Europeans are on average broadly satisfied with their personal situation, but less satisfied when it comes to the economy, public services and social policies in their country, according to an opinion survey released today. The Eurobarometer on the social climate in the EU also found large differences between countries, with people in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands generally most satisfied with their personal situation. The survey forms part of the European Commission's Social Situation Report, also released today, which examines social trends in Europe, this year focusing on housing. ... According to the Eurobarometer survey, a majority of Europeans are satisfied with life in general, giving an average score of +3.2 points (on a scale of -10 to +10). But there are big differences between Member States: the highest level of satisfaction was reported in Denmark, (+8.0), with Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland also having high levels. The lowest levels of satisfaction were reported in Bulgaria (-1.9), followed by Hungary, Greece and Romania. ... On average, Europeans spend one-fifth of their disposable income on accommodation. Rent and mortgage payments only make up 30% of total housing costs in the EU while the other 70% pays for repairs, maintenance and fuel. Following housing privatisation, most people living in countries from the central and eastern EU Member States own their own homes, and charges for repairs, maintenance and fuel make up around 90% of total housing costs.
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According to the Eurobarometer survey, a majority of Europeans are satisfied with life in general, giving an average score of +3.2 points (on a scale of -10 to +10). But there are big differences between Member States: the highest level of satisfaction was reported in Denmark, (+8.0), with Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland also having high levels. The lowest levels of satisfaction were reported in Bulgaria (-1.9), followed by Hungary, Greece and Romania.
On average, Europeans spend one-fifth of their disposable income on accommodation. Rent and mortgage payments only make up 30% of total housing costs in the EU while the other 70% pays for repairs, maintenance and fuel. Following housing privatisation, most people living in countries from the central and eastern EU Member States own their own homes, and charges for repairs, maintenance and fuel make up around 90% of total housing costs.
The Social Situation Report is one of the Commission's main tools for monitoring developments in the social field across the EU Member States. The annual report aims to inform public debate on social policy by providing key data and in-depth analyses. It provides key indicators covering all social policy areas, most of which are derived from a major European survey on income and living conditions (EU-SILC). Each report analyses some specific issues in more detail; this year focussing on housing and on the economic crisis. In addition, this year's report includes the results from a recent Eurobarometer survey about the social climate in the EU, containing questions about Europeans' satisfaction with their lives, their countries and their public administrations and social services. ... People's perception of how things have changed over the past five years and the outlook for the year ahead tends to be related to their current level of satisfaction: the most satisfied citizens also expect the biggest improvements; in the countries with the lowest satisfaction levels, people expect things to get worse. ... Despite feeling positive about their lives in general, Europeans are on average quite dissatisfied with the way their public administrations are run (-1.2 points on average). In every country apart from Luxembourg and Estonia, Europeans feel this has worsened over the last five years and they expect it to continue to get worse in all countries except in Luxembourg.
People's perception of how things have changed over the past five years and the outlook for the year ahead tends to be related to their current level of satisfaction: the most satisfied citizens also expect the biggest improvements; in the countries with the lowest satisfaction levels, people expect things to get worse.
Despite feeling positive about their lives in general, Europeans are on average quite dissatisfied with the way their public administrations are run (-1.2 points on average). In every country apart from Luxembourg and Estonia, Europeans feel this has worsened over the last five years and they expect it to continue to get worse in all countries except in Luxembourg.
