Widespread Pessimism Among Europeans

Europeans are feeling downcast about things such as the state of the world, their countries, and their personal circumstances. This is evident from a new study conducted by the strategic communications firm FGS Global.

The survey covers more than 11,000 people across 23 EU countries who were interviewed during November. Nearly two-thirds report that “the best years are behind us” (63 percent), while 77 percent think that life in their country “will be harder for the next generation.” The outlook is particularly bleak in Western and Central Europe.

76 percent say that democracy in their country is in decline. At the same time, there is widespread concern about governments’ ability to address issues such as war on the continent’s eastern flank, economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing friction with Washington.

“It is clear that there is a very, very high degree of pessimism,” says Craig Oliver, deputy :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: strategy chief at FGS Global, who previously served as communications adviser to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

According to Oliver, historically it is at moments of pessimism that change and improvement can occur.

Sweden Above Average

In almost all participating countries, the majority believe their country is on the wrong track. The exceptions are Lithuania, Poland, and Denmark. Sweden ranks a few spots from the top at 68 percent. France is in the worst position at 79 percent. Across the EU as a whole, the proportion is 65 percent.

When respondents were asked to choose between two opposing statements, at least half said that their country’s political system “is failing the people and needs fundamental reform” rather than “works fairly well and needs no significant reforms.”

On the question of whether they agreed that their countries should be more assertive regarding their national interests, even if it causes friction with other nations, a solid majority agreed (71 percent).

There is also great pessimism regarding the American president. About two-thirds of respondents say they are pessimistic about Trump’s impact on the :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: economy (69 percent), peace and security (64 percent), and their own country (64 percent) over the coming year.