Poll 2016

Methodology

On behalf of Századvég, Millward Brown conducted a telephone opinion poll in the 28 countries of the European Union between 18 January and 10 February 2016. A total of 28,070 adult respondents were randomly selected by the CATI method. As a result of the sample, the data presented in the study may differ by only +/- one per cent from that gained if the entire population of Europe had been asked. The error limits for certain countries are +/- 3.2 per cent.

The aims of the study:

to get to know the feeling of prosperity in the countries;
map the attitudes of the citizens related to the European Union;
examine the perceptions of the citizens regarding the relevant social, political and foreign affairs activities and the attached climate of opinions;
to assess opinions regarding the migration wave, with special regard to expected future developments;
to assess views on terrorism.

One thousand adult citizens from each of the 28 EU countries were asked the questions. The poll was conducted in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Country	Sample – numbers
Austria	1001
Belgium	1006
Bulgaria	1000
Croatia	1000
Cyprus	1000
Czech Republic	1007
Denmark	1000
Estonia	1000
Finland	1000
France	1005
Germany	1005
Greece	1000
Hungary	1002
Italy	1005

Country	Sample – numbers
Ireland	1005
Latvia	1000
Lithuania	1000
Luxemburg	1000
Malta	1000
Netherlands	1006
Poland	1014
Portugal	1002
Romania	1000
Slovakia	1011
Slovenia	1000
Spain	1004
Sweden	1000
United Kingdom	1001
Total	28070

Results

IMMIGRATION

MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF EUROPEAN RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WHEN THEY THINK OF THEIR OWN COUNTRIES. 49% OF THE RESPONDENTS CONSIDERED ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, WHEREAS ANOTHER 36% THINK THAT IT IS ONLY SOMEWHAT SERIOUS PROBLEM.

OPINIONS ON THE EU

THE EUROPEAN POPULATION IS MORE PESSIMISTIC THAN OPTIMISTIC CONCERNING BOTH THE FUTURE OF THEIR OWN COUNTRIES AND THE ECONOMIC PROSPECTS OF THE EU. THE CITIZENS IN THE COUNTRIES IMPACTED MOST BY THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS ARE MORE PESSIMISTIC THAN THE AVERAGE.

LEAVING THE EU

THERE AREN’T ANY COUNTRIES WHERE THE NUMBER OF THOSE WHO WANT TO EXIT THE EU-WOULD BE IN MAJORITY.

TERRORIZMUS

ACCORDING TO 36% IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT A TERRORIST ATTACK THAT HAPPENED IN PARIS LAST NOVEMBER WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN SOME FORM. ANOTHER 51% THINK THAT ANOTHER ATTACK IS SOMEWHAT LIKELY AND ONLY 13% THINK THAT ANOTHER TERRORIST ATTACK IS NOT LIKELY AT ALL.

Questionnaire

Q1. Generally speaking, do you think that things in your country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things are going in the wrong direction, or only that they are somewhat going in the right or wrong direction?

Right direction, strongly
Right direction, somewhat
Wrong direction, somewhat
Wrong direction, strongly
Neither / both
DK / Refused

Q2. Looking forward to next year, do you think the economy throughout the European Union will be stronger or weaker than it is now?

Stronger
Weaker
The same
DK / Refused

Rate the job that the EU is doing in each of the following:

	Excellent	Good	Poor	DK / Ref
Q3. Improving the economy	1	2	3	9
Q4. Maintaining European values	1	2	3	9
Q5. Handling the immigration crisis	1	2	3	9
Q6. Keeping Europe militarily strong	1	2	3	9
Q7. Fighting terrorism and preventing more terrorist attacks in Europe	1	2	3	9

Do you approve or disapprove of each of the following actions?

	Approve	Disapprove	DK / Ref
Q8. The European Union quota plan to distribute recent immigrants throughout Europe	1	2	9
Q9. Continue sanctions against Russia	1	2	9
Q10. Using the military to stop the Russians from taking Ukraine	1	2	9
Q11. ‘You nation’ should have fences to protect its borders against immigrants	1	2	9

Q12. Would you sign a petition to have your country leave the EU?

Yes
No
DK / Refused

Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?

		Agree	Disagree	DK/Ref
Q13. The problem of migration is a global issue Europe that cannot solve alone. This crisis must be solved globally.	The problem of migration is a global issue Europe that cannot solve alone. This crisis must be solved globally.	1	2	9
Q14. EU should protect the outer European borders more effectively	EU should protect the outer European borders more effectively	1	2	9

Q15. How likely do you expect that a terrorist attack like the one just happened in Paris could happen in your country?

Very likely
Somewhat likely
No likely at allQUESTIONNAIRE
DK / refuse

Q16. How serious a problem do you believe it is that illegal immigrants are coming into our country? Would you say it’s a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not very serious problem, or is it no problem at all?

Very serious
Only somewhat serious
Not very serious
No problem a tall
DK/Refused

For each of the following please tell me if you find the statement to be true or untrue:

	True	Untrue	DK/Ref
Q17. The influx of immigrants into the country will increase crime	1	2	9
Q18. The influx of immigrants to the country will increase the threat of terrorism	1	2	9
Q19. The influx of immigrants to the country will decrease jobs available for the citizens	1	2	9
Q20. The influx of immigrants to the country will change the culture of our country	1	2	9

Q21. How serious a threat to Europe is the rapid population growth of Muslims? Would you say it’s a very serious threat, a somewhat serious threat, a not very serious threat, or is the rapid population growth of Muslims in Europe not a threat at all?

Very serious
Only somewhat serious
Not very serious
No threat at all
DK/ Refused

Q22. How serious a threat do you believe ISIS will be in Europe over the next 5 years? Would you say ISIS would be a very serious threat, a somewhat serious threat, a not very serious threat, or no threat at all to Europe?

Very serious
Only somewhat serious
Not very serious
No threat at all
DK/ Refused