A press release from the EU Commission highlights a new report from Eurobarometer, that survey shows continued high support for development cooperation among EU citizens:
Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, commented the report by stating:
"The latest data show that European citizens continue supporting strongly that Europe engages in partner countries to assist people in need and strengthen inclusive and sustainable development. Despite some differences, this support is strong within the entire EU. This is good news and reflects core European values."
The vast majority of EU citizens (89 %) think that it is "important to help people in developing countries", which is the same level as in 2015.
The highest level of agreement was recorded in Sweden (98 %), Cyprus and Luxembourg (97 %) and Ireland, Portugal and Spain (96 %).
Even in the countries at the lower end of the spectrum, a very solid majority agreed with the statement: Bulgaria (75 %), Latvia (77 %), Estonia (78 %).
Stor opbakning til kampen mod fattigdom
For a majority of respondents, tackling poverty in developing countries should be one of the main priorities of the EU (68 %,-1 ppt since 2015) and of their own government (51 %,+1 ppt).
It can be noted that in all countries, respondents give more priority to international development at EU level than that at national level.
More than eight in ten (82 %,+ 2 ppt) believe that tackling poverty in developing countries is in the EU's own interest.
Almost eight in ten (78 %,+ 4 ppt) perceive tackling poverty in developing countries as a moral obligation, and three quarters (74%,+ 2 ppt) believe that it has a positive impact on EU citizens as well.
Seven out of ten (71 %) think that providing financial assistance to developing countries is an effective way to tackle poverty.
Six out of ten (61 %) think that EU and Member State actions (development policy and financial assistance) are effective.
A total of 74% of the respondents think that the EU and its Member States should keep the current levels financial assistance to developing countries, or that spending should be increased.
Seven out of ten respondents (72%) believe that providing financial assistance to developing countries contributes to a more peaceful and fair world.
There are significant national changes: on the one hand, agreement has increased by 9 ppt in Hungary, and 8 ppt in Latvia; on the other hand, it has fallen by 21 ppt in the Netherlands and 15 ppt in Germany.
Bistand og migration
Similar changes can be seen in relation to irregular migration.
While two thirds of respondents (68 %) agree that providing financial assistance to developing countries is an effective way to address irregular migration, the number has fallen by five percentage points since 2015.
In six countries, agreement has increased; notably in Hungary (11 ppt). In 21 countries, agreement has decreased; notably in the Netherlands (21 ppt), Estonia (14 ppt) and Czech Republic (12 ppt).
When asked to define the most pressing challenges for developing countries, the most frequent issues mentioned were education; peace and security (both 38 %), health (33 %) and water and sanitation (31 %).
In 2015, peace and security was perceived as the greatest challenge, followed by health and education.
The main obstacles to development are perceived to be corruption (54 %) followed by bad policies in developing countries (43 %) and conflicts (41 %). The ranking was the same in 2015.
Den enkeltes indsats
Six out of ten (61 %) believe that individual action can be an effective way to tackle poverty in developing countries.
Just over half (54 %), think that as individuals they can play a role (+ 2 ppt).
However, this average hides substantial variations between countries.
In Sweden, 87 % of respondents believe that they themselves can play a role.
In Bulgaria, at the other end of the spectrum, only 31 % agree with this statement.
Almost half of the respondents, 46 %, say that they are personally involved in helping developing countries.
Respondents in Sweden (82 %), Luxembourg (81 %) and Finland (76 %) report the highest level of involvement.
The lowest level of involvement was reported in Bulgaria (11 %), Romania (12 %) and Latvia (15 %).
