Public support for the European Union has increased sharply across much of Europe since the United Kingdom voted to leave the bloc in 2016, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center, suggesting Brexit may have strengthened rather than weakened confidence in European integration.
The survey, conducted across eight European nations and later expanded to include Hungary and Poland, found that favorable opinions of the European Union are significantly higher today than they were during the Brexit referendum period.
Across the United Kingdom and seven consistently tracked EU member states, 62% of respondents now hold a positive view of the EU, compared with just 49% in 2016, when British voters narrowly backed leaving the bloc.
The findings indicate that Brexit, rather than triggering a wider wave of Euroscepticism across Europe, may have unintentionally contributed to growing support for the European project.
UK Turns More Pro-EU a Decade After Brexit Vote
One of the most dramatic shifts was recorded in the United Kingdom itself. Despite voting to leave the European Union in the historic June 2016 referendum, 67% of Britons now express favorable views toward the EU, while 31% maintain an unfavorable opinion.
The numbers represent a striking reversal from sentiment at the time of the referendum, when skepticism toward Brussels played a central role in the Leave campaign.
The UK now ranks among the most pro-European countries included in the Pew survey, highlighting how public attitudes toward the bloc have evolved nearly a decade after Brexit reshaped Britain’s political and economic landscape.
The findings come as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signaled interest in strengthening ties with European partners, even while ruling out rejoining the EU single market or customs union.
Sweden, Germany Lead Strong EU Support
Among European countries surveyed, Sweden emerged as the most supportive of the European Union, with 79% of respondents expressing favorable views.
Support also remained robust in Germany (68%), while the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy all recorded approval levels above 60%.
Meanwhile, France remained divided, with 52% holding favorable views of the bloc. Greece stood out as the only surveyed country where support for the EU failed to command majority backing**, reflecting persistent economic and political tensions.
Ukraine War May Have Reinforced European Unity
Researchers at the Pew Research Center noted that positive attitudes toward the European Union rose noticeably in the years following Brexit and accelerated further after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The conflict pushed European nations toward closer cooperation on key issues including defense coordination, energy security, sanctions policy, and financial support for Kyiv.
Analysts suggest the war may have reinforced public appreciation for the role of the EU in managing geopolitical crises and strengthening collective security during a period of heightened instability in Europe.
Political Divide Still Exists, But Support Broadens
The report also highlighted political differences in attitudes toward the European Union.
Respondents identifying with left-leaning political views generally remained more supportive of the bloc than those on the political right. However, researchers found that favorable views of the EU have increased across much of the political spectrum since 2016.
The trend suggests growing confidence in European cooperation despite ongoing challenges involving migration, inflation, competitiveness, and regional security.
What the Findings Mean for Europe’s Future
The latest data arrives at a pivotal moment for Europe, as leaders debate the future of the continent amid shifting geopolitical pressures and economic uncertainty.
For policymakers in Brussels and London, the findings may signal a broader public appetite for stronger cooperation between Britain and the European Union, even if formal re-entry into the bloc remains politically unlikely in the near future.
Nearly ten years after Brexit, the Pew survey suggests a surprising political reality: the decision that once threatened to fracture European unity may instead have strengthened support for the European Union across much of the continent.
