Half of Europeans not satisfied with EU’s direction

An official public survey revealed on Wednesday the dissatisfaction of half of the European citizens with the direction EU heads in.

Eurobarometer, which conducts official surveys of the EU revealed the the findings about people’s opinions. The fieldwork of survey was carried out between Sept. 8-26, 2018 among 27,474 Europeans aged 16 or more in 28 EU member states.

The survey revealed that 50 percent of Europeans aren’t satisfied with the direction EU is heading in while a clear appreciation for EU membership, reaching 68 percent.

Public opinion also seems quite stable in terms of expectations about the role of the EU in the future, with 48 percent wanting the EU to play a more important role, as opposed to 27% preferring less.

The survey also revealed that the immigration topped the agenda with 50 percent, followed by economy with 47 percent and youth unemployment with 47 percent, while combatting terrorism moved down to the fourth place with 44 percent as problems considered by EU citizens.

Some 66 percent of respondents would vote for their country to remain a member of the EU and only 17 percent would contemplate leaving, according to the survey.