45 percent are also sure that joining brought more advantages than disadvantages. However, around 22 percent would be in favor of leaving.
Almost two months before the EU elections, the Linz institute IMAS published the results of the study on the topic on Friday. Even if the positive attitude clearly predominates, a downward trend can be seen.
Sense of belonging dwindles
However, 29 years following Austria joined the EU, not even half of the population today feels fully European; only 47 percent feel that way. In 2019, this value was already at 62 percent. Since then, the feeling of belonging has been dwindling, according to IMAS. 13 percent do not see themselves as European, while 40 percent feel rather undecided.
The assessment of the importance of EU membership is also rated lower this year than around 2022. Even if 54 percent of those surveyed currently said that membership was very to fairly important, the figure five years ago was 60 percent. The proportion of those who see more advantages than disadvantages in joining also fell slightly by three percentage points over the period. The 45 percent who are now positive are compared to 28 percent who are skeptics. They think the disadvantages dominate. 22 percent of those surveyed would even support leaving the EU, 24 percent are undecided, 53 percent want to stay with it.
IMAS surveyed 1,055 residents aged 16 and over in personal interviews in February.
