Eurovisions

The European Union is at a crossroads. Trouble in the Eurozone and increased Euroscepticism throughout member countries has led to talk of an in-out referendum in the UK and the rise of anti-EU populist parties across Europe. It’s not clear, however, how these developments are impacting on the next generation’s attitudes towards the EU.

The continued existence and flourishing of the EU requires the support of the next generation. Yet, it remains unclear whether young people subscribe to a European identity, and continue to value the importance of the EU as an institution. 

This project will be the first of its kind to explore in-depth young people’s attitudes towards the EU across Europe. This project will also build on Demos’ work into far-right populist groups, by looking specifically at young people’s attitudes towards anti-EU populist parties. 

This research will be based on a comprehensive review of survey data among Europeans between the ages of 16 and 29. Sources will include the Eurobarometer survey, the European Values Study, the European Electoral Studies and the European Social Survey, in addition to national level surveys. We will also conduct original analysis of the Demos data set of 13,000 Facebook supporters of anti-EU and anti-immigrant populist parties.

The final report presenting the research findings and recommendations will be launched in October 2012.