Immigration, holidays and the economy… what Britons really think about the EU Read more

As we all now know, a referendum will be held on 23 June to determine whether the United Kingdom remains part of the European Union. Many commentators and politicians believe this to be the single most significant decision the British public will have made since we backed continued membership of the European Economic Community in 1975. However, despite the huge importance of the impending vote, just 31% of the population identify Britain’s membership of/relationship with the EU as one of the three most important issues currently affecting the UK. Furthermore, only 23% believe it is one of the most important issues affecting them personally.



It is a much more significant issue in the eyes of those who back Brexit (50% of whom select it as a major issue) than those who wish to remain in the EU (15%) and it is an issue that increases in importance with age; just 12% of 25-34-year-olds say it’s a big issue compared with 53% of those aged 65 or over. There are sizable differences on the basis of political party affiliation; Ukip supporters are, predictably, most likely to consider Europe to be an issue of great national importance (59% do) and the same is true of 40% of Conservative supporters.

However, just 15% of Labour supporters and 9% of Lib Dem supporters concur. There are also interesting regional variations; while Londoners are the least likely to identify Europe as an important national issue (16%), Britons living in the rest of the south-east are the most likely to deem it important (43%).

Being European: what does it mean? Read more

EU membership is not widely perceived to be an important national issue, but immigration is. The results of our poll suggest the issues are indivisible for many. Concerns around immigration are often more theoretical than personal (55% say it is a big issue affecting the country while just 25% say it is a big issue affecting them personally) but it could well be the issue that, above all others, determines the referendum outcome.

Our poll was conducted just prior to the conclusion of David Cameron’s negotiations with our EU partners, before the referendum date was confirmed. Numerous polls have subsequently been conducted with the intention of predicting the outcome and it’s possible that public sentiment will have changed to some degree in the intervening period. We present these numbers, therefore, not as a prediction but because the answers are frequently used as a lens through which to analyse responses to other questions in the survey.

With the point about poll timing in mind, there are some clear demographic patterns in voting intentions. Most strikingly, Euroscepticism is closely correlated with age, so that younger Britons are more likely to vote to remain in the EU while older Britons are more likely to favour Brexit.

There is also evidence to suggest that, at the time of polling, the momentum was towards leaving. Of those questioned, 38% said they had changed their views on the issue over the previous six months, a time frame that included the Paris terror attacks, the worsening refugee crisis and the mass sexual assaults in Cologne on New Year’s Eve; 22% were now more likely than they were to vote to leave while 16% said the opposite.

Both genders and each age group over the age of 35 had become more likely to vote to leave over the previous six months. The fluidity of public opinion raises the possibility that unforeseen events could contribute significantly to the final result.

If a referendum were held tomorrow on the following question, how likely would you be to vote? Please answer using the scale 0-10 where 0 is “definitely wouldn’t vote”, 5 is “might vote” and 10 is “definitely would vote”.

“Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

0 (definitely wouldn’t vote) 2%

1 1%

2 1%

3 0%

4 1%

5 11%

6 2%

7 4%

8 6%

9 9%

10 (definitely would vote) 61%

In the context of a tight race, the ability of each side to mobilise its supporters on polling day is likely to be crucial. In this respect, the older age profile of Brexit supporters becomes a strong advantage; 88% of those aged 65-plus say they will definitely vote compared with just 34% of 18-24s and 39% of 25-34s. Furthermore, 76% of Leave supporters say they will definitely vote compared with 59% of Remain supporters. There could be sizable regional variations in turnout; Londoners, who are more likely to vote to remain, will need the most persuading (45% will definitely vote). In contrast, 72% of those in the remainder of the south-east, who are more likely to be Leave supporters, will definitely vote.

With the race neck and neck, it would be reasonable to expect national sentiment to be similarly split over the question of whether EU membership is generally a good or bad thing for Britain. However, those who believe that EU membership is good for Britain (47%) outnumber those who believe it is bad (35%) by a significant margin. Lib Dem and Green party supporters are most likely to consider it good (85% each) and a large majority (70%) of Labour supporters concur.

Significantly, Conservative voters are also much more likely to believe that membership is good rather than bad. While the pattern is predictably reversed among Ukip supporters (83% believe membership is bad) these numbers raise the question of why the Remain camp doesn’t have a comfortable lead. Explaining the dissonance may be crucial to determining the outcome.

Issues affecting voting intentions

Immigration is, by some distance, the issue most likely to affect how Britons will vote in the referendum; 49% say it will influence how they vote, and this figure increases to 72% among those who will vote to leave. It is not, however, the main issue among Remain supporters, who are more likely to cite both international trade (35%) and the state of the UK economy (34%). Among those favouring Brexit, the issues affecting voting behaviour are heavily concentrated around immigration and how the EU is run/who runs the EU. In contrast, the issues driving Remain supporters are more diffuse, potentially making it harder to solidify support around consistent messages.

One issue likely to feature prominently in the campaign is the proportion of UK laws passed each year that originate from European institutions. When Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage debated prior to the 2014 European elections, their estimates diverged wildly; Clegg said 7% while Farage insisted the real figure was 75%. The British public didn’t know who to believe and asked to estimate themselves, they come up with an average figure (40%) almost exactly halfway between the Clegg and Farage estimates. Ukip supporters estimate the figure to be 52%, still way short of theFarage’s number proposed by their leader. Leave supporters estimate 48% while Remain supporters suggest 29%. The reality? Well, the House of Commons Library puts the figure at approximately 13%, while research by the Eurosceptic campaign group Business for Britain and published last year claimed it was nearly 65%. This debate is likely to run and run.

The campaign battle lines may well be drawn along these lines; the Leave campaign focusing on concerns around immigration and the Remain camp countering with reminders of the economic risks associated with Brexit. If that’s what transpires, it will be of concern to the Remain camp that more Britons believe Brexit would be good for their personal finances (38%) than believe it would be bad (30%). Among Eurosceptics, 62% believe Brexit would be good for their personal finances and even 20% of those favouring the status quo agree. There is a clear gender divide: while women are evenly split, men are significantly more likely to believe the impact would be positive (43%) rather than negative (29%).

Britons may be relaxed about the impact of Brexit on their personal finances, but it is also a commonly held view that Britain needs to be part of a European trading bloc; 54% agree while just 14% disagree. Eurosceptics generally are, marginally, in agreement (34% versus 29%) although Ukip supporters specifically are more likely to disagree (35% versus 27%). There is also cautious national approval given to the view that “the rise of China and other countries means Britain needs to be in the EU to compete in the world” (41% of respondents agree, 32% disagree) although Eurosceptics strongly reject this notion (61% disagree, 14% agree). Concerns about the health of the euro offset the potential for membership to be considered economically positive; 68% of Britons agree that the debt crisis has made them question the currency’s stability and while these concerns are most pronounced among Leave supporters (82% agree) they are common across the political spectrum. The extent to which fear of domestic contagion from the eurozone debt crisis is driving Euroscepticism is, however, unclear.

Recent analysis suggests that George Osborne will only be able to deliver his economic target of a budget surplus by 2019/2020 if the number of immigrants coming to the UK exceeds current levels. Assuming this is true, would you prefer…?

To increase current levels of immigration from the EU so that UK can hit economic targets 21%

Maintain or reduce current levels of immigration and miss economic targets 78%





Would you say that you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?





The effects of immigration now outweigh any trade benefits the EU brings

Agree 54% Disagree 21%



Immigration from the EU has benefited the wealthy in this country at the expense of the poorest

Agree 46% Disagree 21%

44% of Britons believe that the right of EU citizens to live, work or retire in any member state is bad for Britain while 32% believe it is good. Among those favouring Brexit, 69% believe free movement is bad for the country and 17% of Remain supporters agree. Immigration from the EU is most likely to be seen as a good thing in London, the most culturally diverse region, (56%) and most likely to be seen as a bad thing in Wales (66%).

EU immigration is considered to have had a net negative impact on every area of national life in Britain with the exception of cultural diversity and richness. Negativity is most pronounced around housing, where 65% consider the impact bad and just 11% good (-54). Other areas where the impact is seen as strongly negative include welfare/benefits (-50), the population level in the UK (-49) and crime (-44). Even those who wish the UK to remain in the EU are more likely to consider the impact of immigration on these areas negative.

Concerns are so widespread that if the campaign narrative is reduced to immigration versus economics, there is evidence to suggest the immigration argument will have greater resonance. Firstly, a majority of Britons (54%) agree with the view that “the effects of immigration now outweigh any trade benefits the EU brings” (21% disagree). Furthermore, 78% of Britons say they would prefer George Osborne to miss his economic target of a budget surplus by 2019/20 if this meant, as recent analysis has suggested, that the number of immigrants coming to the UK would need to exceed current levels. Even 58% of Europhiles would prefer to miss those economic targets if they required increased immigration. Of course, it’s entirely possible that some may wish Osborne to miss his budget targets for reasons completely unrelated to immigration.

In the context of dealing with immigration, to what extent would you support or oppose each of the following policies?

We should make it a legal requirement for those applying to settle in the UK to speak better English and pass a “Life in the UK” test.

Support 78% Oppose 8%

Immigrants must financially support themselves and their dependants for four years (private health insurance, private education and private housing) before being able to access welfare/benefits.

Support 74% Oppose 12%

The government should impose annual limits on UK immigration from the EU.

Support 73% Oppose 12%

We should limit the right of European citizens to work in the UK.

Support 53% Oppose 26%

There should be a European standing army made up of personnel from each European Union country.

Support 39% Oppose 26%

David Cameron placed the need to curb rates of EU immigration at the heart of his membership renegotiations and, with this in mind, sought to deny all EU migrants in-work benefits for an initial four-year period. There is strong national support for this policy. Indeed, 74% believe that EU migrants must support themselves and their families for four years before being able to access any welfare or benefits. In addition, 78% of Britons believe it should be a legal requirement for those applying to settle in the UK to speak better English and pass a “Life in the UK” test, and 73% would like to see annual limits on immigration from the EU. There is almost complete support for each of these policies among those favouring Brexit. However, a clear majority of Remain supporters concur.

It remains to be seen if the deal secured by Cameron (an “emergency handbrake” that limits in-work benefits for four years for newly arrived EU migrants, but not for those already in the country) is sufficient to deal with domestic concerns round immigration.

With large numbers fleeing civil war and unrest in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and elsewhere, the refugee crisis is the single biggest issue facing the EU right now. Britons are most likely to believe the best way to deal with this humanitarian crisis, unprecedented in modern times, is via a joint EU operation in which all member states have an obligation to take part. 38% support this course of action and the number increases to 52% among those who wish to remain in the EU. Politically, popularity for this approach is most pronounced among Labour supporters (50%) but it’s the preferred course of action among supporters of each mainstream party with the exception of Ukip, whose supporters believe that each country should respond in their own way, with no central co-ordination or organisation. The preferred approach among Eurosceptics generally, however, is for every country to respond in their own way with the EU helping to co-ordinate efforts but with no power to direct things.

The nation is split over whether it’s better to band together with other countries to tackle the issues facing the world or whether we should pull up the drawbridge and adopt an isolationist approach in an attempt to insulate Britain from danger. Slightly more Britons believe “the world is a dangerous place and that countries need to protect their borders first and foremost before worrying about how to tackle international crises” (54% support this view and the figure rises to, 75% among those who wish to leave the EU).

A smaller proportion (46%) believe that “some problems are bigger than nation-states and show that we need greater co-operation and co-ordination between countries to deal with them”. Support for this more collaborative view rises to 68% among those who wish to stay in the EU. Age tended to determine response, with Britons becoming increasingly isolationist over time. Men are also significantly more likely to be isolationist (58% are) than collaborative (42%) while women are evenly split.

Would you say that being a member of the EU makes it more or less likely that Britain will go to war in the future?

Much more likely 12% More likely 24% No effect 45% Less likely 15% Much less likely 5%

TOTAL: More likely 35%



TOTAL: Less likely 19%

Concerns about national security are widespread in these turbulent times, and the ability of EU membership to increase security is not widely recognised. Indeed, more Britons believe membership of the EU makes Britain less safe (39%) than more safe (30%). Why? Maybe the perception that immigration from the EU has caused a rise in crime contributes? For 35% of Britons it may be related to a belief that EU membership makes it more likely that Britain will go to war in future (just 19% believe membership makes it less likely). Whatever the reason, the sense that Britain is less safe as a result of EU membership is particularly pronounced among women, 41% of whom believe we are less safe compared with 24% who feel we are more safe. Furthermore, every age group over 35 is more likely to believe membership makes Britain less safe. Londoners are most likely to believe that membership makes Britain safer (59%) while those living in Yorkshire & Humberside and the south-east are most likely to believe the opposite (52% and 51% respectively).

And which of the following EU leaders would you say is the most powerful?

Angela Merkel 79%

David Cameron 8%

Jean-Claude Juncker 5%

François Hollande 3%

Donald Tusk 2%

Mariano Rajoy 1%

Martin Schulz 1%

Alexis Tsipras 1%

Enda Kenny 0%

Matteo Renzi 0%

Andrzej Duda 0%

79% of Britons believe German chancellor Angela Merkel is the most powerful EU leader whilst, in second place, just 8% consider David Cameron most powerful. Even among Conservative supporters, just 8% believe Cameron is the most powerful EU leader. Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission languishes in third place in the power hierarchy (5% believe he wields most power). However, 50% of Britons have never heard of Juncker, even when prompted. Even fewer have heard of Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras (31%), president of the European Council Donald Tusk (30%), president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (19%), former Irish taoiseach Enda Kenny (19%), who recently resigned and is yet to be replaced, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi (12%), prime minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy (9%), or president of Poland Andrzej Duda (7%). Excluding David Cameron, the most well-known European leaders are, unsurprisingly, Angel Merkel and François Hollande. However, a significant minority of Britons have not heard of them either (25% and 36% respectively). There is little difference between camps in terms of leader awareness; Remain supporters have heard of 3.4 of the listed leaders on average, Leave supporters 3.2. Awareness is lowest among 18-24s (1.7 on average) and it is a minority of 18-24s who have heard of each leader (Merkel is top with 47% awareness). Men (3.6) have heard of more than women (2.7) and Conservative supporters (3.9) have heard of more than Labour (2.7) Lib Dem (2.9) or Ukip (3.4) supporters. Awareness peaks in the capital where the average Londoner has heard of 4.2 of these EU leaders.



Most EU countries (but not Britain) are part of the Schengen area, where countries do not police their borders with other countries in the zone. This means that it is possible to drive from Portugal to Poland without having to show your passport. In your opinion, is this generally a good thing or a bad thing?

Very good thing 11% Good 12%Neither good nor bad 16%Bad 26%Very bad thing 35%

TOTAL: Good 23%

TOTAL: Bad 61%

As the refugee crisis worsens, the possibility of reintroducing internal border controls and restricting free movement between 26 EU member states in the Schengen area (the designated area in which member countries do not police their borders with other countries in the zone) is being actively debated. A number of countries in the zone have already temporarily reintroduced border controls. Britain is not part of the Schengen area and its suspension would have little direct impact on the UK. However, with many UK media brands publishing stories suggesting the lack of border controls enables the free movement of potential terrorists, the end of the Schengen area may help to allay some security fears relating to EU membership. A clear majority of Britons (61%) certainly believe the Schengen zone is a bad thing while only 23% believe it is good. Those who wish to remain in the EU are evenly split (39% apiece) in their attitudes but 79% of those in favour of Brexit believe the zone is bad. 18-34s are the only demographic group more likely to believe the zone is a good thing rather than a bad thing.

In which country were you born?

The UK (including British overseas territories and dependencies) 85%

Another country that is now a member of the European Union 8%

Another European country that is not a member of the European Union 2%

Another country outside Europe 5%

Which, if any, of the following words would you use to describe yourself?

British 58%

English 49%

European 15%

Scottish 7%

Regional term (eg northerner, southerner, Highlander) 7%

City/county specific term (eg Londoner, Yorkshireman, Glaswegian, Geordie, Mancunian, Scouser) 7%

Irish/Northern Irish 4%

Welsh 4%

Local area/town-specific term 3%

85% of those who completed our poll were born in the UK, including British overseas territories and dependencies. This figure reduces markedly (to 75%) among 18-24s and in London the figure is 76%. Interestingly, 10% of Ukip supporters were born either in another country that is now a member of the EU (8%) or another European country that is not a member of the EU (2%).

Just 15% of Britons describe themselves as European and only 7% say it is the word they would most likely use to describe themselves. Self-identification as “European” peaks among younger Britons (23% of 18-24s and 31% of 25-34s), a function, to some extent, of the higher proportion of these age groups born in another EU country. However, it does suggest that, if we remain in the EU, Britons will become increasingly likely to identify themselves as European. In London, where diversity is greatest, nearly half (44%) already describe themselves in these terms. It’s interesting to speculate why only an arguably small proportion (27%) of those who will vote to remain in the EU describe themselves as European? Is their stance pragmatic rather than passionate?

Language seems to be an important factor in determining self-identification as European, as an ability to fluently speak a second European language increases the likelihood markedly. It’s also correlated with voting intentions; 33% of those who will vote to remain can speak another European language fluently while the same is true for just 20% of those who will vote to leave.

Holidays and residence preferences

Which, if any, of the following countries have you visited for a holiday in the past five years?

None of these 34%

Spain 32%

France 30%

Italy 18%

Germany 13%

Greece 12%

Belgium 11%

Ireland 10%

Portugal 10%

Austria 8%

Denmark 8%

Netherlands 8%

Croatia 7%

Bulgaria 6%

Republic of Cyprus 6%

Czech Republic 5%

Malta 5%

Estonia 4%

Finland 4%

Sweden 4%

Hungary 3%

Poland 3%

Latvia 2%

Lithuania 1%

Luxembourg 1%

Romania 1%

Slovakia 1%

Slovenia 1%

None of these 34%

The nation may be divided over EU membership, but we certainly still enjoy European holidays; 66% of Britons have taken a holiday in an EU country other than the UK in the past five years. The most popular destinations are Spain≈(32% have visited) and France (30%) followed by Italy (18%) and Germany (13%). Remain supporters are more likely than Leave supporters to have visited an EU country on holiday (77% and 62% respectively) and the favoured destinations of the two camps differ; those favouring Brexit are most likely to have visited Spain while Remain supporters are more likely to visit France.

Bearing in mind it’s the nation’s favourite holiday destination and also has a large British expat population, it’s unsurprising that Spain is also the EU country that, other than the UK, we would most like to live in. Spain is the most popular country of residence for both genders and for every age group above 25. However, among 18-24s, Italy is almost twice as popular (20% to Spain’s 11%). Italy is also the most popular choice among Londoners (14%) while Spain is less popular in the capital than elsewhere in the country; it ranks sixth among Londoners behind Italy, Austria, France, Germany and Sweden.

There’s a clear winner when it comes to the EU country where Britons would least like to live: Romania. 25% identify it as the country they would least like to live in, while the three nearest challengers (Bulgaria, Lithuania and Poland) were selected by a combined 21% (7% each). Romania is the least popular among Britons of both genders and all ages, with the exception of 18-24s who are slightly more likely to dislike living in Poland (15% v 14%).

Do you have any close friends who were born in any of the following countries?

Ireland, France 10% each

Germany 8%

Poland 7%

Italy, Belgium 6% each

Spain, Austria, Croatia, Denmark 5% each

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece 4% each

Republic of Cyprus, Estonia, Finland

3% each

Portugal, Romania, Hungary, Lithuania 2% each

Slovakia, Malta, Latvia 1% each

Luxembourg 0%

More than half of Britons (59%) do not have close friends born in an EU country outside the UK. Those who do are most likely to have Irish friends (10% of Britons have a close friend from Ireland), French (10%), German (8%) or Polish (7%). 57% of 25-34s and 51% of 18-24s have close friends from other EU countries compared with 30% of those aged 65. Londoners are most likely to have EU friends (73% do) while those living in the East Midlands are least likely (23%). Perhaps predictably, 54% of Remain supporters have friends from other EU countries compared with 34% of those who wish to leave. Liberal Democrats are most likely to speak other European languages fluently, so perhaps it’s not surprising that they’re also most likely to have European friends (62% do).

Friendships are significantly more common than relationships; 41% of Britons have a close friend from another EU country while 15% have had a relationship with someone from a different EU country. Men are more likely than women to have done so (18% and 11% respectively). Perhaps more surprising is that Ukip supporters are more likely than Labour supporters to have done so (14% and 11% respectively). Less surprising is that Lib Dems are the most likely to have had an EU relationship (22%) and less surprising still is that incidences of these relationships peak in London, where more than half (51%) have had a relationship with someone from another EU country.

Stereotypes

For each of the following stereotypes, please tell us which country’s people you think embody them.



Funniest

United Kingdom 43%

Ireland 25%

Italy 4%

Finland 2%

France 2%

Aggressive

Germany 29%

United Kingdom 10%

Romania 8%

Bulgaria 6%

Poland 5%

United Kingdom 31%

Ireland 10%

Sweden 6%

Austria 5%

Greece 5%

Arrogant

Germany 40%

France 23%

United Kingdom 9%

Bulgaria 3%

Italy 3%

Generous

United Kingdom 39%

Ireland 10%

Germany 6%

Greece 5%

Italy 4%

United Kingdom 19%

Greece 17%

Spain 10%

Romania 8%

Italy 6%

Efficient

Germany 60%

United Kingdom 9%

Sweden 6%

Denmark 3%

Austria 2%

Welcoming

United Kingdom 21%

Ireland 13%

Greece 9%

Germany 8%

Italy 6%

Relaxed

Spain 15%

Italy 13%

Ireland 9%

Greece 9%

United Kingdom 6%

Hard-working

Germany 35%

Poland 20%

United Kingdom 14%

Austria 4%

Latvia 3%

Mean

Germany 19%

France 14%

United Kingdom 9%

Belgium 7%

Bulgaria 5%

Trustworthy

United Kingdom 39%

Germany 7%

Sweden 6%

Denmark 6%

Ireland 3%

Cowardly

France 25%

Italy 21%

United Kingdom 6%

Germany 5%

Bulgaria 4%

Romantic

Italy 40%

France 38%

United Kingdom 3%

Belgium 2%

Ireland 2%

Greece 2%

Tolerant

United Kingdom 44%

Sweden 10%

Germany 6%

Denmark 5%

Netherlands 5%

Stylish

Italy 40%

France 33%

United Kingdom 6%

Sweden 2%

Denmark 2%

Which EU country…

… has the best food (top 5)?

Italy 33%

United Kingdom 24%

France 18%

Greece 5%

Spain 4%

… has made the biggest contribution to literature?

United Kingdom 62%

France 9%

Germany 4%

Greece 3%

Ireland 3%

…has made the biggest contribution to science?

United Kingdom 50%

Germany 22%

France 5%

Sweden 4%

Bulgaria 2%

… has made the biggest contribution to art?

Italy 35%

France 26%

United Kingdom 14%

Austria 3%

Netherlands 3%

Approximately what percentage of the UK population do you believe were born in other EU countries?

Less than 10% 16%; 11-20% 23%; 21-30% 19%; 31-40% 19%;41-50% 11%; 51-60% 6%; 61-70% 2%; 71-80% 2%; 81-90% 1%; 91-100% 0%

Average estimate 28%

Which five EU countries do you believe have sent the most immigrants to the UK?

Poland 78% Romania 58% Ireland 34% Lithuania 27% Bulgaria 24%

Approximately how many UK nationals do you think live in other EU countries? For reference, the total population of the UK is 64.1 million while the total population of all EU countries (including UK) is 503 million.

Fewer than 100,000 6%; 100,001-250,000 9%; 250,001-500,000 14%; 500,001-1 million 19%; 1-1.5 million 17%; 1.5-2 million 9%; 2-2.5 million 9%; 2.5-3 million 5%; 3-3.5 million 3%; 3.5-4 million 2%; 4-4.5 million 1%; 4.5-5 million 2%; More than 5 million 4%

Average estimate 1.48 million

On average, Britons estimate that 28% of the UK population were born in other EU countries. If true, that would equate to 18 million people, of whom we believe Poles and Romanians form the largest proportion. Estimates of the EU immigrant population peak in the West Midlands, where the average estimate is 34%. Ukip and Leave supporters both estimate 32% while the estimate of Remain supporters is not much lower (25%). The reality? Office for National Statistics figures for year ending December 2014 show that 8.3 million UK residents, 13% of the total population, were born abroad. However, only 3 million of those were born in an EU country so the real figure is less than 5%.

Asked to estimate how many UK nationals live in other EU countries, the average answer was 1.48 million. According to figures used in a government response to a parliamentary question by Matthew Oakeshott in 2014, the real figure is 2.2 million. There are just over 1 million Britons living in Spain, 330,000 in France, 329,000 in Ireland, 107,000 in Germany, 65,000 in Cyprus, 48,000 in the Netherlands, 45,000 in Greece, 39,000 in Portugal and 37,000 in Italy.

Which EU nation do you believe…



…drinks the most per person?(All answers below show the top five selected.)

United Kingdom 33% France 15% Germany 14% Ireland 7% Czech Republic 4%

…smokes the most per person?

France 19% UK 12% Greece 8% Spain 7% Germany 6%

…takes the most drugs per person?

UK 32% Netherlands 23% Denmark 4% Czech Republic 4% Estonia 4%

Britons believe that the UK is the EU nation that drinks the most per person. Both genders and every age group are most likely to believe this. The reality is different. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) figures published in 2014, the average Briton consumed 11.6 litres of pure alcohol in 2010. This places us well behind the likes of Lithuania (15.4 litres) Romania (14.4) and Hungary (13.3). Our poll also reveals that the UK is considered to be the EU nation that takes the most illegal drugs per person. Data from the 2015 European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) shows that cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Europe, used by more than 80 million at least once in their life. Prevalence of cannabis use is highest in Spain, where 9.4% of the adult population have tried it at least once. The second most widely used illegal drug in Europe is cocaine and prevalence of use does indeed peak in the UK, where 2.4% have tried it. Ecstasy use also peaks in the UK (1.6% have tried it). France is believed to be the country that smokes the most per person but WHO figures from 2013 show that rates of cigarette smoking actually peak in Greece, where 36.5% of adults smoke cigarettes. That’s compared with 22.8% of French adults, while in the UK this figure drops further, to 20.3%.

…has the longest life expectancy?

Sweden 19% Italy 15% Germany 8% United Kingdom 7% Greece 6%

…has the shortest life expectancy?

Romania 21% Bulgaria 11% United Kingdom 9% Estonia 7% Croatia 6%

Britons believe that life expectancy is longest in Sweden, Italy and Germany and shortest in Romania, Bulgaria and the UK itself. Again, these perceptions differ from reality. According to Eurostat statistics for 2013 Spain has the longest life expectancy among the 28 EU nations (83.3) while Latvia and Bulgaria have the shortest life expectancies (74.5). As for the UK, life expectancy currently stands at 81.4, 79.5 for men, 83.2 for women.

…is the wealthiest?

Germany 48% United Kingdom 12% Sweden 8% Luxembourg 7% Austria 3%

…is the poorest?

Romania 23% Greece 14% Bulgaria 10% Latvia 8% Lithuania 8%

Nearly half of all Britons (48%) believe that Germany is the wealthiest nation within the union. There are different ways of calculating wealth and if we base our assessment on gross domestic product (GDP) then Germany is indeed the wealthiest, with the UK second. However, a more accurate measure of wealth is probably GDP per capita. Eurostat figures show that Luxembourg has, by a distance, the highest GDP per capita, more than two-and-a-half times the EU 28 average. Ireland has the second highest GDP per capita (34% above EU 28 average) followed by the Netherlands and Austria (both about 30% above the average). Britons believe that Romania and Greece are the poorest EU nations but it is actually Bulgaria that has the lowest GDP per capita within the EU 28 (53% below the average). Croatia and Romania are the next poorest EU nations based on this metric.

…has the fastest growing economy?

United Kingdom 34% Germany 25% Denmark 3% Ireland 3% Sweden 3%

Britons believe that we have the fastest growing economy within the union. However, Eurostat figures providing a year-on-year GDP comparison show Ireland at the top of the growth table with a growth rate of 4.8%, while Hungary was second with a rate of 3.6%. Growth in Britain, in comparison, was 2.8%.

Methodology

Opinium Research interviewed a sample of 1,033 UK adults aged 18-plus. Interviews were conducted using an online panel and results have been weighted so that they are demographically representative of the total UK adult population.