A new Special Eurobarometer reveals that 92% of Cypriots want a stronger European Union to tackle global crises, significantly outstripping the EU average, despite local respondents reporting higher levels of economic anxiety and uncertainty about the future.

Strong Support for a United Europe

Strong support for strengthening the European Union’s role in addressing global challenges and protecting citizens is reflected in the Special Eurobarometer for Cyprus, published on Wednesday by the European Parliament. 92% of respondents believe that the European Union should play a more important role in the future, compared with 68% across the EU.

The survey was conducted between 14 April and 3 May 2026 on a sample of 504 respondents in Cyprus, while 26,421 citizens from all 27 EU Member States participated across the European Union. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, including computer-assisted video interviews in certain countries, among them Cyprus.

The survey covers five thematic areas. The first examines expectations for the future, the second focuses on addressing global challenges, the third explores quality of life, the fourth looks at citizens’ priorities, while the fifth examines attitudes towards the European Union and the European Parliament.

Uncertainty Shadows Future Expectations

In the first thematic area, concerning expectations for the future, the Eurobarometer records higher levels of uncertainty and negative emotions among Cypriots.

When asked which emotions best describe their current state of mind, 56% of respondents in Cyprus identified "uncertainty", compared with 44% across the EU. This was followed by "disappointment" (42%), "hope" (39%), and "anxiety" (38%).

Conversely, Cyprus recorded lower percentages for emotions such as confidence and happiness. Only 15% of Cypriots cited "confidence", compared with 33% across the EU, while "happiness" was mentioned by 8% in Cyprus, against 22% at the EU level. "Calmness" was reported by 24% of respondents in Cyprus, close to the EU average of 27%.

Demand for EU Crisis Management

The second thematic area reveals strong support for greater European unity and a stronger role for the EU in responding to crises.

According to the Eurobarometer, 69% of Cypriots agree that the European Union is a place of stability in a troubled world, while 27% disagree and 4% express no opinion.

Support is particularly strong in Cyprus for enhancing the EU’s role in protecting citizens from global crises and security threats. 92% of respondents believe that the European Union should play a more important role in the future, compared with 68% across the EU. Only 2% of respondents in Cyprus believe the EU’s role should become less important, while 3% think it should remain the same. Another 3% replied that they did not know.

Mixed Reviews on Quality of Life

In the third thematic area, concerning quality of life, the Eurobarometer records high overall levels of satisfaction, but also a significant proportion of citizens who report that their quality of life has deteriorated over the past year.

In Cyprus, 85% of men say they are satisfied with their quality of life, while 14% say they are dissatisfied. Among women, 79% report being satisfied and 21% dissatisfied.

However, when asked how their quality of life had changed over the past 12 months, 34% of Cypriots said it had worsened, a figure higher than the EU average of 27%. Meanwhile, 53% said their quality of life had remained unchanged, while 12% reported an improvement.

Economic Concerns Dominate Citizen Priorities

In the fourth thematic area, focusing on citizens’ priorities for the European Parliament, Cypriots place particular emphasis on the economy, employment, security and public health.

The economy and job creation rank as the top priority for 45% of respondents, followed by inflation, rising prices and the cost of living, cited by 43%.

Regarding the overall image of the European Union, 48% of Cypriots say they have a positive view, 35% express a neutral opinion, and 16% hold a negative view. Across the EU, 50% of respondents have a positive image of the European Union, 33% hold a neutral view, and 17% have a negative perception.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)