A growing number of Europeans expect their standard of living to decline over the next five years as rising prices and the cost of living remain the biggest concerns across the European Union, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey released on Tuesday.

The poll, which gathered responses from more than 26,000 people across all EU member states, found that 29% of respondents believe their personal standard of living will worsen during the next five years. Only 18% expect their financial situation to improve, highlighting increasing uncertainty about the economic outlook.

The survey also revealed significant differences between age groups. Economic pessimism was highest among people aged 55 and older, with 34% expecting their living standards to decline. Among younger respondents, only 17% shared the same outlook.

Views also varied considerably across member states. Western European countries generally recorded higher levels of concern than nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

France reported the highest level of pessimism, with 44% of respondents expecting their financial circumstances to deteriorate. Portugal, Germany and Austria also recorded relatively high levels of concern.

By contrast, respondents in several Central and Eastern European countries expressed greater confidence about the future. Only 9% of people surveyed in Poland expected their living standards to worsen, while Hungary recorded the lowest level of economic pessimism in the bloc at 8%.

The survey also pointed to differences in public attitudes toward the European Union.

Across the bloc, half of respondents said they held a positive view of the EU, while 17% expressed a negative opinion. However, support for the union was weaker in countries including France, Austria, Greece and the Czech Republic.

France and Austria also ranked among the least convinced that EU membership has benefited their countries. Only 62% of respondents in both nations believed membership had produced a positive overall outcome. Bulgaria recorded the lowest figure, with 57% expressing that view.

A European Parliament official familiar with the findings said economic uncertainty and persistent inflation may be influencing public perceptions of the EU in some member states, where political parties critical of the bloc have gained support in recent years.

The survey found that inflation, rising prices and the cost of living have become the dominant issues Europeans want the European Parliament to address. Nearly half of respondents, or 47%, identified these as their top priority, an increase of six percentage points from the previous survey.

Economic growth and job creation ranked second among voters’ concerns, followed by defence and security as Europe continues to respond to geopolitical tensions.

Looking back over the past year, 27% of respondents said their quality of life had deteriorated, while 62% reported no significant change. Only 11% believed their living standards had improved.

The findings suggest that although economic conditions differ across the EU, concerns over household finances and inflation remain central issues shaping public opinion and expectations for the years ahead.

The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s northern coast on June 24 has risen to more than 1,700, while thousands remain injured and tens of thousands are still unaccounted for, as rescue teams from around the world continue searching through the rubble.

According to the latest official figures released by Venezuelan authorities, the earthquakes have left 5,034 people injured, with 15,866 displaced from their homes and 22,619 receiving treatment in hospitals and medical centres. The United Nations estimates that as many as 68,000 people may still be missing, making it one of the country’s worst natural disasters in more than a century.

The coastal state of La Guaira has suffered the most extensive damage and loss of life. The government has declared the region a disaster zone and placed it under military control as emergency operations continue.

Five days after the disaster, hopes of finding more survivors are fading, though rescue workers remain on the ground. Teams from Venezuela, El Salvador and Mexico were working on Monday to free a 21-year-old man trapped beneath a collapsed building in Catia La Mar, highlighting the continuing efforts despite the passing of the critical rescue window.

The earthquakes struck within seconds of each other on June 24. The first, measuring 7.2 in magnitude, occurred at 6:04 p.m. local time near San Felipe and Yumare. Just 39 seconds later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit farther southeast. The combined shaking lasted nearly three minutes, causing widespread destruction across several northern regions.

Aftershocks have continued to unsettle affected communities. A 4.6-magnitude tremor was recorded in La Guaira, adding to concerns about unstable buildings and hampering rescue efforts.

The international community has expanded support for Venezuela’s emergency response. The United States has deployed aircraft, helicopters and naval vessels to assist rescue operations, while the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean announced a reconstruction fund worth up to $200 million to support recovery efforts.

Authorities have faced criticism from residents who say aid has been slow to arrive. In response, government officials highlighted ongoing relief measures, including the distribution of food supplies and the restoration of essential services.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said electricity had been restored to about 90 percent of La Guaira. He also said engineers were inspecting damaged buildings that pose safety risks and confirmed that 15 temporary shelters had been established for displaced families.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, announced plans to return to Venezuela in the coming days to support those affected by the disaster.

As search operations continue, authorities and aid agencies remain focused on locating survivors, assisting displaced families and beginning the long process of rebuilding communities devastated by the earthquakes.