| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | 09/11/00, Volume 6, Number 41 |
| Publication Date | 09/11/2000 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 09/11/00 It's official - Europe is becoming more miserable. According to the latest figures released by the Commission, the number of people who say they are happy has fallen by 5&percent; over the last year. The survey compiled in the first six months of 2000 found that only 77&percent; of people are satisfied with their lives, compared with 82&percent; over the same period last year. Satisfaction levels dropped most sharply in Germany, down 11&percent;, and in Italy, down 9&percent;. And if the Danes needed more persuading that they should be wary about closer integration with their neighbours, the evidence is here: Denmark is the only country where more than half of the population feels very satisfied with life - 57&percent; to be exact. Pollsters asked EU citizens for the first time whether they thought they personally benefited from their country being a member of the Union - a question it might have been better to avoid. It appears that 41&percent; of people think there are as many disadvantages as advantages to membership, and only 5&percent; think the Union has brought them many more benefits. Sweden, the UK and Austria top the disgruntled list, with between 24&percent; and 27&percent; of people claiming they have actually suffered more negative consequences than positive. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
