PRESS
RELEASE, Brussels, December 12, 2001.
International study of
norms and values in 32 European countries
More individualised Europeans stick to old values
Europeans are more and more protective of their individual
freedoms, but this trend has not been accompanied by a loss
of solidarity or moral decay. Nor has individualisation led people
to have less faith in social institutions. Although church
attendance continues to fall, belief in God remains largely
unchanged. In a number of European countries faith in a
personal God is becoming more popular. All this has been
revealed by the European Values Study (EVS), a major study
of the norms and values of people in 32 European countries.
The study, which was previously conducted in 1980 and 1990,
also covers Eastern Europe. The results show Europe to be
‘united in diversity’ as far as the fundamental views, attitudes
and values of its people are concerned.
Differences and similarities
The EVS is conducted by 32 European academic institutions
and the report is drawn up by the University of Brabant. It
gives us an insight into the collective consciousness of Europe.
At the beginning of this new millennium, Europe displays major
national and regional differences – but also some surprising
similarities – in fundamental values. Solidarity with the sick and
elderly is high in most countries. The family is just as important
as ever, despite demographic trends that might suggest
otherwise. Europeans accept more contemporary versions of
motherhood and partnership, and are more open-minded about
many sexual and bio-ethical matters. But most Europeans
prefer the model of the family unit, and middle-class values are
still the order of the day.
European identity
Have European unification and the imminent introduction of the
Euro led to a growing sense of solidarity among Europeans?
The EVS suggests not. On average, only three out of every
100 Europeans would name Europe as the geographical unit
with which they identify most closely. The population of
Luxembourg have the strongest ties with Europe (13 out of a
100), while the British have the weakest ties. But countries like
Ireland, Denmark, Germany and France also score low on the
‘Europe feeling’. Even Russia and certain Central and Eastern
European countries feel greater solidarity with Europe than
these countries.
Faith in each other
One important characteristic of a society’s social capital is the
faith people have in each other. It is striking that, although
prosperity is much lower in Eastern Europe than in Western
Europe, there is no substantial difference in the level of mutual
trust. Indeed, almost twice as many Belarussians as French
people say they trust their fellow man. There has been little
change in these feelings over time.
Tolerance and solidarity
The EVS shows major differences between countries in levels
of xenophobia. The Netherlands seems to have become more
tolerant towards ethnic minorities over the years. The same
applies to Germany and Britain. In the other countries there
has been a rise in intolerance towards foreigners. Europeans
feel the most solidarity with the elderly (64%), while 59% are
concerned about the sick and disabled, and 18% about the
conditions in which immigrants live.
Environment
Is environmental awareness in Europe on the decline? The EVS
shows that Europeans still believe it is important to curb
pollution, but are less keen when it comes to paying for it. The
Dutch, Danes, Swedes and Icelanders are most prepared to
pay, but willingness to make sacrifices for the environment has
declined across the board in Europe over the past ten years.
Religion and moral relativism
While church attendance continues to decline steadily in
Europe (from 30% once a month in 1990 to 25% in 2000),
belief in a personal God is rising in a number of countries. The
study shows that Europeans have in fact become more
pronounced in their beliefs. Only 5% say they are atheists.
Acceptance of things like contraception, abortion, divorce,
homosexuality and euthanasia differs widely from country to
country. However, in general a more permissive climate seems
to be developing. But acceptance of things like joyriding, tax
evasion, bribery and benefit abuse is much lower.
Family life
The vast majority of Europeans do not believe that marriage is
an outmoded institution (80%). Similarly large numbers in many
European countries also believe that a child needs both a
mother and a father at home in order to grow up happy. In
some countries, a majority of people actually believe it is a
woman’s duty to have children. Opinions differ more, however,
on the question of whether a mother should raise her child
alone without a stable relationship with a man. A particularly
large proportion of Icelanders, Spaniards and Croatians approve
of single motherhood.
The European Values Study is an initiative of the European
Value Studies Foundation.
Universities in the following countries have participated:
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great
Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands,
Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, USA.