Citizens in eastern EU countries are significantly more optimistic than those in western Europe, a semiannual survey shows. Poles topped the ranking for optimism about the state of the world, with 63% reporting a positive outlook, followed by Hungarians, Lithuanians, Slovaks and Romanians, all on 57%. The most pessimistic countries in the EU are the Netherlands (75%), France (70%), Germany and Belgium (both on 69%), according to the Spring 2026 Eurobarometer report. The poll is conducted every six months by the European Parliament to gauge the bloc’s prevailing sentiments. The spring survey revealed that Europeans regard the EU as a place of stability in a troubled world. “However, economic concerns, particularly regarding the cost of living, have increased over recent years, and the overall mood of citizens fluctuates between uncertainty and hope,” the EU said on its website. Safe haven The percentage of EU citizens considering the bloc a safe haven rose 8 percentage points (pps) since the last survey, conducted in October and November 2025, reaching its second highest proportion recorded in the past decade at 75%. Most of the EU’s population remain pessimistic about the direction the world as a whole is taking, the research found. The pessimism metric rose by 6 pps since the last survey, outpacing optimism by 58% to 38%. The most commonly expressed emotion in Europe is uncertainty (44%), closely followed by hope (43%), with confidence in third place (33%). The most hopeful nation was Hungary, where 57% of respondents described themselves as hopeful, followed by Denmark (55%), then Finland and Croatia (both on 51%). The survey was conducted in Hungary shortly after a parliamentary election in April swept Péter Magyar to power, unseating populist right-winger Viktor Orbán after 16 years at the country’s helm. Fewer Hungarians reported feelings of uncertainty, helplessness, and anxiety than the EU average, while their levels of confidence, happiness, and determination were above the average. In terms of satisfaction with quality of life, Denmark led the pack on 96%, followed by Slovenia (94%), then Ireland, Poland and Sweden (all on 93%). At the other end of the scale, the least satisfied people live in Greece and Romania (63% each), followed by Bulgaria (67%).
