Irish optimism shines despite global challenges in new EU survey

Despite global challenges, Ireland records some of the highest levels of optimism in the EU.

· 93% of Irish respondents say that EU countries should be more united to face global challenges.

· A majority of Irish people are worried about communication-related risks, such as disinformation (76%), fake content generated by artificial intelligence (75%), insufficient data protection (74%), and the control of social media by a few big companies (73%).

At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, citizens are increasingly anxious about their future and want the EU to act with unity and ambition. However, Irish people tend to have a more positive outlook than our European neighbours. 

The results of the European Parliament’s latest Eurobarometer survey, published on Wednesday, show that global developments instil a sense of worry in EU citizens. Geopolitical turbulence is having a major impact on Europeans’ perceptions, with the majority (52%) saying they are pessimistic about the future of the world, compared to only 37% of Irish people surveyed. The outlook appears brighter on an individual level, with over three-quarters of Europeans (76%) optimistic about their own future and that of their family, rising to almost nine in ten (88%) Irish people. 

Europe is facing many challenges. Worries relating to security and safety are high across all topics tested, with the following concerns topping the list across the EU: conflicts near the EU (72%), terrorism (67%), cyber-attacks from non-EU countries (66%), natural disasters worsened by climate change (66%), and uncontrolled migration flows (65%). For Irish people, uncontrolled migration flows (75%), cyber-attacks from non-EU countries (73%) and active conflicts near EU borders (72%) were the top concerns.

In parallel, a large majority of Irish people said that they were "highly worried" about communication-related risks, such as disinformation (76%), fake content generated by artificial intelligence (75%), insufficient data protection (74%), and the control of social media by a few big companies (73%). 

Call for a united Europe

Against the backdrop of numerous challenges, EU citizens want the European Union to step up its game. Sixty-six per cent of citizens want the EU to participate in keeping them safe, rising to 78% of Irish people. This underlines the protective role of the EU in the current political context. EU citizens also reckon that unity is crucial: 89% of respondents say that EU member states should be more united and 73% agree that the European Union needs greater means to face current global challenges. 93% of Irish people believe the EU should be more united to face global challenges. To strengthen its position in the world, the EU should focus primarily on defence and security (40%), competitiveness, economy and industry (32%), and energy independence (29%), according to EU citizens.

“Geopolitical tensions shape Europeans’ daily sense of security. Citizens expect the European Union to protect, be prepared and act together. That is exactly what a stronger and more self-assertive Europe must deliver. Europe is our strongest shield,” said European Parliament President Metsola.

Cost of living a key priority

High prices continue to impact citizens' standard of living. Domestically, inflation, rising prices and the cost of living (52%) are once again the top priorities that Irish people want the European Parliament to address. It is also the top priority for citizens at an EU level (43%) followed closely by the economy and job creation (35%), marking a five percentage point increase for this topic since May 2025. While most respondents expect their standard of living to remain stable over the next five years, a substantial share (28%) anticipate a decline, especially in countries where economic uncertainty is more acutely felt. The expectation that their standard of living will fall is strongest among French (45%), Belgian and Slovak citizens (both 40%). In comparison, 27% of Irish respondents felt that their standard of living will fall, roughly in line with the EU average. At European level, citizens expect the EU to focus on strengthening its position in the world, notably by focusing on defence and security (40%, up by 3 percentage points compared to the last survey).

EU citizens meanwhile reaffirm the importance of fundamental and founding values. Peace emerges as the value they most want the European Parliament to defend (52%), reflecting the current geopolitical climate. Democracy (35%), freedom of speech (23%), human rights (22%), and the rule of law (21%) also remain central expectations.

Support for EU membership highest in Ireland

Attitudes towards the EU and its institutions remain positive despite small declines since May 2025. A relative majority holds a favourable image of the EU (49%, -3pp), with only 17% a negative. 38% (-3pp) have a positive image of the European Parliament versus only 20% a negative. A strong and growing majority of EU citizens think that their country’s EU membership is a good thing (62%), a two-point increase since the question was last asked in February/March 2024. Ireland is the country with the highest level of support for the EU, with 86% saying that EU membership is a good thing. 

From a sociodemographic angle, young people continue to be among the most fervent supporters of the EU and have high expectations regarding its role. Young citizens, aged 15 to 30, are more likely than older citizens to see the EU and Parliament in a positive light: 58% have a positive image of the EU (compared with 49%-43% among older age groups) and 68% want a stronger role for the European Parliament (compared with 58%-54%). There is also very strong support among younger Europeans for: more unity among Member States in the current context (90%), more means for the European Union (78%) and a stronger EU voice at international level (87%).

The full results can be found on the Eurobarometer website.

Background

The European Parliament’s Autumn 2025 Eurobarometer survey was carried out by Verian research agency between 6 and 30 November 2025 in all 27 EU member states. The survey was conducted face to face, with video interviews (CAVI) used additionally in some Member States (Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Malta, Netherlands and Sweden). A total of 26 453 interviews were conducted. The EU results were weighted according to the size of the population in each country.