survey: benefits and perceptions of europe for germany

Focus on Europe

Results of a representative survey commissioned by the Association of German Banks ahead of the 20th German Banking Congress 2014

April 2014

I. Stronger appreciation of the benefits of EU membership for Germany

European solidarity with the debt-laden eurozone countries in the form of loans and financial aid has not led in Germany to a negatively connoted “paymaster” image again. On the contrary, since 2010 the impression that Germany benefits from EU membership has grown steadily among citizens (from 23 to 35%), whereas the proportion of those who fear mostly disadvantages for the country has declined noticeably (from 29 to 19%). In addition, 87% believe that the EU is either “important” (54%) or “very important” (33%) for Germany’s economic development.

2

Quelle: Bankenverband; jüngste Befragung März 2014; Angaben in Prozent.

“For Germany, membership of the European Union brings ...”

3

35

44

19 2 mostly

advantages

advantages and disadvantages

mostly disadvantages

don‘t know/ no response

Source: Association of German Banks; latest survey in March 2014; figures in per cent


3530

28232423 22

35

25

17 18 181819

29 30

2524

2930

1724

31 3027

3444

4540

4647464444474952

4746

0

20

40

60

80mostly advantagesmostly disadvantagesadvantages and disadvantages

4

“For Germany, membership of the European Union brings …”

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2011 2013 2014



“For Germany’s economic development, the EU is …”

5

32 33

52 54

11 10

2 2

9/2006 3/2014

very importantimportantnot so importantunimportant


Germany has come through the crisis well

The financial crisis and the sovereign debt crisis have strengthened awareness that Germany is deeply embedded in the EU and also benefits economically as a result. Correspondingly, the great majority of citizens (79%) are also convinced that Germany is better-off economically than its western European neighbours. This reflects the view that the country has come through the crisis/crises relatively well. For the first time since the turn of the century, a majority of Germans therefore believe that policymakers have the ability to fix the country’s economic problems.

6


“Compared with its western European neighbours, Germany’s economic situation is …”

7

79

14

5

better

the same

worse


Quelle: Bankenverband; jüngste Befragung März 2014; Angaben in Prozent. 8

“Compared with its western European neighbours, Germany’s economic situation is …”

79

145

84

55

33

4340

555566

56

12

3134303024

31353638

37

2320

81059

28

16

0

20

40

60

80

100

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

better the same worse

2013



“Are policymakers able to fix the country’s economic problems?”

2010 2002 2004 2008 9/2009 2011 2006 3/2009 2013

42

55

4641

263232

2330

35

46

37

5156

716666

7568 63

50

60

0

20

40

60

80

100

yes no

2012 2014


II. A feeling that the euro crisis has been overcome

Alongside a more positive perception of the EU, trust and confidence in the single European currency have also increased:

only 18% of respondents (following 31% in 2012) currently believe that the euro brings mostly disadvantages for Germany.

Two-thirds of citizens (66%) are of the opinion that the euro has (a) been a success so far and (b) will also be a success in the

long term (in 2012, only 49% in both cases). In the eyes of citizens, the euro has evidently already passed the acid test.

10


“For Germany, the euro brings as a whole ...“

11

34

45

18

3 mostly advantages



don’t know/ no response



“For Germany, the euro brings as a whole …”

12

23

313433 31

18

3935

45

mostly advantages



3/2003 9/2012 3/2014



“For Germany, the euro brings as a whole ...”

45

32

2321

34

40

33 31

20 18

31

3539

44

0

20

40

60

80advantagesdisadvantagesadvantages and disadvantages

6/1999 2/2002 3/2003 9/2012 3/2014



“The euro …”

14

66 66

31 28

yes

no

… has been a success so far

… will be a success in the long term



“The euro has been a success so far.”

44

49

4348

5466

5054

48

54

4531

0

20

40

60

80

100

yes no

4/2010 10/2010 2/2011 9/2012 6/2013 3/2014



“The euro will be a success in the long term.”

16

6655

60

787172

59

49 51

28

19 2014

3428

3644 43

0

20

40

60

80

100

yes no

3/2008 5/2001 2/2002 3/2003 10/2010 2/2011 9/2012 6/2013 3/2014


III. Majority for solidarity with the eurozone’s crisis-hit countries

Nearly six out of ten respondents (57%) believe that it was right to save the debt-laden eurozone countries from insolvency by

providing financial aid. Compared with summer 2013, this proportion has increased slightly again.

17


“Saving the crisis-hit eurozone countries from insolvency by providing financial aid was …”

18

57 37

6 right

wrong

don’t know/ no response



“Saving the crisis-hit eurozone countries from insolvency by providing financial aid was …”

19

54 57

4237

6/2013 3/2014

right wrong


20

About the survey Survey period: 7 – 11 March 2014 Sample: 995 respondents (German citizens) aged 18 and

over Survey method: Computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) Commissioned by: Association of German Banks, Berlin Current survey and 2013 survey: GfK – Gesellschaft für Marktforschung,

Nuremberg Earlier surveys: ipos – Institut für praxisorientierte

Sozialforschung, Mannheim The results of all surveys are representative of the eligible voting population in Germany. All results shown in per cent. Percentage points short of 100 % accounted for by “don’t know”/no response.

survey: benefits and perceptions of europe for germany

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