Eurobarometer: 96% of Bulgarians are Worried about the Rising Cost of Living

The rising cost of living is the most pressing concern for 93% of Europeans, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey for the European Parliament, published yesterday. Support for the EU remains high, but citizens expect the Union to work on solutions to mitigate the effects of the crises.

In every EU Member State, more than seven in ten respondents are concerned about the rising cost of living, with the highest scores in Greece (100%), Cyprus (99%), Italy and Portugal (both 98%).

In Bulgaria, the share of people who are worried about the rising cost of living is approaching the highest levels at 96%. The increase in prices, including energy and food, is felt in all socio-demographic categories such as gender and age, as well as in all educational and socio-professional groups.

The second most frequently mentioned at the European level is the threat of poverty and social exclusion, with 82%, followed by climate change and the danger of the war in Ukraine spreading to other countries, which are in third place with 81%.

Bulgarians also indicate in second and third place the threat of poverty and social exclusion and the danger of the war in Ukraine spreading to other countries, with 86% and 85%, respectively, while the threat of climate change is further behind with 69%.

Citizens expect the EU to continue working on solutions to mitigate the compounding effects of the series of successive crises that have hit the continent. The high support for the EU builds on the experience of past years, when the Union has demonstrated a remarkable ability to come together and introduce effective measures. At the time of the survey, citizens are not satisfied with the actions taken either at the national or at the European level. Only a...