As of April 2025, the inflation rate in the European Union was 2.4 percent, with prices rising fastest in Romania, which had an inflation rate of 4.9 percent. By contrast, both France and Cyprus saw low inflation rates during the same period, with France having the lowest inflation rate in the EU during this month. The rate of inflation in the EU in the October 2022 was higher than at any other time, with the peak prior to 2021 recorded in July 2008 when prices were growing by 4.4 percent year-on-year. Before the recent rises in inflation, price rises in the EU had been kept at relatively low levels, with the inflation rate remaining below three percent between January 2012 and August 2021. Rapid recovery and energy costs driving inflation The reopening of the European economy in 2021 following the sudden shock of COVID-19 in 2020 is behind many of the factors that have caused prices to rise so quickly in 2022. Global supply chains have not yet recovered from production issues, travel restrictions, and workforce problems brought about by the pandemic. Rising energy costs have only served to exacerbate supply problems, particularly with regard to the transport sector, which had the highest inflation rate of any sector in the EU in December 2021. High inflation rates mirrored in the U.S. The high inflation rates seen in Europe have been reflected in other parts of the world. In the United States, for example, the consumer price index reached a 40-year-high of seven percent in December 2021, influenced by many of the same factors driving European inflation. Nevertheless, it is hoped that once these supply chain issues ease, inflation levels will start to fall throughout the course of 2022.

This dataset provides values for INFLATION RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Rising prices, inflation, and the cost of living were seen by almost half of the people in the European Union as being one of the two most important issues facing their country in 2023. Among EU member states, the top three countries concerned with rising inflation were Croatia, Austria, and Bulgaria, while their counterparts in Sweden, Denmark, and Italy were the least concerned with inflation, compared to other issues.

This dataset provides values for INFLATION RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

77% of Europeans are in favour of a common defence and security policy among EU Member States, with a majority in favour of such a policy in each Member State, according to this Standard Eurobarometer survey, conducted between 18 January and 14 February 2022. Europeans thought that the most important issues facing the EU at the moment of the survey were the environment and climate change (26%), rising prices, inflation, cost of living (24%) and immigration (22%). 41% of respondents mentioned prices, inflation, cost of living as one of the most important issues facing their country, before health (32%) and the economic situation (19%).

Processed data

Processed data files for the Eurobarometer surveys are published in .xlsx format.

• Volume A "Countries/EU" The file contains frequencies and means or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of (weighted) replies for each country or territory and for (weighted) EU results.
• Volume AP "Trends" The file compares to previous poll in (weighted) frequencies and means (or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of replies); shifts for each country or territory foreseen in Volume A and for (weighted) results.
• Volume AA "Groups of countries" The file contains (labelled) frequencies and means or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of (weighted) replies for groups of countries specified by the managing unit on the part of the EC.
• Volume AAP "Trends of groups of countries" The file contains shifts compared to the previous poll in (weighted) frequencies and means (or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of replies); shifts for each groups of countries foreseen in Volume AA and for (weighted) results.
• Volume B "EU/socio-demographics" The file contains (labelled) frequencies and means or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of replies for the EU as a whole (weighted) and cross-tabulated by some 20 sociodemographic, socio-political or other variables, depending on the request from the managing unit on the part of the EC or the managing department of the other contracting authorities.
• Volume BP "Trends of EU/socio-demographics" The file contains shifts compared to the previous poll in (weighted) frequencies and means (or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of replies); shifts for each country or territory foreseen in Volume B above)and for (weighted) results.
• Volume C "Country/socio-demographics" The file contains (labelled) weighted frequencies and means or other synthetic indicators including elementary bivariate statistics describing distribution patterns of replies for each country or territory surveyed separately and cross-tabulated by some 20 socio-demographic, socio-political or other variables (including a regional breakdown).

For SPSS files and questionnaires, please contact GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences: https://www.gesis.org/eurobarometer

Attitudes towards European Union and European Parliament. The accession process. Health. Illegal and harmful content on the Internet.

Topics: Current life satisfaction; life satisfaction compared with five years ago; life satisfaction over the next five years; dynamics of change in subjective well-being; expectations for the year; personal situation; economic situation in the country; financial situation of the household; employment situation in the country; personal job situation; trust in institutions; trust in political institutions; satisfaction with how democracy works; trust in other institutions (justice, police, army, religious institutions, trade unions, big companies, EU, United Nations, charitable or voluntary organizations); perceived role the EU plays in major policy domains; problems facing the nations (unemployment, economic situation, health care system, crime, rising prices/inflation, pensions, taxation, housing, educational system, terrorism, protecting the environment, immigration, public transports); perceived role the EU plays in major policy domains (fighting crime, public transportation, economic situation, rising prices / inflation, taxation, fighting unemployment, fighting terrorism, defence, foreign affairs, housing, immigration, health care system, educational system, pensions, protecting the environment); factual and perceived knowledge of EU; knowledge of basic EU-related facts; preferred sources of information on the EU; the EU in the national media; image of EU in the nationality media; European and national pride; support for EU membership; perceived benefits of EU membership; image of the EU; meaning of EU; role expected and desired for the EU in five years’ time; feeling informed about enlargement and the accession process; feeling informed about enlargement and the country’s accession process; fears related to the building of Europe (loss of power for smaller member states; increase in drug trafficking and international organized crime, national language being used less and less, country paying more and more to the EU, loss of social benefits, loss of national identity and culture, economic crisis, transfer of jobs to other member countries that have lower production costs, more difficulties for national farmers, end of national currency); support for key issues (common defence policy; teaching school children about EU, EC commissioners coming from each of the member states, enlargement of the EU in May 2004, common foreign policy, constitution for EU; one single currency, further enlargement of the EU to include other countries, speed of building Europe); economic and political stability in Europe; country’s influence in the EU; perceived current speed and desired speed of building Europe; satisfaction with how national democracy works; satisfaction with how democracy works in the EU; awareness, importance and confidence in EU institutions and bodies; awareness and attitudes towards the European Parliament; role of the European Parliament and the national parliament; importance of the EP elections in the new EU member countries; channels to get information about a member of the European Parliament; participation in EP elections; comparison of participation in EP elections and national election; reasons for participation in EP elections; main issues of the EP campaign (employment, agriculture, issues specific to the county, rights as a EU citizen, crime, education, environment, common defence policy, foreign policy, immigration, enlargement of the EU, the activities of the EP, the reform of EU institutions); increase willingness to vote; reasons for participation in EP elections; institutional reforms in the field of EU budget for employment and social affairs, agriculture, scientific research, regional aid, foreign policy and aid to countries outside the EU, administrative and personnel costs, buildings); Council presidency; opinions about the right of veto; opinion about the system of voting in the Council of Ministers; European Commission is composed of commissioners coming from each of the member states; speed of building Europe in countries; support for a common foreign policy; support for a common defence and security policy; support for the creation of a European rapid military reaction force; support for a European Foreign Minister; elements of common foreign and security policy; decision-making regarding European defence policy; views on globalisation; advantages/disadvant...

This round of Eurobarometer surveys queried respondents on standard Eurobarometer measures, such as how satisfied they were with their present life, whether they attempted to persuade others close to them to share their views on subjects they held strong opinions about, whether they discussed political matters, and how much trust they had in certain institutions like the press, radio, television, police, army, religious institutions, political parties, and the United Nations. Additional questions focused on the respondents' knowledge of and opinions about the European Union (EU), its priorities, budget spending, foreign, security, and defense policies, and feelings and fears about the enlargement of the EU and the building of Europe and the EU. Respondents also expressed whether they felt safer and more stable economically and politically as a member of the EU, whether their voice and that of their country counted in the EU, and if the EU played a positive or negative role in the important issues facing their country (e.g., crime, taxation, unemployment, terrorism, inflation, and health care). Respondents were also asked which European bodies played an important role in the life of the EU and expressed how much trust they had in these bodies (e.g., European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers of the EU, The European Ombudsman, The European Court of Auditors, and the Committee of the Regions of the EU). Respondents were given a definition of globalization (the general opening-up of all economies, which leads to the certainty of a world-wide market) and asked if they felt globalization was a good thing for the country, and whether it would cause power to be concentrated in large companies, increase global environmental problems, represent a threat to employment, increase the variety of products for sale, cut the prices of products and services through increased competition, make it more difficult to control the quality of food products sold, or lead to a duller and more uniform world. Respondents were further queried on their feelings regarding the European Parliament and its power, the likelihood of voting in the next election, reasons for deciding to vote, what would make them more likely to vote in the next election, what the election campaign should focus on, and contact they may have had with members of the Parliament (whether through newspapers or magazines, television, radio, Internet, or public meetings). Demographic variables include marital status, gender, age, current occupation, whether the respondent lived in a rural area or village, small- or middle-sized town, or a large town, household income, who contributed largely to the household income and the occupation of that individual, and how much toward the left or right the respondent placed their political views.

The European cleaning services industry has rebounded robustly in the post-pandemic era, buoyed by greater office occupancy and a renewed focus on health and hygiene across both commercial and residential environments. As workforces have returned to physical workplaces, especially in key markets like France and Belgium, demand for regular and specialised cleaning contracts has jumped. Cleaning services revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 0.3% over the five years through 2025. The industry’s recovery has been further supported by stabilising macroeconomic conditions, falling inflation rates and recent interest rate cuts across the eurozone, which have collectively strengthened consumer confidence and heightened corporate spending on non-core outsourced services like professional cleaning. European businesses have sought to ramp up sanitation protocols to ensure employee safety, triggering a spike in contract renewals and more frequent service cycles. Outfits like ISS A/S capitalised on the post-pandemic recovery, expanding their portfolios across major European economies. In 2025, revenue is expected to swell by 0.4% to €166 billion. There has been a notable shift towards sustainability, with cleaning providers investing in eco-friendly materials and practices, like microfibre technologies, biodegradable soaps and adherence to certifications including the EU Ecolabel, to meet rising demand from environmentally conscious clients. This not only helped retain existing clients but also differentiated providers in a highly competitive landscape. Over the five years through 2030, revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 4.4% to €206.3 billion. Population expansion in urban centres, particularly in France, Ireland and the Nordics, is set to fuel ongoing demand for residential and public sector cleaning, while regions facing population decline, like Italy and much of Eastern Europe, may see stiffer competition and narrowing profit. The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic automation promises to redefine operational efficiency, allowing early adopters to secure premium contracts and mitigate chronic labour shortages. Macroeconomic tailwinds, including expected European GDP growth and cooling inflation, will spur commercial construction and facilities management contracts, supporting steady industry growth. However, providers who fail to innovate or differentiate, whether through sustainability or technology, will likely struggle to maintain market share in an industry that’s rapidly evolving on multiple fronts.

Standard Eurobarometer measures. European Parliament

Topics: Standard Eurobarometer measures, such as how satisfied they were with their present life, whether they attempted to persuade others close to them to share their views on subjects they held strong opinions about, whether they discussed political matters, and how much trust they had in certain institutions like the press, radio, television, police, army, religious institutions, political parties, and the United Nations. Additional questions focused on the respondents´ knowledge of and opinions about the European Union (EU), its priorities, budget spending, foreign, security, and defense policies, and feelings and fears about the enlargement of the EU and the building of Europe and the EU. Respondents also expressed whether they felt safer and more stable economically and politically as a member of the EU, whether their voice and that of their country counted in the EU, and if the EU played a positive or negative role in the important issues facing their country (e.g., crime, taxation, unemployment, terrorism, inflation, and health care). Respondents were also asked which European bodies played an important role in the life of the EU and expressed how much trust they had in these bodies (e.g., European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers of the EU, The European Ombudsman, The European Court of Auditors, and the Committee of the Regions of the EU). Respondents were given a definition of globalization (the general opening-up of all economies, which leads to the certainty of a world-wide market) and asked if they felt globalization was a good thing for the country, and whether it would cause power to be concentrated in large companies, increase global environmental problems, represent a threat to employment, increase the variety of products for sale, cut the prices of products and services through increased competition, make it more difficult to control the quality of food products sold, or lead to a duller and more uniform world. Respondents were further queried on their feelings regarding the European Parliament and its power, the likelihood of voting in the next election, reasons for deciding to vote, what would make them more likely to vote in the next election, what the election campaign should focus on, and contact they may have had with members of the Parliament (whether through newspapers or magazines, television, radio, Internet, or public meetings).

Demography: Marital status, gender, age, current occupation, whether the respondent lived in a rural area or village, small- or middle-sized town, or a large town, household income, who contributed largely to the household income and the occupation of that individual, and how much toward the left or right the respondent placed their political views.

Over the five years through 2025, revenue is expected to expand at a compound annual report of 5.5% to €110 billion. The European Passenger Rail transport industry has performed reasonably well over the past decade, except for during the years that were hit by COVID-19-induced disruption. Robust investment in rail infrastructure, coupled with a rise in tourism, has contributed to a strong recovery in both international and domestic rail passenger numbers. According to Eurostat data, passenger numbers in the EU reached record highs in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Despite this strong growth in passenger numbers, the industry is facing operational challenges, including rampant inflation, labour strikes and inefficiencies, which have impacted profitability. In 2025, revenue is forecast to dip by 5%. The EU’s rail transport policy has significantly influenced the industry in recent years by aiming to unify the European railway area and enhance the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system. The implementation of the EU’s Fourth Railway Package in 2021 has facilitated this by mandating open access to rail networks within the EU, fostering greater competition and reducing passenger fares, thereby encouraging more people to choose rail travel. For example, national operators like SNCF in France and Renfe in Spain have opened their networks to private operators, leading to lower ticket prices and increased ridership levels. Additionally, the EU's rail policy includes the Trans-European Transport Network, which has initiated several cross-border high-speed rail projects, like Rail Baltica, to connect European economies and promote long-distance rail transport, further boosting the industry's revenue growth. Over the five years through 2030, revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 12.1% to reach €194.6 billion. The European Commission’s commitment to boosting high-speed rail traffic will propel revenue growth, supported by new Harmonised EU standards and the net-zero agenda. Shifting passengers from road and air transport to rail transport will play an important role in helping the EU meet its climate targets in time. With one of the densest networks in the world, rail in the EU will be central to establishing a much more efficient and environmentally friendly transport system, aided by and accelerating digitalisation and the modernising of passenger rail infrastructure.

In case prices for goods and services go up significantly in 2023, over ** percent of consumers around the world said they would shop less in general and cut down on spending as a response. A fifth of survey respondents said they would look for and purchase cheaper and better value products. Less than **** percent of those surveyed worldwide believed inflation would be unlikely to impact their habits. What does inflation look like? The world entered a new inflation crisis in 2021, driven by a confluence of factors including the COVID-19 pandemic which restricted global supply chains, and the Russian-Ukraine war which exacerbated food and energy shortages. In 2022, global inflation hit **** percent, the highest annual increase in decades. The rate of inflation is estimated to remain high in the near future, at around *** percent in 2023 and *** percent in 2024. Inflation dominated the list of most important problems facing the world according to a survey conducted in October 2023 – leading ahead of poverty and social inequality, crime and violence, and unemployment. In a global consumer trends survey, the majority of respondents said that inflation impacted them completely or a lot – for instance, ***** in ** respondents in the United States admitted they had been seriously impacted. Inflation’s impact on the holidays The end-of-year holiday season is typically regarded as a period of increased retail spending, driven by a series of major shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as the public holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, inflation has put a damper on the holiday cheer, with consumers expressing their intentions to cut back spending amid the cost-of-living crisis. In 2022, a significant share of consumers in Europe said they planned to cut at least some related expenses. In fact, ** percent of respondents in the United Kingdom planned to cut all expenses related to Black Friday and Christmas.

Europe’s Porcelain and Ceramic Product Manufacturing industry is home to robust craftsmanship, diverse offerings and a market that prizes high-end, artistic designs. However, the industry has run into some economic challenges, including competition from cheap imports, particularly from low-cost Asian countries. Also, harsh disruptions due to the pandemic and subsequent inflationary pressures, which have constrained output from key markets like the construction and hospitality sectors, have had a knock on effect on porcelain and ceramic product manufacturers’ income opportunities. Revenue is projected to contract at a compound annual rate of 1.1% to €9.1 billion over the five years through 2025. Europe has a strong reputation for high-quality ceramic products. There is growing consumer demand for quality artistic and handcrafted ceramic products that command premium prices, supporting revenue. Nonetheless, manufacturers have faced significant challenges due to rampant inflation, which has cut into their profitability, as well as constrained consumer budgets that have led to decreased sales. In 2022 and 2023, soaring inflation and weak economic conditions have dampened demand for porcelain and ceramic products. Additionally, strong competition from cheap Asian imports and rising production costs, driven by high raw material prices and the ongoing energy crisis, have further squeezed profit. In 2024, inflation began to cool, which resulted in central banks cutting the interest rate, which is supporting economic growth and stimulating output in key industry markets. However, economic uncertainty remains amid ongoing supply chain disruptions and lingering inflationary pressures, which has kept consumer confidence tentative, constraining non-essential spending on ceramic products. In 2025, revenue is forecast to drop by 0.3%. Revenue is forecast to inch upwards at a compound annual rate of 1.7% to €9.9 billion over the five years through 2030. Demand for luxury ceramics and unique designs from European manufacturers will expand, boosting exports and benefitting revenue growth. A return to small-batch and artisan-produced ceramics will support smaller, artisan-focused manufacturers. Implementing technology into manufacturing processes will help revolutionise production, enhancing efficiency and driving productivity. The ceramic industry will focus more on eco-friendly products, water and energy conservation and the use of recycled materials, signifying a shift towards sustainable business practices.

An October 2024 survey asked business travel professionals worldwide about the most significant issues faced by business travel. Overall, the rising costs of travel and economic concerns ranked as the main issues across all regions. Meanwhile, 40 percent of the sample in the European region mentioned compliance with new environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements as the main problem, whereas just 13 percent of respondents in North America agreed with this.