Favorable views of the European Union have increased across multiple European countries compared to the period of the 2016 Brexit vote [1].
This shift in public sentiment suggests a changing relationship between member states and the union's governing bodies. The trend indicates that the political instability surrounding the United Kingdom's departure may have inadvertently strengthened the resolve of remaining members to maintain the bloc.
According to a Pew Research survey conducted in 2026, citizens in at least eight European countries reported higher favorability ratings for the EU than they did during the 2016 referendum [1]. This data comes exactly 10 years [2] after the June 23, 2016, vote that led to the UK leaving the union [2].
The survey indicates that the EU is more popular now than it was during the height of the Brexit crisis, including within the UK itself [3]. This increase in support is observed across various regions of the continent, reflecting a broader trend of institutional acceptance.
Analysts said that the Brexit process prompted a sense of greater European solidarity [3]. The experience of seeing a major economy exit the union appears to have reinforced the perceived value of EU membership for those who remained.
While the survey highlights a general rise in positivity, the data reflects a complex landscape of public opinion across different member states [1]. The findings underscore a decade of transition as the union adapts to a post-Brexit reality.
“Favorable views of the European Union have increased compared to during the 2016 Brexit vote.”
The rise in EU favorability a decade after the Brexit referendum suggests that the 'shock' of the UK's departure acted as a catalyst for integration rather than a trigger for further fragmentation. By demonstrating the logistical and political difficulties of exiting the bloc, the Brexit process likely increased the perceived cost of departure for other member states, thereby stabilizing the union's internal support base.
