The European Commission Representation in Ireland has today published the Autumn 2024 Eurobarometer Report for Ireland.
The fieldwork for this report was carried out in October and was prepared by Luke Reaper, CEO Ireland, Ipsos B&A. It is based on the findings of the latest EU-wide Standard Eurobarometer (102) Report, which was published on 29 November 2024.
Following a year which saw just over 50% of Irish voters go the polls in European elections (50.65%), followed by the appointment of a new European Commission and a new Irish Commissioner with a wide-ranging portfolio, Irish people feel more attached to the EU (70%, up from 64% in Spring 2024).
Overall, Ireland remains very positive towards the EU, at 64%, second only to Portugal (68%), which represents a dip of 2% since Spring 2024 but is well above the EU average of 44%. Ireland has shown consistent positivity in recent Eurobarometer polls.
Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland said:
“This report shows that after a year of renewal of the European institutions, Irish people have greater attachment to the European Union. I am confident that the new European Commission, which started its mandate in December, will go the extra mile to justify this trust and deliver on the promise of a competitive and prosperous European Union for the Irish people and all Europeans.”
The report covers 10 topics:
- Satisfaction with life
- Quality of life in Ireland
- Attachment to town/country/EU
- Main concerns at national level
- Main concerns at EU level
- Attitudes to migration
- Trust in the EU and image of the EU
- Trust in the media
- Social media as a news source on political matters
- Satisfaction with how democracy works in [Ireland]
Key findings: Ireland
Satisfaction with life
- Irish people show near universal satisfaction with life according to this survey (98%). This has increased by 2% since Spring 2024.
- Although there is strong satisfaction with life across the EU27, Ireland comes out on top, followed closely by Denmark, Sweden and Finland, and 12% points above the EU27 average (86%).
Quality of life in Ireland
- When asked about their quality of life (comfort or budget-wise) in the last 12 months, 19% of Irish people said it had improved, up from 16% in Spring 2024. This is 5% higher than the EU27 average of 14%.
Attachment to town/country/EU
- Irish people show a very high level of attachment to their country (97%) and town (94%).
- There has been a marked increase in attachment to the European Union in Ireland. 70% of Irish people feel attached to the European Union, up from 64% in Spring 2024 and 61% in Autumn 2023.
Main concerns at national level
- For Irish people, the most important issue facing Ireland is housing at 63%, down from 64% in Spring 2024 but up from 56% in Autumn 2023. On average across the EU, only 13% of respondents said housing was a key national concern.
- Rising prices/inflation/cost of living is the second most important issue facing Ireland with 39% of Irish respondents citing this as a key concern, down from 40% in Spring 2024 and a significant drop from 55% in Autumn 2023. Across the EU, on average, 33% cite the rising cost of living as one of the most important issues facing their country.
Main concerns at EU level
- The war in Ukraine continues to be the most important issue facing the EU for those interviewed in Ireland (46%) and across the EU27 although to a lesser degree at 31% (down from 35%).
- Immigration is the second most important issue facing the EU among both the Irish population (33%) and across the EU27 (28%). While concern among the Irish public is declining (down 2%), concern across the EU27 is increasing (up 4%).
Attitudes to Migration
- 76% of Irish people agree that immigrants contribute positively to their country (down from 78% in Spring 2024), compared to an EU27 average of 53% (down from 56%).
- 84% of the Irish public believe their country should help refugees, up from 81%, compared to the EU27 average of 73% (down from 75%).
Trust in the EU and image of the EU
- Ireland’s trust in the EU remains stable at 56% while on average across the EU27, 51% trust the EU (up 2%). Denmark (68%) and Lithuania (67%) are most trusting of the EU.
- Ireland continues to hold a very positive image of the EU (64%), coming in second highest in the EU after Portugal (68%).
Trust in the Media
- 77% of Irish people trust the Irish traditional media (up from 74%)
- Ireland is positioned in eighth place among the EU27, with Finland (92%) and Sweden (91%) being the most trusting. Older cohorts show higher levels of trust with 82% of those over 55 stating they trust the media.
- Across the EU27, trust in traditional media has increased by 9% since Autumn 2023 (60% in Autumn 2023 versus 69% in Autumn 2024).
Social media as a news source on political matters
- Fewer people in Ireland are using online social networks as a source of news on European political matters (26% down from 31% in Autumn 2023). This decrease is mirrored across the EU27 (24% down from 30%).
- Ireland is ranked thirteenth out of the 27 states in regard to usage of social networks as a source on political matters, with Cyprus (57%) and Malta (41%) being the leading users of social networks to source news on political matters.
- Younger cohorts show much higher usage of social networks as a political news source, with just under half of those under 25 citing this. This is compared to just 9% of those over 55.
Satisfaction with how democracy works in Ireland
77% of Irish people show clear satisfaction at the way democracy works in Ireland, down from 80%. This is significantly higher than the EU27 average of 55%, with Ireland ranking sixth among the EU27.
More information:
The fieldwork for the survey was undertaken by Ipsos B&A Ireland between 10 and 31 October 2024, and 1006 people aged 15+ were interviewed.
The data for the Irish report is contained in the latest EU-wide Standard Eurobarometer (102) Report, which was published on 29 November 2024.
Details
- Publication date
- 17 December 2024
- Author
- Representation in Ireland