As the Security Council begins, the news captures the strong feeling that prevails among European citizens. The survey, commissioned by it to coincide with the start of the Conference, shows that the majority of Europeans call for a more active role for the European Union and its member states in the field of security and defence.
The aim of the survey was to record the sense of security of EU citizens, their level of trust in the Union as a defense factor, as well as their attitude towards increasing investments in collective defence. This is, in fact, the first relevant measurement after the most serious crisis in recent years in transatlantic relations, on the occasion of the Greenland issue.
What does the Eurobarometer record?
According to the findings, almost seven in ten Europeans (68%) consider their country to be under threat, while 42% say they are also worried about their own personal safety.
The highest percentages regarding the perception of threat are recorded in France, where they reach 80%. The Netherlands and Denmark follow with 77%, as well as Cyprus and Germany with 75%. In Greece, the corresponding percentage is 68%.
In the context of the acceleration of European defense initiatives in 2025, almost three-quarters of respondents (74%) say they approve of the current level of EU defense spending. or estimate that these should be increased further. Support is particularly strong in countries such as Lithuania (80%), Portugal (89%), Finland (83%), Spain (80%) and Denmark (78%).
At the same time, the majority of European citizens (52%) state that they trust the European Union as a factor enhancing security and defense, with the highest levels of trust recorded in Luxembourg (76%), Portugal (74%), Cyprus (73%) and Lithuania (71%).
“Supervision” by the big countries?
However, a different picture emerges in the three largest countries of the Union. In Germany and Italy, 47% of citizens state that they do not share the opinion that the E.U. sufficiently enhances safety, while in France the corresponding percentage reaches 40%. In Greece, only four out of ten citizens express confidence in the EU. in the specific field. At the same time, 32% of Europeans consider that the Union’s actions so far are insufficient, while 34% express the same criticism of their country.
Security and defense also emerge as a top priority for EU space policy, according to 53% of respondents. This is followed by the environment and climate change with 36%, and the competitiveness and development of European industry with 31%.
Finally, the positive economic impact of European space programs is largely recognized by younger citizens, with 55% stating that they perceive their benefits.
