The Autumn 2010 Eurobarometer figures demonstrate that European citizens clearly see stronger European coordination and joint action as part of the solution for the European Union to emerge from the doldrums and return to strong economic growth and higher employment. Despite the differences in the economic situation between member states, a majority of citizens support EU action and approve the direction taken through the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy.

The Autumn 2010 Standard Eurobarometer wave 74, which was conducted from mid-November to early December 2010, shows that 77% of Europeans think that stronger coordination of economic and fiscal policies among EU Member States would be effective in fighting the economic crisis. Furthermore, 75% support a stronger EU supervision of the most important international financial groups.

The survey reveals that there is a significant increase in the number of people who feel that the impact of the economic crisis on the job market has already reached its peak. This view is shared by a majority in 13 countries out of 27, and its evolution is consistent with the latest official statistics.

The survey was carried out in November 2010 when although disparities still prevailed, the first signs of economic recovery were starting appear: EU27 growth was slightly higher than that recorded in the previous quarter (+0.4 points) and was up as much as +2.1 points on a year-on-year basis. At the same time, although unemployment has increased slightly in the European Union (+0.2 points since October 2009), it has fallen significantly in some countries, in particular in Germany, Finland, Sweden and Malta, by -0.5 points or more since October 2009.

However, although it was also the time for some countries to start to emerge from the economic crisis, others experienced difficulties, in particular Ireland who faced its financial crisis at the time of the survey fieldwork. On 21 November, the Irish government asked the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, through the European Financial Stability Facility, for support.

Despite the differences between member states in their economic situation, most of them agree that the European Union should play a major role in resolving the crisis and reforming the global financial system.

When asked about the future and more specifically the European Union’s plans to prepare the European economy for the challenges of the next decade, Europeans also approve of the direction taken by the European Union for the future: a majority support the Europe 2020 strategy.