In Spain, more than eight out of ten respondents in the Basque Country (89%) and the Foral Community of Navarra (84%) say that the economic situation in their region is good, while only three out of ten share this opinion in Extremadura (30%) and the Canary Islands (32%).
The percentage in the Canary Islands is one of the lowest in the European Union. Apart from Extremadura, only the region of Central Greece (27%), as well as the French outermost regions of Guadeloupe and Martinique (both with 24%), have a worse opinion of their regional economy. The northern region of Hungary is tied with the Canary Islands (32%).
Eight out of ten Europeans say that the quality of life in their region is good, and 65% consider the current economic situation to be good as well; a percentage that falls to 57% in the case of Spain.
These are some of the data from a Eurobarometer on public opinion in the regions of the European Union, published this Monday by the European Commission, which is conducted every three years.
Despite the generally positive tone in the responses of Europeans to questions about quality of life and the economic situation, the survey reflects notable differences between regions.
Thus, for example, in 46 regions of the 194 in the EU where the survey was conducted, at least 35% of respondents say that the economic situation will worsen: these regions are mainly located in Greece (all), Germany (14 of 16 regions), France (12 of 18), Spain (seven), and Belgium (two of three).
Housing concerns in the Canary Islands are double the European average
The cost of living (31%), the economic situation and unemployment (26%), and health (26%) are the main problems that Europeans say they face in their regions, followed by housing (20%), the environment and climate change (19%), and the education system (18%).
But here, too, differences are seen between European regions and even within the same country. For example, unemployment is one of the most cited problems in southern European countries, such as Italy or Spain, where it is the biggest problem for 58% of respondents in Extremadura and Asturias, or 46% in Andalusia, but only 10% in the Balearic Islands, where the most pressing issue is housing (66%), as in Madrid (45%) and the Canary Islands (39%).
At the same time, Europeans identify the economy, social justice, and employment (29%) as the most important dimensions for the future of Europe, followed by climate change and the environment (24%), education, culture, youth, and sport (24%), democracy, values and rights, and the rule of law (21%), health (21%), EU security and defense (20%), and migration (19%).
