Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, EU citizens, including those in Cyprus, are increasingly worried about the future, while expressing stronger expectations for unified and more decisive European action, according to the European Parliament's latest Eurobarometer survey.

The citizens of the European Union are very concerned about a number of risks associated with international instability and security. In Cyprus, the rates of concern are recorded at high levels, with armed conflicts being a concern for 80% of respondents, terrorism for 77%, natural disasters linked to climate change for 80%, cyberattacks for 70% and uncontrolled migration flows for 86%.

At the top of the concerns at European level are armed conflicts near the EU's borders (72%), terrorism (67%), natural disasters exacerbated by climate change (66%), cyberattacks from non-EU countries (66%) and uncontrolled migration flows (65%).

52% of EU citizens are pessimistic about the future of the world, while 39% are pessimistic about the future of the European Union itself. As far as Cyprus is concerned, the percentage of pessimism about the future of the world is 58% and about the future of the EU to 48%.

On the contrary, on a personal level, the picture remains clearly more positive. 76% of citizens in the EU say they are optimistic about their personal future and the future of their family, while in Cyprus the corresponding percentage reaches 75%.

Concern about the risks associated with information and digital communication is also particularly acute. Disinformation worries 69% of citizens in the EU and 82% in Cyprus. Correspondingly high rates are recorded for hate speech (68% in the EU and 71% in Cyprus), false content generated by artificial intelligence (68% and 84%), inadequate protection of personal data (68% and 82%) and threats to freedom of expression (67% and 73%).

In this multi-challenge environment, citizens are calling for a stronger and more united European Union. 89% of respondents at EU level believe that Member States should address global challenges with greater unity, while in Cyprus the percentage reaches 95%.

At the same time, 86% of citizens in the EU and 94% in Cyprus support the prospect of a Union with a stronger voice at international level. In addition, 73% at European level and 86% in Cyprus believe that the EU needs more European resources to be able to respond effectively to global challenges. The expectation of a more active role of the Union in the security of citizens is also particularly strong. 66% of respondents in the EU believe that the European Union should contribute more to their protection, while in Cyprus the percentage is 90%.

In terms of the key areas where European action should focus to strengthen the EU's position in the world, citizens at Union level prioritise defence and security (40%), competitiveness, economy and industry (32%) and energy independence (29%). In Cyprus, defence and security are also top priorities (50%), followed by education (37%) and issues related to demography and migration (28%).

The cost of living remains a key issue for citizens. At EU level, 41% cite inflation, high prices and the cost of living as the top domestic priority for the European Parliament, while in Cyprus the figure stands at 34%. This is followed by the economy and job creation, with 35% in the EU and 43% in Cyprus. In Cyprus, public health (39%) as well as migration and asylum (39%) are also an important priority. Although most citizens estimate that their standard of living will remain stable over the next five years, 28% in the EU and 33% in Cyprus predict a deterioration.

Despite the concerns, the overall image of the European Union remains positive. 49% of citizens in the EU say they have a positive view of the Union, compared with only 17% who express a negative opinion. In Cyprus, 42% maintain a positive image of the EU, while the percentage of negative views stands at 18%. Similarly, a positive image of the European Parliament is stated by 38% of citizens in the EU and 30% in Cyprus.

It is also particularly encouraging that a strong majority of citizens consider their country's membership of the European Union to be positive. This percentage reaches 62% at EU level and 65% in Cyprus, recording a significant increase.

The survey was conducted in autumn 2025 in the 27 Member States of the European Union, with a total of 26,453 interviews, of which 501 took place in Cyprus.

CNA