Unemployment is Europe’s greatest challenge
The findings of the "Challenges of Europe 2010”
survey carried out by the GfK Association
The situation on the job market remains of the greatest concern, not only to Germans, but to Europeans in general. Compared with the previous year, the degree of concern has even risen slightly. In 8 out of the 11 countries surveyed, unemployment was the most frequently mentioned issue. Next, some way behind, come price and purchasing power development, and worries about economic stability. Although concerns about the economic climate have dropped back, nevertheless, this is still an issue which comes third on the list of European anxieties. Out of all the Europeans, Germans worry the most and although Germans are currently a little less anxious about the economic situation, the subject still comes in at No.2 on the list of major concerns.
Europe’s concerns: unemployment remains the major issue
Highest on the European agenda of worries both again and in the past is the concern surrounding joblessness. This year, 43% of Europeans expressed concern, which is another 4 percentage points up on the figure for 2009. At that time, concern had risen by 15 percentage points from its all-time low of 2008. The issue is regarded as particularly serious in Spain, where three quarters of the population are worried about the situation on the job market and where the level of concern is 7 percentage points up on 2009. The global economic crisis has hit Spain particularly badly and its effects are especially noticeable on the job market. In Germany, two thirds are concerned about the lack of jobs and in France, the figure is half. In Austria and Poland, 43% - the European average - regard the job market as in need of improvement, while in Sweden and Belgium this view is expressed by a good third of the population. The UK and the Netherlands bring up the rear with 16% and 8% respectively.
The Russians in particular are worried about inflation
In spite of the slight drop from 22% to 18%, concern about the development of prices and purchasing power has moved up from third place in the prior year to second place this year on the list of worries. Assessment of the whole issue surrounding inflation was particularly dramatic in Russia. In a European comparison, inflation is very high here, although the rate has dropped back to 11.7% in 2009 from 14.1% in 2008. In France and Germany, around one quarter were anxious about their dwindling purchasing power and in Poland, 16% of the population believe that action must be taken. Conversely, at 2% expressing anxiety in Spain and Sweden, and 3% in the UK and the Netherlands, this subject appears to concern citizens in these countries rather less.
The Spanish are worried about economic development
Concern about economic development reflected the rather more relaxed situation, and this issue is now down from second place in the previous year to third place this year. After concern rocketed from 5% to 29% last year, only 16% of Europeans are currently still worrying about the economic situation. However, at 31% and 26% respectively, the populations of Spain and Germany expressed a comparatively above-average level of worry about the future of the economy.
|
Challenges of Europe 2010 |
||||||||||||
|
|
Total |
D |
F |
A |
GB |
I |
B |
NL |
RUS |
PL |
E |
SE |
|
Unemployment |
43 |
66 |
56 |
43 |
16 |
54 |
35 |
8 |
27 |
43 |
74 |
36 |
|
Price/purchasing power development |
18 |
24 |
26 |
9 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
33 |
16 |
2 |
2 |
|
Economic stability |
16 |
26 |
9 |
19 |
21 |
17 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
5 |
31 |
12 |
|
Criminality |
12 |
15 |
16 |
12 |
19 |
22 |
18 |
24 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Healthcare |
11 |
21 |
5 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
3 |
12 |
7 |
26 |
1 |
6 |
|
Pensions/old age provisions |
9 |
19 |
13 |
16 |
2 |
7 |
10 |
2 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Politics/ |
8 |
10 |
3 |
11 |
17 |
16 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
13 |
8 |
2 |
|
Housing issues/rents |
8 |
1 |
13 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
19 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Immigration/inte-gration |
8 |
8 |
4 |
28 |
25 |
13 |
18 |
9 |
1 |
- |
3 |
7 |
|
Education policy |
7 |
14 |
6 |
9 |
11 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
Sources: Challenges of Europe 2010, GfK Association
The Dutch and the Italians are most concerned about criminality
The issue of criminality remains in 4th place. The percentage of concerned individuals, which at 12% is just 1 percentage point up, has also remained stable. The Dutch and the Italians, in particular, with 24% and 22% respectively, are demanding stronger action against criminality. In the UK (19%), Belgium (18%), France (16%) and Germany (15%), this is also among the major issues.
Concerns about healthcare remain in the spotlight. With an increase of 4 percentage points, this issue has moved up two places in the ranking and currently occupies 5th place with 11%. The Poles are particularly dissatisfied with the healthcare they can obtain when they are ill (26%), but at 21%, Germans also feel that there is a need for improvement. However, the Belgians and the Spanish (3% respectively 1%) have virtually no worries in this direction.
Concerns about pensions and old age provisions have risen by one place and at 9%, this issue is now in 6th place (+ 1 percentage point). The populations of Germany and Austria in particular, among whom concern is running at 19% and 16% respectively, would like to see an improvement in the pension position. However, at 13%, old age pensions are also a major concern for the French.
Housing issues preoccupy the Russians and the French
At 8%, the level of concern associated with housing and rents, is unchanged, although this year, it is ranked 8th after coming 6th in 2009. One in five Russians and at least one in ten French are concerned about the lack of adequate housing. However, this does not currently seem to be a problem in Sweden.
Austrians and Britons are concerned about immigration and integration issues
At 8%, the issues relating to immigration and integration remain in 9th place (+ 1 percentage point). At 28%, Austria is at the top of the league table, closely followed by the UK with 25%, with Belgians (18%) and Italians (13%) also believing the current situation needs improvement.
As in the previous year, last on the list of top ten challenges is the rating for education policy, which has stagnated at 7%. Germans (14%) and Britons (11%) are most anxious for improvements in the education system.
The survey
These findings have been extracted from the "Challenges of Europe 2010” survey carried out by GfK. The study is based on around 13,200 interviews with consumers carried out on behalf of the GfK Association during February and March 2010 in Germany, France, Austria, the UK, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Spain and for the first time, Sweden. The survey was based on the open-ended question: "In your opinion, which are the most urgent issues to be resolved in [country] today?” Correspondents were not restricted in their responses in any way, and multiple mentions were possible. The "Challenges of Europe 2011” survey will be published in June 2011.
The GfK Association
The GfK Association was established in 1934 as a non-profit organization for the promotion of market research. Its membership consists of approximately 600 companies and individuals. The purpose of the Association is to develop innovative research methods in close cooperation with academic institutions, to promote the training and further education of market researchers, to observe the structures and developments in society, the economy and politics that play a key role in private consumption, and to research their effects on consumers.
Survey results are made available to the membership. The GfK Association is a shareholder in GfK SE.
Further information: www.gfk-association.com.
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