Overview

• Only 57 percent of 16–26-year-olds across seven countries unconditionally prefer democracy, with support ranging from 71 percent in Germany to 48 percent in Poland.
• Two-thirds of respondents view their country’s EU membership positively, yet 51 percent call the Union a “good idea that is poorly implemented.”
• Affordable living costs are the main concern for 36 percent of youth overall, with defense readiness next at 25 percent and climate action ranking highest in Germany (36 percent) but averaging 23 percent EU-wide.
• Migration skepticism has risen to 38 percent among young Europeans calling for stricter controls, up from 26 percent in 2021, with the strongest criticism in Poland, Greece and Spain.
• Support for a European army has declined to 56 percent EU-wide; backing in Germany fell from 68 to 60 percent and stands at 48 percent in Greece.