40% of Europeans Feel Pinch of Rising Cost of Living

The rising cost of living is a concern across Europe, with four of ten respondents to a recent Eurobarometer survey saying this had already impacted their standard of living.

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The Spring 2022 Eurobarometer survey, commissioned by the European Parliament, showed that inflation and rising prices had already had an impact on people's living standards before the start of the Ukrainian conflict, due primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uncertainty prevails in the European region, with 87 percent of respondents saying that the conflict had already or will affect their living standards. Six out of ten are not convinced that their life will continue unchanged, with a similar proportion saying they were not ready to face higher prices for food or energy.

In stark contrast to these worries, citizens show resilience in supporting common European values. Six out of ten respondents prioritize defending the common European ideals, such as freedom and democracy, over containing consumer prices.

Over 80 percent agree that what brings the citizens of European Union (EU) member states together is more important than what separates them.

More than two-thirds say it is important that their country is a member state of the EU. The share of citizens holding a positive impression of the EU is 52 percent, the highest level since 2007.

The growing economic concerns are also reflected in the political priorities citizens want the European Parliament to focus on the fight against poverty and social exclusion (38 percent), public health (35 percent), and democracy and the rule of law (32 percent).