A heightened sense of insecurity and deep concern over geopolitical developments emerge from the latest Eurobarometer survey by the European Parliament. Half of EU citizens—52% overall—express pessimism about the world’s future, a figure rising to 56% in Greece. Pessimism regarding the EU’s future stands at 39% across the bloc but reaches 53% in Greece; for their own country’s future, it is 41% EU-wide versus 56% in Greece. In contrast, personal outlooks remain relatively positive: 76% of EU citizens are optimistic about their own and their family’s future—though this dips to 69% in Greece.
Security concerns dominate public attention. Across the EU, top worries include armed conflicts near the Union’s borders (72%), terrorism (67%), cyberattacks from non-EU countries (66%), climate-exacerbated natural disasters (66%), and uncontrolled migration flows (65%). In Greece, migration tops the list (84%), followed by climate-related disasters (83%), regional conflicts (79%), terrorism (73%), and EU energy dependence on third countries (71%).
Misinformation and digital threats also provoke high anxiety: 69% of EU citizens (77% in Greece) worry about misinformation; 68% (79% in Greece) fear inadequate personal data protection; hate speech concerns 68% (71% in Greece); AI-generated disinformation troubles 68% (70% in Greece); and threats to freedom of expression concern 67% in both regions.
Amid this landscape, citizens demand stronger EU action: 66% of EU respondents (78% in Greece) believe the EU must play a more active role in citizen security; 89% (93% in Greece) support greater unity among member states; and 73% (82% in Greece) say the EU needs more tools to tackle global challenges. For boosting the EU’s international standing, priorities differ: defense and security rank first for 40% of EU citizens (32% in Greece), while competitiveness and the economy lead in Greece (46% vs. 32% EU-wide), followed by energy independence (32% in Greece, 29% EU-wide). Cost of living remains the top domestic priority.