Poll shows most Egyptians have a positive impression of the EU

Fifty per cent of Egyptians have a positive or fairly positive image of the EU and 71% describe the relation between the EU and their country as very or fairly positive. Moreover, sixty-four per cent of those who knew that the EU provided financial support to Egypt say that it is effective – these are just some of the findings of the latest annual opinion poll in Egypt, published by the EU Neighbours South project.

The survey – part of a wave of opinion polls carried out in eight southern Mediterranean partner countries – was conducted in Egypt in June and July 2020, with 2,013 people interviewed by phone. Respondents were asked about their general perceptions of the EU and the values with which it is associated, about EU relations with their country, and the impact of EU financial support, including in supporting their country’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The surveys also look at preferred sources of information, how people feel about their personal situation and the situation in their country, and their expectations for the future.

46% per cent of Egyptians tend to trust the EU, while 36% tend not trust it and 18% are neutral towards the question.

In more general terms, 50% of those asked had a positive image of the EU against only 15% who had a negative perception. The values most frequently associated with the EU were individual freedom, gender equality and human rights; those least associated with the EU were absence of corruption and solidarity.

Egyptians feel EU support has contributed the most to trade (72%), tourism (67%) and development aid and infrastructure development (both 62%) in their country, and are keen for the EU to play a greater role in trade and education. When asked about the support provided by the EU to their country during the Coronavirus pandemic, citizens in Egypt answered that it had been effective (72%).

In general, Egyptians think that the European Union’s image in their national media is positive. On television, fifty-four per cent of them believe that the image is very to fairly positive, while eleven per cent believe it to be very to fairly negative. Television is followed by websites (43% positive, 15% neutral, 6% negative) and the printed press (39% positive, 13% neutral, 7% negative).

The EU Neighbours South opinion poll report for Egypt is available here.

The EU Neighbours South regional overview report and factsheets are available here.

To find out more about EU – Egypt cooperation and partnership, go here.