European citizens and the European Union 1985–2025

The year 2025 marks both the centenary of Jacques Delors’ birth and the fortieth anniversary of his accession to the presidency of the European Commission in 1985.

As the European Union and its Member States face new and considerable challenges, we felt it would be useful to examine the extent to which the Union has benefited – and continues to benefit – from public support, by tracing the evolution of citizens’ attitudes towards it over the past four decades.

After an initial phase of growing interest in European integration, these attitudes have fluctuated considerably. However, since the end of the subprime financial and economic crisis, there has been a steady increase in support for the European Union – a development that may seem paradoxical given the difficulties currently facing the EU and European countries.

The benefits of EU membership are widely recognised, many EU policies are approved, and, more profoundly, there is a strengthening of emotional ties with the EU and a growing sense of belonging.

These trends are largely reflected in public opinion in the various Member States, although there are notable differences – and even divergent trends – from one country to another.