Even as economic concerns mount, Europeans continue to view the European Union as a source of peace, security, and cooperation, according to a new poll. Most also credit the bloc with helping to sustain a high quality of life.

The findings, published Wednesday in the European Parliament’s latest Eurobarometer survey, suggest that many Europeans increasingly regard the EU as a safe haven amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

Some 75% of Europeans now believe the EU is a place of stability in a troubled world—an increase of eight percentage points since October-November 2025 and the second-highest level recorded over the past decade.

At the same time, recent global developments have deepened public pessimism about the future. Nearly six in ten Europeans (58%) say they are pessimistic about where the world is heading, compared with 38% who remain optimistic.

That sense of unease has intensified since autumn 2025, with pessimism rising by six percentage points. Even so, Europeans remain divided between uncertainty and optimism in describing their own outlook. Forty-four percent say uncertainty best reflects their current state of mind, while 43% choose hope.

Against a backdrop of shifting alliances and mounting geopolitical tensions, support for EU membership has reached a record high. Nearly three-quarters of Europeans (74%) believe membership benefits their country, matching the highest level ever recorded in the survey.

Respondents increasingly view the EU’s role in protecting peace and strengthening security as the bloc’s greatest advantage. Four in ten Europeans (40%) identify it as the principal benefit of membership, up three percentage points since spring 2025. Improved cooperation among member states ranks second, cited by 34% of respondents.

“At a time of global uncertainty, Europeans increasingly see the European Union as a beacon of stability. In a troubled world, that trust is Europe’s greatest asset. It comes with a clear expectation that we act decisively to deliver security, prosperity and opportunity for our citizens,” said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

The survey also points to growing expectations that the EU should become more strategically independent.

When asked where the bloc should focus its efforts to strengthen its position in the world, respondents placed defence and security first (39%), followed by energy independence (35%). Support for greater energy independence has risen six percentage points since autumn 2025. Competitiveness and the economy ranked third among respondents’ priorities.

Europeans also want the EU to take on a stronger role in responding to global challenges. More than two-thirds (68%) believe the Union should play a greater part in protecting citizens against global crises and security threats.

There is also overwhelming support for closer cooperation among member states. Nine in ten Europeans say EU countries should be more united in the current international climate, while an identical proportion believe the bloc should champion respect for international law by all countries. Nearly three-quarters (73%) also want the EU to have greater capacity to respond to global challenges.

Despite growing economic anxiety, Europeans continue to rate their quality of life positively. The European Parliament’s Spring 2026 Eurobarometer found that 83% of respondents are satisfied with their overall quality of life, while 17% say they are dissatisfied.

That sense of well-being, however, is closely tied to financial security. Satisfaction falls to 69% among those who struggle to pay their bills from time to time and drops sharply to just 40% among those facing financial difficulties most of the time. Respondents identified physical and mental health (51%) and financial security (49%) as the two most important ingredients of a good quality of life.

Even so, many Europeans are uneasy about what lies ahead. Nearly three in ten (29%) expect their standard of living to decline in the coming years, while half believe it will remain unchanged and only 18% expect it to improve.

Concern about declining living standards is strongest in France, where 44% anticipate a drop. Portugal follows at 39%, with Austria and Germany close behind at 38%.

Economic concerns are also reflected in what citizens want the European Parliament to prioritise.

Inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living remain the dominant issue, cited by 47% of respondents. That represents a six-point increase since autumn 2025 and leaves the issue comfortably ahead of every other policy priority.

The economy and job creation rank second at 35%, followed closely by defence and security at 34%, both unchanged from the previous survey.

The findings suggest that while Europeans increasingly value the EU’s role in providing stability and security, concerns over household finances continue to shape public expectations of policymakers.

The survey also points to continued confidence in the European Union and its institutions.

Overall approval ratings for both the EU and the European Parliament remain broadly stable. The most notable shift concerns perceptions of democracy within the bloc. Nearly six in ten respondents (59%) say they are satisfied with the way democracy works in the European Union—a five-percentage-point increase since November 2025 and a return to the highest level previously recorded in 2022.

The European Parliament’s Spring 2026 Eurobarometer survey was conducted by the Verian research agency between April 9 and May 4, across all 27 EU member states. Interviews were carried out primarily face-to-face, with computer-assisted video interviews also used in Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Finland, and Sweden. In total, 26,421 people were surveyed, with the EU-wide results weighted according to the population of each member state.