Economic Growth

This is what Europeans really think of Brexit

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels June 15, 2005. The EU budget battle and salvaging the proposed constitution will top the summit agenda for the 25-nation bloc when it meets on June 16-17 at its Brussels headquarters.

Euroscepticism is on the rise, but Britain is good for the EU, according to a new survey Image: REUTERS/Thierry Roge

Adam Shirley

On 23 June, Britons will decide whether they think their country is better in or out of the European Union. While the debate over a potential Brexit is raging within the United Kingdom, it has also raised questions in other European countries about their own relationship with the EU.

According to new research, euroscepticism is on the rise in Europe, but most Europeans want to see the UK remain in the EU.

A study conducted by the Pew Research Center shows that nearly half of Europeans surveyed (47%) had an unfavourable view of the EU. However, 70% said that Britain leaving would be a bad thing for the union.

European views of the EU and potential Brexit
Image: Pew Research Center

This is in line with research conducted by the Centre for Economic Performance, which suggested that all EU members would be worse off if Britain left the EU.

 The effect of Brexit on living standards across countries
Image: Centre of Economic Performance

The Pew research also shows that Europeans view the EU less favourably than they did in 2004.

After short-lived rebound, view of the EU on decline again in key European countries
Image: Pew Research Center

In general, young people across Europe – aged 18 to 34 – view the EU more positively than people aged 50 and over.

 Younger adults much more likely than older ones to favour the EU
Image: Pew Research Center

Researchers found that much of the dissatisfaction felt by Europeans has been caused by the EU's handling of the economy and also the ongoing refugee crisis. In every country surveyed, overwhelming majorities were unhappy with how Brussels is dealing with the refugee crisis.

Meanwhile, dissatisfaction with the EU’s handing of the economy is also high. About 92% of Greeks dislike the way the EU deals with its economic problems, while nearly half of Germans also disapproved.

If Britain votes to leave, European dissatisfaction with the EU’s handling of the economy is likely to get worse. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) argues that if Brexit happened, the GDP of the EU would fall 1% overall by 2020.

Generally, there is an overwhelming sentiment across Europe that Brexit would be a bad thing for the European institution. France is the only country where more than a quarter (32%) of the public say it would be good for the EU if the UK departed. In four out of the nine countries surveyed, over 70% of people agreed that Brexit would hurt the EU.

Europeans overwhelmingly agree that UK departure would hurt the EU
Image: Pew research Center



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