Eurobarometer: EU citizens strongly support cooperating with partner countries and youth to reduce poverty

30 Apr 2021 11:36 AM

The latest Eurobarometer survey on development cooperation shows that almost nine in ten EU citizens say it is important to partner with countries outside the EU to reduce poverty.

The global pandemic has not shaken citizens' support for the EU's work in international development and the results confirm a solid trend over recent years, meaning cooperation with partner countries remains one of the most positively perceived EU policies.

Commenting on the results, Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, yesterday said:

“COVID-19 has like an x-ray revealed weaknesses such as inequalities and at the same time it has put back on the table the strength of multilateral cooperation to address global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. I am happy to see these very positive results reflecting the best of Europe's values: a spirit of global solidarity even when times are tough. I am also pleased to see that people understand that a prosperous, peaceful and resilient Africa is important for the EU, and that young people are the change agents and our essential partners.”

Health moves to the top of the list of pressing challenges

One of the key findings from the survey is the increased concern about health, that has been identified as the most pressing challenge for the future of developing countries by 36%, 5 points more than in 2019.

In the context of increased public concern about COVID-19, the EU is currently focused on the vaccination of its citizens and on international efforts for global vaccination, with a major contribution to COVAX and by pre-financing the production of vaccines that are being exported to 34 countries. The EU is also strengthening health systems, building on the Team Europe global response package of over €40 billion of support to partner countries impacted by the pandemic.

The second most pressing challenge mentioned is education (35%), peace and security (32%), and economic growth and employment (29%). Around one quarter of respondents mentioned water and sanitation (27%), democracy and human rights (26%), and food security and agriculture (24%).

EU citizens overwhelmingly agree (88%) that the EU should tackle climate change and its effects in developing countries, whilst 77% strongly agree that tackling poverty in developing countries should be one of the main priorities of the EU and 61% say that EU development policy should also focus on reducing inequalities in developing countries. About a third of respondents (34%) think that EU development policy should only focus on helping developing countries to strengthen their economies.

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