74 percent of the respondents in the latest so-called Eurobarometer believe that their countries have benefited from being part of the EU. This is an increase of four percentage points since last year and the highest figure since the question was first asked in 1983.
The most positive respondents are from Malta with 92 percent, followed by Denmark, Ireland, and Portugal at 91 percent. Of the Swedish respondents, 79 percent believe that Sweden has benefited from joining the EU. The lowest number of positive responses, 61 percent, is found in Bulgaria.
The measurement was conducted in all member states in January and the beginning of February and also shows that 66 percent believe that the EU should play a greater role in protecting citizens against global crises and security risks. 76 percent also think that the EU needs "more means" – for example, money or powers – to handle global challenges.
