A YouGov survey reveals that while no single issue dominates European public opinion, immigration remains a top concern for significant portions of the population in France, Germany, and Denmark. In France, 27% of respondents cited immigration among the two biggest issues facing the country. Germany saw 26% of its citizens rank immigration as a primary concern, while 24% of Danes did the same. These figures underscore the persistent public anxiety over demographic shifts and national sovereignty, even as the Brussels elite often dismisses such worries.
Beyond immigration, economic strain weighs heavily. In France, 47% of respondents ranked the economy among their top two issues, with 68% expecting conditions to worsen over the next 12 months. Germany's economy was a top concern for 44% of its citizens, and 58% anticipated a decline. This economic fragility, with German industrial output still below pre-pandemic levels, makes the burden of mass migration even harder for working families to bear.
The impact of uncontrolled population growth is starkly visible in Spain, where housing has become the nation's biggest concern. Nearly half of all respondents, 49%, ranked housing among their top two issues. This crisis has dominated political debate, with house prices rising by almost 13% year-on-year at the end of 2025 – the fastest increase in years and among the fastest in Europe. A worker in 2025 would need 8.4 years of average salary to purchase an 80-square-metre home.
The pressure on housing is particularly acute in regions like the Balearic Islands and Madrid, which are among the most expensive for home ownership. In cities such as Barcelona, the proliferation of short-term lets has long fueled locals' anger over the lack of affordable housing, a direct consequence of unchecked demand on finite resources.
Italy's public health services are buckling under immense pressure, with 43% of respondents ranking healthcare as their biggest concern. The nation faces mounting staff shortages and an ageing population. Italy is short of an estimated 175,000 nurses, as low pay, heavy workloads, and limited career prospects drive trained medical professionals to other European countries, leaving the system vulnerable to further strain from demographic changes.
The Unspoken Crisis
While some focus on climate change, Denmark's concerns highlight a deeper insecurity. International terrorism or aggression was jointly ranked as the country's biggest issue by 27% of respondents, alongside climate change. This reflects a growing awareness of external threats and the need for strong borders, a sentiment often overlooked by those pushing for open-door policies.
The YouGov survey, conducted across six European countries, reveals a continent grappling with fundamental challenges. Europe faces geopolitical security, economic strain, and environmental pressures, yet the underlying issue of mass migration and its impact on national cohesion and public services remains consistently high on the public's agenda, despite attempts by the establishment to frame it as a secondary concern.
Economic Weakness and New Challenges
Amid these pressing societal concerns, Europe's labour market is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence. The data shows AI-labelled job titles have increased rapidly across the continent, with Germany leading in the first quarter of 2026 with 288 such titles, up from 72 four years ago. This shift demands a stable, cohesive society to adapt effectively.
The adoption of AI tools has accelerated, with 15% of people aged 16 to 74 in the EU using generative AI for work last year. This technological shift is not confined to tech roles; in Germany, 59% of AI-labelled job titles are now outside the technology sector. The Netherlands followed with 58%, France and the UK with 54%, indicating a broad redefinition of work across various professions.
New non-tech job types have emerged, such as a UK sales executive role for "Solution Sales Executive - AI, Data and Analytics" and a German HR manager posting seeking someone to "use AI in HR to increase efficiency." Pawel Adrjan, Director of Economic Research at Indeed, noted that employers are deliberately including AI in job titles, signifying its central role. This rapid change in the labour market requires a strong national economy and a workforce prioritising its own citizens, not one stretched thin by uncontrolled immigration.