The outcome of the new Eurobarometer survey unveils that most of Europeans believe that Europe should continue helping developing countries despite the economic crisis. However, only 44% would be prepared to personally spend more money on products that support development (such as fair-trade goods).

The European Commission presented the outcome of the new Eurobarometer survey on development which shows that 85% of EU citizens believe that Europe should continue helping developing countries despite the economic crisis. Even more, 61% of Europeans are in favour of increasing aid to help people out of poverty. At the same time, a majority of 55% think that rapidly growing emerging countries should no longer receive aid. In 2010, a survey already highlighted that 9 out of 10 Europeans express steadfast support for development aid.

With regard to the results by member states, the increase of development aid funding has more supporters in North West Europe and less so in South East Europe. In Sweden, Denmark and Austria a vast majority of people are in favour of increase to 0.7% of GNI or beyond. The countries with the biggest amount of people who would like to reduce aid are Bulgaria, Slovenia and Greece. Nonetheless, economic crisis does not affect solidarity with the poor. In Spain the level of support for helping the poor did not change since last year (88%), in Greece and Italy the decrease was minimal, while in Ireland the support increased to 88%. Only in Portugal (-10 points) the decline in opinion more notable.

Europeans see a positive role for private business in developing countries, but also expect that foreign companies adhere to moral and ethical standards when they invest (81%). A majority of 53% sees corruption as the main obstacle that blocks development in poor countries. However, only 44% would be prepared to personally spend more money on products that support development (such as fair-trade goods).