Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
European Public Opinion Three Decades After the Fall of Communism
More optimism about the economic prospects for the next generation in Central and Eastern Europe
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- European Public Opinion Three Decades After the Fall of Communism
- Those in West and East Germany differ on whether some changes to society and culture were good
- Young people see benefits of changes to health care system since 1989/1991
- Perceptions about changing standard of living differ by income level
- Large increase in people saying the standard of living has improved after 1989/1991 changes
- Many say education, standard of living and national pride have improved in post-communist era, worry about effects on law and order, health care and family values
- People who lived under communism more convinced ordinary people did not benefit from societal changes
- Those with higher incomes more likely to say ordinary people benefited from changes since end of communism
- Increased optimism that changes in 1989/1991 benefited ordinary people
- Most see politicians and business people benefiting from changes since end of communism, more so than ordinary people
- Germans view unification positively but feel the East has been left behind
- Most Russians see great misfortune in dissolution of Soviet Union
- Except in Russia, uptick in those saying economic situation is better than under communism
- Mixed views on whether the economic situation changed for the better after communism
- People with more education favor shift to a market economy
- Young people are more likely to approve of movement to a capitalist economy than older generations
- In some countries, support for the transition to a multiparty system and a free-market economy has rebounded, although support in Russia has declined
- Generally, Central and Eastern Europeans approve of shift to multiparty system and a free market economy
- East and West Germany
- Views of Muslims more unfavorable among supporters of right-wing populist parties
- Women more likely than men to view gender equality as very important
- Younger groups are more optimistic about children’s financial future
- Most are optimistic about relations with other European nations and their own country’s culture
- Since 1991, life satisfaction has improved across Europe
- Largely positive views about the EU and its impact on member states
- Few believe elected officials care what they think
- Judicial fairness, gender equality seen as very important priorities across Europe
- More positive views about the current economic situation in northern European nations
- More optimism about the economic prospects for the next generation in Central and Eastern Europe
- Homosexuality more accepted in Western Europe
- Most in Central, Eastern Europe say post-communist era has been good for education, living standards and national pride
- Most in former Eastern Bloc approve of shift to multiparty and free market systems
- Since 1991, life satisfaction has improved across Europe