---
title: "Eurobarometer 2026: 73% of citizens call for increased EU resources to tackle global instability"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/69073/eurobarometer-2026-73-of-citizens-call-for-increased-eu-resources-to-tackle-global-instability
published: 2026-02-04T10:25:25Z
language: en
author: "Dan Alexe"
section: "International"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Eurobarometer 2026: 73% of citizens call for increased EU resources to tackle global instability

> A new Eurobarometer survey released today, Wednesday, February 4, reveals a deepening sense of geopolitical anxiety across the European Union, contrasted by a surprising wave of optimism in Romania.

[Audio: https://trm.blob.core.windows.net/photos/83150d08-f550-4a19-8841-4bc5189cb26d.jpg](https://original.trm.md/video/definst/MP4:2026/2/4/Pictura-4-februarie-optimismul-european.m4a/playlist.m3u8)

A new Eurobarometer survey released today, Wednesday, February 4, reveals a deepening sense of geopolitical anxiety across the European Union, contrasted by a surprising wave of optimism in Romania.

While 52% of Europeans express pessimism regarding the world’s future, Romanians surpass the 50% optimism threshold across all categories. Romanian citizens appear significantly less concerned with terrorism or climate issues compared to their EU peers.

**A mandate for security and defense**

Collective security has become the primary concern for EU citizens. Approximately 72% of respondents cite ongoing conflicts as their top safety worry, followed closely by terrorism and cyberattacks at 66%.

To address these threats, 73% of Europeans agree the Union requires more resources. Furthermore, 40% of citizens believe the EU must prioritize security and defense to strengthen its global standing.

**Unity amidst global instability**

Despite individual anxieties, 89% of respondents insist that member states must act with greater unity. Support for EU membership remains robust, with 62% of citizens viewing their country’s belonging to the Union as a positive factor.

The survey, conducted by Verian in late 2025, highlights a "generational hope." Citizens aged 15 to 30 maintain a more favorable view of the European Parliament than older demographics.

**Individual versus global outlook**

A stark contrast exists between personal and global perspectives. While 76% of Europeans remain optimistic about their family's private future, nearly half harbor a negative outlook for the world at large.

This "resilience gap" suggests that while Europeans trust their immediate environment, they look to Brussels for a more ambitious, unified response to external geopolitical pressures.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**