Hopes and Fears of New EU Citizens

Eighteen months after joining the EU, most citizens in the new EU member states expect improved job and educational opportunities, but also predict rising prices, a lower standard of living, and increased corruption. These are the results of the latest Gfk EU Index survey.

The survey was carried out last October and November with around 9,300 people in the ten new member states: Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Cyprus.

Findings include the following:

• 66% of respondents believe that EU membership will create new educational and job opportunities (compared with 60% in early 2005, and 75% in 2004, shortly after joining the EU). Lithuanians in particular (84%), Estonians (79%) and Latvians (77%) expect to find good job opportunities in other European countries.
• Only around 14% believe that EU membership will improve the standard of living in the short term (33% in 2004), although one third expect improvement in standard of living over the next five years.
• 12% believe that EU membership will improve healthcare in their country in the short term, but 37% believe that this will be the case over the next five years.
• 78% are concerned that EU membership means an increase in prices (73% in 2005, 81% in 2004). The citizens of Latvia (98%) and Lithuania (93%) were particularly concerned about this issue. 75% of respondents also anticipate price increases for the next five years.
• 40% think corruption is likely to become more widespread as a result of EU membership.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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