The Financial Crisis and Food Security
June 2011
Methodology
Methodology
Special Eurobarometer
o Survey conducted face-to-face in the respondent’s home
o Fieldwork: mid-April – beginning of May 2011
o Population: representative sample of population 15+
o Coverage: European Union, 27 Member States
o Number of interviews: 26,825
3
Agenda
Agenda
A. Europeans and the crisis
•
Support for a tax on financial transactions
•
Impact of crisis: short or long term?
•
Euro: mitigating the impact?
•
Facing crisis: a co-ordinated approach
•
Austerity or growth?
•
Priority for policies
B. Food security
5
A. Europeans and the crisis
Support for a tax on financial transactions
1.1 TFT – Majority of Europeans are in favour of a financial
transaction tax
Total ‘Opposed’ : 26%
Total ‘In favour’: 61%
8
1.1 TFT – Differences by group of countries
9
1.1 TFT: Europeans similarly support both TFT at a global level and at
EU level first
6.2 & 6.3 Please tell me if you are in favour or opposed to each of
the following statements related to this tax.
Introducing a tax on financial transactions, but
only at a global level, if international agreement
is reached
Total ‘Opposed’ : 11%
Introducing a tax on financial transactions in the
EU at first, if international agreement is not
reached
Total ‘Opposed’ : 14%
Total ‘In favour’: 85%
Total ‘In favour’: 81%
*Basis : Questions asked to 61% of respondents in favour of a TFT
10
1.1 In favour of a TFT: the reasons
*
*Basis : Questions asked to 61% of respondents in favour of a TFT
11
Impact of crisis: short or long term?
1.2 The crisis is going to last for many years: a significant
deterioration in perceptions
+1
-4
-3
+10
-4
13
1.2 Pessimism has increased most in the countries with the highest
unemployment rates
QA5 When it comes to a return to growth in (OUR COUNTRY), which one of the following opinions is
closest to your own?
14
Euro: mitigating the impact?
1.3 Public opinion in Europe on the cushioning role of the euro is
deteriorating
QA2 Could you tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement:
Overall the euro has mitigated the negative effects of the crisis.
Total 'Agree'
Total 'Disagree'
Don't know
57%
44%
45%
39%
41%
17%
14%
49%
37%
14%
50%
33%
34%
17%
9%
EB71.1
Jan.-Feb. 2009
EB72
Aut. 2009
EB73
Sp.2010
EB74.1
Aug.-Sept. 2010
EB75.2
Apr-May 2011
16
1.3 Public opinion in Europe on the cushioning role of the euro is
deteriorating
Total “Agree” : 34%
Total “Disagree” : 57%
17
1.3 In almost all Member States, the feeling that the euro has
mitigated the impact of the crisis is down
18
1.3 Euro as a cushion: the influence of respondents’ position on the
return to growth
QA2 Could you tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with the following
statement: Overall the euro has mitigated the negative effects of the crisis.
Total
'Agree'
Total
'Disagree'
Don't know
34%
57%
9%
Already
50%
44%
6%
In the coming months
52%
41%
7%
In the coming years
34%
58%
8%
Crisis is going to last
23%
68%
9%
EU27
Return to growth
19
Facing crisis: acting in a coordinated way?
1.4 Facing crisis: strong preference for co-ordinated measures
+4
+3
-7
21
1.3 Acting in a coordinated way: the influence of respondents’
position on the return to growth
QA3 As a citizen would you say that you would be better protected in the face of the current crisis if…?
(OUR COUNTRY) adopted
measures and applied (OUR COUNTRY) adopted
them in a coordinated
measures and applied
way with the other EU
them individually
countries
EU27
Don't know
56%
36%
8%
Already
64%
32%
4%
In the coming months
60%
35%
5%
In the coming years
59%
35%
6%
Crisis is going to last
51%
40%
9%
Return to growth
22
Austerity or growth ?
1.4 Facing crisis – Austerity or growth?
+2
-1
+3
-4
24
Policy priorities
1.6 Dealing with poverty and social exclusion as the policy priority
*
*(QA1a+b – Total – Multiple answers possible)
26
2. Food security
2.1 Helping agriculture in developing countries is the most efficient
measure to fight against increasing price of food products
28
2.2 Public opinion in Europe strongly approves of the European Union
actions to promote food security
95%
92%
86%
86%
29
Thank you