An indicator of increasing economic constraints is the rise in the percentage of Europeans who "usually" or "sometimes" have trouble paying bills. That EU average has risen over the past year from 30 to 39 percent. In the Netherlands, this is less visible: 16% of Dutch people say they "usually" or "sometimes" have trouble paying bills. That is a decrease of 1% compared to last year.
The second most mentioned concern at 82% is the threat of poverty and social exclusion. This is lower in the Netherlands; 72% of respondents are worried about this exclusion. Sharing third place in concerns are climate change and a possible expansion of the war in Ukraine to other countries, both at 81%.
The climate figures in the Netherlands are comparable to the rest of the EU, but these concerns rank second for the Dutch: 80% of respondents worry about climate change. 62% of the Dutch are concerned about the expansion of the war in Ukraine to other countries.
The Eurobarometer shows that the consequences of the crises are being felt increasingly strongly. Almost half of the EU population (46%) says their standard of living has already declined due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In the Netherlands, that level is lower; 33% of respondents fall into this category.
At the same time, recent crises, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine, have strengthened citizens’ support for the European Union: 62% see EU membership as a "good thing," one of the highest results since 2007. 78% of Dutch respondents regard EU membership as a "good thing."