A recent study by the European Parliament shows record-high support for the European Union among Europeans. This growing approval is linked to rising external threats, such as the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. At the same time, populist movements are gaining strength within the EU, leading to an increase in euroscepticism among citizens of member states. This underscores the importance of public dialogue and education.
The Eurobarometer survey from autumn 2024 shows that 51% of Europeans trust the EU – the highest level since 2007. Nearly three-quarters of respondents say they feel like citizens of the Union.
“This is a strong mandate of trust. I believe this support comes from the expectation that Europe will provide solutions to many of the problems people are experiencing. As the sense of security declines, people look to Europe as a shield that can protect them from danger,”
says Katarzyna Smyk, Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland, in an interview with Newseria.
According to the 2025 Eurobarometer, EU citizens appreciate the benefits of membership more than ever. 74% of respondents believe their country gains from being part of the Union – the best result since the question was first asked in 1983. However, 66% of citizens expect the EU to be more involved in protecting them from global crises and security threats. Moreover, they believe member states should strengthen their unity to address these challenges effectively.
“For Poles and other Europeans, the EU is associated with crisis management. Whether it’s the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or the migration crisis, these events trigger greater cohesion and clearer public expectations. We’ve been operating in a sort of crisis-response mode for years now, as reality keeps throwing new challenges at us,”
adds Katarzyna Smyk.
A 2024 survey by CBOS titled “20 Years of Poland’s EU Membership” shows that 77% of Poles support staying in the EU – down by 8 percentage points compared to April 2023 and 15 points less than the record-high level in June 2022.
“Dialogue is very important to us – to understand what people expect. We are committed to more discussion, more dialogue, to ensure that the policies created in Brussels are accepted and respond to people’s needs. These needs remain unchanged: prosperity and economic security. People want to live in a safe country and a safe continent. That’s why we, as the European Union and the European Commission, are increasing support for member states in rearming and financing defense spending – to deter threats effectively,”
explains Smyk.
This year, on May 9, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which emphasized the need for cooperation among European countries to prevent future armed conflicts. That message is more relevant today than ever. The 2025 Eurobarometer indicates that defense and security are seen by respondents as the top priorities for strengthening the EU’s global role (36%). Competitiveness, the economy, and industry followed closely behind (32%, a 5-point increase from the previous year).
“We are currently facing a wide range of threats and challenges – some external, like war and less reassuring signals from across the Atlantic – and some internal, such as the rise of populism. This trend is often linked with a decline in trust toward the EU and the growth of euroscepticism. I believe the only answer is more dialogue, education, accurate information, and facts,”
says Smyk.
“People should form their own opinions, but they must have access to full and factual information. This is a challenge not only for European institutions but also for member states and education systems. Even children in schools should be discussing these issues.”
This is especially important because many young people are unaware of what Poland looked like before May 1, 2004 – the day it joined the EU. As a result, they may not associate many positive developments with membership. According to Smyk, it’s crucial to talk about both the benefits and expectations of EU membership to ensure that Poland continues to benefit from it.
Among the most significant benefits of Poland’s 21 years in the EU and its internal market are new opportunities for Polish companies, improved consumer protection, and progress in environmental efforts.
“Today, around 5 million jobs in Poland are linked to the internal market. Of course, we receive transfers from the EU that help us transform the country. The European Commission is currently working on a new budget proposal, expected to be presented in July. We will soon discuss what future support will look like. But the EU is not just about funding – it’s also about laws, standards, consumer protection, cleaner air and water, and higher expectations for public services. Not to mention the elimination of roaming charges – who even remembers those anymore?”
concludes the Head of the European Commission Representation in Poland.
The study “Challenges and Priorities of the EU: Views of Young Europeans”, conducted in February 2025, shows that 61% of young respondents are optimistic about the EU’s future, and 60% believe the EU has a positive impact on society. Young Europeans especially value being part of the Union for the freedom to travel and explore other countries (39%) and access to EU-funded programs and financial support (30%).
