Earlier today, the EU Commission published a Flesh Eurobarometer conducted at a regional level, showing that the EU citizens look positively at the economic situation and quality of life in their region. “Over eight out of ten Europeans (82%) say that the quality of life in their region is good. At the same time, 65% of Europeans say that the current situation of the economy of their region is good”. According to the survey, “Europeans tend to think that the most important issues facing their region at the moment are the cost of living (31%), the economic situation and unemployment (26%), and health (26%). These are followed by housing (20%), the environment and climate change (19%), and the educational system (18%)”. At the same time, economy, social justice and employment (29%) are considered “some of the most important dimensions for the future of Europe”, followed by climate change and the environment (24%), education, culture, youth and sport (24%), democracy, values and rights and rule of law (21%), health (21%), EU security and defence (20%) and migration (19%). Trust in regional and local institutions “remains high, as does trust in the EU. 58% of respondents tend to trust regional and local authorities and 38% tend not to trust them. The same proportions are observed when it comes to trust in the EU.”.
The majority of European citizens keeps being optimistic: “66% of them are optimistic regarding the future of their region, while 32% are pessimistic”. At the same time, 55% are optimistic regarding the future of the EU while 42% are pessimistic.