many Danish and Swedish citizens considered it important (67%), compared with citizens in Italy (28%) and Hungary (30%). Considerations for future enlargements: Freedom & Democray For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80

67 67

60 40

60 60 58 57 54 52 52 51 50 50 47 47 46 46 44 44 42 40 40 40 37 34 34 32 30 28

20

IT

LT

HU

LV

BG

MT

EE

UK

PL

PT

RO

SK

SI

EU27

EL

FR

BE

IE

AT

FI

CZ

LU

DE

ES

NL

CY

SE

DK

0

Q4A/B/C. In case the European Union would consider accepting new Member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues for Europe as a whole/ for [our country]/ for you personally from the following list to be taken into account when making a decision. Base: all respondents, % by country

For a deeper insight, a score was once again created for each country. This time the score described the percentage difference of each individual level (personal/country/EU) from the average of the three levels. For instance, if an issue was regarded as important by 50% on average for the three levels and by 40% at a personal level, the specific score would be -20. This receives a score of -20 because the average (50%) is considered as 100% and the results on personal level (40%) is 80% of the average, so the difference between the average and the result on personal level is -20. As indicated, the score depicted on the following graph (and on the series of similar charts in the subsequent analysis) describes the relative preference of the issue at each level compared with the average of the three levels. The more this score is different from zero, the more the particular result is different from the average. On the graphs, the horizontal line represents the average importance rating of the three levels in the given country. The particular consideration in the given country was regarded more important on the level (EU/national/personal) where the red line is above the horizontal line and less important where it is below the horizontal line. This approach was taken to accentuate the relatively small percentage point differences that were typically found across the three levels.

40


Analytical Report

Considerations for future enlargements: Freedom & Democray Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels EU27

EU

country

BE

self EU

EE

EU

country

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

country

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

EU

country

country

country

self

EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

country

self EU

EU

country

self

country

self

MT

self EU

RO

self

country IT

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country

self

SI

self EU

country

self

LEGEND THE RESULT COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE OF THE THREE LEVELS IS...

UK

self EU

country

DE

IE

PT

SE

self

self EU

LU

PL

self EU

country

DK

FR

LT

FI

self EU

country ES

AT

SK

EU

EU

LV

NL

EU

self

EL

CY

EU

country

CZ

BG

self

AVERAGE above

same

below

As to whether freedom and democracy were more relevant on an EU, country or personal level, opinions were mixed. The differences were minimal in many Member States. For example, in Denmark people were the keenest about this issue (the red line was almost flat, overlapping the horizontal axis). However, in several other countries (Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Portugal, Finland and the United Kingdom), respondents considered it to be less relevant for their country in contrast to the European Union or even for themselves personally (in these countries the red line is U-shaped with the country-level importance below the horizontal axis — that is, below the average of the three levels). As can be seen, freedom and democratic values were primarily important at a personal level in the Netherlands and Latvia. However, Italians, Maltese and to a lesser extent, the Irish see this as being an issue that was mainly for the European Union (where this criterion was regarded the least important overall).

41


Analytical Report

Latvia and Hungary emerged as the countries where economic considerations were, on average, the most important (with at least 7 out of 10 respondents rating them in this way). These countries gave the least weight to freedom and democracy (see the previous page), and this phenomenon was seen at the opposite end of the ranking as well. In Denmark and the Netherlands, where respondents rated democratic values most highly, respondents gave the least value to economic concerns. Considerations for future enlargements: Economic issues For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80

75

70 59 57 56

60 40

52 50 50 50 49 49 47 46 46 45 43 43 42 41 40 38 38 37 36 36 34 34

29

20

DK

LU

NL

BE

DE

SE

AT

MT

FR

ES

UK

EU27

FI

EL

IT

IE

PL

RO

CY

EE

BG

SI

PT

CZ

SK

LT

LV

HU

0


Another indicator of the inverse relationship between economic and democratic criteria was that respondents regarded the latter issue as being less important for their country, while an opposite tendency was seen for economic issues. Considerations for future enlargements: Economic issues Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels EU27

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

CY

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

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EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

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EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

country

self

MT

self

EU

RO

self

country IT

HU

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self

country

DE

IE

PT

SE

self

self

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PL

self

country

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FR

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FI

self

country

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self

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country EL

EE

EU

BG

BE

country

self

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self

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country

self

LEGEND THE RESULT COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE OF THE THREE LEVELS IS... self

AVERAGE above

same

below

42


Analytical Report

There was no Member State where respondents rated economic issues as being less important at a national level compared with EU and personal levels. On the contrary, respondents in most Member States rated this issue as more important for their country than for themselves personally or for the EU as a whole. Such a pattern was the most obvious in Germany, Luxembourg, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Economic considerations were especially relevant from a personal perspective in Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland and Slovakia. In most Member States, this aspect was considered the least important at the EU level; the only exception was the Netherlands, where respondents gave the least weight to the issue at a personal level. While immigration issues were usually of secondary importance when EU citizens considered the main factors that could affect further enlargements, about half of those interviewed named this as one of the two most important in Malta (52%), Italy and the United Kingdom (both 46%). On the other hand, particularly in some of the former communist Member States, just slightly more than 1 in 10 citizens found this issue to be one of the top two issues (e.g., 12% in Slovakia and Romania). Considerations for future enlargements: Immigration For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80

17

16 16

15

13

12 12

RO

27 26 25 24 24 24 23 23 22 22 21 21 20 20 19 18

BG

20

PL

33 30

CZ

46 46

40

DK

52

LV

60

SK

CY

EL

SI

NL

SE

FR

BE

DE

ES

LT

LU

EE

HU

PT

FI

IE

EU27

AT

UK

IT

MT

0


Respondents had a tendency to assume that immigration issues were more relevant to their country than at the other levels: In 21 Member States, immigration scored highest when considered in a national perspective. The best examples were Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Cyprus, Hungary, Sweden and Finland. The concerns at a personal level were the highest (compared with the other two levels) in two Member States: Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. Latvia and Slovenia were the only countries where immigration issues were considered the most important at the EU level.

43


Analytical Report

Considerations for future enlargements: Immigration Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels EU27

EU

country

BE

self

EU

country

EE

EU

country

country

self

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country

country

country

self

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LV

self

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self

EU

RO

country

EU

EU

HU

UK

self

self

IE

PT

self

DE

country

LU

SE

country

DK

FR

PL

FI

self

self

LT

country

SK

EU

EU

CZ

ES

country

NL

EU

self

EL

CY

EU

BG

country

self

SI

country

self

EU

country

self


country

self

AVERAGE above

same

below

Generally, between a 10% and 25% of EU citizens picked cultural and religious issues as one of the most important factors to consider when judging new candidates for EU enlargement. The exception was Italy, where 35% of respondents regarded this as one of the top issues to take into account. Some of the new Member States, including Latvia (11%), Hungary and the Czech Republic (both 13%), showed the least interest. Considerations for future enlargements: Cultural and religious issues For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80 60

15

15

15

14 13

13

11

RO

CZ

HU

LV

ES

15

PT

16 16 16 16

SK

17

SE

17

FI

24 24 23 23 22 21 19 19 19 19 19 19 18

PL

20

SI

35

AT

40

EL

BG

LT

EE

BE

NL

LU

DE

IE

CY

EU27

FR

UK

MT

DK

IT

0


Cultural and religious issues was the factor that most Member States rated as the most relevant at a personal level. In 13 EU countries, residents found this issue more relevant to themselves than for their country or for the EU as a whole. This was seen the most in Germany, Latvia, Denmark, Austria, Estonia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. 44


Analytical Report

Considerations for future enlargements: Cultural and religious issues Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels EU27

EU

country

BE

self

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

CY

EU

country

self

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

self

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

self

self

country

self

MT

self

EU

RO

country

country IT

HU

UK

self

DE

IE

PT

SE

self

country

LU

PL

self

DK

FR

LT

FI

country

country

CZ

ES

AT

SK

EU

EU

LV

NL

EU

self

EL

EE

EU

BG

country

self

SI

country

self

EU

country

self


country

self

AVERAGE above

same

below

In Finland, Portugal, France, Italy and Slovenia, respondents found cultural and religious issues to be the most relevant at the EU level. Only respondents in Lithuania and the Czech Republic rated this as the most important issue at a national level. Primarily Greek and Finnish respondents (36% and 30%, respectively) were saying that stability of the EU borders was an important factor to be taken into account for future EU enlargements. On the other hand, only 7% of Italians and 9% of Maltese considered this relevant in such cases. Considerations for future enlargements: Stability at EU borders For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80

15

15

14 13

13

12

9

7

MT

IT

15

HU

24 24 23 23 21 20 20 19 19 19 18 18 18 16 16 16 16

ES

20

DE

30

PT

36

FR

40

LT

60

BE

EU27

SE

CY

AT

LV

CZ

LU

DK

UK

IE

NL

PL

SK

BG

RO

SI

EE

FI

EL

0


The following chart shows that there was no dominant pattern when it came to assessing whether stability at the EU’s external borders was seen mainly at the EU, national or personal levels. The only 45


Analytical Report

systematic observation was that the ratings were never the highest at a personal level. Respondents reported that this aspect was more relevant for their country or for the EU, or otherwise, equally important at all three levels. In some Member States — most of which are located at the EU’s current external borders — this factor was regarded as most important nationally. This was the case in Greece, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. In several Member States, including Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Sweden respondents did not differentiate substantially across the various levels. Finally, in several countries (Estonia, Malta, Italy, Romania, Lithuania, Slovakia and Spain) respondents felt that the issue of the EU’s stability at its external borders was the most relevant at the EU level. Considerations for future enlargements: Stability at EU borders Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels EU27

EU

country

self

EU

EE

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

self

MT

self

EU

country

RO

self

self

IT

HU

UK

self

country

DE

IE

PT

SE

self

self

LU

PL

self

country

DK

FR

LT

FI

self

country

CZ

ES

AT

SK

EU

self

LV

NL

EU

country EL

CY

EU

BG

BE

self

SI

self

EU

country

self


AVERAGE above

same

below

In several Member States, just a handful of citizens reported that the potentially greater role of the EU in the world was one of the two most important factors to be considered ahead of future enlargements. Even in Luxembourg, where this issue received its highest rating, less than a quarter of respondents (24%) selected it as one of the most relevant considerations that decision makers had to take into account when considering the expansion of the European Union. Furthermore, there were only three Member States (Luxembourg included) where at least one in five respondents considered this issue to be important. On the other hand, only 6% in Italy, 7% in Greece and 8% in Malta and Cyprus felt that this aspect could be one of the most important ones when considering the integration of new countries in to the European Union.

46


Analytical Report

Considerations for future enlargements: EU global role For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80 60

11

10 10

9

8

8

7

6 IT

11

EL

11

MT

12 12

CY

12

ES

13

PT

13

LV

14 14 14 14 13

AT

15

SI

16

FI

17

LT

17

BG

17

BE

20 19

HU

24 20

PL

40

EE

NL

UK

EU27

SE

IE

RO

DK

CZ

SK

DE

FR

LU

0


It was clearly at the EU level where this aspect had a greater weight in respondents’ minds. Without exception, even if sometimes only marginally, this consideration received the highest importance rating when considered at the EU level. Considerations for future enlargements: EU global role Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels EU27

EU

country

self

EU

EE

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

self

country

self

MT

self

EU

RO

self

country IT

HU

UK

self

country

DE

IE

PT

SE

self

self

LU

PL

self

country

DK

FR

LT

FI

self

country

CZ

ES

AT

SK

EU

self

LV

NL

EU

country EL

CY

EU

BG

BE

country

country

self

SI

self

EU

country

self


AVERAGE above

same

below

Finally, the possibility of reducing the problems stemming from the EU’s ageing population was named most frequently (or least infrequently, considering the absolute values) as an aspect to consider in the Czech Republic and Hungary (both 19%). In 16 Member States, 10% or less of the citizens found this issue to be one of the two most relevant factors when considering future EU enlargements. The lowest result was detected in Spain (5%). 47


Analytical Report

Considerations for future enlargements: Ageing For the EU / for the COUNTRY / for the respondent personally, average 100 80 60

8

8

7

7

7

LU

UK

AT

CY

7

7

5

IT

9

ES

9

EL

9

IE

10 10 10 10 10 10

SE

11

MT

11

DE

11

FR

PL

12

LT

12

PT

13

BG

19 19 16 14 13

BE

20

SI

40

RO

EU27

LV

FI

EE

DK

NL

SK

CZ

HU

0


The EU’s ageing population, as a relevant factor in EU expansion decisions, was likely to be seen more important at the EU and national levels than at a personal level. Countries where this issue was regarded more relevant on a personal than on broader levels were Finland, and marginally, Lithuania. It was most often at the country level that people felt this aspect to be more important to consider (e.g., in Denmark, Spain, Luxembourg, Italy, Hungary and France). Ageing was believed to be more of an EU-level consideration in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. Considerations for future enlargements: Ageing Issue relevance on different levels, compared to within-country average of the three levels

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

CY

EU

country

country

self EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

self

EU

EU

country

EU

country

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

self

EU

country

self

EU

country

EU

country

self

MT

self

EU

country

RO

self

self

IT

HU

UK

self

country

DE

IE

PT

SE

self

self

LU

PL

self

country

DK

FR

LT

FI

self

country

CZ

ES

AT

SK

EU

self

LV

NL

EU

country EL

EE

EU

BG

BE

EU27

self

SI

self

EU

country

self


AVERAGE above

same

below

48

Flash EB No257 — Views on European Union enlargement

Annex

Flash EB Series #257

Views on EU Enlargement

Annex Tables and Survey Details

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

page 49


Annex

I. Annex Tables Table 1a. These changes have bought more freedom to everyone in Europe, by country .....................53 Table 1b. These changes have bought more freedom to everyone in Europe, by segment ....................54 Table 2a. These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe, by country...............................................................................................................................................55 Table 2b. These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe, by segment..............................................................................................................................................56 Table 3a. These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation, by country ........57 Table 3b. These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation, by segment .......58 Table 4a. These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe, by country ...............................................................................59 Table 4b. These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe, by segment ..............................................................................60 Table 5a. These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries , by country ..........................................................................................................................................61 Table 5b. These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries, by segment .........................................................................................................................................62 Table 6a. These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe, by country ......................................................................63 Table 6b. These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe, by segment .....................................................................64 Table 7a. The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989, by country .................................................................................................65 Table 7b. The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989, by segment ................................................................................................66 Table 8a. The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one, by country ............................................................................................67 Table 8b. The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one, by segment ...........................................................................................68 Table 9a. These changes made life more insecure in our country, by country .......................................69 Table 9b. These changes made life more insecure in our country, by segment......................................70 Table 10a. It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole, by country................71 Table 10b. It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole, by segment ..............72 Table 11a. It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union, by country ...................................................73

page 50


Annex

Table 11b. It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union, by segment ..................................................74 Table 12a. It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe, by country ...........................................................................................75 Table 12b. It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe, by segment ..........................................................................................76 Table 13a. It has contributed to job losses in our country, by country ...................................................77 Table 13b. It has contributed to job losses in our country, by segment ..................................................78 Table 14a. It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics, by country .......................79 Table 14b. It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics, by segment ......................80 Table 15a. It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole, by country ........................................81 Table 15b. It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole, by segment.......................................82 Table 16a. It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole, by country...............................................................................................................................................83 Table 16b. It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole, by segment..............................................................................................................................................84 Table 17a. It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole, by country ............................85 Table 17b. It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole, by segment...........................86 Table 18a. It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration, by country........................................................................87 Table 18b. It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration, by segment .......................................................................88 Table 19a. It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries, by country .........................................................................................................89 Table 19b. It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries, by segment ........................................................................................................90 Table 20a. It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize, by country ..........................................................................................91 Table 20b. It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize, by segment .........................................................................................92 Table 21a. It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union, by country ..............................................................................................................................93 Table 21b. It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union, by segment .............................................................................................................................94 Table 22a. It has made the European Union more difficult to manage, by country ...............................95 Table 22b. It has made the European Union more difficult to manage, by segment ..............................96 Table 23a. Considerations for future enlargements for Europe as a whole, by country ........................97 page 51


Annex

Table 23b. Considerations for future enlargements for Europe as a whole, by segment ........................98 Table 24a. Considerations for future enlargements for country, by country ..........................................99 Table 24b. Considerations for future enlargements for country, by segment .......................................100 Table 25a. Considerations for future enlargements for you personally, by country.............................101 Table 25b. Considerations for future enlargements for you personally, by segment ...........................102

page 52


Annex

Table 1a. These changes have bought more freedom to everyone in Europe, by country QUESTION: Q1_A. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes have bought more freedom to everyone in Europe. Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

79,3

13,9

6,8

EU15

15048

79

14,4

6,6

CEE

10069

80,5

12,1

7,4

Belgium

1000

72

17,6

10,4

Bulgaria

1003

64,5

21,7

13,8

Czech Rep.

1009

77,8

14,2

8

Denmark

1001

89,9

6,7

3,4

Germany

1018

81,4

12,4

6,3

Estonia

1014

78,3

8,8

12,9

Greece

1001

73,4

22,3

4,3

Spain

1005

78,4

14,8

6,8

France

1005

73,6

18,7

7,7

Ireland

1000

88,4

6,9

4,7

Italy

1000

77,3

16,6

6,1

Cyprus

1000

73,9

17,9

8,1

Latvia

1007

74,4

18,6

7

Lithuania

1002

80,1

11

8,8

Luxembourg

1005

87

9,6

3,4

Hungary

1008

78,8

16,4

4,8

Malta

1005

83,3

6,6

10,1

Netherlands

1006

81,9

13,2

4,9

Austria

1001

79,6

16

4,4

Poland

1009

83,5

8,7

7,8

Portugal

1006

79,9

10,2

10

Romania

1013

83,7

10,9

5,5

Slovenia

1002

87,5

10,1

2,5

Slovakia

1002

78,7

14,9

6,4

Finland

1000

81,6

11,2

7,1

Sweden

1000

81,5

10,1

8,5

United Kingdom

1000

82,4

11,3

6,3

COUNTRY

page 53


Annex

Table 1b. These changes have bought more freedom to everyone in Europe, by segment QUESTION: Q1_A. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes have bought more freedom to everyone in Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

79,3

13,9

6,8

Male

13113

80,2

14,4

5,5

Female

14009

78,5

13,6

7,9

15 - 24

3909

75,9

11,6

12,5

25 - 39

6493

80,4

13,7

5,8

40 - 54

7106

80,6

14,7

4,7

55 +

9340

79,1

14,5

6,4

Primary

5388

73,7

15,3

10,9

Secondary

12512

78,7

14,6

6,7

Higher

8853

84

12,4

3,6

Metropolitan

5382

81,1

12,8

6,1

Urban

10816

79,2

14

6,8

Self-employed

2283

82,4

13

4,6

Employee

8780

81,8

13

5,2

Manual worker

2274

76,5

16,6

6,9

Not working

13593

77,6

14,4

8

EU27 SEX

AGE

HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION

URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 54


Annex

Table 2a. These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe, by country QUESTION: Q1_B. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

65,7

22,9

11,5

EU15

15048

66,5

21,5

11,9

CEE

10069

62,3

28,1

9,6

Belgium

1000

67,9

21,4

10,6

Bulgaria

1003

36,9

49,9

13,1

Czech Rep.

1009

70,1

22,8

7,1

Denmark

1001

81

14,3

4,7

Germany

1018

66,1

24,4

9,5

Estonia

1014

67

18,2

14,9

Greece

1001

60,9

31

8,1

Spain

1005

71,3

19,4

9,2

France

1005

65,4

23,3

11,3

Ireland

1000

79,7

10,7

9,7

Italy

1000

59,2

24,2

16,6

Cyprus

1000

62,1

28,7

9,2

Latvia

1007

49,6

37,9

12,5

Lithuania

1002

62,3

20,9

16,8

Luxembourg

1005

75,6

18

6,4

Hungary

1008

41,1

50,6

8,4

Malta

1005

76,5

10,7

12,8

Netherlands

1006

72,2

19,6

8,2

Austria

1001

65,7

25,1

9,3

Poland

1009

74,6

14,5

10,9

Portugal

1006

65,7

18,2

16,1

Romania

1013

56,9

36,3

6,8

Slovenia

1002

68,3

27,6

4,1

Slovakia

1002

60,7

30,1

9,3

Finland

1000

76,6

13,9

9,4

Sweden

1000

73,3

12

14,7

United Kingdom

1000

67,6

16,9

15,6

COUNTRY

page 55


Annex

Table 2b. These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe, by segment QUESTION: Q1_B. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? — These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

65,7

22,9

11,5

Male

13113

69,7

21,2

9,2

Female

14009

61,9

24,5

13,6

15 - 24

3909

67,1

20,4

12,5

25 - 39

6493

67,8

21,1

11,1

40 - 54

7106

66,2

24,7

9

55 +

9340

63,4

23,8

12,8

Primary

5388

58,9

24,1

17

Secondary

12512

64,6

24,8

10,7

Higher

8853

72,1

19,2

8,8

5382

68,2

21,1

10,7

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION Metropolitan Urban

10816

65,6

22,8

11,6

Rural

10698

64,6

23,9

11,5

Self-employed

2283

68,5

22,5

9

Employee

8780

71,1

18,6

10,4

Manual worker

2274

61,7

30,7

7,6

Not working

13593

62,4

24,4

13,1

OCCUPATION

page 56


Annex

Table 3a. These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation, by country QUESTION: Q1_C. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation.

EU27

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

44,2

46,3

9,4

EU15

15048

43,6

46,3

10,2

CEE

10069

46,8

46,4

6,8

Belgium

1000

43,1

44,7

12,1

Bulgaria

1003

57,3

34,9

7,8

Czech Rep.

1009

49,2

45,3

5,4

Denmark

1001

62,7

33,3

4

Germany

1018

36,8

56,6

6,6

Estonia

1014

38,7

51

10,3

Greece

1001

47,7

45,5

6,8

Spain

1005

54,7

35,6

9,7

France

1005

42,1

45,2

12,7

Ireland

1000

51,7

41,4

6,8

Italy

1000

45,1

44

10,9

Cyprus

1000

47,7

43

9,3

Latvia

1007

52,3

40,1

7,7

Lithuania

1002

53,6

34,8

11,6

Luxembourg

1005

47,7

46,3

5,9

Hungary

1008

45,4

50

4,5

Malta

1005

28,3

60,8

10,9

Netherlands

1006

52,1

39,5

8,4

Austria

1001

36,6

54,6

8,8

Poland

1009

44,9

47,5

7,6

Portugal

1006

46,9

38,7

14,4

Romania

1013

41,9

51,8

6,3

Slovenia

1002

37,4

58,2

4,4

Slovakia

1002

62,3

33,4

4,4

Finland

1000

30,9

58,4

10,7

Sweden

1000

37

45

17,9

United Kingdom

1000

41,7

46,3

12

COUNTRY

page 57


Annex

Table 3b. These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation, by segment QUESTION: Q1_C. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? — These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

44,2

46,3

9,4

Male

13113

44

48,5

7,5

Female

14009

44,4

44,3

11,3

15 - 24

3909

38,4

50,8

10,8

25 - 39

6493

39,5

50,7

9,7

40 - 54

7106

43

49,6

7,4

55 +

9340

51

39

9,9

Primary

5388

47,9

38

14

Secondary

12512

43,7

47,9

8,4

Higher

8853

42,7

49,7

7,7

Metropolitan

5382

43,7

47,2

9,1

Urban

10816

44,9

45,7

9,3

Rural

10698

43,9

46,7

9,5

Self-employed

2283

43,9

49,1

7

Employee

8780

41

49,7

9,3

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

Manual worker

2274

46

46,7

7,3

Not working

13593

46,1

43,7

10,3

page 58


Annex

Table 4a. These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe, by country QUESTION: Q1_D. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

86,3

8,9

4,7

EU15

15048

85,3

9,9

4,8

CEE

10069

90,3

5,3

4,4

Belgium

1000

83,4

10

6,7

Bulgaria

1003

87,1

6,6

6,3

Czech Rep.

1009

89,8

6,6

3,6

Denmark

1001

86,1

11,4

2,5

Germany

1018

86,9

9,1

4

Estonia

1014

90,8

5,2

4

Greece

1001

85,6

12

2,4

Spain

1005

85,2

9

5,8

France

1005

86,5

10,1

3,4

Ireland

1000

88,3

9

2,8

Italy

1000

81,8

12,6

5,6

Cyprus

1000

82,5

11,2

6,3

Latvia

1007

87

8,8

4,2

Lithuania

1002

87,5

5,7

6,7

Luxembourg

1005

91

7,3

1,8

Hungary

1008

91,3

6,5

2,2

Malta

1005

82,6

5,3

12,1

Netherlands

1006

89,8

7,4

2,8

Austria

1001

85,2

11,2

3,7

Poland

1009

90,9

3,8

5,3

Portugal

1006

89,8

3,6

6,6

Romania

1013

89,8

6,1

4,1

Slovenia

1002

93,9

5

1,2

Slovakia

1002

93,1

4,9

2

Finland

1000

91,6

4,9

3,5

Sweden

1000

87,8

7

5,2

United Kingdom

1000

82,8

10,6

6,6

COUNTRY

page 59


Annex

Table 4b. These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe, by segment QUESTION: Q1_D. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

86,3

8,9

4,7

Male

13113

87,3

8,9

3,8

Female

14009

85,5

8,9

5,6

15 - 24

3909

81,8

11,4

6,8

25 - 39

6493

84,8

10,1

5,2

40 - 54

7106

90,3

6,8

2,9

55 +

9340

86,7

8,7

4,6

Primary

5388

83,4

9,4

7,2

Secondary

12512

86,1

9,7

4,2

Higher

8853

89

7,5

3,5

5382

86,8

9

4,2

Urban

10816

86,2

8,9

4,9

Rural

10698

86,7

8,8

4,5

Self-employed

2283

88,7

8,2

3,2

Employee

8780

88,2

7,7

4,2

Manual worker

2274

87,7

8,5

3,8

Not working

13593

84,7

10

5,4

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION Metropolitan

OCCUPATION

page 60


Annex

Table 5a. These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries , by country QUESTION: Q1_E. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

38,8

51,5

9,8

EU15

15048

38,3

53,1

8,6

CEE

10069

40,5

45,4

14,1

Belgium

1000

39,8

48,8

11,4

Bulgaria

1003

45,9

35,2

18,9

Czech Rep.

1009

42,5

47,1

10,4

Denmark

1001

40

57,3

2,7

Germany

1018

31,3

61,5

7,2

Estonia

1014

31,2

50,4

18,4

Greece

1001

50,6

43,8

5,6

Spain

1005

42,9

47,8

9,3

France

1005

40,6

48,4

10,9

Ireland

1000

31,8

64

4,2

Italy

1000

43,9

46,2

9,9

Cyprus

1000

40

50,6

9,4

Latvia

1007

35

41,6

23,3

Lithuania

1002

38

41,6

20,4

Luxembourg

1005

37,7

56,8

5,5

Hungary

1008

37,1

52,8

10,2

Malta

1005

30,8

54

15,2

Netherlands

1006

34,2

59,9

5,9

Austria

1001

36,4

57

6,6

Poland

1009

39

48,6

12,4

Portugal

1006

56

31,3

12,8

Romania

1013

43

38,5

18,5

Slovenia

1002

29,2

65,7

5,1

Slovakia

1002

46,1

43

10,9

Finland

1000

26,6

67,3

6,1

Sweden

1000

25,4

64,8

9,8

United Kingdom

1000

35,5

56,7

7,8

COUNTRY

page 61


Annex

Table 5b. These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries, by segment QUESTION: Q1_E. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

38,8

51,5

9,8

Male

13113

38,7

54,1

7,1

Female

14009

38,8

48,9

12,3

15 - 24

3909

29,9

59,2

10,9

25 - 39

6493

34,4

56,4

9,2

40 - 54

7106

36,7

55,2

8,2

55 +

9340

47,1

42,3

10,6

Primary

5388

46,3

36,8

16,9

Secondary

12512

40,9

49,5

9,6

Higher

8853

31,3

63,7

5

5382

38,2

54,2

7,6

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

37,9

52,4

9,7

Rural

10698

39,8

49,4

10,9

Self-employed

2283

36,3

57,2

6,5

Employee

8780

33,2

59,7

7

Manual worker

2274

44,6

44,1

11,3

Not working

13593

41,7

46,6

11,7

OCCUPATION

page 62


Annex

Table 6a. These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe, by country QUESTION: Q1_F. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

80

9,4

10,6

EU15

15048

79,9

9,9

10,2

CEE

10069

80,4

7,3

12,3

Belgium

1000

77,3

10

12,7

Bulgaria

1003

79,2

7,2

13,6

Czech Rep.

1009

82,1

10,1

7,8

Denmark

1001

87,4

9,6

3

Germany

1018

87,4

7,3

5,3

Estonia

1014

76,2

8,6

15,2

Greece

1001

80

12,9

7,1

Spain

1005

76,3

11,2

12,5

France

1005

80,1

9,5

10,4

Ireland

1000

87,8

8,1

4,2

Italy

1000

74,6

10,3

15,1

Cyprus

1000

76,5

13,3

10,3

Latvia

1007

79,8

8,3

11,9

Lithuania

1002

74

4,9

21,1

Luxembourg

1005

88

6,5

5,4

Hungary

1008

88,4

4,4

7,2

Malta

1005

77,9

9,1

13

Netherlands

1006

82,3

9,4

8,3

Austria

1001

88,6

5,6

5,8

Poland

1009

80,2

6,5

13,3

Portugal

1006

76,6

6,9

16,5

Romania

1013

76,7

8,3

15

Slovenia

1002

88,6

7

4,3

Slovakia

1002

82,1

10,5

7,4

Finland

1000

86

5,1

8,9

Sweden

1000

85,2

3,6

11,3

United Kingdom

1000

74

14,7

11,2

COUNTRY

page 63


Annex

Table 6b. These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe, by segment QUESTION: Q1_F. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

80

9,4

10,6

Male

13113

82,3

9,9

7,8

Female

14009

77,9

8,9

13,2

15 - 24

3909

79,3

10,3

10,4

25 - 39

6493

81,4

9,5

9,1

40 - 54

7106

83,3

8,3

8,4

55 +

9340

77,4

9,5

13

Primary

5388

71,2

8,5

20,3

Secondary

12512

81,1

10,4

8,5

Higher

8853

84,5

8,5

6,9

5382

81,8

8,2

9,9

Urban

10816

80,5

9,6

9,9

Rural

10698

79

9,6

11,4

Self-employed

2283

83,6

10,9

5,5

Employee

8780

83,4

8,4

8,2

Manual worker

2274

79,7

11,3

9

Not working

13593

77,5

9,4

13,1

EU27 SEX

AGE



OCCUPATION

page 64


Annex

Table 7a. The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989, by country QUESTION: Q2_A. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

68,2

21,2

10,6

EU15

15048

69,3

19,6

11,1

CEE

10069

63,9

27,2

8,8

Belgium

1000

66,3

22

11,7

Bulgaria

1003

36,5

46,5

17

Czech Rep.

1009

75,4

18,9

5,7

Denmark

1001

79,3

14,7

6

Germany

1018

70

20,7

9,2

Estonia

1014

72,3

14,3

13,4

Greece

1001

67,7

24,4

7,9

Spain

1005

74,8

13,8

11,4

France

1005

60,9

27,9

11,2

Ireland

1000

82,9

9,1

8,1

Italy

1000

69,3

19,1

11,7

Cyprus

1000

70

19,6

10,3

Latvia

1007

50,9

37,6

11,6

Lithuania

1002

61,2

19

19,8

Luxembourg

1005

76,3

16,1

7,6

Hungary

1008

39,9

53,8

6,3

Malta

1005

77,4

10,5

12,1

Netherlands

1006

65,8

22,3

12

Austria

1001

67

24,1

8,9

Poland

1009

75,9

15,3

8,9

Portugal

1006

69,2

13,8

17

Romania

1013

60

33,5

6,5

Slovenia

1002

65,7

29

5,3

Slovakia

1002

62,7

28,4

8,9

Finland

1000

72,6

15,5

11,9

Sweden

1000

69,5

14,8

15,7

United Kingdom

1000

72,6

15,2

12,1

COUNTRY

page 65


Annex

Table 7b. The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989, by segment QUESTION: Q2_A. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

68,2

21,2

10,6

Male

13113

70,3

20,4

9,3

Female

14009

66,1

22

11,9

15 - 24

3909

72,2

17,4

10,4

25 - 39

6493

69,8

20,5

9,7

40 - 54

7106

67

23,1

9,9

55 +

9340

66,7

21,9

11,3

Primary

5388

63,2

23,1

13,7

Secondary

12512

68,1

22,2

9,7

Higher

8853

71,7

18,8

9,5

5382

71,6

18,7

9,7

Urban

10816

68,3

20,8

10,9

Rural

10698

66,6

22,9

10,6

Self-employed

2283

71,9

19,7

8,5

Employee

8780

69,3

20,4

10,3

Manual worker

2274

67,5

23,5

9

Not working

13593

67

21,7

11,4

EU27 SEX

AGE



OCCUPATION

page 66


Annex

Table 8a. The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one, by country QUESTION: Q2_B. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

19,1

67,9

13

EU15

15048

16,8

70,3

12,9

CEE

10069

27,9

58,8

13,3

Belgium

1000

18,5

67,2

14,3

Bulgaria

1003

36,9

39,2

23,9

Czech Rep.

1009

21,4

70,5

8

Denmark

1001

24,9

69,8

5,3

Germany

1018

14,9

73,5

11,5

Estonia

1014

19,9

63,1

17

Greece

1001

26,3

61,1

12,6

Spain

1005

22,2

65,2

12,6

France

1005

12,6

74,3

13,1

Ireland

1000

20,3

71,9

7,9

Italy

1000

14,6

68,9

16,4

Cyprus

1000

29,8

58,7

11,5

Latvia

1007

38,2

40,3

21,5

Lithuania

1002

22,4

52,8

24,8

Luxembourg

1005

14,8

77,6

7,6

Hungary

1008

43,1

40,4

16,5

Malta

1005

12,4

71,3

16,2

Netherlands

1006

17,4

71,8

10,8

Austria

1001

10,5

79,2

10,3

Poland

1009

19,3

70,3

10,4

Portugal

1006

22

52,1

25,9

Romania

1013

36,5

50,6

12,9

Slovenia

1002

22,3

70,1

7,7

Slovakia

1002

28

56,5

15,5

Finland

1000

5,9

83,9

10,1

Sweden

1000

5,9

81,7

12,5

United Kingdom

1000

21,4

67,6

11

COUNTRY

page 67


Annex

Table 8b. The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one, by segment QUESTION: Q2_B. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

19,1

67,9

13

Male

13113

18,7

70,8

10,5

Female

14009

19,5

65,2

15,3

15 - 24

3909

17,9

67,2

14,9

25 - 39

6493

17,9

69,7

12,4

40 - 54

7106

18,8

70,1

11,1

55 +

9340

20,8

65,4

13,8

Primary

5388

23

58,1

18,9

Secondary

12512

20,8

66,6

12,6

Higher

8853

14,4

76,3

9,3

5382

16,5

71,1

12,4

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

19,2

67,6

13,2

Rural

10698

20,4

66,8

12,8

Self-employed

2283

18

71

11

Employee

8780

15,6

73,1

11,3

Manual worker

2274

24,1

64,8

11

Not working

13593

20,7

64,7

14,6

OCCUPATION

page 68


Annex

Table 9a. These changes made life more insecure in our country, by country QUESTION: Q2_C. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes made life more insecure in our country.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

51,5

40,7

7,8

EU15

15048

49,8

43

7,1

CEE

10069

57,8

31,7

10,5

Belgium

1000

43,6

46,9

9,5

Bulgaria

1003

76,3

13,5

10,2

Czech Rep.

1009

46

44,6

9,4

Denmark

1001

39,4

55,7

4,9

Germany

1018

47,1

47,2

5,7

Estonia

1014

38,3

44,8

17

Greece

1001

72,3

24,3

3,4

Spain

1005

58,4

32,7

8,8

France

1005

42,2

47,7

10,1

Ireland

1000

36,2

57,8

6

Italy

1000

64,6

28,8

6,6

Cyprus

1000

60,8

32,7

6,5

Latvia

1007

60

26,5

13,5

Lithuania

1002

39,8

40

20,1

Luxembourg

1005

38,6

56,1

5,3

Hungary

1008

75,9

17,8

6,3

Malta

1005

29

55,5

15,5

Netherlands

1006

33,6

60,2

6,2

Austria

1001

52,6

42

5,4

Poland

1009

49,2

37,5

13,3

Portugal

1006

72,8

19,7

7,4

Romania

1013

68,2

25,3

6,5

Slovenia

1002

43,2

52,1

4,6

Slovakia

1002

59,6

29,9

10,5

Finland

1000

25,3

68,5

6,2

Sweden

1000

25,8

65,3

8,9

United Kingdom

1000

44,4

49,4

6,2

COUNTRY

page 69


Annex

Table 9b. These changes made life more insecure in our country, by segment QUESTION: Q2_C. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? These changes made life more insecure in our country.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

51,5

40,7

7,8

Male

13113

49,4

43,9

6,7

Female

14009

53,4

37,6

8,9

15 - 24

3909

36,7

51,6

11,7

25 - 39

6493

46,7

45,8

7,5

40 - 54

7106

53,9

40,4

5,7

55 +

9340

59,3

32,9

7,8

Primary

5388

59,9

28,9

11,2

Secondary

12512

55,3

36,8

7,9

Higher

8853

40,8

54

5,2

Metropolitan

5382

46,2

46,7

7,2

Urban

10816

52,2

40,1

7,7

Rural

10698

53,5

38,4

8,1

Self-employed

2283

52,4

43,1

4,5

Employee

8780

46,4

47,1

6,5

Manual worker

2274

59,7

32,2

8,2

Not working

13593

53,3

37,6

9,1

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 70


Annex

Table 10a. It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole, by country QUESTION: Q3_A. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

58,4

31,3

10,3

EU15

15048

56,3

33,9

9,8

CEE

10069

66,5

21,4

12,1

Belgium

1000

48,8

39,2

11,9

Bulgaria

1003

59

23,6

17,4

Czech Rep.

1009

65,2

24,1

10,7

Denmark

1001

77,1

18,8

4,1

Germany

1018

62,8

27,4

9,9

Estonia

1014

54

26,9

19,1

Greece

1001

55,8

38,2

6,1

Spain

1005

53,4

34,5

12,2

France

1005

56

35,3

8,7

Ireland

1000

72,7

21,5

5,8

Italy

1000

46,1

41,7

12,2

Cyprus

1000

61,3

30,2

8,5

Latvia

1007

48,9

36

15,1

Lithuania

1002

60,6

24,6

14,8

Luxembourg

1005

67,3

27,5

5,2

Hungary

1008

54,4

37,2

8,5

Malta

1005

73,4

13,9

12,6

Netherlands

1006

56,2

35,4

8,5

Austria

1001

54,3

37,7

8

Poland

1009

70,8

16,7

12,5

Portugal

1006

42,2

43,3

14,4

Romania

1013

70,4

18,1

11,5

Slovenia

1002

75,8

20,6

3,6

Slovakia

1002

67

20,8

12,2

Finland

1000

69,9

22,3

7,8

Sweden

1000

62,7

21,9

15,5

United Kingdom

1000

59

34

7

COUNTRY

page 71


Annex

Table 10b. It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole, by segment QUESTION: Q3_A. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

58,4

31,3

10,3

Male

13113

63,3

29,4

7,3

Female

14009

53,9

33

13,2

15 - 24

3909

64,6

26,5

9

25 - 39

6493

56,6

33,4

10

40 - 54

7106

56,5

33,9

9,6

55 +

9340

59

29,9

11,1

Primary

5388

54,9

31,1

14,1

Secondary

12512

57,6

31,9

10,5

Higher

8853

62,3

30,6

7,1

5382

63,3

28,1

8,6

Urban

10816

58,5

30,9

10,5

Rural

10698

56,3

33,1

10,6

Self-employed

2283

59,3

32,3

8,4

Employee

8780

59,3

32,1

8,6

Manual worker

2274

55,6

36,2

8,2

Not working

13593

58,3

29,7

12

EU27 SEX

AGE



OCCUPATION

page 72


Annex

Table 11a. It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union, by country QUESTION: Q3_B. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

53,8

38,2

8

EU15

15048

56,9

36,4

6,7

CEE

10069

42,1

45

12,9

Belgium

1000

51,3

39,9

8,8

Bulgaria

1003

47

35,6

17,4

Czech Rep.

1009

47,4

42,4

10,3

Denmark

1001

55,1

42

2,9

Germany

1018

64,6

30,1

5,4

Estonia

1014

55

30,1

14,9

Greece

1001

63

34,1

2,9

Spain

1005

51,5

40,6

7,8

France

1005

50

42,3

7,7

Ireland

1000

45

49,9

5,1

Italy

1000

61,9

31,6

6,5

Cyprus

1000

61

35

4

Latvia

1007

49,6

39,7

10,6

Lithuania

1002

41,3

39,8

18,9

Luxembourg

1005

56

40,2

3,9

Hungary

1008

44,9

45,6

9,5

Malta

1005

46,4

41,4

12,3

Netherlands

1006

52,5

41,6

5,9

Austria

1001

64

31,1

4,9

Poland

1009

41,2

46,8

12

Portugal

1006

61,2

29,4

9,4

Romania

1013

34,6

49,5

15,9

Slovenia

1002

51,7

43,7

4,7

Slovakia

1002

47,3

41,8

10,9

Finland

1000

56,6

36,4

7

Sweden

1000

42,4

43,6

14

United Kingdom

1000

54,7

39

6,3

COUNTRY

page 73


Annex

Table 11b. It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union, by segment QUESTION: Q3_B. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

53,8

38,2

8

Male

13113

52,5

41,1

6,4

Female

14009

55,1

35,5

9,4

15 - 24

3909

44,7

46,7

8,6

25 - 39

6493

50,2

43,9

5,9

40 - 54

7106

54,8

39

6,2

55 +

9340

59,7

30,4

9,9

Primary

5388

54,6

32,7

12,7

Secondary

12512

57,7

34,5

7,9

Higher

8853

48,3

47,3

4,4

5382

48,6

44,5

6,9

Urban

10816

52,8

39,5

7,7

Rural

10698

57,9

33,7

8,4

Self-employed

2283

50,8

43,6

5,6

Employee

8780

50,3

44

5,8

Manual worker

2274

55,3

35

9,7

Not working

13593

56,5

34,2

9,3

EU27 SEX

AGE



OCCUPATION

page 74


Annex

Table 12a. It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe, by country QUESTION: Q3_C. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

72,8

17,4

9,8

EU15

15048

72,9

18

9,1

CEE

10069

72,3

15,1

12,6

Belgium

1000

67,4

19,3

13,2

Bulgaria

1003

67,5

14,4

18,2

Czech Rep.

1009

71,9

20,7

7,3

Denmark

1001

80,6

16

3,4

Germany

1018

75,2

16,6

8,2

Estonia

1014

66,9

16,8

16,3

Greece

1001

69,6

25,8

4,6

Spain

1005

75,7

15,3

9

France

1005

73,7

17,8

8,5

Ireland

1000

80,3

13

6,7

Italy

1000

68,5

20,4

11,1

Cyprus

1000

72,1

21,6

6,3

Latvia

1007

57,6

24,5

17,9

Lithuania

1002

68,8

15,3

15,9

Luxembourg

1005

81,5

13,5

4,9

Hungary

1008

61,1

27,4

11,4

Malta

1005

79,7

10,1

10,1

Netherlands

1006

74

16,9

9,1

Austria

1001

75

17,7

7,4

Poland

1009

77,1

10,7

12,1

Portugal

1006

70

16,1

13,8

Romania

1013

73

12,7

14,4

Slovenia

1002

80,8

14

5,3

Slovakia

1002

70,3

19

10,7

Finland

1000

77

14,1

8,8

Sweden

1000

73,8

13,7

12,5

United Kingdom

1000

71,1

20,4

8,5

COUNTRY

page 75


Annex

Table 12b. It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe, by segment QUESTION: Q3_C. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

72,8

17,4

9,8

Male

13113

75,1

17,1

7,8

Female

14009

70,7

17,7

11,7

15 - 24

3909

72,6

17,6

9,8

25 - 39

6493

72,8

18,4

8,8

40 - 54

7106

74,2

17

8,8

55 +

9340

72,3

16,7

11

Primary

5388

67,9

16,7

15,4

Secondary

12512

72,5

18

9,5

Higher

8853

76,8

17

6,2

5382

75,9

16,9

7,3

Urban

10816

72,8

17,1

10

Rural

10698

71,5

17,9

10,5

Self-employed

2283

76,7

16,5

6,8

Employee

8780

74,3

17,9

7,8

Manual worker

2274

70,7

18,1

11,1

Not working

13593

71,7

17,1

11,2

EU27 SEX

AGE



OCCUPATION

page 76


Annex

Table 13a. It has contributed to job losses in our country, by country QUESTION: Q3_D. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has contributed to job losses in our country.

EU27

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

55,7

37,9

6,4

EU15

15048

55

39

6

CEE

10069

58,3

34,1

7,7

Belgium

1000

52

39,2

8,8

Bulgaria

1003

62,9

25,6

11,6

Czech Rep.

1009

57,7

35,9

6,5

Denmark

1001

41,9

54,4

3,7

Germany

1018

59,2

34,9

5,9

Estonia

1014

48,5

39,3

12,2

Greece

1001

79,8

17,9

2,3

Spain

1005

52,4

39,6

7,9

France

1005

59,1

35,2

5,7

Ireland

1000

52,6

44,1

3,3

Italy

1000

54,5

39,6

5,9

Cyprus

1000

72,5

23,7

3,9

Latvia

1007

69,6

22,5

7,9

Lithuania

1002

43,1

41

15,9

Luxembourg

1005

40,5

53,9

5,6

Hungary

1008

75,4

20,3

4,2

Malta

1005

38,1

51

10,8

Netherlands

1006

35,5

58,2

6,2

Austria

1001

45,8

48

6,3

Poland

1009

46,8

44,9

8,3

Portugal

1006

72,4

22,6

5

Romania

1013

70,3

23,4

6,2

Slovenia

1002

51,8

45,5

2,7

Slovakia

1002

62,6

30,3

7,1

Finland

1000

35,8

58,3

5,9

Sweden

1000

33

57,6

9,4

United Kingdom

1000

53

41,6

5,4

COUNTRY

page 77


Annex

Table 13b. It has contributed to job losses in our country, by segment QUESTION: Q3_D. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has contributed to job losses in our country.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

55,7

37,9

6,4

Male

13113

53,4

41,1

5,4

Female

14009

57,9

34,9

7,2

15 - 24

3909

49,5

41,9

8,6

25 - 39

6493

51,2

42,8

6

40 - 54

7106

57,2

38,3

4,5

55 +

9340

60,8

32,8

6,4

Primary

5388

64,4

27,4

8,2

Secondary

12512

60,3

33,6

6,1

Higher

8853

43,9

51,1

5

Metropolitan

5382

47,2

45,9

6,9

Urban

10816

57,2

36,8

5,9

Rural

10698

58,4

35,3

6,3

Self-employed

2283

50,8

44,8

4,4

Employee

8780

50,4

43,9

5,7

Manual worker

2274

66,7

27,2

6,1

Not working

13593

58,1

34,9

7

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 78


Annex

Table 14a. It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics, by country QUESTION: Q3_E. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics.

EU27

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

72,7

16

11,2

EU15

15048

73

16,6

10,5

CEE

10069

71,8

13,9

14,2

Belgium

1000

69,6

17,5

12,9

Bulgaria

1003

66,6

13,2

20,3

Czech Rep.

1009

62,8

27,3

9,9

Denmark

1001

73,1

22,6

4,3

Germany

1018

78,7

12,9

8,4

Estonia

1014

69,3

12,8

18

Greece

1001

75

18,1

6,9

Spain

1005

71,9

15,8

12,3

France

1005

72,5

17,6

9,9

Ireland

1000

80,9

13,5

5,6

Italy

1000

69,1

17,3

13,6

Cyprus

1000

70,8

19

10,2

Latvia

1007

60,8

22,6

16,6

Lithuania

1002

69,1

13,8

17,1

Luxembourg

1005

83

11,8

5,2

Hungary

1008

70

17,6

12,4

Malta

1005

80,3

7,4

12,3

Netherlands

1006

74,3

16,6

9

Austria

1001

72,5

17,4

10,1

Poland

1009

77,1

10,1

12,8

Portugal

1006

75,8

11,1

13

Romania

1013

70,1

12,1

17,8

Slovenia

1002

83,5

11,7

4,7

Slovakia

1002

73

14

13

Finland

1000

81,8

10,8

7,3

Sweden

1000

77,2

12,1

10,8

United Kingdom

1000

67,4

21,7

10,9

COUNTRY

page 79


Annex

Table 14b. It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics, by segment QUESTION: Q3_E. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

72,7

16

11,2

Male

13113

74,6

18,3

7

Female

14009

71

13,8

15,2

15 - 24

3909

75,4

13,6

11

25 - 39

6493

75,5

16,5

8

40 - 54

7106

71,4

18,7

9,8

55 +

9340

71

14,8

14,2

Primary

5388

66,8

13,9

19,3

Secondary

12512

73,5

15,6

10,9

Higher

8853

75,9

18

6,1

5382

75

16

8,9

Urban

10816

72,4

16

11,6

Rural

10698

72,3

16,1

11,7

Self-employed

2283

73,8

19,6

6,7

Employee

8780

75,4

17

7,6

Manual worker

2274

73,4

17,7

8,9

Not working

13593

70,9

14,5

14,6

EU27 SEX

AGE



OCCUPATION

page 80


Annex

Table 15a. It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole, by country QUESTION: Q3_F. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

38,7

46,8

14,5

EU15

15048

38,9

47,5

13,6

CEE

10069

37,8

44,2

17,9

Belgium

1000

39,2

45,4

15,5

Bulgaria

1003

41,4

32,1

26,5

Czech Rep.

1009

42,5

45,2

12,3

Denmark

1001

37,8

57,1

5

Germany

1018

38,4

52,1

9,5

Estonia

1014

29,1

39,6

31,3

Greece

1001

62,3

27,6

10,1

Spain

1005

36,3

41

22,6

France

1005

43,2

41,7

15,1

Ireland

1000

25,9

68,8

5,3

Italy

1000

44,7

37,8

17,5

Cyprus

1000

49,2

39,9

10,9

Latvia

1007

43,7

29,6

26,7

Lithuania

1002

34,2

45,1

20,7

Luxembourg

1005

34,4

57,2

8,4

Hungary

1008

51,1

35,7

13,2

Malta

1005

24,7

60,9

14,4

Netherlands

1006

29,7

61

9,3

Austria

1001

31,4

58,9

9,7

Poland

1009

30,5

54,1

15,4

Portugal

1006

50,2

31

18,9

Romania

1013

41,1

37

22

Slovenia

1002

51,9

43

5,1

Slovakia

1002

34,3

42,5

23,2

Finland

1000

32,9

47,2

19,9

Sweden

1000

18,3

68,4

13,3

United Kingdom

1000

32,9

57,9

9,2

EU27

COUNTRY

page 81


Annex

Table 15b. It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole, by segment QUESTION: Q3_F. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

38,7

46,8

14,5

Male

13113

38,7

50

11,3

Female

14009

38,7

43,9

17,5

15 - 24

3909

31,9

55,2

12,9

25 - 39

6493

36,9

51,1

12

40 - 54

7106

40,6

46,7

12,6

55 +

9340

41,4

40,6

18

Primary

5388

44

32,5

23,5

Secondary

12512

41,8

44,8

13,4

Higher

8853

31,4

58,9

9,7

Metropolitan

5382

36,9

51,1

11,9

Urban

10816

38,5

46,7

14,8

Rural

10698

39,8

44,8

15,3

Self-employed

2283

37,4

51,9

10,8

Employee

8780

35,8

53,7

10,5

Manual worker

2274

46,2

40,7

13,2

Not working

13593

39,6

42,6

17,9

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 82


Annex

Table 16a. It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole, by country QUESTION: Q3_G. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

62,2

27

10,8

EU15

15048

62,2

28

9,8

CEE

10069

62,4

23,2

14,4

Belgium

1000

60,7

25

14,3

Bulgaria

1003

49,5

24,8

25,8

Czech Rep.

1009

61,7

27,8

10,5

Denmark

1001

73,6

21

5,4

Germany

1018

64,3

28,7

7

Estonia

1014

67,5

18,1

14,4

Greece

1001

55,5

38,9

5,5

Spain

1005

68,6

19,9

11,5

France

1005

57,8

31,4

10,8

Ireland

1000

80,8

14,2

5

Italy

1000

53,2

34

12,8

Cyprus

1000

70,9

21,6

7,5

Latvia

1007

43,8

36,4

19,8

Lithuania

1002

58,9

18,1

23

Luxembourg

1005

72,7

20,2

7,1

Hungary

1008

40,9

48,4

10,8

Malta

1005

77,3

11,2

11,5

Netherlands

1006

72,4

19,6

8

Austria

1001

65,9

25,9

8,2

Poland

1009

71,7

15,6

12,7

Portugal

1006

63,1

19,9

17

Romania

1013

59,4

23,6

16,9

Slovenia

1002

72,2

21,7

6,1

Slovakia

1002

75,1

15,7

9,1

Finland

1000

67,9

24

8

Sweden

1000

59,1

23,7

17,2

United Kingdom

1000

63,5

28,8

7,7

COUNTRY

page 83


Annex

Table 16b. It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole, by segment QUESTION: Q3_G. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

62,2

27

10,8

Male

13113

65,6

26,6

7,8

Female

14009

59,1

27,4

13,5

15 - 24

3909

66,5

23

10,5

25 - 39

6493

65,6

25,8

8,6

40 - 54

7106

60,5

30,5

9

55 +

9340

59,9

26,8

13,3

Primary

5388

57

27,2

15,8

Secondary

12512

61,9

27,9

10,2

Higher

8853

66,5

25,8

7,7

5382

65,4

26,1

8,5

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

63

25,5

11,5

Rural

10698

60,3

29

10,7

Self-employed

2283

64,4

27,6

8

Employee

8780

65,4

26,1

8,5

Manual worker

2274

59,9

30,2

10

Not working

13593

60,4

26,9

12,7

OCCUPATION

page 84


Annex

Table 17a. It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole, by country QUESTION: Q3_H. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

49,9

42,6

7,5

EU15

15048

51,5

42,4

6,2

CEE

10069

44

43,8

12,2

Belgium

1000

48,8

40,5

10,7

Bulgaria

1003

41,4

37,9

20,7

Czech Rep.

1009

40,9

51,6

7,5

Denmark

1001

42,7

54,2

3,1

Germany

1018

50

45,3

4,7

Estonia

1014

34,5

48,1

17,4

Greece

1001

67,5

29,5

3

Spain

1005

63,9

28

8,1

France

1005

44,3

50,6

5,1

Ireland

1000

33,4

61,7

5

Italy

1000

66,4

26,5

7,1

Cyprus

1000

55,9

37,7

6,3

Latvia

1007

50,7

36,4

12,9

Lithuania

1002

31,8

49,1

19,2

Luxembourg

1005

48,7

47,5

3,8

Hungary

1008

43,4

43,9

12,6

Malta

1005

35,9

48,3

15,8

Netherlands

1006

44,8

49,3

6

Austria

1001

53

42

4,9

Poland

1009

39,8

48,6

11,6

Portugal

1006

71,4

21,3

7,3

Romania

1013

55,9

32,6

11,6

Slovenia

1002

60,7

35,5

3,8

Slovakia

1002

36,9

50

13,1

Finland

1000

28,4

65,2

6,3

Sweden

1000

21,4

68,8

9,8

United Kingdom

1000

40,2

53

6,8

EU27

COUNTRY

page 85


Annex

Table 17b. It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole, by segment QUESTION: Q3_H. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

49,9

42,6

7,5

Male

13113

46,9

47,5

5,6

Female

14009

52,7

38,1

9,2

15 - 24

3909

39,6

51

9,4

25 - 39

6493

45,1

48,3

6,6

40 - 54

7106

53,2

40,7

6,1

55 +

9340

55,2

36,9

7,9

Primary

5388

59,5

30,6

10

Secondary

12512

52,8

39,8

7,4

Higher

8853

39,8

54,9

5,3

Metropolitan

5382

44,5

48,1

7,4

Urban

10816

50

42,4

7,7

Rural

10698

52,5

40,5

7

Self-employed

2283

48

45,5

6,5

Employee

8780

44

50,4

5,6

Manual worker

2274

59,2

34,8

6,1

Not working

13593

52,4

38,7

8,9

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 86


Annex

Table 18a. It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration, by country QUESTION: Q3_I. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

57,5

32,5

10

EU15

15048

55,6

35,1

9,3

CEE

10069

64,7

22,6

12,7

Belgium

1000

52,8

32,6

14,6

Bulgaria

1003

57,1

27

15,9

Czech Rep.

1009

65,9

26,5

7,6

Denmark

1001

66,2

27,8

6

Germany

1018

64,4

27,9

7,6

Estonia

1014

58

23,9

18,1

Greece

1001

57,5

36,2

6,4

Spain

1005

57,3

32

10,7

France

1005

57,8

31,9

10,2

Ireland

1000

69,5

23,7

6,8

Italy

1000

37,9

53,5

8,6

Cyprus

1000

62,8

29,5

7,7

Latvia

1007

50

31,4

18,7

Lithuania

1002

58

21,4

20,7

Luxembourg

1005

64,6

29

6,4

Hungary

1008

56,8

32,1

11,1

Malta

1005

57,7

29,3

12,9

Netherlands

1006

64,1

25,3

10,6

Austria

1001

54,8

35,5

9,7

Poland

1009

71,3

16,7

12

Portugal

1006

63,6

23,1

13,2

Romania

1013

62,5

21,8

15,7

Slovenia

1002

47,2

47,5

5,2

Slovakia

1002

68,8

23,3

7,8

Finland

1000

64,8

23,6

11,6

Sweden

1000

60,4

24,4

15,2

United Kingdom

1000

50,3

41,1

8,5

COUNTRY

page 87


Annex

Table 18b. It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration, by segment QUESTION: Q3_I. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

57,5

32,5

10

Male

13113

58,4

34,2

7,4

Female

14009

56,6

30,9

12,5

15 - 24

3909

62

27,9

10,1

25 - 39

6493

57,3

33,7

9

40 - 54

7106

55,2

35,7

9

55 +

9340

57,9

31

11

Primary

5388

53

33,3

13,8

Secondary

12512

59,9

31

9,1

Higher

8853

57,2

34,4

8,4

5382

61,2

29,6

9,2

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

57,2

32,7

10,1

Rural

10698

56,2

33,8

10

Self-employed

2283

56,7

36,2

7,1

Employee

8780

57

33,8

9,2

Manual worker

2274

58,6

32,4

9

Not working

13593

57,8

31,1

11,1

OCCUPATION

page 88


Annex

Table 19a. It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries, by country QUESTION: Q3_J. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

76,4

13,2

10,4

EU15

15048

77,7

12,6

9,7

CEE

10069

71,5

15,7

12,9

Belgium

1000

71,9

14,2

13,9

Bulgaria

1003

56,9

20,4

22,7

Czech Rep.

1009

76,1

16

8

Denmark

1001

75,7

19,8

4,5

Germany

1018

83,8

9,1

7,1

Estonia

1014

67,8

14,2

18

Greece

1001

72,3

19,4

8,3

Spain

1005

75,6

12,1

12,3

France

1005

77,2

12,8

10

Ireland

1000

88,4

6,2

5,5

Italy

1000

69,8

19,2

11

Cyprus

1000

72,2

16,5

11,3

Latvia

1007

53,1

34,2

12,7

Lithuania

1002

71,6

8,4

20

Luxembourg

1005

87,9

6,6

5,6

Hungary

1008

61,5

26,7

11,8

Malta

1005

75,6

9,6

14,8

Netherlands

1006

83,2

9,7

7,1

Austria

1001

87,3

6,7

6,1

Poland

1009

78,3

9,9

11,8

Portugal

1006

74,7

9,3

16,1

Romania

1013

66,7

18,4

14,9

Slovenia

1002

83,1

11,8

5

Slovakia

1002

78

15,1

6,9

Finland

1000

87,2

7

5,8

Sweden

1000

76,7

7,9

15,4

United Kingdom

1000

77,7

12,7

9,6

COUNTRY

page 89


Annex

Table 19b. It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries, by segment QUESTION: Q3_J. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

76,4

13,2

10,4

Male

13113

79,9

13

7

Female

14009

73,1

13,4

13,5

15 - 24

3909

77,9

13,1

9

25 - 39

6493

78,2

13,4

8,4

40 - 54

7106

77,5

13,6

8,9

55 +

9340

74

13

13

Primary

5388

65,5

16,8

17,7

Secondary

12512

77

13,6

9,3

Higher

8853

83

10,5

6,6

5382

79,3

12,2

8,5

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

75,1

14,4

10,5

Rural

10698

76,8

12,4

10,9

Self-employed

2283

80

13,3

6,6

Employee

8780

81,3

11,2

7,6

Manual worker

2274

72,6

17,5

9,8

Not working

13593

73,5

13,8

12,7

OCCUPATION

page 90


Annex

Table 20a. It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize, by country QUESTION: Q3_K. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

70,4

14,8

14,8

EU15

15048

71,3

13,9

14,8

CEE

10069

66,8

18,5

14,7

Belgium

1000

68,2

13,6

18,2

Bulgaria

1003

59,9

20,1

20,1

Czech Rep.

1009

57,4

28,5

14,1

Denmark

1001

73,4

18,4

8,2

Germany

1018

84

7,8

8,2

Estonia

1014

70,1

9

20,9

Greece

1001

76

16,2

7,8

Spain

1005

67,1

13,8

19,1

France

1005

68,9

15,3

15,8

Ireland

1000

73,9

16,6

9,5

Italy

1000

64,7

16,6

18,7

Cyprus

1000

70,3

16,9

12,8

Latvia

1007

61,4

20,3

18,3

Lithuania

1002

75,5

6,8

17,7

Luxembourg

1005

85,5

8,3

6,2

Hungary

1008

65,4

22,7

11,9

Malta

1005

69,4

9,7

20,9

Netherlands

1006

73,8

14,4

11,8

Austria

1001

83,4

9,4

7,2

Poland

1009

67,5

18

14,5

Portugal

1006

72,6

8,3

19,1

Romania

1013

70,1

14,8

15,1

Slovenia

1002

68,7

20,7

10,6

Slovakia

1002

75

15,6

9,4

Finland

1000

64,4

22,1

13,5

Sweden

1000

63,4

11,6

25

United Kingdom

1000

64

18,4

17,6

COUNTRY

page 91


Annex

Table 20b. It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize, by segment QUESTION: Q3_K. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

70,4

14,8

14,8

Male

13113

73,2

15,5

11,3

Female

14009

67,7

14,2

18,1

15 - 24

3909

69,1

17,3

13,6

25 - 39

6493

69,4

17

13,6

40 - 54

7106

71,1

14,8

14,1

55 +

9340

71,4

12,3

16,3

Primary

5388

66,1

12,2

21,7

Secondary

12512

72,5

14,9

12,5

Higher

8853

70,7

16,4

13

5382

71

15,3

13,8

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

69

16,3

14,7

Rural

10698

71,9

12,9

15,2

Self-employed

2283

73,6

13,9

12,5

Employee

8780

70,7

16

13,3

Manual worker

2274

72,7

16,3

11

Not working

13593

69,5

13,9

16,6

OCCUPATION

page 92


Annex

Table 21a. It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union, by country QUESTION: Q3_L. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

EU27

27122

92,3

4,2

3,5

EU15

15048

92

4,5

3,4

CEE

10069

93,1

3

3,9

Belgium

1000

86,9

6,3

6,8

Bulgaria

1003

90,5

1,7

7,8

Czech Rep.

1009

91

5,3

3,7

Denmark

1001

88,4

10,3

1,3

Germany

1018

95,5

1,8

2,6

Estonia

1014

89,3

4,6

6,1

Greece

1001

93,8

5,4

0,8

Spain

1005

89,1

4,3

6,5

France

1005

92

5

2,9

Ireland

1000

94,2

4,4

1,4

Italy

1000

89

7,6

3,4

Cyprus

1000

91,4

4,3

4,4

Latvia

1007

89,8

6,2

4,1

Lithuania

1002

90,9

1,7

7,5

Luxembourg

1005

97,7

1,8

0,6

Hungary

1008

94,4

2,2

3,3

Malta

1005

87,4

3,9

8,8

Netherlands

1006

94,8

2,1

3,2

Austria

1001

94,9

2,7

2,4

Poland

1009

94,2

2,5

3,3

Portugal

1006

89,3

3,6

7,1

Romania

1013

92,4

3,3

4,3

Slovenia

1002

96,7

2,8

0,5

Slovakia

1002

95,7

3,1

1,2

Finland

1000

97,1

1,5

1,4

Sweden

1000

93,3

2,9

3,8

United Kingdom

1000

91,8

5,6

2,6

COUNTRY

page 93


Annex

Table 21b. It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union, by segment QUESTION: Q3_L. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

92,3

4,2

3,5

Male

13113

93,2

4,2

2,6

Female

14009

91,4

4,2

4,4

15 - 24

3909

90,8

4,5

4,7

25 - 39

6493

92,3

4,6

3

40 - 54

7106

93,8

4

2,2

55 +

9340

92,2

3,9

3,9

Primary

5388

90

3,6

6,4

Secondary

12512

92

4,6

3,4

Higher

8853

94,7

4

1,3

5382

93,6

3,6

2,7

EU27 SEX

AGE



10816

91,9

4,5

3,6

Rural

10698

92,4

4,1

3,5

Self-employed

2283

93,4

4,5

2,1

Employee

8780

94,3

3,5

2,3

Manual worker

2274

90,7

5,7

3,6

Not working

13593

91,3

4,4

4,4

OCCUPATION

page 94


Annex

Table 22a. It has made the European Union more difficult to manage, by country QUESTION: Q3_M. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has made the European Union more difficult to manage.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

65,4

23,2

11,3

EU15

15048

69,2

21,8

9

CEE

10069

51,4

28,5

20,1

Belgium

1000

73

17

10

Bulgaria

1003

52

20,3

27,6

Czech Rep.

1009

44,7

38,7

16,6

Denmark

1001

69,2

25,2

5,5

Germany

1018

73

18,1

8,9

Estonia

1014

49,4

25,2

25,4

Greece

1001

75,6

17

7,4

Spain

1005

58,9

28,7

12,4

France

1005

79,2

14

6,8

Ireland

1000

59,5

34,5

6

Italy

1000

68,3

23,8

7,9

Cyprus

1000

55,4

33

11,6

Latvia

1007

58,2

16,4

25,4

Lithuania

1002

43,1

28,2

28,8

Luxembourg

1005

75,9

19

5,1

Hungary

1008

46

36,5

17,5

Malta

1005

39,2

40,4

20,4

Netherlands

1006

62,2

29,5

8,3

Austria

1001

78,3

13,2

8,5

Poland

1009

59,6

24

16,5

Portugal

1006

82,8

9,9

7,3

Romania

1013

41,6

32,8

25,6

Slovenia

1002

88,1

6,7

5,3

Slovakia

1002

44,3

35,9

19,8

Finland

1000

66,6

25,5

7,9

Sweden

1000

51,7

32,1

16,2

United Kingdom

1000

61,8

27,9

10,3

EU27

COUNTRY

page 95


Annex

Table 22b. It has made the European Union more difficult to manage, by segment QUESTION: Q3_M. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? It has made the European Union more difficult to manage.

Total N

% Agree

% Disagree

% DK/NA

27122

65,4

23,2

11,3

Male

13113

67,6

23,3

9

Female

14009

63,4

23,1

13,5

15 - 24

3909

56

32,8

11,2

25 - 39

6493

62,5

27,7

9,8

40 - 54

7106

68,3

21,6

10,1

55 +

9340

69,4

17,6

13

Primary

5388

61,5

22

16,5

Secondary

12512

66,4

22,2

11,5

Higher

8853

67

25,9

7,1

Metropolitan

5382

63,4

26,1

10,5

Urban

10816

65,4

23,2

11,4

Rural

10698

66,8

21,9

11,3

Self-employed

2283

68,8

23,6

7,5

Employee

8780

67,3

24

8,6

Manual worker

2274

62,4

25,2

12,4

Not working

13593

64,3

22,4

13,3

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 96


Annex

Table 23a. Considerations for future enlargements for Europe as a whole, by country QUESTION: Q4A. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues from the following list to be taken into account by Europe as a whole when making a decision.

Total N

Freedom and democratic values

Ageing of European population

European Union’s role in the world

Economic issues

Stability at European Union’s borders

Cultural and religious issues

Immigration issues

No second choice

DK/NA

% of “Mentioned” shown

EU27

27122

49,7

9,7

16,8

39,7

16,6

20,7

25

10,1

5,8

EU15

15048

51,4

8,5

15,9

37,6

15,1

22,4

28,1

10,3

5,3

CEE

10069

43,5

14,4

20

47,9

22,1

14

13,5

9,5

7,6

Belgium

1000

51,8

14,2

13,5

35,4

15,2

18,6

21,9

12,6

8,4

Bulgaria

1003

36,1

14,6

16,2

45,7

25,4

14,1

12,3

13,2

11,2

Czech Rep.

1009

53,8

21,6

20,2

49

17,2

13,1

12,2

3,4

4,8

Denmark

1001

70,1

10,4

18,4

30,3

19,3

21,1

14,8

9,1

3,2

Germany

1018

60,4

9,9

22,7

32,9

12,8

17,1

20,4

9,9

7

Estonia

1014

41

11,4

13,4

46,4

28,6

16,2

21,5

9,3

6,1

Greece

1001

51,9

7,6

8,5

44

33,7

16,5

19,6

11,8

3,2

Spain

1005

60,8

4,9

12,1

39,4

14,5

15,7

21,9

20,7

5

France

1005

49,6

10,1

21,9

36,8

16,6

23,5

20,9

9,3

5,7

Ireland

1000

54,3

8,3

15,4

42,5

21,5

18,7

31,2

2,9

2,6

Italy

1000

32

6,9

7,8

42,2

7,1

39,8

41,2

13,3

4,9

Cyprus

1000

63,7

9,4

9,9

47,2

16,5

20,3

16,1

9

4

Latvia

1007

31,2

11,4

16,6

67

21,4

10,8

20,4

10,1

5,6

Lithuania

1002

33,5

10,9

17,6

57,7

18,3

15,9

18

6,8

10,6

COUNTRY

Luxembourg

1005

58,7

7,5

24,6

30,2

19,8

21,6

22,3

5,8

4,8

Hungary

1008

30,8

16,4

19,5

65,8

17,4

11,3

21,6

7

5,1

Malta

1005

41,2

8,8

10,7

36,4

11

23,2

45,4

10,9

6,2

Netherlands

1006

58,1

13,7

16,6

34,6

19,6

18,2

18,6

8,6

6

Austria

1001

53,4

6,7

14

36,3

16,4

21,9

30,4

8

6,5

Poland

1009

46,1

14,9

21,7

43,2

21,6

15,7

11,4

10,6

7,4

Portugal

1006

44,4

12,1

10,2

52,1

13,3

16,6

23,1

13,4

7,4

Romania

1013

44,7

9,9

20

43,6

26,6

11,7

12,3

11,8

9,7

Slovenia

1002

49,1

13,6

13,9

46

22,1

19,8

22,8

5,6

3,5

Slovakia

1002

45

16,5

21,1

51,3

22,8

14,2

9,9

7,6

5,8

Finland

1000

62,1

7

12,6

41,9

28,1

17,8

21,4

2,7

3,2

Sweden United Kingdom

1000

72,8

9

16,6

36

16,7

15,3

18,5

5,3

4,9

1000

45,8

6,4

14,4

36,9

18,9

22,4

46,5

2,2

3,2

page 97


Annex

Table 23b. Considerations for future enlargements for Europe as a whole, by segment QUESTION: Q4A. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues from the following list to be taken into account by Europe as a whole when making a decision.

Total N




Economic issues



Immigration issues

No second choice

DK/NA


27122

49,7

9,7

16,8

39,7

16,6

20,7

25

10,1

5,8

Male

13113

50,8

9,3

17,2

40,5

18,6

20

23,1

10,2

5,1

Female

14009

48,8

10,2

16,3

39

14,7

21,3

26,8

10

6,4

15 - 24

3909

50

9,2

17,6

42,7

12,2

21,6

28

9,2

4,8

25 - 39

6493

49,2

9,1

18,3

48

16,3

18,6

25,3

9

3,1

EU27 SEX

AGE

40 - 54

7106

52,6

8,8

17,8

40,9

18,3

20

23,6

9,7

4,2

55 +

9340

48,3

11

14,7

32,2

17,6

22,3

24,5

11,5

8,8

Primary

5388

39,7

11,2

13,4

40,8

13,4

19,6

27,3

15,7

9,4

Secondary

12512

50

10,3

17

38,4

16,9

21,5

24,9

10

5,6

Higher

8853

56,3

8,1

18,6

41,1

18,4

20,7

24

6,5

3,1

Metropolitan

5382

55,5

10,1

18

38

18

19,6

22,7

9,1

4,5

Urban

10816

48,5

9,6

15,7

41,7

17

21,3

25,3

9,1

5,9

Rural

10698

48,3

9,8

17,3

38,9

15,6

20,6

25,9

11,5

6

Self-employed

2283

52,1

7,4

14,9

42,9

19

22,4

24,2

8,2

4,4

Employee

8780

54,7

9,2

18,8

42,2

18

19,3

23,6

8,2

3,1

Manual worker

2274

42,2

11,4

19,7

45

17,2

16,1

26,3

10,6

5,7

Not working

13593

47,5

10,1

15,3

36,6

15,3

22,1

25,9

11,6

7,7


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 98


Annex

Table 24a. Considerations for future enlargements for country, by country QUESTION: Q4B. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues FROM the following list to be taken into account by [our country] when making a decision.

Total N




Economic issues



Immigration issues

No second choice

DK/NA


EU27

27122

42,9

10

13

45,6

16,2

19,6

29,6

10,6

6,3

EU15

15048

43,5

9,2

13,1

43,3

15,2

20,7

32,8

10,4

6

CEE

10069

40,4

13,2

12,9

54,3

20,1

15,1

17,3

11,6

7,6

Belgium

1000

47,9

13

12,8

38

15,4

17,1

22,5

14,3

9,6

Bulgaria

1003

37,8

9,1

10,6

51,5

23,1

15,8

13,3

11,9

13,5

Czech Rep.

1009

48,5

18,4

18,1

51,5

19

13,9

16,9

2,9

5,4

Denmark

1001

64,9

12

17,1

30,2

17,7

23,2

16,9

8,7

4,7

Germany

1018

49,6

9,4

19,6

41,1

13,5

18

26,3

10,4

6,1

Estonia

1014

37,9

10,5

10,5

54

22,9

17,1

28

5,6

6,8

Greece

1001

40,9

7,6

5,5

46,5

39,8

14,8

21,7

15,5

3,8

Spain

1005

55,4

6

8,7

44,3

14

16,1

25

19,3

5,6

France

1005

45,5

11,6

18,8

41,7

13,7

20,1

22,1

10,1

8,1

Ireland

1000

46,1

8,7

14,6

47,4

20,6

18,2

34

3

3,6

Italy

1000

25,7

7,2

5,8

47,8

6,5

32,4

50,9

12,6

5,5

Cyprus

1000

58,9

5,4

8

46,8

20,8

18,8

21,3

9,3

5,3

Latvia

1007

34,2

9,8

7,5

81,8

16

9

16,8

12,6

6,1

Lithuania

1002

31,4

10,6

9,3

59,5

15,6

17,2

27,2

8,5

10,3

COUNTRY

Luxembourg

1005

47,3

10

24,2

38,4

17,5

15,2

27,2

6,7

6,7

Hungary

1008

28,9

20,6

9,3

73,1

9,5

13,3

29

7,7

4,2

Malta

1005

29,9

9,2

6

39,6

8,4

22,6

60

11,1

6,6

Netherlands

1006

57,8

14,4

11,4

35,6

19

17,9

23,8

9,1

5,5

Austria

1001

48,5

7,5

8,8

37,9

16,5

22,3

36,7

7,3

7,3

Poland

1009

39,7

12,9

13

49,5

20,7

16,5

16,5

16,2

7,5

Portugal

1006

35,8

13,1

8,5

59,4

13,8

13,3

27,5

15,1

6,7

Romania

1013

44,6

9,6

14,3

51,2

23,3

14,3

13,3

11,8

8,9

Slovenia

1002

41,3

13,2

10

54,9

28,7

15

21,1

6,7

4,5

Slovakia

1002

45,7

15,9

12,9

59,1

21,1

13,1

13,2

6,6

6,2

Finland

1000

43,1

11,3

10,9

46,1

30,6

13,7

33,5

3,1

3,8


1000

62,2

9,4

12,5

41,1

15,9

13,8

25,4

6,2

6,8

1000

33,7

7,9

11,7

43,9

20,8

22,4

49,4

1,7

4,2

page 99


Annex

Table 24b. Considerations for future enlargements for country, by segment QUESTION: Q4B. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues FROM the following list to be taken into account by [our country] when making a decision.

Total N




Economic issues



Immigration issues

No second choice

DK/NA


27122

42,9

10

13

45,6

16,2

19,6

29,6

10,6

6,3

Male

13113

43,5

9,1

13,8

45,7

18,4

19,3

27,6

11,1

5,8

Female

14009

42,3

10,8

12,3

45,4

14,1

19,8

31,4

10,2

6,8

15 - 24

3909

39,7

9,1

13,1

49,2

14

18,7

33,8

11,4

5,5

25 - 39

6493

42,7

9,2

14,3

53,4

15,1

17,2

30,9

9

4,1

40 - 54

7106

44,4

10,1

13,8

46,2

18,1

20,3

28,2

9,8

4,5

55 +

9340

43,6

10,8

11,5

38,5

16,6

20,9

28

12

9,1

Primary

5388

35,4

9,9

11,1

46,4

11

18,1

31,6

16,2

10,1

Secondary

12512

43,4

11,3

12,5

44,2

16,9

19,5

30

10,3

5,9

Higher

8853

47,1

8,5

14,9

47

18,6

20,8

28,1

7,3

3,8

Metropolitan

5382

46,8

10,5

13,3

43,3

18,3

20

27,9

10,2

4,9

Urban

10816

42

9,7

11,6

48,8

16

20,6

29,5

9,3

6,2

Rural

10698

42,1

10,1

14,1

43,8

15,3

18,4

30,5

12

6,8

Self-employed

2283

42,9

8,8

11,2

48,9

19,5

21,2

29

9,4

4,5

Employee

8780

46,5

10,3

15

48,1

18

18,7

27,7

8,5

3,6

Manual worker

2274

37,7

11,1

13,4

49,3

15,2

15,8

30,6

11,2

7,8

Not working

13593

41,6

9,9

11,9

42,8

14,8

20,5

30,8

12,1

7,9

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 100


Annex

Table 25a. Considerations for future enlargements for you personally, by country QUESTION: Q4C. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, what would be the two most important issues for you personally from the following list to be taken into account when making a decision.

Total N




Economic issues



Immigration issues

No second choice

DK/NA


EU27

27122

46,4

8,8

11,9

43,3

14,8

21,5

25,4

12,7

7,6

EU15

15048

48,1

8,1

12,2

40,4

14

22,9

27,8

12,4

7,1

CEE

10069

40,1

11,6

10,8

54,5

17,8

16,1

16,2

13,8

9,6

Belgium

1000

49,6

12,1

12

33,8

15,5

20,4

20,1

14,4

11

Bulgaria

1003

37,1

10,4

9,3

53,1

20,4

17,2

14,3

11,8

13,2

Czech Rep.

1009

52,4

16,5

13

54,5

17,2

12,5

18,2

3,1

6,3

Denmark

1001

67

8,6

14,9

27,9

17,4

26,2

16,7

9,7

5,8

Germany

1018

59,7

8,9

15,9

34,9

13

21,9

20,1

11,4

7

Estonia

1014

39,7

8,8

10,9

49,7

20,6

20,6

22,2

8,1

9,6

Greece

1001

48

5,2

6,6

45,4

33,3

16,6

15,9

18,4

5,3

Spain

1005

58,4

4,5

7,8

41,5

11,9

16,9

23,5

24

5,7

France

1005

47,1

10,5

18,6

40,2

13,8

21,5

18,6

13,8

8

Ireland

1000

50,2

8,2

13,9

48,3

18,3

20,1

26,1

3,9

5,5

Italy

1000

26,3

5,5

3,5

47,2

6,9

33,9

46,5

14,9

7,7

Cyprus

1000

59,7

5,4

8,7

47,7

17,5

20,9

18,7

11

5,2

Latvia

1007

36,4

8,6

5

77,5

15,9

13,1

13

16,3

7,1

Lithuania

1002

30,7

11,5

9,3

61,3

10,7

15,3

25,1

11

12,6

Luxembourg

1005

57

6,1

22,8

33,9

18,6

19,3

21,7

9,1

5,8

Hungary

1008

31,6

19,4

11,1

71,7

9,9

14,2

21,8

9,3

5,5

Malta

1005

32,2

8,7

6,6

37,9

6,9

21,8

51,5

14,7

9,8

Netherlands

1006

62,7

12,4

12,7

31,1

18

19,9

18,9

10,7

6,8

Austria

1001

51,9

7,4

9,1

35,5

16,4

26,6

31,8

7,3

7

Poland

1009

38,9

9,3

8,5

48,9

18,3

17,8

17,1

18,9

11,1

Portugal

1006

38,7

11,5

8,7

57,5

13,4

13,9

23,2

18,1

7,5

Romania

1013

42,2

9,3

13,5

52,6

20,6

15,1

11,3

15,5

10

Slovenia

1002

47,7

12,9

10

50

20,5

17,7

16,1

9,3

7,9

Slovakia

1002

41,6

14,9

16,9

60

18,6

17

12

7,7

5,6

Finland

1000

50,9

12,2

8,7

41,8

30,4

15

23,2

3,8

7


1000

64,8

9,6

13

36,4

15,2

16,5

17,9

5,6

10,5

1000

39,1

7,5

14

42

16,7

24,5

41,4

2,6

6,1

COUNTRY

page 101


Annex

Table 25b. Considerations for future enlargements for you personally, by segment QUESTION: Q4C. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, what would be the two most important issues for you personally from the following list to be taken into account when making a decision.

Total N




Economic issues



Immigration issues

No second choice

DK/NA


27122

46,4

8,8

11,9

43,3

14,8

21,5

25,4

12,7

7,6

Male

13113

47

8

12,5

44,9

16,4

19,9

24,8

13,1

6,7

Female

14009

45,9

9,6

11,3

41,8

13,2

23

25,9

12,3

8,5

15 - 24

3909

46,7

6,9

12,5

44,9

11,8

25,2

26,4

12,9

6,3

25 - 39

6493

46,5

7,4

12,9

52,2

13,8

18,7

27,4

11,9

4,6

40 - 54

7106

48,4

8,6

11,5

44,1

16,6

20,9

25,4

12,3

6,1

55 +

9340

45,2

10,8

11,2

36,2

15,5

22,6

23,5

13,5

10,8

Primary

5388

37

10,4

8,9

44,3

11,2

19,5

27,9

17,9

11,5

Secondary

12512

47,1

9,5

11,8

42,7

14,8

21,4

25,9

12,5

7,2

Higher

8853

51,6

7,1

13,9

43,7

17,1

23,5

23,3

9,6

5,1

Metropolitan

5382

51,1

8,2

14,5

40,9

15,5

20,1

24,4

12,6

6,3

Urban

10816

45,1

8,8

10,3

45,4

15

22,4

25,5

11,6

8

Rural

10698

45,6

9,2

12,1

42,8

14,4

21,4

25,7

13,9

7,5

Self-employed

2283

49,6

7,8

10,4

45,3

16,4

22,9

25,6

12,5

4,7

Employee

8780

50,5

8,3

13,6

45,9

16,3

21,4

24,2

9,6

5,1

Manual worker

2274

39,2

9,2

11,8

50,3

14,8

15,5

26,1

16,4

8,4

Not working

13593

44,6

9,3

11

40

13,5

22,5

26

14,2

9,4

EU27 SEX

AGE


URBANISATION

OCCUPATION

page 102


Annex

II. Survey Details This general population survey ―Views on EU Enlargement‖ (No 257) was conducted for the European Commission, DG for Enlargement A.2 ―Information, Communication.‖ Telephone interviews were conducted in each country, with the exception of the Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia where telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted (70% WebCATI and 30% F2F interviews). Note: Flash Eurobarometer surveys systematically include mobile phones in samples in Austria, Finland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Telephone interviews were conducted in each country between the 26/01/2009 and the 1/02/2009 by the following institutes: Belgium Czech Republic Denmark Germany Estonia Greece Spain France Ireland Italy Cyprus Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Hungary Malta Netherlands Austria Poland Portugal Slovenia Slovakia Finland Sweden United Kingdom Bulgaria Romania

BE CZ DK DE EE EL ES FR IE IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT SI SK FI SE UK BG RO

Gallup Europe Focus Agency Hermelin IFAK Saar Poll Metroanalysis Gallup Spain Efficience3 Gallup UK Demoskopea CYMAR Latvian Facts Baltic Survey Gallup Europe Gallup Hungary MISCO MSR Spectra Gallup Poland Consulmark Cati d.o.o Focus Agency Norstat Finland Oy Hermelin Gallup UK Vitosha Gallup Romania

(Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 01/02/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009) (Interviews: 26/01/2009 - 31/01/2009)

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Representativeness of the Results Each national sample is representative of the population aged 15 years and older. Sample Sizes In most EU countries the target sample size was 1,000 respondents; the following table below shows the achieved sample size by country. A weighting factor was applied to the national results to compute a marginal total in which each country contributes to the European Union result in proportion to its population. For each of the countries, the table shows: (1) the number of interviews actually carried out (2) the population-weighted total number of interviews

Conducted Total BE BG CZ DK DE EE EL ES FR IE IT CY LV LT LU HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK

27,122 1,000 1,003 1,009 1,001 1,018 1,014 1,001 1,005 1,005 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,007 1,002 1,005 1,008 1,005 1,006 1,001 1,009 1,006 1,013 1,002 1,002 1,000 1,000 1,000

Total Interviews EU27 % of Total weighted 100 27,122 3.69 572 3.70 432 3.72 573 3.69 288 3.75 4611 3.74 74 3.69 623 3.71 2473 3.71 3359 3.69 224 3.69 3305 3.69 42 3.71 128 3.69 185 3.71 25 3.72 555 3.71 22 3.71 872 3.69 456 3.72 2088 3.71 583 3.73 1187 3.69 112 3.69 294 3.69 285 3.69 492 3.69 3262

% of Total (weighted) 100 2.11 1.59 2.11 1.06 17.00 0.27 2.30 9.12 12.38 0.82 12.19 0.15 0.47 0.68 0.09 2.05 0.08 3.21 1.68 7.70 2.15 4.38 0.41 1.08 1.05 1.81 12.03 page 104


Annex

Questionnaires 1. The questionnaire prepared for this survey is reproduced in English at the end of this results volume. 2. The institutes listed previously translated the questionnaire in their respective national language(s). 3. One copy of each national questionnaire is annexed to the results (volume tables). Tables of Results VOLUME A: COUNTRY BY COUNTRY The VOLUME A tables present the EU results country by country. VOLUME B: RESPONDENTS’ DEMOGRAPHICS The VOLUME B tables present the EU results with the following socio-demographic characteristics of respondents as breakdowns: Volume B: Sex (Male, Female) Age (15-24, 25-39, 40-54, 55+) Subjective urbanisation (Metropolitan zone, Other town/urban centre, Rural zone) Occupation (Self-employed, Employee, Manual worker, Not working) Highest level of education (Primary, Secondary, Higher education) Sampling Error Surveys are designed and conducted to provide an estimate of a true value of characteristics of a population at a given time. An estimate of a survey is unlikely to exactly equal to the true population quantity of interest for many reasons. One of these reasons is that data in a survey are collected from only a sample of members of the population, making data collection less expensive and faster. The margin of error is a common summary of sampling error, which quantifies uncertainty about (or confidence in) a survey result. Usually, one calculates a 95% confidence interval of the format: survey estimate ± margin of error. This interval of values will contain the true population value at least 95% of time. For example, if it was estimated that 45% of EU citizens are in favour of a single European currency and this estimate is based on a sample of 100 EU citizens, the associated margin of error is about 10 percentage points. The 95% confidence interval for support for a single European currency would be (45%-10%) to (45%+10%), suggesting that in the European Union the support for a single European currency could range from 35% to 55%. Because of the small sample size of 100 EU citizens, there is considerable uncertainty about whether the citizens of the European Union support a single currency. As a general rule, the more interviews conducted (sample size), the smaller the margin of error. Larger samples are more likely to give results closer to the true population quantity and thus have smaller margins of error. For example, a sample size of 500 will produce a margin of error of no more than about 4.5 percentage points, and a sample of 1,000 will produce a margin of error of no more than about 3 percentage points.

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Margin of Error (95% confidence interval) Sample size (n) Survey estimate 10 50 100 150 200 400 800 1,000 2,000 4,000 5% 13.5% 6.0% 4.3% 3.5% 3.0% 2.1% 1.5% 1.4% 1.0% 0.7% 10% 18.6% 8.3% 5.9% 4.8% 4.2% 2.9% 2.1% 1.9% 1.3% 0.9% 25% 26.8% 12.0% 8.5% 6.9% 6.0% 4.2% 3.0% 2.7% 1.9% 1.3% 50% 31.0% 13.9% 9.8% 8.0% 6.9% 4.9% 3.5% 3.1% 2.2% 1.5% 75% 26.8% 12.0% 8.5% 6.9% 6.0% 4.2% 3.0% 2.7% 1.9% 1.3% 90% 18.6% 8.3% 5.9% 4.8% 4.2% 2.9% 2.1% 1.9% 1.3% 0.9% 95% 13.5% 6.0% 4.3% 3.5% 3.0% 2.1% 1.5% 1.4% 1.0% 0.7% (The values in the table are the margin of error, at 95% confidence level, for a given survey estimate and sample size.) The examples show that the size of a sample is a crucial factor affecting the margin of error. Nevertheless, once past a certain point (a sample size of 800 or 1,000), the improvement is small. For example, to reduce the margin of error to 1.5% would require a sample size of 4,000.

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III. Questionnaire [READ OUT] In 1989, regimes of Central and Eastern Europe countries linked to the Soviet Union collapsed, and in a number of countries significant political changes took place. These events are now known under the generic names of “fall of the Iron Curtain” or “fall of the Berlin Wall.” In 2004, eight Eastern and Central European countries joined the European Union followed by Bulgaria and Romania in 2007. We would like to know your opinion about these two events, the fall of the so-called Iron Curtain 20 years ago and integration of Central/Eastern European countries into the European Union. Q1. Bearing in mind the changes following “the fall of the Iron Curtain” in 1989, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Agree .................................................................................... 1 Disagree ............................................................................... 2 [DK/NA] ............................................................................... 9 a)

These changes have brought more freedom to everyone in Europe ............. 1 2 9

b)

These changes resulted in better living standards in Central and Eastern Europe ............................................................................................... 1 2 9

c)

These changes created new opportunities only for the younger generation ....................................................................................................... 1 2 9

d)

These changes contributed to the disappearance of borders and allowed the free movement of people within Europe ...................................... 1 2 9

e)

These changes were only important for the Central and Eastern European countries ......................................................................................... 1 2 9

f)

These changes have offered good business opportunities for Western European companies in Central and Eastern Europe .................................... 1 2 9

Q2. Now, I would like to ask you to evaluate the overall impact of these changes. Would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Agree .................................................................................... 1 Disagree ............................................................................... 2 [DK/NA] ............................................................................... 9 a)

The quality of life in Central and Eastern European countries has improved considerably since 1989.................................................................. 1 2 9

b)

The situation which prevailed in Central and Eastern European countries before 1989 was better than today’s one ........................................ 1 2 9

c)

These changes made life more insecure in our country ................................. 1 2 9

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Q3. Regarding the consequences of the integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union, would you agree or disagree with the following statements? Agree .................................................................................... 1 Disagree ............................................................................... 2 [DK/NA] ............................................................................... 9 a)

It has helped to preserve security and stability in Europe as a whole ........... 1 2 9

b)

It has created problems because of the existence of too different cultures and values among the different countries of the European Union ............................................................................................................... 1 2 9

c)

It has led to the spread of democratic values and has consolidated the protection of human rights across Europe ...................................................... 1 2 9

d)

It has contributed to job losses in our country ................................................ 1 2 9

e)

It has increased the European Union’s weight in world politics ..................... 1 2 9

f)

It has lowered social standards in Europe as a whole .................................... 1 2 9

g)

It has increased prosperity and economic competitiveness for Europe as a whole ....................................................................................................... 1 2 9

h)

It has increased the feeling of insecurity in Europe as whole ........................ 1 2 9

i)

It has increased European security by allowing progress in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration ............................................. 1 2 9

j)

It has led to growth and modernisation in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries .................................................................... 1 2 9

k)

It has led to Western European countries making massive financial transfers to help these countries to modernize ............................................... 1 2 9

l)

It has increased people’s possibilities to freely move and travel within the European Union ........................................................................................ 1 2 9

m)

It has made the European Union more difficult to manage ........................... 1 2 9

Q4A. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues from the following list to be taken into account by Europe as a whole when making a decision. For Europe as a whole Freedom and democratic values .................................................... 1 Ageing of European population ...................................................... 2 European Union’s role in the world ................................................ 3 Economic issues ............................................................................ 4 Stability at European Union’s borders ............................................ 5 Cultural and religious issues .......................................................... 6 Immigration issues ......................................................................... 7 [No second choice] ........................................................................ 8 [DK/NA] ......................................................................................... 9

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Q4B. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, according to you, what should be the two most important issues FROM the following list to be taken into account by [our country] when making a decision. For [OUR COUNTRY] Freedom and democratic values .................................................... 1 Ageing of European population ...................................................... 2 European Union’s role in the world ................................................ 3 Economic issues ............................................................................ 4 Stability at European Union’s borders ............................................ 5 Cultural and religious issues .......................................................... 6 Immigration issues ......................................................................... 7 [No second choice] ........................................................................ 8 [DK/NA] ......................................................................................... 9

Q4C. In case the European Union would consider accepting new member countries in the future, what would be the two most important issues for you personally from the following list to be taken into account when making a decision. For you personally? Freedom and democratic values .................................................... 1 Ageing of European population ...................................................... 2 European Union’s role in the world ................................................ 3 Economic issues ............................................................................ 4 Stability at European Union’s borders ............................................ 5 Cultural and religious issues .......................................................... 6 Immigration issues ......................................................................... 7 [No second choice] ........................................................................ 8 [DK/NA] ......................................................................................... 9

BACKGROUND VARIABLES D1.

Gender [DO NOT ASK; MARK APP ROPRIATE]

Male ........................................................................................................................ 1 Female .................................................................................................................... 2

D2.

How old are you? [_][_] years old [00] ................................................................................. [REFUSAL/NO ANSWER]

D11. What is the highest level of education you have acquired? Primary education ................................................................................................... 1 Secondary education .............................................................................................. 2 Higher education..................................................................................................... 3 [REFUSED]............................................................................................................. 9 page 109


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D4. As far as your current occupation is concerned, would you say you are selfemployed, an employee, a manual worker or would you say that you are without a professional activity? Does it mean that you are a(n) . . . [IF A RESPONSE TO THE MAIN CATEGORY IS GIVEN, READ OUT THE RESPECTIVE SUBCATEGORIES]

— Self-employed  i.e. :

- farmer, forester, fisherman ................................................................................. 11 - owner of a shop, craftsman ................................................................................ 12 - professional (lawyer, medical practitioner, accountant, architect) ..................... 13 - manager of a company ...................................................................................... 14 - other.................................................................................................................... 15

— Employee  i.e. :

- professional (employed doctor, lawyer, accountant, architect) ......................... 21 - general management, director or top management .......................................... 22 - middle management........................................................................................... 23 - civil servant ......................................................................................................... 24 - office clerk........................................................................................................... 25 - other employee (salesman, nurse, etc...)........................................................... 26 - other.................................................................................................................... 27

— Manual worker  i.e. :

- supervisor/foreman (team manager, etc...)........................................................ 31 - manual worker .................................................................................................... 32 - unskilled manual worker ..................................................................................... 33 - other.................................................................................................................... 34

— Without a professional activity  i.e. :

- looking after the home ........................................................................................ 41 - student (full-time) ................................................................................................ 42 - retired ................................................................................................................. 43 - seeking a job ...................................................................................................... 44 - other.................................................................................................................... 45

- [Refusal] .............................................................................................................................. 99

D6.

Would you say you live in a . . . ? metropolitan zone ................................................................................................... 1 other town/urban centre.......................................................................................... 2 rural zone ................................................................................................................ 3 [Refusal] .................................................................................................................. 9

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Views on European Union Enlargement - European Commission

Views on European Union Enlargement - European Commission

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