Europeans are increasingly pessimistic about the state of the world, but their belief in the EU is riding high, according to polling published Wednesday.
A Eurobarometer survey found 74 percent of citizens reckon their country has benefited from being part of the EU — a high only matched once before, early last year.
The survey’s results suggest the bloc’s appeal has grown in lockstep with anxiety about international turmoil and war. Some 58 percent reported feeling pessimistic about the future of the world, a 6-percentage-point increase from November last year. By contrast, 59 percent said they’re optimistic about the EU’s future.
Citizens singled out the bloc’s contribution to protecting peace and security as the most important advantage of EU membership, with 40 percent of respondents listing it in their top three.
They also listed defense and security; energy independence; and competitiveness as three areas the bloc should focus on to strengthen its position in the world. Energy independence in particular has grown as a topic of importance for Europeans, against a backdrop of increased energy prices in the aftermath of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.