Growth: Europeans more positive but worried about inequality (survey)

Source: European Parliament (EP) i, published on Monday, September 11 2017.

Although Europeans are more positive than a year ago according to a Eurobarometer poll, more than half think this is not the case in the EU and their country.

Europeans are more positive about economic growth according to the latest Eurobarometer survey

The share of Europeans who think things in the EU are going in the wrong direction dropped from 54% in 2016 to 50% this year, while the percentage of people thinking their own country was heading the wrong way fell from 58% to 51%.

How long will the crisis last?

Some 22 percent of Europeans think their country is returning to growth after the crisis; two percentage points more than last year. Thirty percent of respondents expect the crisis to last for many years, which is two percentage points less than last year.

In Greece where unemployment rate is hovering above 23%, people are the most pessimistic in the EU: 71% of respondents expect a long-lasting crisis. In the Netherlands, Denmark and Malta where unemployment is about or below 5% people are the most optimistic; in these countries the share of people who expect the crisis to last is less than 10%.

Employment is clearly a priority for people: 78% of Europeans want the EU to do more to fight unemployment.

To prevent other crises, Parliament strengthened the supervision of banks, supported plans to guarantee the savings of small savers and adopted legislation that pushes EU countries to adopt responsible budgetary policies. With the European Fund for Strategic Investments the EU also plans to mobilise €315 billion worth of investment to kick-start economic growth and create employment.

Inequality

Social inequality is perceived as important by 84% of Europeans; 64% think that in five years’ time, inequalities will become even more pronounced.

One way to fight excessive inequality is by fair taxation of profits and wealth. That is why the fight against tax evasion and more efficient taxing of corporations is one of Parliament’s priorities.

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Created: 02-06-2017 - 11:30