According to the latest survey released Wednesday, Europeans are mostly concerned about conflicts near EU borders and misinformation, urging the European Parliament to focus on inflation, employment, and defence.
Ongoing conflicts adjacent to EU borders and misinformation have surfaced as the top worries among European citizens, based on a Eurobarometer survey released by the European Parliament on Wednesday.
The survey, carried out last autumn, revealed that 72% of participants were highly anxious about wars close to EU borders, while 69% indicated significant concern about misinformation.
Additional key security issues included terrorism (67%), natural disasters intensified by climate change (66%), and cyber assaults originating from non-EU nations (66%).
«It is remarkable to observe that these concerns span across member states,» European Parliament spokesperson Delphine Colard told Euronews.
«Previously, countries in the Nordics or Eastern Europe might have flagged such security and defence issues first, but now these worries are widespread.»
Respondents also showed considerable apprehension regarding hate speech (68%), AI-generated deceptive content (68%), protection of online data (68%), and threats to freedom of expression (67%).
«Over the past year, there have been numerous assaults on multilateralism and core values, coupled with an increase in hate speech and online disinformation. AI tools have increasingly been exploited to polarize and distort the information landscape,» Colard explained.
«Consequently, citizens are likely very aware of these risks and threats.»
What citizens expect from the Parliament
Given these concerns, Europeans prioritize the European Parliament tackling inflation (41%), followed by job creation (35%) and defence (34%).
Colard noted that the agenda set by the European Commission, Parliament, and Council aligns closely with the citizens’ priorities.
«Competitiveness has featured prominently, encompassing economic and industrial matters, alongside what citizens most expect from the Parliament—addressing inflation and rising living costs,» she stated.
Security and defence have also become focal points, with suggestions for enhanced European defence mechanisms, investment, and support for Ukraine, Colard added.
Issues related to safeguarding citizens online have been part of nearly every parliamentary plenary session since the most recent European elections, she emphasized.
A significant 89% of those surveyed believe European countries must demonstrate greater unity to address global challenges, while 86% desire a stronger EU presence internationally.
Citizens expect the EU «to protect» them and «to be ready to act collectively,» Colard remarked. Additionally, two-thirds (66%) of respondents want the EU to improve its protection against global crises and risks.
Overall, 62% view their nation’s membership in the 27-member bloc positively, despite a decline in public perception of the EU since May 2025.