European Union (EU)
The European Union receives very positive ratings on its role in the world. Positive evaluations of the EU are the most common view in 24 out of 27 countries polled, while in just two countries the dominant view is negative and one divided. On average, 53 percent see the European Union positively, while just 19 percent view it negatively, making it among the most positively evaluated entities behind Canada and Japan. Among the 19 tracking countries, views of the EU have been unchanged in aggregate, though specific countries have shown some substantial shifts.
Unsurprisingly, the European Union is viewed very positively by the EU member countries that were polled, though some countries have more lukewarm views than others. Seventy-nine percent of Portuguese have positive views of the EU, as well as large majorities in Italy (76%), Germany (73%), Poland (70%) and France (68%). Smaller majorities are found in Greece (63%) and Great Britain (59%). The newest EU member polled, Hungary, gives it the lowest positive ratings (50%), but only 11 percent give a negative rating, while a large 39 percent do not take a position.
Positive views of the EU are not however derived primarily from EU countries. When EU countries are excluded, the average rating is still 48 percent positive and 22 percent negative.
The EU is also highly regarded in North America, where positive views of its influence are widespread and improving. A large majority in Canada (70%, up from 51%) and a growing number in the United States (53%, up from 42%) give it positive reviews.
Attitudes about the European Union in Turkey are quite mixed and growing more negative, perhaps an indication of its struggles to become a member state. Turks are now evenly divided between positive views (30%, down from 40%) and negative views (32%, up from 16%), while a large number declined to answer either way.
Views of the European Union are mixed among the other three Middle Eastern countries polled. In Egypt and the UAE very large numbers do not take a position and those that do, lean to the negative: in Egypt, 33 percent negative and 10 percent positive; in the UAE, 33 percent negative and 25 percent positive. However, in Lebanon a clear majority (54%) rates the EU’s influence positively (27% negatively).
Very positive views of the EU are found in Africa. Majorities in Nigeria (64%) and Kenya (62%) view the EU’s influence as positive.
In the Asia/Pacific region numbers are positive and improving in Australia (59%, up from 46%) and the Philippines (49%, up from 39%). Views are positive but declining in South Korea (63%, down from 71%) and India (29%, down from 37%) though many did not express an opinion. Views are positive and stable in China (58%) and Indonesia (52%).
Publics in Latin America also tend to view the European Union positively, though Brazilians are now the exception. The EU receives widespread positive evaluations among two-thirds (66%) in Chile, as well as in Mexico (43%) and Argentina (35%). More Brazilians, however, now view the EU’s influence unfavorably. Thirty-eight percent say its influence is mainly negative, the highest out of any country, while just 31 percent view it as mainly positive (down from a 45% plurality a year ago).
Views in Russia are firmly positive with 46 percent saying that the EU is having a positive influence and just 18 percent saying it is having a negative influence. |