The level of trust Romanians have in the EU significantly surpasses the continental average; however, their occasional priority areas differ from those of most Europeans, as indicated by the study.
most recent Eurobarometer survey
.
The survey carried out during the winters and springs of 2025 indicates a general rise in confidence among Europeans regarding the EU, particularly concerning safety, economic matters, and backing for Ukraine. Approximately 52% of EU residents currently express their trust in the Union, marking the peak level since 2007. In Romania, this figure stands at 56%.
The rise in trust levels is paralleled by a favorable view of the advantages of being part of the EU. Consequently, 70% of Romanians believe their nation has benefited from EU membership, a proportion nearly matching the European average, which hit an all-time high of 74%.
At the European Union level, 78% of citizens express concerns regarding the Union’s defense and security over the coming five years, with an even higher 81% supporting the notion of a shared defense and security strategy across member nations. These figures represent the peak approval rates documented since 2004.
Over one-third (36%) of European Union citizens consider defense to be the primary priority for the EU in the near future, along with enhancing competitiveness (32%). Additionally, 89% of Europeans feel that member countries should cooperate more closely to address security and defense issues.
For 31% of Romanians, defense and security are top priorities, closely matching concerns about food security and agriculture at 32%. Approximately 47% believe the EU should take more responsibility in shielding them from worldwide crises and security threats, which is notably below the European average of 66%.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to be a significant worry for Europeans, with 72% endorsing economic sanctions against Russia and backing financial, humanitarian, and military assistance for Ukraine. In Romania, people echo this sentiment, seeing the war as a crucial test for Europe’s safety and stability. As many as 77% of Romanians perceive the invasion as a serious threat, and about 60% concur with offering Ukraine candidacy for EU membership, which aligns closely with the overall EU opinion.
Eight in every ten Europeans concur with welcoming Ukrainian refugees into EU territories, whilst approximately three-quarters (76%) endorse offering them financial and humanitarian assistance. About 59% believe the EU ought to cover the costs and logistics for supplying military gear to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Support for Ukraine is also significant in Romania, as indicated by the Eurobarometer, though it remains slightly below the European average.
Over seventy percent (71%) of Romanians approve of accepting Ukrainian refugees, and sixty-three percent (63%) endorse offering both financial assistance and humanitarian aid. Approximately seventy percent (70%) back imposing economic sanctions on Russia, whereas fifty-one percent (51%) concur with supplying military gear to Ukraine, which falls short of the European Union’s average.
Across Europe, 44% of people think the Union’s financial state is positive, whereas 48% see it negatively. However, Romanian residents hold even bleaker views regarding their own nation’s finances: 59% describe Romania’s economic condition as poor. Interestingly, this negativity doesn’t extend to perceptions of the broader European economy; instead, 39% of Romanians believe it holds up well, suggesting they have more faith in the EU’s resilience and prospects.
On a personal level, 59% of Romanians rate their household’s financial situation as good, below the EU average of 75%. Regarding employment, 53% of Romanians consider their professional situation to be good, but 24% expect it to worsen in the next year, a level twice the European average of 10%.
Currently, 70% of Romanians believe that Romania has gained advantages from being part of the EU, with this figure staying consistent over recent years and near the continental average of 74%. In terms of upcoming prospects, only 24% of Romanians anticipate a drop in their quality of life within the coming half-decade, which is under the European mean of 33%.
(Photo source:
Vladescu Bogdan
|
Dreamstime.com
)
