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Economy and Finance
News article12 May 2017

Eurobarometer: Majorities in four newer EU Member States are in favour of introducing the euro

The latest Eurobarometer survey carried out in April in seven non-euro area countries shows that 54% of respondents think that the introduction of the euro has had positive consequences in the countries that are already using the common currency...

The survey was carried out in seven EU Member States that have yet to join the euro – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and for the second time, Sweden. As in the past, the survey excluded Denmark and the UK, which have opted out of the common currency.

In four countries, a majority of citizens favours introducing the euro, while in three countries, a majority is against

The survey shows that in four countries, a majority of citizens is in favour of introducing the common currency. The survey also reveals that support for the euro varies greatly among the seven EU Member States. An average of 54% of respondents across these countries thinks that the introduction of the euro has had positive consequences in the countries that are already using the euro, and a majority of citizens in Romania (64%), Hungary (57%), Croatia (52%) and Bulgaria (50%) is in favour of introducing the euro. On the other hand, a majority of citizens in the other three countries surveyed is against: Czech Republic (70% against), Sweden (62%) and Poland (55%).

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In all seven countries, most interviewees (80%) think they would personally manage to adapt to the euro as their new currency. This result is supported by majorities in all seven countries, ranging from 75% in the Czech Republic to 87% in Romania and Sweden.

Respondents who feel informed about the euro are more likely to support its introduction (53% compared with 42% of those who do not feel informed).

Background

Citizens replied to a set of questions ranging from awareness and knowledge of euro banknotes and coins, the estimated time horizon of euro introduction in their own country, their readiness and expected consequences, as well as about their desire for information about the euro and the changeover process.

Some 7 000 respondents across the seven EU Member States that have yet to join the euro  – Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden - were interviewed by phone from 10 to 11 April 2017.

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Publication date
12 May 2017