Economic pressure remains the leading concern for Greeks even as most continue to view the European Union as a stability anchor in an increasingly uncertain world, according to the European Parliament’s Spring 2026 Eurobarometer.
The results, published Wednesday, show that Greeks place inflation, rising prices, and the cost of living at the top of the issues they want the European Parliament to address. In Greece, 52 percent of respondents classified the economy as a priority, compared with 47 percent across the EU.
At the European level, concern over inflation and living costs has risen by six percentage points since autumn 2025, making it the leading priority for citizens. In Greece, economic pressure extends beyond prices. A total of 51 percent of Greeks also point to the economy and job creation as issues requiring urgent attention, while 49 percent are concerned about public health, and 45 percent worry about poverty and social exclusion.
All four issues rank higher in Greece than the European average, reflecting the extent to which household finances, employment, health care, and social protection affect the public.
Economy and cost of living lead Greek concerns in Eurobarometer
The Greek findings point to a public focused on practical economic pressures affecting daily life with inflation, rising prices, and cost of living at the top of issues they hope the European Parliament prioritizes, followed closely by the economy and job creation.
Based on the data, wherein public health, poverty, and social exclusion also rank high, it is apparent that Greeks connect economic strain with more general social challenges. Greek society evaluates the European political agenda primarily in relation to immediate concerns that have an impact on how households address their everyday needs.
Eurobarometer shows Greeks’ concerns over living standards remain high
Survey results also reflect the concern of Greeks over future living standards. Across the EU, 29 percent of citizens expect their standard of living to worsen in the coming years. Half believe it will remain stable, while 18 percent expect it to improve.
In Greece, 37 percent expect their standard of living to decline, while 46 percent believe it will remain stable. Only a few countries record higher levels of pessimism, characteristic of 44 percent of the population in France, 39 percent in Portugal, and 38 percent each in Austria and Germany.
Based on these figures, Greece is among the EU countries where concern over living standards remains especially prevalent, and most Greeks expect stability or no significant improvement in their quality of life in terms of finances.
EU viewed as stability anchor by most Greeks
Despite economic concerns, the majority of Greeks continues to view the EU as a source of stability. Seventy-one percent of respondents in Greece say the EU offers stability in the midst of a chaotic world. The figure stands slightly below the EU average of 75 percent, while 28 percent of Greeks disagree.
Across the bloc, this marks an increase of eight percentage points since October-November 2025 and represents the second-highest level recorded in the past decade. Support for EU membership also remains strong. and 74 percent of Europeans say their country has benefited from being part of the Union. In Greece, the figure stands at 63 percent.
For Greeks, the most significant benefit of EU membership is its contribution to peace and security, cited by 44 percent of respondents. Across the EU, 40 percent responded similarly.
Greeks expect more from the EU in the midst of global crises
The survey shows that Greeks want the EU to play a stronger role in protecting citizens from international crises and security threats. Across the EU, 68 percent of respondents say the Union should strengthen its role in protecting citizens from global crises and security risks. In Greece, that figure rises to 81 percent, while in Cyprus, it amounts to 92 percent of respondents.
Greeks also support giving the EU more tools to deal with global challenges. At the EU level, 73 percent of respondents are in support of this view, compared with 82 percent in Greece and 87 percent in Cyprus.
Furthermore, Greek respondents tend to express significant support for European unity and international law. Ninety-two percent say EU member states should cooperate more closely and become more unified in the current global context, with the EU promoting respect for international law by all member states. In Cyprus, both figures stand at 94 percent.
Economy tops Greek priorities for Europe’s global role
In terms of the focus of the EU in strengthening its role globally, Europeans (at 39 percent) say it’s crucial to prioritize defense and security first. Energy independence is a secondary priority at 35 percent, up six points since autumn 2025. Competitiveness and the economy at the EU level follow closely in relation to their significance for those residing in the bloc. In Greece, however, the economy is of the utmost importance. Competitiveness, the economy, and industry rank at the very top, as indicated by 42 percent of respondents.
Defense and security follow at 37 percent, while energy independence stands at 32 percent. Greeks also point to demographic change, migration, and population aging at 28 percent, followed by food security and agricultural production at 27 percent.
Survey results of the Greek populace suggest that citizens link Europe’s global strength not only to defense and security but also to economic resilience, industrial capacity, energy independence, and the protection of living standards.
Perception of quality of life in Greece trails EU average
The Eurobarometer also examined how citizens assess quality of life in the EU. Across the bloc, 83 percent of respondents say they feel satisfied with their quality of life. In Greece, this figure is much lower at 63 percent.
At the EU level, citizens identify good physical and mental health as the main element of a favorable quality of life at 51 percent, while 49 percent indicate this is reflected by financial well-being. In Greece, finances is the top matter of concern by a wide margin. Seventy-two percent of respondents say a good economic condition and the ability to cover daily expenses matter most.
Access to health care also ranks high. Sixty-eight percent of Greeks cite the quality and accessibility of health services, while 66 percent point to physical and mental health. The findings show that Greeks assess quality of life primarily through everyday economic security and access to essential services.
Uncertainty shapes mindset of the public in Greece
Across the EU, the current state of mind is described either as one of uncertainty (44 percent) or hope (43 percent), while the Greek public is primarily characterized by anxiety (50 percent), uncertainty (59 percent), and disappointment (48 percent), with only about 36 percent expressing hope of a better future. At the same time, 58 percent of Europeans say they feel pessimistic about the future of the world, while 38 percent feel optimistic.
These figures are reflective of a Greek public that continues to view the EU as a stabilizing force in an increasingly unpredictable global environment but is, first and foremost, preoccupied with the economy and living costs.
Conclusion: Greeks’ concerns over the economy keep cost of living at center of political debate
Survey results also indicate there is a gap, compared to the average of 59 percent in the bloc, in how satisfied Greeks are with the state of democracy in the EU, with only 39 percent of the public in Greece expressing a favorable view.
For the European Parliament, the cost of living remains the primary challenge for the government, with inflation, rising prices, and living costs of utmost concern for people across the EU (at 47 percent) as well as in Greece (at 52 percent).
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