Autumn 2016 Standard Eurobarometer: Immigration and terrorism continue to be seen as the most important issues facing the EU

On the 22 December 2016, the Autumn 2016 Standard Eurobarometer (EB 86) was published. The survey had been carried out through face-to-face interviews between 3 and 16 November 2016. A total of 32,896 people were interviewed across the EU Member States and in the candidate countries.

Asked about their main concerns, immigration remained on top of the issues facing the EU most frequently cited by citizens (45%,-3 percentage points since spring 2016). Terrorism (32%,-7) remained the second most frequently cited item. It is well ahead of the economic situation (20%,+1), the state of Member States' public finances (17%, +1) and unemployment (16%,+1). Immigration is number one concern for the EU in all Member States, except Spain and Portugal.
At national level, the main concerns were unemployment (31%,-2) and immigration (26%,-2). The economic situation is in third place (19%, unchanged).

The respondents also expressed positive endorsement of the priority topics set by the European Commission.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Spring 2016 Standard Eurobarometer: Strong public support for Commission's political priorities http://www.europeansources.info/record/spring-2016-standard-eurobarometer-strong-public-support-for-commissions-political-priorities/

ESO: Key Source: Recent standard Eurobarometer, 1974- http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-recent-standard-eurobarometer-1974/

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