Almost half of Dutch people are optimistic about the European Union

Dutch people are more optimistic about the European Union (EU) than the average EU inhabitant. Almost half of the Dutch people (48 percent) are positive about the European Union, while the average among EU voters has a 42 percent approval rate.

Almost one in five Dutch people are fully disappointed with the EU, and about a third are neutral, according to the Eurobarometer presented on Thursday by the European Parliament. The election survey was conducted after the European Parliament elections in June.

Research shows that the Dutch think that cooperation between the Netherlands and other EU member states is the most important benefit of membership in the EU. They also think that the economic growth in the Netherlands is a benefit. The Dutch also mention as a plus that the European Union contributes to protecting peace and strengthening security.

Three-quarters of Dutch people are optimistic about the future of the European Union, compared to the EU average of 65 percent. Dutch people are also more positive about the European Parliament than the average person in the EU member states.

Environmental issues and climate change were the most crucial subjects for Dutch people during the European elections. The most important subject for the average EU voter was rising prices and cost of living costs growing, followed by the economic situation. The research shows that these were less important topics for Dutch voters. Higher on the list were democracy, the rule of law, and their international situation.

Migration and asylum are seen as essential subjects more often than the average EU voter. Together with the defense and security of the EU, they are tied for the fourth spot for Dutch voters in the top five of most important subjects in the elections.