In a continent buzzing with talks of unity and growth, a fresh wave of optimism is sweeping through Europe’s younger generations. As the EU gears up for its Enlargement Summit on November 4, 2025, a groundbreaking Eurobarometer survey drops a bombshell: 56% of EU citizens now back enlargement, with 67% of 15-24-year-olds leading the charge. Forget the naysayers – this isn’t just data; it’s a clarion call from tomorrow’s leaders for a bigger, bolder Europe. But what’s fueling this surge, and can it bridge the generational gaps?
Gen Z’s Unwavering Faith in a Bigger EU
Picture this: A 20-year-old in Stockholm scrolling through feeds about climate pacts and global trade wars, then nodding in agreement that folding in new neighbors like Ukraine or the Western Balkans could supercharge Europe’s clout. That’s the vibe from the latest poll, where Nordic trailblazers Sweden (79%) and Denmark (75%) top the support charts, closely trailed by Lithuania at 74%. These aren’t abstract stats – they’re a snapshot of a youth demographic hungry for collaboration over isolation.
Why the enthusiasm? For starters, young Europeans aren’t buying into Fortress Europe myths. 63% of 25-39-year-olds echo their younger peers, viewing enlargement as a ticket to amplified global swagger. As Corina Stratulat, Associate Director at the European Policy Centre, nails it: “The support comes to a large extent from young people and educated people… the usual suspects who would be understanding and supportive.” But here’s the twist – this isn’t elitist echo-chamber stuff. It’s rooted in real-world wins: 37% see a beefed-up EU flexing more muscle on the world stage, from countering authoritarian drifts to sealing greener trade deals.
Enlargement isn’t some dusty policy footnote; it’s the spark for innovation hubs where Balkan tech whizzes team up with Dutch engineers, or Romanian agrotech meets French vineyards. For Gen Z, facing gig economies and AI upheavals, a 37% boost to the European market means more jobs, fairer wages, and a solidarity safety net that spans borders – 30% of respondents vibe with that interconnected ethos.
Benefits That Outshine the Fears
Sure, the poll spotlights cheerleaders, but it doesn’t sugarcoat the skeptics. In holdout hotspots like Austria (45%), the Czech Republic (43%), and France (43%), worries loom large: 40% fret over unchecked migration flows, 39% flag corruption and crime risks, and 37% balk at taxpayer tab. These aren’t baseless gripes – they’re echoes of post-Brexit jitters and migration spikes that have tested Europe’s social fabric.
Yet, zoom in on the youth angle, and the narrative flips. Young voters, battle-hardened by TikTok debates and Erasmus exchanges, prioritize fixes over freezes. A whopping 44% demand ironclad rule-of-law safeguards pre-accession, with 38% pushing for reform pledges from candidates. Think: Beefed-up anti-corruption task forces, digital transparency tools, and joint EU-Balkan youth forums to build trust from the ground up. Enlargement, in this lens, becomes a meritocracy – not a free-for-all, but a high-stakes upgrade where newcomers earn their stripes through shared standards.
Stratulat hits the nail: “It would be nice if politicians now would ride on that wave of public support… to actually act.” Imagine EU leaders at the Brussels summit channeling this energy – fast-tracking visa-free perks for young Balancers or launching a “Youth Enlargement Fund” for cross-border startups. The payoff? A Europe that’s not just wider, but wiser and more resilient against external shocks like energy crunches or cyber threats.
Bridging the Divide:
This Eurobarometer isn’t a popularity contest; it’s a roadmap for reinvention. While older cohorts (over 55) hover at lower support levels, the youth tilt signals a seismic shift – one where enlargement evolves from a geopolitical chess move to a generational pact. Picture Bucharest rallies under EU flags, not as relics of the past, but beacons for a future where a kid in Kyiv codes for a Berlin startup, or a Lithuanian activist links arms with a Portuguese peer on climate justice.
The November 4 summit isn’t just chit-chat; it’s a launchpad. Candidate reps rubbing shoulders with EU brass could greenlight pilot programs: Erasmus+ on steroids for accession hopefuls, or AI-driven monitoring for graft-free governance. By leaning into these youth-driven insights, Europe dodges the “usual suspects” trap Stratulat warns of, pulling in everyday voters through tangible perks like affordable housing pacts or green job pipelines.
EU enlargement support hits 56% – but with Gen Z at 67%, the future looks federation-fresh. This poll isn’t yelling from ivory towers; it’s a high-five from the streets, urging leaders to match public pulse with bold blueprints. As winds whip EU flags in Brussels, one thing’s clear: The kids are alright – and they’re ready to rewrite the rulebook.
