Young Europeans worried about defence and the cost of living, now and in the future

Brussels -Defence is the strategic priority on which the European Union should focus in order to strengthen its role on the global stage. This is what emerges from the Autumn 2025 Eurobarometer survey, the official tool used by EU institutions and agencies to monitor public opinion on European issues. The survey, conducted in November through interviews, involved 26,453 citizens aged 15 to 30 from all Member States. However, the results not only call for stronger EU action in the current international context but also reveal strong fears about the economic situation, the cost of living, and inflation.

Defence and security is the main area that needs to be strengthened for the future of the EU, according to 40 per cent of respondents, and it appears as the top choice in the responses of people from 17 out of 27 Member States, with peaks in Lithuania (55 per cent), Cyprus (50 per cent), Denmark (49 per cent), and Poland (48 per cent). In addition, 66 per cent of young people believe that the EU should play a more effective role in protecting its citizens. This view aligns with the European Union’s priorities, which, over the coming years, aim to strengthen European defence through the Readiness 2030 plan (previously ReArm), which seeks to boost investment in the sector.

Specifically, 72 per cent of respondents cited conflicts and wars on the EU’s borders as their main concern, followed by terrorism (67 per cent), and cyber attacks from non-EU countries (66 per cent). On the latter front, Italy, with 83 per cent of responses, is the country most concerned about the risk of terrorist attacks.

But while security and defence are strategic priorities for the future, what currently concerns Europeans is inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living (at 41 per cent), followed by the economy (at 35 per cent). These are the priorities on which the European Parliament should focus, with defence falling to third place with 34 per cent, ahead of public health (32 per cent).

On a social and communication level, 69 per cent of young people say they are “highly concerned” about the disinformation phenomenon, with Spain recording the highest rate at 85 per cent, while peace and democracy, at 52 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, are the values that the European Parliament should primarily defend.

The overall view on EU membership is positive, at 62 per cent, but with some limitations: while 86 per cent of Irish people are happy with EU membership, only 40 per cent of young Greeks are, with up to 41 per cent neutral. Italy, below the EU average, stands at 52 per cent, which is still more than one in two respondents. 

Finally, geopolitical instability casts a shadow over Europeans’ views of the future: 52 per cent of respondents say they are “totally pessimistic” about the future of the world, the European Union (39 per cent), and their own country (41 per cent). On the other hand, the picture seems less bleak on a personal level: more than three-quarters of Europeans (76 per cent) are optimistic about their own future and that of their families.