Sweden — 25 years as EU-country

Screenshot from Swedish government press-conference about Covid-19

Recently a report was published by government agency SIEPS (Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies) about public attitudes and behaviours concerning European Union as a polity and Sweden’s EU-membership and status as an EU-country. The report is based on the annual SOM (society, opinions, media) survey done at the University of Gothenburg.

According to the report, public support when it comes to the EU is “record high”, comparing to measured attitudes during 1994–95 when Sweden became an EU-country. The report states that 6 in 10 Swedes is in favour of Sweden’s EU-membership while 7 in 10 thinks that leaving the union would be a bad thing.

The report is also focusing on behaviours changes in different groups such as regarding gender, economic and educational status. The support for EU-membership is still considered as higher among younger, wealthier, urban and more educated individuals. The case is also that differences have been reduced in all measured groups during the last years.

Question: What is your opinion about Sweden’s membership in the EU? 1609 respondents have answered 58% in favour, 26% undecided, 16% against.

Another aspect that the report is taking is that the trend in Sweden is also reflecting a general trend taking place within the union. At the same time, there are areas where the majority of Swedes are not in favour of when it comes to the promotion of more integration. Such attitudes are regarding foreign policy and external relations and especially when it comes to Euro and Eurozone, where the majority is opposing the introduction of the Euro as the main currency in Sweden.

The statement “Sweden should adopt Euro as currency” with answers based on 1578 respondents. Replies: 61% against and 16% in favour.

For more information about SIEPS publications, you can click on the following link.