The level of public trust in the European Union is at its highest since 2007, according to the latest data from the “Standard Eurobarometer.” In the Western Balkan countries, which were also included in the survey, trust in the EU is highest in Montenegro and Albania, and lowest in Serbia.
The surveys were conducted in each country during March and April 2025. According to the results, 52% of EU citizens tend to trust the European Union, which is the highest figure since 2007.
Meanwhile, 43% of EU citizens have a positive image of the Union, 38% have a neutral view, and 18% have a negative image. Additionally, 62% of EU citizens are optimistic about the future of the European Union.
In the Western Balkans, 83% of Montenegrin citizens trust the EU, while 17% say they do not. Citizens of Albania and Kosovo also express high levels of trust in the EU—80% and 79%, respectively.
Trust in the EU is lower in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina but still above 50%. In North Macedonia, 54% of citizens say they trust the EU, while 42% say they do not. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 58% trust the EU, while 37% do not.
In Serbia, on the other hand, trust in the EU is held by a minority—only 37%, while 57% of citizens say they do not trust the Union.
When it comes to EU membership, the regional situation is similar. Over 80% of citizens in Montenegro and Albania believe that membership would be a good thing.
In North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that percentage is between 50% and 60%, while in Serbia, only 34% of citizens think membership would be positive, and 32% believe it would be negative.
EU citizens were also asked whether they would support the “enlargement of the EU to include other countries in the coming years.” Across the EU, 54% of citizens support this policy, while 39% are opposed.
EU enlargement has majority support in most member states, but the majority of citizens in Germany and Austria are opposed to the idea. In both countries, 42% support enlargement, while 53% are against it.
In France, 41% of citizens support enlargement, while 49% oppose it, although the number of opponents has decreased compared to the previous Eurobarometer.
SOURCE: European Western Balkans