Dutch people are more concerned about immigration than citizens in other EU countries, according to the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey, published on Friday.

Some 45% of Dutch respondents to the EU-wide poll carried out between October and November said that the most important issue facing the European Union at the moment is immigration.  The figure is much higher than the EU average of 28% and surpassed only by responses in Cyprus (50%).

The second most important topic for Dutch citizens is the war in Ukraine, chosen by 41% of respondents compared to an EU average of 31%. The third is the environment and climate change, considered important for the EU by 35% of people in the Netherlands, compared to 15% on average across EU countries.

In line with the past, Dutch citizens see housing as the main preoccupation on a national level (47% compared to an EU average of 13%), followed again by immigration and the environment.

In contrast, they are less concerned than their EU peers about the cost of living, the economy, government debt, health, crime, pensions and unemployment, according to the survey.

Like people elsewhere in the EU, the Dutch think that ensuring peace and stability will have the highest positive impact on their life in the short term (54% compared to 44% across the EU), followed by managing migration (35% compared to 27% in EU countries).

Last year, Dutch citizens saw the climate as a priority for the next European parliament, although the data are not comparable.

Trust in the EU

The survey also reveals that Dutch respondents trust the EU more than the national parliament (50%) or government (34%).

In addition, 89% of Dutch respondents support to the euro, compared to 74% in the EU as a whole and 81% in the euro area.

Support for Ukraine

As regards the war in Ukraine, Dutch citizens are in favour of providing humanitarian support to affected people (95% compared to 87% across the EU), providing financial support to the country (84% compared to 68% across the EU), and financing the purchase of military equipment (83% compared to 58%).

Dutch citizens are also in favour of economic sanctions on the Russian government, companies and individuals (87% compared to 71% of EU citizens) and to granting Ukraine candidate status to join the European Union (69% compared to 58%).