SOCIAL SITUATION : SATISFACTION LEVELS VARY WIDELY ACROSS UNION.

Despite a difficult economic context, the majority of Europeans are on average broadly satisfied with their personal situation, but there are big differences between countries. People in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands are generally most satisfied, according to the results of an Eurobarometer survey on the social climate, published on 2 February by the European Commission(1). This survey was carried out in the context of the Commission's annual report on the social situation in Europe, published on the same day, which this year focuses on housing in particular.

According to the Eurobarometer survey, a majority of Europeans are satisfied with life in general, giving an average score of +3.2 points (on a scale of -10 to +10). But there are big differences between member...