National sides of euro coins Full report

Special Eurobarometer 287

National sides of euro coins Full reportFieldwork May-June 2007

Report September 2007

Spe

cial

Eur

obar

omet

er 2

87 /

Wav

e 67

.3 –

TN

S O

pini

on &

Soc

ial

This survey was requested by Directorate General Economics and Finance and coordinated by Directorate General Communication

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.

European Commission

National Sides of Euro Coins – 2007 DG ECFIN

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 2

MAIN FINDINGS.......................................................................................... 3

1. KNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNITION OF EURO COINS................................... 4

1.1 Awareness that one side is national, one side common....................... 4

1.2 Recognition of national coin sides....................................................... 7

1.3 Non-euro coins and coin-like objects in practice ............................... 13

2. IDENTIFYING FACE VALUE IN PRACTICE ............................................... 15

2.1 Identification exercise using real coins............................................. 15

2.2 Need for coin-turning in order to identify face value ......................... 17

3. OPINION ON NATIONAL SIDES OF EURO COINS .................................... 24

3.1 Evaluation of the principle of national sides...................................... 24

3.2 Preferences on extent of homogeneity and national variation........... 32

CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 38


2

INTRODUCTION The euro was introduced as the single currency, in non-physical form, of 11 EU member states in January 1999, with Greece joining the euro area in January 2001 In these 12 countries, euro coins and notes came into circulation from the beginning of 2002. With Slovenia joining the euro area in January 20071, it is now the official currency of 13 EU member states: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland. In 2008, this will increase with the adoption of the euro in Cyprus and Malta. This survey deals specifically with issues related to euro coins, of which there were €18 billion worth in circulation at the end of February 20072. Responsibility for producing and issuing euro coins lies with the national central banks of Member States (subject to approval by the European Central Bank of the overall issue volume). Currently, one side of each euro coin denomination represents a national design of the issuing country, with the other side consistent across all countries in the euro area. In this sense, coins differ from euro banknotes, which are issued under the authority of the European Central Bank and are identical across the euro area. In order to ensure a degree of coherence across countries, the European Council declared a moratorium on circulation euro coins until the end of 2008. This means that the standard national side cannot change except if the Head of State depicted on a coin changes or if a country wishes to issue a commemorative edition of a 2 euro coin. As this moratorium approaches its expiry, the European Commission will prepare a review of the current rules and examine whether they should be extended or whether a different practice should be introduced for the period after 2008. A Commission Communication issued to mark the fifth anniversary of the introduction of euro banknotes and coins states: The Council's future decision on the national sides of euro circulation coins, which should be taken before the moratorium's expiry at the end of 2008, is a very important one which should be carefully prepared. The Commission will launch a survey in the course of 2007 among the euro-area population in order to collect people's views and preferences in this respect. 3 The above mentioned survey was commissioned by the Economics and Finance Directorate-General of the European Commission and as well as dealing with opinions on national sides, it also tests citizens’ knowledge and awareness of euro coins.

1 In Slovenia, the euro was introduced as legal tender on January 1st, 2007. 2The €uro: Our currency / Facts and figures / End-February 2007 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/notes_and_coins/documents/factandfig_en.pdf 3 Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Central Bank: Five years of euro banknotes and coins {SEC(2006) 1786} http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2006/com2006_0862en01.doc


3

This document is a full report on the results of the survey. In this report we concisely present the results from the survey, concentrating mainly on data at an overall level across the euro-area countries. Where there are considerable differences between individual countries or socio-demographic groups these are noted. Such differences will be explored in greater depth in the full report to follow, along with an analysis of how awareness of and attitudes towards euro coins are influenced by wider opinions on the euro and the EU. The survey was carried out by TNS Opinion & Social, interviewing 13 201 citizens in the 13 Member States constituting the euro area. Interviewing was conducted between the 25th of May and the 30th of June 2007. The methodology used is that of Eurobarometer surveys as carried out by the Directorate General for Communication (Unit for Public Opinion and Media Monitoring). A technical note on the manner in which interviews were conducted by the Institutes within the TNS Opinion & Social network will be appended as an annex to this report. This note will indicate the interview methods and the confidence intervals. MAIN FINDINGS ● Almost three-quarters (73%) are aware that one side of euro coins is common to all issuing countries and that the other side is specific; ● Well over half of the respondents say that it is a good thing to have national sides differing from country to country (57%), while only a small minority say it is a bad thing (9%), with the rest expressing no opinion (34%). ● Of those holding this positive opinion, the main reason is that it is seen as an expression of Europe’s cultural diversity (65%). ● There is a low level of support for both the idea of granting the freedom to introduce new national designs at any time (37%) and the idea of having two common sides across the euro area (30%). ● When presented with a set of images of euro coin national sides - some real, some fake - between 59% and 78% of respondents overall correctly identify which sides are real, while 38% to 51% correctly identify which sides are fake. ● Around one-fifth (22%) say that they always or frequently have to turn euro coins in order to ascertain their value, around one-third (36%) say they never have to turn them and 40% that they occasionally have to turn them. ● The most problematic coins for face-value identification are the low-value red coins. ● 3 in 10 (30%) believe that in place of a real euro coin they have, at some point, accepted a non-euro coin/coin-like object, but most on only one or a few occasions (27%). Only a very small minority have experienced this on many occasions (3%).


4

1. Knowledge and recognition of euro coins In this section, we deal with three aspects of how the euro-area public relates to euro coins. Firstly, their awareness of the general way in which coins are designed, with one national side and one common side; Secondly, the ability of the public to identify genuine and false national sides; Thirdly, the extent to which respondents believe that they have mistakenly accepted non-euro coins or coin-like like objects in place of a genuine coin. 1.1 Awareness that one side is national, one side common Respondents were asked a question to test their knowledge of the basic design principle of euro coins – i.e. that for each denomination one side remains common to all countries of the euro area, whilst the other side varies according to the issuing country4. They were also given two false statements – that both sides of euro coins are the same regardless of the issuing country and that both sides very depending on the issuing country. - Nearly three quarters are aware that one side of the euro side is national,

the other side universal - Results show a very high level of awareness regarding the sides of euro coins. Almost three-quarters (73%) identify the correct statement, with 14% wrongly selecting the statement that both sides differ from one country to the next and just 4% thinking that coins are the same regardless of issuing country.

QE1 In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro

coins is the correct one?- % euro area

DK9%

Euro coins have one side that is common to all

countries issuing euro coins and one side that is specific to the

issuing country73%

There is no 'common side' of euro coins; both

sides are different

depending on the issuing country

14%

Both sides of euro coins are

the same regardless of the issuing country

4%

4 QE1. In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro coins is the correct one?


5

- The highest awareness is found in Finland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg

and Denmark - Amongst individual countries, the highest awareness is found in Finland (87% giving correct answer), followed by the Netherlands (86%), Luxembourg and Germany (both 85%).

Awareness is somewhat lower in Italy, where the proportion giving the correct answer falls to 55%. Here, almost a quarter (24%) are of the belief that both sides of euro coins are different according to where the coin was issued. This figure is 10 percentage points higher the euro area average (14%). We also see relatively lower awareness in Portugal and Spain, where 63% and 66% identify the correct situation. However, we stress that even in these countries it is a solid majority who know what the status quo is with regards to sides of euro coins.


6

In terms of socio-demographic factors, awareness is strongly linked to education levels, with those educated to the age of 20 or above (85%) significantly more likely to identify the correct answer than those who finished their education at the age of 15 or before (61%). Awareness also decreases with age, being higher for the 15-24 age group (77%) than it is for the 55+ age group (67%). This difference is due to varying rates of ‘Don’t Know’ answers, which are over three times as common amongst the oldest age group (15%) than the youngest (4%). Gender is also a factor, with men (76%) more likely to give the correct answer than women (70%). Again, this is accounted for by the proportion of ‘Don’t Know answers (men, 6%; women, 11%).

Awareness that one side is national, one side common: socio-demographic analysis

Both sides of euro coins are the same regardless of the issuing country

Euro coins have one side that is common to all countries issuing euro

coins and one side that is specific to the issuing

country

There is no 'common side' of euro coins; both sides are different depending on the issuing country

DK

ZONE 4% 73% 14% 9%SexMale 4% 76% 14% 6%Female 4% 70% 15% 11%Age15-24 5% 77% 14% 4%25-39 4% 74% 16% 6%40-54 4% 76% 14% 6%55 + 5% 67% 13% 15%Education (End of)15 6% 61% 16% 17%16-19 4% 75% 16% 5%20+ 3% 85% 9% 3%Still Studying 4% 79% 14% 3%


7

1.2 Recognition of national coin sides Respondents were given a practical exercise to test their visual recognition of euro coins. They were presented with a series of images of euro coin sides. Five of these represented real coins, three of them fake coins. For each, they were asked to identify whether it was genuine or not5.

- Genuine euro coin sides are recognised as such by the majority of respondents -

All of the real coins in the exercise were recognised by the majority of respondents, with the most recognisable coin of all being the German 2 euro coin, which is identified as genuine by almost 8 in 10 (78%). This was closely followed by the Italian 1 euro (77%) and the German 50-cent (76%). The lowest recognition rate is recorded for the Spanish 50-cent coin (59%), whilst exactly two-thirds (66%) recognise the French 2 euro.

Recognition of real euro coin sides

Recognition

Rate Incorrect answer

rate DK

Highest recognition

Lowest recognition

(% of respondents in the euro

area)

(% of respondents in country in

question)

2 Euro Germany

78% 12% 10%

DE (92%)

SI

(62%)

1 Euro Italy

77% 12% 11%

DE (86%)

PT

(58%)

50 cent Germany

76% 12% 12%

DE (95%)

PT

(57%)

2 Euro France

67% 18% 15%

FR (79%)

SI

(36%)

50 cent Spain

59% 24% 17%

LU (76%)

SI

(41%)

5 QE2 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side.


8

- Recognition varies considerably depending on the coins and countries under consideration -

Looking at the individual euro area states, we note the following: Relatively High Recognition: ● Recognition is generally high in Germany, naturally being especially so for the two German coins tested. ● The two German coins are also well-recognised in Austria, most likely due to the fact of geographical proximity ● Results show high recognition in Luxembourg, notably for the German and Spanish 50 cents and the French 2 euro. Relatively Low Recognition: ● In both Portugal and Slovenia, all five of the real coins tested were recognised by below average proportions. The Slovenian results are unsurprising given the recent introduction of the euro there. ● Recognition is also generally lower than average in Finland, especially for the Spanish 50 cent, French 2 euro and Italian 1 euro. ● Recognition is comparatively lower in Ireland, especially for the French 2 euro and German 50 cent. ● These two coins are also recognised to a lower extent in Italy, although the pattern of generally low figures is not repeated as for Ireland. ● In Spain, the German 50-cent and Italian 1 euro are relatively under-recognised. Exact figures for all coins according to countries are given below:

Recognition of real euro coin sides: country results

DE 2 euro IT 1 euro

DE 50 cent

FR 2 euro ES 50 cent

EURO AREA 78% 77% 76% 67% 59%

BE 78% 74% 81% 77% 60%

DE 92% 86% 95% 76% 60%

EL 84% 80% 76% 66% 52%

ES 69% 67% 61% 60% 68%

FR 74% 74% 71% 79% 64%

IE 70% 70% 61% 56% 51%

IT 71% 80% 65% 52% 53%

LU 87% 83% 90% 83% 76%

NL 83% 82% 86% 75% 54%

AT 89% 80% 86% 64% 63%

PT 65% 58% 57% 51% 48%

SI 62% 64% 64% 36% 41%

FI 71% 66% 78% 57% 50%

KEY

= high relative recognition of coin

= low relative recognition of coin


9

Taking the above overview of results it is evident that there is no hard and fast rule that explains varying recognition rates. Rather there are a number of factors which cross-cut each other and sometimes work in different ways. ● The clearest tendency is that coins are highly recognised in their own issuing country. However, at the same time the Spanish, French and Italians are all less likely to recognise their own coins than the Luxembourgers. ● Related to the above point, geographical proximity is also sometimes a factor. This best exemplified by the high recognition of German coins in Austria. Yet at the same time, we also see that this is by no means a universal pattern: for example, the Spanish 50-cent is not well recognised in Portugal. ● For whatever reasons, recognition rates tend to be higher or lower in certain countries regardless of the geographical factors outlines above. Results are high across the board for German and Luxembourger respondents and low for those from Portugal, Slovenia and to a lesser extent Finland.

- Education, age, urbanisation and gender are all related to recognition - In addition to the above, it is also true that social and demographic factors are of some influence, although it should be pointed out that all genuine coin sides were correctly identified by a majority of respondents in all socio-demographic groups. Nonetheless we note a fair degree of variation, as follows: ● Length of education effects recognition, with those educated to 20 and above showing the highest level of recognition. The difference between the result for this group and those who ended education at 15 or before is between 9 and 12 percentage points depending on the coin side in question. ● Recognition is highest amongst the youngest group. The difference between the figures for these respondents and for the oldest varies between 12 and 20 percentage points depending on the coin side under consideration. This is partly related to education levels (a higher proportion of the youngest respondents have been educated for longer). However, the explanation here may also lie with the fact that the younger group will have had less exposure to pre-euro national currencies, thereby reducing the potential for confusion. ● The degree of a respondent’s urbanisation has some effect on recognition, with those in rural areas slightly less likely to identify a coin side as being genuine compared to those living in a small/medium or large sized town. ● Men are more likely than women to recognise a genuine euro coin side, but only to a very moderate extent.


10

Recognition of real euro coin sides: socio-demographic analysis DE 2 euro ES 50 cent IT 1 euro FR 2 euro DE 50 cent EURO AREA 78% 59% 77% 67% 76% Sex

Male 81% 62% 79% 70% 77%

Female 76% 57% 76% 65% 75% Age

15-24 86% 71% 83% 75% 84% 25-39 83% 64% 82% 70% 80% 40-54 78% 59% 78% 70% 76%

55 + 71% 51% 71% 59% 68% Education (End of)

15 71% 52% 71% 57% 69% 16-19 81% 61% 80% 70% 79% 20+ 82% 64% 81% 76% 79%

Still Studying 89% 72% 84% 75% 84% Subjective urbanisation

Rural village 73% 56% 72% 64% 72% Small/ mid size town

80% 61% 81% 68% 77%

Large town 81% 61% 79% 71% 78%

- The public is reasonably proficient at identifying false coin sides -

Also included in the same coin-identification exercise were 3 fictitious coin sides. Of these 3 coins, 2 were fictitious ‘national’ sides of a 2 euro coin and one a fictitious side of a 1 euro coin. This added an extra dimension to the exercise, thereby testing not only positive recognition of circulating euro coins, but also the ability of the public to differentiate between false and genuine coins in a context of encountering them both simultaneously. Encouragingly, the fake 1 euro side and the second of the false 2 euro sides were correctly identified as such by higher proportions than those who believed them to be genuine. An absolute majority of 51% spotted the false 1 Euro side, a figure 16 points higher than the 35% believing it to be genuine. A similar differential is seen for one of the fake 2 euros, with this being identified by 49% and wrongly said to be real by 26% (a difference of 13 points). The other fake 2 euro side proved more problematic, with a roughly 50-50 split between correct (38%) and incorrect (40%) identifications. This fake coin was indeed difficult to spot, since it was the one that bore the most resemblance in terms of design to an existing authentic coin. Unsurprisingly, the fake coins also caused a high level of hesitation - between 22% and 25% felt unable to give an answer when presented with these coins.


11

Identification of fake coin sides

Correct

Identification of Fake

Incorrect Identification as Genuine

DK

Highest

identification of Fake

Lowest

identification of Fake

2 Euro Fake 1 38% 40% 22%

BE

(56%)

PT, IE (27%)

1 Euro Fake 2 51% 25% 24%

NL

(74%)

ES

(36%)

2 Euro Fake 3

49% 26% 25%

BE, NL (70%)

IT

(37%)

On average, taking the average of the three overall identification rates, correct identification of false coin sides in this question was 46% with 30% incorrectly believing the sides to be genuine.

- Good identification levels of false coin sides in Belgium and the Netherlands -

Again the pattern varies according to countries, with the Belgian and Dutch publics generally showing the highest levels of correct identification of false coins. Taking the average across all three false coins, we see that exactly two-thirds (66%; +20 points compared to euro area average) in both of these countries were able to do this. We also note a high figure for Luxembourg (60%; +14 points). It is also highly encouraging to see that in Slovenia, where the euro has only been in circulation for a matter of months, recognition of false coins registered at 45% (-1 point compared to euro area average). At the other end of the country scale, the Irish average stands at just over one-third (34%), with relatively low figures also seen for Portugal (35%), Austria (36%), Italy and Spain (both 37%).


12

Average of correct identification across all three false coins

- Country average

66%

66%

60%

54%

51%

36%

35%

34%

46%

37%

37%

45%

50%

50%

BE

NL

LU

FI

FR

DE

EL

EURO AREA

SI

ES

IT

AT

PT

IE

As is the case for the genuine coin sides tested, correct identification of false sides is highest amongst the youngest and those educated for the longest period.

Identification of fake coin sides: socio-demographic analysis

FAKE 1 FAKE 2 FAKE 3 EURO AREA 38% 51% 49%

Age 15-24 43% 61% 60% 25-39 37% 53% 52% 40-54 41% 52% 49%

55 + 35% 45% 41% Education (End of)

15 35% 43% 42% 16-19 37% 51% 49% 20+ 40% 59% 53%

Still Studying 43% 62% 62%


13

1.3 Non-euro coins and coin-like objects in practice Respondents were asked whether they had ever mistakenly accepted a coin of a different currency or an object resembling a coin instead of a genuine euro coin6. - Over 6 in 10 say they have never mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or

coin-like object - Results here show that most people (62%) believe that they have never accepted a non-euro coin or coin-like object in place of a genuine euro coin; whereas 30% think they have done so at least once. This figure comprises of 12% who believe this has happened only once, 15% who say this has happened a few times and just 3% who think they have accepted such a coin or object many times. We stress here that these figures, being based on perception, are purely indicative and should not be taken as an exact measure of the incidence of non-euro coins and coin-like objects infiltrating circulation euro coins. However it does seem that, when this does happen, it tends to be an isolated occurrence with only a tiny proportion of respondents saying that they have accepted such a coin or object ‘many times’.

QE5 To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object instead of a genuine euro coin?

- % euro area

Yes, many times3%

Yes, but only once12%

Yes, a few times15%

No, never62%

DK8%

6 QE5 to your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object instead of a genuine euro coin?


14

The belief that one has accepted a non-euro coin or a coin like object increases with age, up to the 40-54 age bracket (34% vs. 24% for those aged 15-24). Thereafter it drops again for those aged 55 and over (29%). Respondents educated for the longest amount of time (33%) are also marginally more likely to think they have accepted such a coin or object.

Non-euro coins and coin-like objects in practice: socio-demographic analysis

Yes No, never DK EURO AREA 30% 62% 8% Age

15-24 24% 70% 6% 25-39 29% 63% 8% 40-54 34% 58% 8%

55 + 29% 61% 10% Education (End of)

15 27% 63% 10% 16-19 30% 62% 8% 20+ 33% 61% 6%

Still Studying 25% 70% 5%


15

2 Identifying face value in practice 2.1 Identification exercise using real coins For a second identification exercise, respondents were presented with the local national sides of a 20-cent and a 2-cent coin7. The coins were placed with this face up and respondents were asked - without turning them - to then ascertain the face value of both coins, from a list of 9 different combinations8. Though bearing some resemblance to the previous test involving identification of real and fake sides, here respondents were asked to pinpoint the face value of physical coins. The introduction of multiple answer categories as opposed to a simple true/false choice also added further difficulty.

- 6 in 10 correctly identify the two-coin combination - Given the factors outlined above, it is encouraging to see that a solid majority of 60% were able to correctly identify the face value of the two coins presented to them.

% Correct identification of two-coin combination

76%

68%

63%

62%

62%

59%

53%

52%

30%

60%

54%

54%

58%

60%

FI

ES

DE

IE

AT

euro area

IT

NL

LU

EL

PT

BE

FR

SI

*

7 In Austria and Greece, German national sides were used because on Austrian and Greek coins the value is, in fact, indicated also on the national sides as well as the common sides. In Finland, the 2-cent coin is in practice not in circulation. Respondents here were therefore given a 20-cent and 5–cent combination for this exercise. 8 QE3 Without turning the following two coins, could you tell me what combination from the following list corresponds to the values of the two?

*NB: In Finland 20-cent and 5-cent coins were used for this exercise due to 2-cent coins hardly being in circulation there.


16

The highest identification rate was seen in Finland (76%). A strong degree of caution should be exercised in interpreting this result in relation to those for other countries, due to the fact that in practice there is only one red coin in circulation here as opposed to the three circulating in the rest of the euro area. At the other end of the scale, we see very low results in Slovenia, where only 30% correctly identified the two coins correctly. As for the exercise on identifying pictures of coin sides, results here are clearly coloured by Slovenia’s comparatively recent entry into the euro area. Excluding these two extremes, country identification rates fall within a fairly narrow range – from 52% (France) to 68% (Spain). As for the exercise involving recognition of coin sides from pictures, age and education are the main socio-demographic determinants of opinion, with the longest educated and the youngest respondents being the groups scoring the highest on this task.


17

2.2 Need for coin-turning in order to identify face value As a measure of the difficulties respondents experience in easily distinguishing the value of euro coins, they were asked a question on how often, if at all, they need to turn a euro coin in order to ascertain its value9. In essence, this provides a measure of the ease or difficulty respondents face in identifying the face value of euro coins.

- Identification of face value is not problematic for the majority… - Overall results are largely encouraging with few people having regular difficulties in identifying face value. Just over one-third (36%) never having to turn a euro coin to find out its value, with 40% occasionally doing so, 14% frequently turning and a small group of 8% saying they always have to turn a coin to be sure of its value. In total, 62% say that they need to turn a coin at least occasionally. However, it is the group of 22% who say they frequently or always have to turn a coin who we may regard as those who find identification of face value as problematic.

QE6 Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the coins to be sure of their value. Which

of the following situations corresponds best to you? - % euro area

You never have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its

value36%

You frequently have to turn a euro coin to be

sure of its value14%

You occasionally have to turn a euro coin to be

sure of its value40%

You always have to turn a euro

coin to be sure of its value

8%

DK2%

- …although there are differences at country level -

Here the range in individual country results is large. A figure approaching half of all Slovenians (46%) say that they frequently or always have to turn. This fits logically with results outlined above, where relatively low proportions of Slovenians were able to recognise pictures of euro coin sides, or to identify the combination of 20-cent and 2-cent coins from the Slovenian national side. In Slovenia, recognition and identification is clearly linked to the recent introduction there of the euro and thus we would expect these to rise significantly over time.

9 QE6 Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the coins to be sure of their value. Which of the following situations corresponds best to you?


18

Elsewhere there is not necessarily a distinct link between results on identifying face value and results elsewhere. For example, a high proportion of respondents turning frequently or always is also evident in Greece (40%). This result is somewhat surprising, since on Greek (and Austrian) circulation coins the face value is in fact indicated on both the common and national sides. Even taking into account the fact that a large share of euro coins circulating in Greece (as in other countries) originate from other euro-area countries, we might not expect 21 % of Greek respondents to say that they always turn euro coins to be sure of the face value. The high Greek figure may partly reflect a general unfamiliarity with using coins, since in the years prior to the introduction of the euro, coins were not much used in Greece. This figure falls to 13% for Finland and 15% for Ireland and Spain. However, at the same time it should be noted that Greek respondents did not score particularly low on the exercises involving recognition of coin sides and identification of the 20-cent/2-cent combination. At the opposite end of the country ranking, just 13% of Finns and 15% of Irish and Spanish say that they frequently or always need to turn a coin in order to ascertain its face value. Again, there is no obvious link with other results – The Finns and the Irish score low on recognition of some coin sides, but high on identifying their local 20-cent/5- or 2-cent combination. The lower need for turning in Finland may, however, be influenced by the fact that 1- and 2-cent coins are hardly in circulation there (see also 2.3). The Spanish tend towards the euro area average on both these exercises.

% Turning frequently or always

46%

40%

29%

28%

28%

21%

15%

15%

13%

22%

22%

20%

20%

18%

SI

EL

BE

FR

AT

EURO AREA

NL

IT

DE

PT

LU

ES

IE

FI


19

Age is a very important factor here in identifying face-value – perhaps even more so than country - with the need for turning increasing directly with age. Whilst only 10% of those aged 15-24 say that they frequently or always need to turn a coin, this figure rises by 25 percentage points to 35% for those aged 55 and over. Level of education is also important here, although not to the same extent as age. Nonetheless, those turning frequently or always account for 31% of the group who ended their studies at the age of 15 or before compared to 19% of those who continued education to the age of 20 or over. Finally, we also note some differences according to urbanisation, with respondents living in rural areas (26%) somewhat more likely than those living in metropolitan areas (19%) to say they need to turn coins frequently or always.

Identification of face-value: socio-demographic analysis

You never have to turn a euro coin to

be sure of its value

You occasionally have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value

You frequently have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value

You always have to turn a euro coin to be sure

of its value

DK

EURO AREA 36% 40% 14% 8% 2% Age

15-24 55% 34% 7% 3% 1% 25-39 42% 41% 10% 5% 2% 40-54 35% 43% 13% 7% 2%

55 + 23% 39% 21% 14% 3%

Education (End of) 15 29% 38% 17% 14% 2% 16-19 36% 40% 14% 8% 2% 20+ 35% 45% 14% 5% 1%

Still Studying 57% 33% 7% 2% 1%

Subjective urbanisation

Rural village 34% 38% 16% 10% 2% Small/ mid size town 35% 42% 14% 7% 2%

Large town 40% 38% 11% 8% 3%


20

2.3 Coins most problematic for face-value identification Those respondents who expressed at least some difficulty in identifying face-value by saying they sometimes have to turn a coin to recognise its denomination were then asked a supplementary question on which specific coins cause difficulties10.

- As face value increases, identification improves - Results here show a clear pattern, with two of the three low-value red coins being those that the highest proportions experience difficulty with, followed by the mid-range yellow coins and finally the high-value bi-colour coins. The red 2-cent coin is the most difficult of all to identify, with this being cited by over half of all ‘turners’. The 1-cent and 20-cent coins are an exception to the general pattern, in that more respondents indicate that they experience difficulties with the yellow 20-cent coin than they do with the red 1-cent coin.

QE7 For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in

identifying the value? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)BASE: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value

57%

44%

40%

30%

30%

11%

21%

15%

7%

4%

3%

The red 2 cents coin


The yellow 20 cents coin

The red 1 cent coin



The bi-colour 2 euros coin

The bi-colour 1 euro coin

None (SPONTANEOUS)

All of them(SPONTANEOUS)

DK

10QE7 For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in identifying the value?


21

Generally speaking, the pattern described above holds true across individual countries. Nonetheless, we note the following instances where specific coins proved especially problematic in certain countries. Red coins ● The red 2-cent coin, which is the one which causes problems for the highest proportion of turners in the euro area (57%) is cited by a high share of turners in Belgium, France (both 73%; +16 compared to euro area average) and Luxembourg (72%; +15). ● The 2-cent also causes difficulties for a higher proportion of Slovenian turners (75%; +18). Slovenian turners are, in addition, relatively more likely to say that the 5-cent coin is problematic (63%; +19), as well as the 2-cent (51%; +21). ● In Greece, as for Slovenia, all 3 red coins cause problems for coin-turners. The most difficult is again the 2-cent (79%; +22). This is followed by the 5-cent (72%; +28) and then 1-cent (56%; +26). These Greek figures are the highest according to country for each of the 3 red coins11. Yellow coins ● In the Netherlands, the 20-cent coin is problematic for 63% (+23 compared to euro area average) of turners. The 10-cent causes also causes difficulties for a relatively high proportion (48%; +18). ● The same two coins are those that Austrian turners most frequently struggle to identify. As in the Netherlands, 63% (+23) of turners in Austria expressed difficulties regarding the 20-cent coin. Over half (57%; +20) have problems to identify the 20-cent. ● In Finland, the 20-cent is again cited as problematic by 63% (+23) of turners. Additionally, we see that the 50-cent coin, not generally difficult to recognise elsewhere, is mentioned by 40% (+19) of Finns.

Difficulty in identifying face value of individual coins

Base: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value

The red 1-cent coin

The red 2-cents coin

The red 5-cents coin

The yellow 10-cents

coin

The yellow 20-cents

coin

The yellow 50-cents

coin


The bi-colour 2

euros coin EURO AREA

30% 57% 44% 30% 40% 21% 11% 15%

BE 39% 73% 58% 30% 32% 14% 5% 7%

DE 20% 51% 38% 24% 44% 26% 11% 15%

EL 56% 79% 72% 46% 49% 29% 19% 23%

ES 30% 62% 52% 28% 36% 25% 16% 21%

FR 39% 73% 58% 28% 34% 16% 8% 8%

IE 42% 62% 49% 36% 41% 25% 24% 19%

IT 28% 47% 33% 28% 33% 13% 6% 14%

LU 39% 72% 59% 25% 34% 18% 6% 6%

NL 24% 44% 27% 48% 63% 25% 19% 20%

AT 37% 61% 47% 57% 63% 34% 27% 21%

PT 17% 31% 21% 16% 22% 15% 8% 21%

SI 51% 75% 63% 42% 49% 38% 20% 19%

FI 12% 12% 10% 35% 63% 40% 15% 9% KEY = High relative difficulty in identifying the face value of the coin

11 See also comment on Greece under 2.2.


22

- Identification of red coins is similar for different socio-economic groups; yellow coins are better identified by the young; bi-coloured coins by the

young and most educated - Analysis of results for this question according to age and education shows some distinct patterns according to the colour/value of the coin in question. Firstly, for the red 1-, 2- and 5-cent coins, the difficulty of identification does not vary much amongst different socio-economic classifications of ‘turners’. These coins – generally the most difficult to identify of all – prove no more problematic for the old than the young, or those with the shortest education compared to those with the longest. One slight exception to this is the 1-cent coin, with this cited by 35% of those turners aged 55 and over, a figure 5 points higher than the euro area average of 30%. Secondly, for the yellow 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins, the situation is different: most notably, as the age of turners increases, so does the proportion mentioning these coins as causing difficulties. As one example, the proportion of 55+ turners citing the 50-cent coin (26%) is twice as high as the share of 15-24 year-old turners giving the same answer (13%). Education still does not come into the equation much as a factor here, although the 50-cent coin causes difficulties for a higher share of those turners who finished their studies at the age of 15 (26%) than of those who stayed in education until at least 20 (19%).

Difficulty in identifying the face value of the yellow coins: analysis by age Base: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value

The yellow

10-cents coin

The yellow

20-cents coin

The yellow

50-cents coin

euro area 30% 40% 21% Age

15-24 21% 27% 13% 25-39 28% 36% 16% 40-54 28% 43% 22%

55 + 33% 44% 26%


23

Lastly, for the 2 bi-colour coins we see that results are directly linked to both age and education. For example, the 1 euro coin is mentioned as a problem by 3 times as many of turners aged 55+ (16%) as of those aged 15-24 (5%). Meanwhile, this coin is cited by 5 percentage points more of those who finished education at 15 or before (15%) than of those who continued studying until 20 or further (10%). Nonetheless, regarding these coins, we stress most of all the fact that regardless of socio-demographic factors, these are easily identifiable for the vast majority of turners.

Difficulty in identifying the face value of the bi-colour coins: analysis by age and education Base: All who have to turn a coin at least occasionally to ascertain value

The bi-colour 1

euro coin

The bi-colour 2

euros coin

Euro area 11% 15% Age

15-24 5% 9% 25-39 8% 11% 40-54 11% 13%

55 + 16% 19% Education (End of)

15 15% 19% 16-19 10% 12% 20+ 10% 12%

Still Studying 5% 10%


24

3. Opinion on national sides of euro coins Alongside testing levels of awareness and recognition regarding current euro coins, a second objective of this survey is to establish the state of public opinion within the euro area on issues relating to coin design. In particular, this involves the question of whether there is a clear preference for greater national autonomy in coin sides, for more standardisation, or whether people seem to prefer the situation as it is. 3.1 Evaluation of the principle of national sides

- There is strong support for the idea of national sides - It is clear that the basic principle of national sides is one that is generally accepted and often welcomed. A clear majority of 57% in the euro area say that it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that differ from one country to the next, with just 9% saying that this is a bad thing12. Over a quarter (28%) spontaneously give a neutral opinion, despite the fact that this was not presented as an answer option.13

QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to

country?- % euro area

DK6%

It is a bad thing 9%

It is neither a good nor a bad

thing (SPONTANEOUS)

28%

It is a good thing 57%

12 QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country? 13 See also section 3.2, below, where a different question is analysed as to whether coins should have two common sides. Here the majority still take a position that is in favour of national sides, though a greater share indicate favourability to two common sides than say in the current question that national sides are a ‘bad thing’.


25

QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to

country?- % euro area

DK6%

It is a bad thing 9%

It is neither a good nor a bad

thing (SPONTANEOUS)

28%

It is a good thing 57%


26

Amongst individual countries, favourability towards having national sides is particularly strong in Luxembourg (82%) and also reaches levels of at least three-quarters in Greece (78%), Finland (77%), the Netherlands (76%), and Slovenia (75%). At the other end of the scale, less than one-third of Italians (31%) say that they think national sides are a good thing. However, this is not due to any significant opposition to the principle, with only 16% of Italians declaring themselves to be against having national sides. Rather, Italian opinion is distinguished by a high degree of neutrality (41%), with this being the only case where ‘neither good nor bad’ answers outnumber positive ones. We also see that respondents giving a ‘good thing’ answer form an absolute minority (but a relative majority) in both Portugal (43%) and Spain (46%). In both these countries we again see a high proportion of neutral answers (39% and 36% in Portugal and Spain respectively).

QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins

have national sides that are different from country to country?-% answering 'good thing'

82%

78%

77%

76%

75%

65%

46%

43%

31%

70%

66%

65%

57%

53%

LU

EL

FI

NL

SI

FR

DE

BE

IE

EURO ZONE

AT

ES

PT

IT


27

We have seen throughout the survey that ‘hard’ measures of recognition and identification are linked to the factors of age and education. This is also the case with the ‘softer’ matter of opinion. Here, we see that the youngest and the most educated respondents are those who are most favourable towards having national sides of euro coins. ‘Good thing’ answers are more common to the extent of 26 percentage points amongst those educated to the age of at least 20 (71%) than the group who finished their education at 15 or before (45%). They are also given by 19 percentage points more of the group aged 15-24 (69%) than the group aged 55+ (50%).

- National sides are seen as an expression of Europe’s cultural diversity - The majority who expressed favourability towards national sides were then asked to choose applicable answers from a list of three reasons underpinning this opinion14. The main reason given here is that it is an expression of cultural diversity in Europe – 65% choose this as their opinion on this issue. This is followed by the other two answers which receive a similar proportion of responses to each other: 30% say that they like to see a national symbol of their country on euro coins, with 28% thinking that ‘more variety makes coins more interesting’.

QE9a What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country

to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)(Base: all saying national sides are a 'good thing')

65%

30%

28%

1%

1%

It is an expression of thecultural diversity in Europe

You like to see a nationalsymbol of (OUR COUNTRY)

on the euro coins

More variety makes coinsmore interesting

Other (SPONTANEOUS)

DK

14 QE9a What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?


28

Regarding cultural diversity, the range in country results for this item is moderate, meaning that cultural diversity figures as a prominent argument for having national sides in all countries of the euro area. Figures for this answer are at their highest in Germany (70%) and are lowest in Ireland (48%).


29

- Seeing the national symbol is a major reason for favourability in Greece, Slovenia and Ireland -

Ireland is also the only country where the top-ranked answer is not ‘cultural diversity’. Instead, exactly half (50%) of all favourable Irish respondents say that one of the reasons for favourability towards national sides is that they like to see a national symbol of their country on euro coins. This is chosen by even higher proportions in Greece (56%) and Slovenia (52%), although in these countries the share answering ‘cultural diversity’ is higher yet (57% in Greece; 66% in Slovenia). At the other end of the scale, the ‘national symbol’ argument is invoked by just 22% of all Germans.


30

- The variety of different sides is a significant factor in support for them in Luxembourg, Finland and Austria -

The added variety and interest generated by differing national sides is mentioned as a reason by a reasonably high share of Luxembourgers (41%), Finns (40%) and Austrians (39%). The opinion is expressed least frequently in Ireland (12%).

It is interesting to note that cultural diversity is selected as an answer by an especially high proportion of those respondents educated up to the age of 20 and above (73%, compared to 51% of those finishing their education at 15 or earlier). Conversely, the answer concerning seeing a national symbol on euro coins is favoured more by the group with the shortest education (39%, compared to 26% of those educated to 20 and above).


31

Reasons for favourability towards national sides: the effect of education levels Base: all who consider national sides to be a good thing

It is an expression of the

cultural diversity in Europe

You like to see a national symbol of (OUR

COUNTRY) on the euro coins

More variety makes coins more interesting

euro area 65% 30% 28% Education (End of) 15 51% 39% 25% 16-19 66% 30% 28% 20+ 73% 26% 27% Still Studying 68% 23% 39%

- The belief that a common currency should have a common look and

confusion are the two reasons behind limited opposition - Amongst the small minority15 who think that it is bad thing to have national sides on euro coins, the main arguments expressed are that in principle a common currency should look the same everywhere (56%) and that, from a practical standpoint, multiple designs are confusing (46%)16.

QE9b What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad

thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)

(Base: all saying national sides are a 'bad thing')

56%

46%

5%

2%

2%

A currency that is commonto several countries shouldlook the same everywhere

The variety of designs isconfusing

You do not like somenational designs

Other (SPONTANEOUS –SPECIFY)

DK

15 9% or 1,089 out of the 13,201 respondents 16 QE9b What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?


32

3.2 Preferences on extent of homogeneity and national variation Finally, respondents were reminded that countries in the euro area are not currently able to change their national sides except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes or in the case of annual limited-volume commemorative 2 euro coins. After having this situation outlined to them, they were asked for their reaction to two statements argued from different perspectives17: ● Euro-area countries should be allowed to introduce new national sides of euro coins as often as they wish ● Euro-coins should have two common European sides that are not different from country to country

- Public preference tends neither towards having two common sides nor allowing greater leeway to introduce new national sides -

Interestingly, both statements meet with more disagreement than agreement, suggesting that public preference lies somewhere between the two extremes of complete commonality and complete autonomy, a position which largely describes the situation as it currently exists. Concerning the freedom to introduce new national designs as often as desired, 49% disagree with this idea, with 37% agreeing (a gap of 12 points). For the statement on absolute commonality the gap between disagreement (57%) and agreement (30%) is over twice as high, at 27 points. Here almost twice as many disagree as agree.

Statements on homogeneity and national variation

Euro coins should have two common European sides that are not different from

country to country- % euro area

Agree30%

DK13%

Disagree57%

Euro-area countries should be allowed to introduce new national sides of euro coins as

often as they wish- % euro area

isagree49%

DK14%

Agree37%

17 QE10 As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a limited volume of a commemorative 2 euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.


33

Individual countries may be divided into four groups with regards to the results seen here: (i) Those where results exhibit a similar pattern to the overall tendency. (ii)Those where the same tendency is evident as in the overall results, but to an even stronger extent. (iii)Those where the public desire greater national autonomy. (iv) The special case of Italy, where opinion is more equivocal in nature. (i) Countries where results exhibit a similar pattern to the overall tendency In France and Ireland, results are very much the same as those in the euro area taken together. Respondents in both countries are more likely to reject than agree with both statements, although we note that in Ireland there are relatively large proportions who are unable to offer an opinion, with 25% answering ‘Don’t Know’ to the statement on freedom to introduce national sides and 23% giving the same answer to the statement on having two common sides.

Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins:

Countries similar to euro area

37%

30%

32%

27%

34%

20%

49%

57%

56%

57%

12%

41%

63%

14%

13%

10%

25%

23%

0% 100%

Euro area countries should beallowed to introduce new

national sides of euro coinsas often as they wish

Euro coins should have twocommon European sides thatare not different from country

to country




to country




to country

Agree Disagree DK

euro area

France

Ireland


34

(ii) Countries where the overall trends are similar to that in the euro area, but stronger There are several countries where results are along the lines of those seen for the euro area, but differ in that they show greater levels of intensity. In these countries - Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – disagreement with both statements is higher than it is at euro area level, with the difference between national figures and the overall average exceeding 10 points on both items. This suggests that these are countries where the public are especially satisfied with a position that lies somewhere between the two extremes typified by the surveyed statements. We note that the idea of two common sides is especially opposed in Luxembourg (85%) whilst the proposition for countries to be able to introduce national sides whenever desired provokes the highest level of opposition in the Netherlands (76%).

Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins:Countries with similar tendencies to euro area, but stronger

37%

30%

27%

28%

32%

26%

27%

9%

19%

18%

31%

22%

27%

19%

49%

57%

67%

64%

72%

62%

71%

4%

69%

60%

69%

66%

85%

76%

79%

10%

11%

5%

7%

6%

3%

5%

6%

7%

8%

3%

13%

14%

0% 100%

Euro area countries should be allowed to introduce newnational sides of euro coins as often as they wish

Euro coins should have two common European sides thatare not different from country to country













Agree Disagree DKeuro area

Belgium

Germany

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Finland

Slovenia


35

(iii) Countries where the public tends to desire greater national autonomy in introducing national sides A third group of countries is characterised by the fact that the public is, on balance, supportive of allowing euro area countries to introduce new national sides as often as they wish. In the case of Greece (61%) and Austria (55%), this support accounts for an absolute majority of public opinion. In Portugal (45%) and Spain (42%), support does not reach quite the same levels, although it still outweighs opposition to the autonomy principle (35% and 25% in Portugal and Spain respectively). In Portugal, support for two common sides is, however, also clearly higher than the euro-area average.

Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins: Countries where the public desires greater national autonomy

37%

30%

61%

30%

42%

31%

55%

31%

45%

38%

49%

57%

38%

34%

58%

35%

41%

2%37%

25%

69%

14%

13%

1%

33%

11%

11%

20%

21%

31%

0% 100%











Agree Disagree DKEuro area

Greece

Spain

Austria

Portugal


36

(iv) The Italian case: opinions are balanced The one country that does not fit into any of the above the categories is Italy. Here opinion is very much balanced with regards to both questions. Both agreement and disagreement stand at 43% concerning the proposition for two common sides, whilst there is little difference between the 41% who agree that countries should be able to introduce new national sides at any time and the 43% who disagree with this.

Agreement/disagreement with statements on euro coins: More equivocal opinion in Italy

37%

30%

41%

43%

49%

57%

43% 16%

43%

14%

13%

14%

0% 100%

Euro area countries should be allowedto introduce new national sides of euro

coins as often as they wish

Euro coins should have two commonEuropean sides that are not different

from country to country

Euro area countries should be allowedto introduce new national sides of euro

coins as often as they wish

Euro coins should have two commonEuropean sides that are not different

from country to country

Agree Disagree DK

Euro area

Italy


37

- Attitudes towards commonality and autonomy are to some extent linked to

broader opinions on the euro - It is interesting to locate answers to this question in the wider context of attitudes towards the euro. The standard Eurobarometer series contains a question on whether respondents are for or against the euro and it is results from the most recently published standard Eurobarometer to which we refer below18. Specifically, countries where the public is most strongly opposed both to greater freedom to introduce national sides and to having two common sides are those where support for the euro is high. Thus amongst the countries described above in group two, support for the euro ranges from 66% (Germany) to 85% (Belgium). However, high support for the euro is not necessarily a pure predictor that a country will exhibit strong opinions with regards to national sides: In Ireland, where opinion on national sides is less intense, support for the euro is very high at 87%. As a second pattern, it can be seen that those countries where the public are more supportive of having greater freedom to introduce new national sides are those where support for the Euro is relatively lower. In these countries falling into group three outlined above, support for the euro is between 49% (Greece) and 66% (Austria).

Support for the euro: country comparison

Countries with results similar to euro area, or similar but intensified

Countries where the public desire more autonomy in national sides

COUNTRY SUPPORT FOR EURO COUNTRY SUPPORT FOR EURO

IE 87% AT 67%

BE 85% ES 64%

LU 84% PT 63%

SI 83% EL 49%

FI 78%

FR 76%

NL 73%

DE 66%

Other figures

IT 64%

Euro area 68%

18 Standard Eurobarometer 66, fieldwork September-October 2006. http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb66/eb66_en.pdf QA25.1 What is your opinion on each of the following statements? Please tell me for each statement whether you are for it or against it: A European Monetary Union with one single currency, the euro.


38

CONCLUSION With the moratorium on circulation euro coins approaching its end, the results to this survey provide some timely information on the behaviour and attitudes of citizens in euro-area countries. A summary of the key figures from the survey is included at the beginning of the report19. Here we again provide a summary of major findings, though without quoting specific statistics. This information falls into two categories. Firstly, ‘hard’ figures related to respondents’ awareness of euro coins, and the ease by which their sides and face-value are recognisable and identifiable; Secondly, ‘soft’ data related to the attitudes of citizens to the principle of having national sides and their views on the future minting of coins. In the first category of results, we have seen that a solid majority are aware that one side of euro coins is common to all countries, with the other varying according to the issuing country (section 1.1). On the whole, the public are well able to identify a genuine euro coin side, or the face value of a coin from their own national side (sections 1.2; 2.1; 2.2). With regards to face value it is true, however, that the lower-value red coins do cause more difficulty in terms of identification (section 2.3). This is a complex matter, with issuing country, the nationality of the respondent in question and socio-demographic issues all factors in how easy it is to identify a given coin. Concerning matters of opinion, one of the clearest findings of the survey is that the principle of having a national side is widely accepted. The vast majority of respondents have a view that is either positive or neutral in this respect; very few indeed are actively opposed to having national sides (section 3.1). The main reason behind this is that it is seen as being an expression of Europe’s cultural diversity, although in some countries the wish to see one’s own national symbol on a coin is also a motivation. Further to this, when presented with the idea of having two common sides to coins, the typical reaction is one of opposition: Respondents are largely against the idea of complete uniformity (section 3.2). It is therefore clear that the public has a preference for a continued role for national sides of euro coins. At the same time, the majority would like to see this within a controlled context, with some restraint on the possibility of introducing new national sides (section 3.2).

19 See ‘main findings’, p.3.

ANNEXES

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER N°287 “National Sides of Euro Coins”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Between the 25th of May and the 30th of June 2007, TNS Opinion & Social, a consortium created between Taylor Nelson Sofres and EOS Gallup Europe, carried out wave 67.3 of the EUROBAROMETER, on request of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate General Communication, “Public Opinion and Media Monitoring”. The SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER N°287 is part of wave 67.3 and covers the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 13 countries that are members of the Euro Zone and aged 15 years and over. The basic sample design applied in all states is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. In each country, a number of sampling points was drawn with probability proportional to population size (for a total coverage of the country) and to population density. In order to do so, the sampling points were drawn systematically from each of the "administrative regional units", after stratification by individual unit and type of area. They thus represent the whole territory of the countries surveyed according to the EUROSTAT NUTS II (or equivalent) and according to the distribution of the resident population of the respective nationalities in terms of metropolitan, urban and rural areas. In each of the selected sampling points, a starting address was drawn, at random. Further addresses (every Nth address) were selected by standard "random route" procedures, from the initial address. In each household, the respondent was drawn, at random (following the "closest birthday rule"). All interviews were conducted face-to-face in people's homes and in the appropriate national language. As far as the data capture is concerned, CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview) was used in those countries where this technique was available.

For each country a comparison between the sample and the universe was carried out. The Universe description was derived from Eurostat population data or from national statistics offices. For all countries surveyed, a national weighting procedure, using marginal and intercellular weighting, was carried out based on this Universe description. In all countries, gender, age, region and size of locality were introduced in the iteration procedure. For international weighting (i.e. EU averages), TNS Opinion & Social applies the official population figures as provided by EUROSTAT or national statistic offices. The total population figures for input in this post-weighting procedure are listed above. Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 1,000 interviews, the real percentages vary within the following confidence limits:

Observed percentages 10% or 90% 20% or 80% 30% or 70% 40% or 60% 50%

Confidence limits ± 1.9 points ± 2.5 points ± 2.7 points ± 3.0 points ± 3.1 points

ABBREVIATIONS COUNTRIES INSTITUTES N° INTERVIEWS

FIELDWORK DATES

POPULATION 15+

BE Belgium TNS Dimarso 1.040 25/05/2007 21/06/2007 8.650.994 DE Germany TNS Infratest 1.510 25/05/2007 21/06/2007 64.361.608 EL Greece TNS ICAP 1.000 26/05/2007 20/06/2007 8.693.566 ES Spain TNS Demoscopia 1.007 29/05/2007 26/06/2007 37.024.972 FR France TNS Sofres 1.039 29/05/2007 26/06/2007 44.010.619 IE Ireland TNS MRBI 1.003 30/05/2007 30/06/2007 3.089.775 IT Italy TNS Abacus 1.017 30/05/2007 27/06/2007 48.892.559 LU Luxembourg TNS ILReS 510 28/05/2007 25/06/2007 374.097 NL The Netherlands TNS NIPO 1.001 25/05/2007 25/06/2007 13.030.000 AT Austria Österreichisches Gallup-Institut 1.009 25/05/2007 25/06/2007 6.848.736 PT Portugal TNS EUROTESTE 1.002 02/06/2007 27/06/2007 8.080.915 SI Slovenia RM PLUS 1.037 27/05/2007 25/06/2007 1.720.137 FI Finland TNS Gallup Oy 1.026 29/05/2007 20/06/2007 4.348.676

TOTAL 13.201 25/05/2007 30/06/2007 249.126.654

QUESTIONNAIRE

A A

B B

C C

D D

E E

1 12 2

Split ballot

AB

EB67.2 E

notre numéro d'étude

EB67.2 C

numéro de l'interview

EB67.2 D

votre numéro d'étude

EB67.2 A

code pays

EB67.2 B

Split ballot

AB

EB67.2 E

our survey number

EB67.2 C

Interview number

EB67.2 D

your survey number

EB67.2 A

country code

EB67.2 B

BilingualQuestionnaireEB673 1/90 13/07/2007

Q1 Q1

1, 1,2, 2,3, 3,4, 4,5, 5,6, 6,7, 7,8, 8,9, 9,

10, 10,11, 11,12, 12,13, 13,14, 14,15, 15,16, 16,17, 17,18, 18,19, 19,20, 20,21, 21,22, 22,23, 23,24, 24,25, 25,26, 26,27, 27,28, 28,29, 29,30, 30,31, 31,

CroatieAutre paysNSP

EB67.2 Q1

SlovénieBulgarieRoumanieTurquie

LituanieMaltePologneSlovaquie

République tchèqueEstonieHongrieLettonie

AutricheSuèdeFinlandeRépublique de Chypre

LuxembourgPays-Bas PortugalRoyaume-Uni (Grande Bretagne, Irlande du Nord)

EspagneFranceIrlandeItalie

BelgiqueDanemarkAllemagneGrèce

POSER ITEM 28 UNIQUEMENT EN TURQUIE

POSER ITEM 29 UNIQUEMENT EN CROATIE

Quelle est votre nationalité ? Veuillez indiquer le(s) pays qui s'applique(nt).

(PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)

CroatiaOther countriesDK

EB67.2 Q1

SloveniaBulgariaRomaniaTurkey

LithuaniaMaltaPolandSlovakia

Czech RepublicEstoniaHungaryLatvia

AustriaSwedenFinlandRepublic of Cyprus

LuxembourgNetherlands PortugalUnited Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland)

SpainFranceIrelandItaly

BelgiumDenmarkGermanyGreece

ASK ITEM 28 ONLY IN TURKEY

ASK ITEM 29 ONLY IN CROATIA

What is your nationality? Please tell me the country(ies) that applies(y).

(MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)


D15a D15a

D15b D15b

Autre ouvrier (non qualifié), personnel de maison 18 18

Contremaître, agent de maîtrise 16 16Ouvrier qualifié 17 17

Employé ne travaillant pas dans un bureau mais voyageant (vendeur, chauffeur, représentant, etc.)

14 14

Employé ne travaillant pas dans un bureau mais ayant une fonction de service (hôpital, restaurant, police, pompiers, etc.)

15 15

Cadre moyen 12 12

Employé travaillant la plupart du temps dans un bureau 13 13

Profession libérale salariée (docteur, avocat, comptable, architecte, etc.)

10 10

Cadre supérieur \ dirigeant (PDG\DG, Directeur, etc.) 11 11

Industriel, propriétaire (en tout ou en partie) d'une entreprise

9 9

SALARIES

Profession libérale (avocat, médecin, expert comptable, architecte, etc.)

7 7

Commerçant ou propriétaire d'un magasin, artisan ou autre travailleur indépendant

8 8

Agriculteur exploitant 5 5Pêcheur 6 6

A la retraite ou en congé de maladie prolongé 4 4INDEPENDANTS

Etudiants 2 2Au chômage \ temporairement sans emploi 3 3

INACTIFSEn charge des achats courants et des tâches ménagères ou sans aucune activité professionnelle

1 1

D15a D15bPROFESSION

ACTUELLEPROFESSION PRECEDENTE

SI AUTRE ou NSP ALORS FIN D'INTERVIEW

POSER D15b SI "PAS D'ACTIVITE ACTUELLE", CODES 1 à 4 en D15a

Quelle est votre profession actuelle ?

Exerciez-vous une activité professionnelle rémunérée auparavant ? Laquelle en dernier lieu ?

Other (unskilled) manual worker, servant 18 18

Supervisor 16 16Skilled manual worker 17 17

Employed position, not at a desk but travelling (salesmen, driver, etc.)

14 14

Employed position, not at a desk, but in a service job (hospital, restaurant, police, fireman, etc.)

15 15

Middle management, other management (department head, junior manager, teacher, technician)

12 12

Employed position, working mainly at a desk 13 13

Employed professional (employed doctor, lawyer, accountant, architect)

10 10

General management, director or top management (managing directors, director general, other director)

11 11

Business proprietors, owner (full or partner) of a company 9 9

EMPLOYED

Professional (lawyer, medical practitioner, accountant, architect, etc.)

7 7

Owner of a shop, craftsmen, other self-employed person 8 8

Farmer 5 5Fisherman 6 6

Retired or unable to work through illness 4 4SELF EMPLOYED

Student 2 2Unemployed or temporarily not working 3 3

NON-ACTIVEResponsible for ordinary shopping and looking after the home, or without any current occupation, not working

1 1

D15a D15bCURRENT

OCCUPATIONLAST

OCCUPATION

IF OTHER or DK THEN CLOSE INTERVIEW

ASK D15b IF "NOT DOING ANY PAID WORK CURRENTLY", CODES 1 to 4 in D15a

What is your current occupation?

Did you do any paid work in the past? What was your last occupation?


N'a jamais exercé d'activité professionnelle rémunérée 19 19

EB67.2 D15a D15b

Never did any paid work 19 19

EB67.2 D15a D15b


QE1 QE1

1 1

2 2

3 34 4

Il n’y a pas de ‘face commune’ aux pièces d’euro ; les deux faces sont différentes en fonction du pays qui les émetNSP

NEW

A votre avis, parmi les trois affirmations suivantes à propos des pièces d’euro, laquelle est correcte ?

(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – UNE SEULE REPONSE)

Les deux faces des pièces d’euro sont identiques quel que soit le pays dans lequel elles sont émisesLes pièces d’euro ont une face commune à tous les pays qui en produisent, et une face spécifique au pays qui les émet

POSER LES QE EN EUROZONE13

There is no 'common side' of euro coins; both sides are different depending on the issuing countryDK

NEW

In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro coins is the correct one?

(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY)

Both sides of euro coins are the same regardless of the issuing country

Euro coins have one side that is common to all countries issuing euro coins and one side that is specific to the issuing country

ASK QE IN EUROZONE13


QE2 QE2

1 12 23 34 45 56 67 78 8

NEW

Pièce 8 1 2 3Pièce 7 1 2 3Pièce 6 1 2 3Pièce 5 1 2 3Pièce 4 1 2 3Pièce 3 1 2 3Pièce 2 1 2 3Pièce 1 1 2 3

Pour chacune de ces images, pourriez-vous me dire si elle représente une véritable face de pièce d’euro ou non ?

(MONTRER CARTE AVEC LES FACES NATIONALES DES PIECES D’EURO – UNE REPONSE PAR LIGNE)

(LIRE) Oui Non NSP

NEW

Coin 8 1 2 3Coin 7 1 2 3Coin 6 1 2 3Coin 5 1 2 3Coin 4 1 2 3Coin 3 1 2 3Coin 2 1 2 3Coin 1 1 2 3

For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side.

(SHOW CARD WITH NATIONAL SIDES OF EURO COINS – ONE ANSWER PER LINE)

(READ OUT) Yes No DK


QE3 QE3

1 12 23 34 45 56 67 78 89 9

10 1011 11

NEW

50 cents et 2 cents50 cents et 5 centsAutre (SPONTANE)NSP

20 cents et 1 cent20 cents et 2 cents20 cents et 5 cents50 cents et 1 cent


10 cents et 1 cent10 cents et 2 cents10 cents et 5 cents

ENQ. : Placer une pièce de 20 cents d’euro et une pièce de 2 cents d’euro en face du répondant, avec la face nationale vers le dessus (c’est-à-dire avec l’indication de la valeur de la pièce non visible). Les pièces utilisées devraient être les pièces nationales du pays dans lequel a lieu l’interview, sauf en Autriche et en Grèce, où les pièces allemandes devraient être utilisées (la raison de cette exception tient en ce que, sur les pièces autrichiennes et grecques, la valeur est en fait également indiquée sur les faces nationales. Les pièces d’euro avec les faces nationales allemandes devraient dès lors être utilisées dans ces pays étant donné qu’elles sont en général les pièces nationales les plus couramment en circulation.

(S’ASSURER QUE LE REPONDANT NE VOIT PAS LA VALEUR DES DEUX PIECES)

Sans retourner les deux pièces suivantes, pourriez-vous me dire, parmi la liste suivante, quelle est la combinaison qui correspond aux valeurs de ces deux pièces ?

NEW

50 cents & 2 cents50 cents & 5 centsOther (SPONTANEOUS)DK

20 cents & 1 cent20 cents & 2 cents20 cents & 5 cents50 cents & 1 cent

(READ OUT – SHOW CARD – ONE ANSWER ONLY)

10 cents & 1 cent10 cents & 2 cents10 cents & 5 cents

INT.: Place one 20-cent coin and one 2-cent coin in front of the respondent, with the national sides up (i.e. with the indication of the face value not being visible). The coins should bear the normal national side of the country where the interview takes place, except in Austria and Greece, where the German coins should be used (the reason for this exception is that on Austrian and Greek coins the value is, in fact, indicated also on the national sides. Euro coins with the German national sides should therefore instead be used in these countries since they are the most frequent national sides in circulation overall).

(MAKE SURE THAT THE RESPONDENT DOES NOT SEE THE VALUE OF THE TWO COINS)

Without turning the following two coins, could you tell me what combination from the following list corresponds to the values of the two?


QE4 QE4

1 12 23 34 45 5

QE5 QE5

1 12 23 34 45 5

Non, jamaisNSP

NEW


Oui, plusieurs foisOui, quelques foisOui, mais une seule fois

NSP

NEW

A votre connaissance, avez-vous déjà accepté par erreur une pièce qui n’était pas une pièce d’euro ou un objet qui ressemble à une pièce au lieu d’une authentique pièce d’euro ?

Oui, plusieurs foisOui, quelques foisOui, mais une seule foisNon, jamais

A votre connaissance, avez-vous déjà accepté par erreur une fausse pièce au lieu d’une authentique pièce d’euro ?


No, neverDK

NEW


Yes, many timesYes, a few timesYes, but only once

DK

NEW

To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object instead of a genuine euro coin?

Yes, many timesYes, a few timesYes, but only onceNo, never

To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a fake coin instead of a genuine euro coin?



QE6 QE6

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 45 5

QE7 QE7

1, 1,2, 2,3, 3,4, 4,5, 5,6, 6,7, 7,8, 8,9, 9,

10, 10,11, 11,

Aucune (SPONTANE)Toutes (SPONTANE)NSP

NEW

La pièce jaune de 20 cents La pièce jaune de 50 cents La pièce bicolore d’1 euroLa pièce bicolore de 2 euros

La pièce rouge d’1 centLa pièce rouge de 2 cents La pièce rouge de 5 cents La pièce jaune de 10 cents

POSER QE7 SI " RETOURNE LES PIECES", CODE 2, 3 OU 4 EN QE6 - LES AUTRES ALLER EN QE8

Dans la liste suivante, quelles sont les pièces d’euro pour lesquelles vous éprouvez des difficultés à identifier la valeur ?

(MONTRER CARTE – LIRE – PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)

Vous devez fréquemment retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de sa valeurVous devez toujours retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de sa valeurNSP

NEW

Certaines personnes éprouvent des difficultés à faire la distinction entre la valeur des pièces d’euro. Elles ont besoin de retourner les pièces pour être certaines de leur valeur. Parmi les situations suivantes, laquelle correspond le mieux à la vôtre ?


Vous ne devez jamais retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de sa valeurVous devez occasionnellement retourner une pièce d’euro pour être certain(e) de sa valeur

NONE (SPONTANEOUS)ALL OF THEM (SPONTANEOUS)DK

NEW

The yellow 20 cents coinThe yellow 50 cents coinThe bi-colour 1 euro coinThe bi-colour 2 euros coin

The red 1 cent coinThe red 2 cents coinThe red 5 cents coinThe yellow 10 cents coin

ASK QE7 IF "TURN THE COINS", CODE 2, 3 OR 4 IN QE6 - OTHERS GO TO QE8

For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in identifying the value?

(SHOW CARD – READ OUT – MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)

You frequently have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value

You always have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value

DK

NEW

Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the coins to be sure of their value. Which of the following situations corresponds best to you?


You never have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value

You occasionally have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its value


QE8 QE8

1 12 23 34 4

QE9a QE9a

1, 1,

2, 2,3, 3,4, 4,5, 5,

Autre (SPONTANE – SPECIFIER)NSP

NEW


C’est un signe de la diversité culturelle en EuropeVous aimez voir un symbole national de (NOTRE PAYS) sur les pièces d’euroAvoir plus de diversité rend les pièces plus intéressantes

NEW

POSER QE9a SI "C'EST UNE BONNE CHOSE", CODE 1 EN QE8 - SI "C'EST UNE MAUVAISE CHOSE", CODE 2 EN QE8 ALLER EN QA9b - LES AUTRES ALLER EN QE10

Quels sont les raisons qui expliquent le mieux pourquoi vous pensez que c’est une bonne chose que les pièces d’euro aient des faces nationales qui sont différentes d’un pays à l’autre ?

C’est une bonne chose C’est une mauvaise choseCe n’est ni une bonne ni une mauvaise chose (SPONTANE)NSP

A TOUS

Diriez-vous que c’est une bonne chose ou une mauvaise chose que les pièces d’euro aient des faces nationales qui sont différentes d’un pays à l’autre ?


Other (SPONTANEOUS – SPECIFY)DK

NEW


It is an expression of the cultural diversity in EuropeYou like to see a national symbol of (OUR COUNTRY) on the euro coins


NEW

ASK QE9a IF "IT IS A GOOD THING", CODE 1 IN QE8 - IF "IT IS A BAD THING", CODE 2 IN QE8 GO TO QE9b - OTHERS GO TO QE10

What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?

It is a good thing It is a bad thing It is neither a good nor a bad thing (SPONTANEOUS)DK

ASK ALL

Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?



QE9b QE9b

1, 1,

2, 2,3, 3,4, 4,5, 5,

NEW

Une monnaie qui est commune à plusieurs pays devrait ressembler à la même chose partoutVous n’aimez pas certains motifs nationauxAutre (SPONTANE – SPECIFIER)NSP

Quels sont les raisons qui expliquent le mieux pourquoi vous pensez que c’est une mauvaise chose que les pièces d’euro aient des faces nationales qui sont différentes d’un pays à l’autre ?


La diversité des motifs porte à confusion

POSER QE9b SI "C'EST UNE MAUVAISE CHOSE", CODE 2 EN QE8 - LES AUTRES ALLER EN QE10

NEW

A currency that is common to several countries should look the same everywhereYou do not like some national designsOther (SPONTANEOUS – SPECIFY)DK

What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?


The variety of designs is confusing

ASK QE9b IF "IT IS A BAD THING", CODE 2 IN QE8 - OTHERS GO TO QE10


QE10 QE10

1 1

2 2

NEW

4 5

Les pièces d’euro devraient avoir deux faces européennes communes qui ne sont pas différentes d’un pays à l’autre

1 2 3 4 5

Les pays de la zone euro devraient pouvoir introduire de nouvelles faces nationales de pièces d’euro aussi souvent qu’ils le souhaitent

1 2 3

(MONTRER CARTE AVEC ECHELLE – UNE REPONSE PAR LIGNE)

(LIRE) Tout à fait d’accord

Plutôt d’accord

Plutôt pas d’accord

Pas du tout

d’accord

NSP

A TOUS

En fait, les pays de la zone euro ne peuvent pas changer la face nationale de leurs pièces d’euro, sauf en cas de changement du Chef d’Etat représenté sur les pièces. De plus, ils peuvent mettre en circulation chaque année un volume limité de pièces commémoratives de 2 euros avec une face nationale différente. Pour chacune des affirmations suivantes, pouvez-vous me dire si vous êtes d’accord ou pas d’accord avec celle-ci ?

NEW

4 5

Euro coins should have two common European sides that are not different from country to country

1 2 3 4 5

Euro-area countries should be allowed to introduce new national sides of euro coins as often as they wish

1 2 3

(SHOW CARD WITH SCALE – ONE ANSWER PER LINE)

( READ OUT) Totally agree

Tend to agree

Tend to disagree

Totally disagree

DK

ASK ALL

As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a limited volume of a commemorative 2-euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.


D1 D1

1 Left

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Right

1 Gauche

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Droit

e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 11

12 12

D7 D7

1 12 23 34 4

5 56 67 78 89 9

10 10

EB67.2 D7

Séparé(e)Veuf\Veuve Autre (SPONTANE)Refus (SPONTANE)

Célibataire vivant actuellement en couple Célibataire n'ayant jamais vécu en coupleCélibataire ayant déjà vécu en couple dans le passé mais actuellement seul(e)Divorcé(e)

Pouvez-vous m'indiquer la lettre qui correspond le mieux à votre situation actuelle ?

(MONTRER CARTE - LIRE - UNE SEULE REPONSE)

Marié(e)Remarié(e)

Refus (SPONTANE)

NSP

EB67.2 D1

PAS DE QUESTIONS D2 A D6

DEMOGRAPHIQUES

A propos de politique, les gens parlent de "droite" et de "gauche". Vous-même, voudriez-vous situer votre position sur cette échelle ?

(MONTRER CARTE) - (ENQ. : NE RIEN SUGGERER. SI LA PERSONNE HESITE, INSISTER)

EB67.2 D7

SeparatedWidowedOther (SPONTANEOUS)Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)

Unmarried, currently living with partnerUnmarried, having never lived with a partnerUnmarried, having previously lived with a partner, but now on my own

Divorced

Could you give me the letter which corresponds best to your own current situation?

(SHOW CARD - READ OUT - ONE ANSWER ONLY)

MarriedRemarried

Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)

DK

EB67.2 D1

NO QUESTIONS D2 TO D6

DEMOGRAPHICS

In political matters people talk of "the left" and "the right".How would you place your views on this scale?

(SHOW CARD) - (INT.: DO NOT PROMPT - IF CONTACT HESITATES, TRY AGAIN)


D8 D8

D10 D10

1 12 2

D11 D11

D25 D25

1 12 23 34 4

EB67.2 D25

Dans une commune ruraleDans une ville petite ou moyenneDans une grande villeNSP


Diriez-vous que vous vivez … ?

(LIRE)

EB67.2 D10

Quel est votre âge ?

EB67.2 D11


PAS DE QUESTION D9

Sexe du répondant.

HommeFemme

A quel âge avez-vous arrêté vos études à temps complet ?

(ENQ. : SI "ETUDIE ENCORE", CODER ‘00’ - SI "PAS D'ETUDE" CODER '01' - SI "REFUS" CODER '98' - SI "DK" CODER '99')

EB67.2 D8

EB67.2 D25

Rural area or villageSmall or middle sized townLarge townDK

D15a AND D15b ASKED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE


Would you say you live in a...?

(READ OUT)

EB67.2 D10

How old are you?

EB67.2 D11

NO QUESTION D12 TO D14

NO QUESTION D9

Gender.

MaleFemale

How old were you when you stopped full-time education?

(INT.: IF "STILL STUDYING", CODE ‘00’ - IF "NO EDUCATION" CODE '01' - IF "REFUSAL" CODE '98' - IF "DK" CODE '99')

EB67.2 D8


D40a D40a

D40b D40b

D40c D40c

D41 D41

1 12 23 34 45 56 6

En Asie, en Afrique ou en Amérique latineEn Amérique du Nord, au Japon ou en OcéanieRefus (SPONTANE)

EB67.2 D41


En (NOTRE PAYS)Dans un autre Etat membre de l’Union européenneEn Europe, mais pas dans un Etat membre de l’Union européenne

Pouvez-vous me dire combien d’enfants de 10 à 14 ans vivent dans votre foyer ?

(ENQ. : LIRE - NOTER EN CLAIR)

EB67.2 D40c

Vous-même, êtes-vous né(e) ?

EB67.2 D40a

Pouvez-vous me dire combien d’enfants de moins de 10 ans vivent dans votre foyer ?


EB67.2 D40b


Pouvez-vous me dire combien de personnes âgées de 15 ans et plus vivent dans votre foyer, y compris vous-même ?


In Asia, in Africa or in Latin AmericaIn Northern America, in Japan or in OceaniaRefusal (SPONTANEOUS)

EB67.2 D41


In (OUR COUNTRY)In another Member Country of the European UnionIn Europe, but not in a Member Country of the European Union

Could you tell me how many children aged 10 to 14 years old live in your household?

(INT.: READ OUT - WRITE DOWN)

EB67.2 D40c

You personally, were you born…?

EB67.2 D40a

Could you tell me how many children less than 10 years old live in your household?


EB67.2 D40b


Could you tell me how many people aged 15 years or more live in your household, yourself included?



D42 D42

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 45 56 6

D43a D43a

D43b D43b

Non 2 2

EB67.2 D43a D43b

Fixe MobileOui 1 1

EB67.2 D42

Possédez-vous un téléphone fixe dans votre foyer ?

Possédez-vous un téléphone mobile\ GSM\ portable personnel ?

D43a D43b

Votre mère et votre père sont nés dans un autre Etat membre de l’UE

Un de vos parents est né en (NOTRE PAYS) et l’autre est né en dehors de l’UEVotre père et votre mère sont nés en dehors de l’UENSP\ Refus (SPONTANE)

Laquelle de ces propositions correspond à votre situation ?


Votre mère et votre père sont nés en (NOTRE PAYS)L’un de vos parents est né en (NOTRE PAYS) et l’autre est né dans un autre Etat membre de l’UE

No 2 2

EB67.2 D43a D43b

Fixed MobileYes 1 1

EB67.2 D42

Do you own a fixed telephone in your household?

Do you own a personal mobile telephone?

D43a D43b

Your mother and your father were born in another Member State of the EU

One of your parents was born in (OUR COUNTRY) and the other was born outside of the EUYour mother and your father were born outside the EUDK\ Refusal (SPONTANEOUS)

Which of these proposals corresponds to your situation?


Your mother and your father were born in (OUR COUNTRY)One of your parents was born in (OUR COUNTRY) and the other was born in another Member State of the EU


D46 D46

1, 1,2, 2,3, 3,4, 4,5, 5,6, 6,7, 7,8, 8,9, 9,

10, 10,Aucun (SPONTANE)NSP

EB67.2 D46

Une connexion Internet à la maison Une voitureUn appartement\ Une maison que vous avez fini de payerUn appartement\ Une maison que vous êtes en train de payer

Une télévisionUn lecteur DVDUn lecteur CD audioUn ordinateur


Parmi les biens suivants, lesquels possédez-vous ?

(MONTRER CARTE - LIRE - PLUSIEURS REPONSES POSSIBLES)

None (SPONTANEOUS)DK

EB67.2 D46

An Internet connection at homeA carAn apartment\ a house which you have finished paying forAn apartment\ a house which you are paying for

TelevisionDVD playerMusic CD playerComputer


Which of the following goods do you have?

(SHOW CARD - READ OUT - MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)


P1 P1

P2 P2

P3 P3

P4 P4

1 12 23 34 4

P5 P5

1 12 23 34 4

BonneMoyenneMédiocre

EB67.2 P5

Cinq et plus

EB67.2 P4

Coopération du répondant

Excellente

Nombre de personnes présentes pendant l'interview, l'enquêteur inclus.

Deux (l'enquêteur et le répondant)TroisQuatre

EB67.2 P2

DUREE DE L'INTERVIEW EN MINUTES

MINUTES

EB67.2 P3

HEURE DU DEBUT DE L'INTERVIEW

(ENQ. : DE 0 A 23 HEURE)

HEURE MINUTES

DATE DE L'INTERVIEW

JOUR MOIS

EB67.2 P1

PROTOCOLE D'INTERVIEW

FairAverageBad

EB67.2 P5

Five or more

EB67.2 P4

Respondent cooperation

Excellent

Number of persons present during the interview, including interviewer

Two (interviewer and respondent)ThreeFour

EB67.2 P2

NUMBER OF MINUTES THE INTERVIEW LASTED

MINUTES

EB67.2 P3

TIME OF THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEW

(INT.: USE 24 HOUR CLOCK)

HOUR MINUTES

DATE OF INTERVIEW

DAY MONTH

EB67.2 P1

INTERVIEW PROTOCOLE


P6 P6

P7 P7

P8 P8

P9 P9

P10 P10

P11 P11 Facteur de pondération

EB67.2 P11

N° point de chute

EB67.2 P9

N° enquêteur

EB67.2 P10

(CODES LOCAUX)

EB67.2 P7

Code postal

EB67.2 P8

Catégorie d'habitat

(CODES LOCAUX)

EB67.2 P6

Région

Weighting factor

EB67.2 P11

Sample point number

EB67.2 P9

Interviewer number

EB67.2 P10

(LOCAL CODES)

EB67.2 P7

Postal code

EB67.2 P8

Size of locality

(LOCAL CODES)

EB67.2 P6

Region


P13 P13

1 12 23 3

Langue 1Langue 2Langue 3

EB67.2 P13

POSER UNIQUEMENT en LU, BE, ES, FI, EE, LV, MT and TR

Langue de l'interview

Language 1Language 2Language 3

EB67.2 P13

ASK ONLY in LU, BE, ES, FI, EE, LV, MT and TR

Language of interview


EB67.3

Special EB N°287 “National Sides of Euro Coins” (note about QE3)

In Finland, 5-cent coins have been used instead of 2-cent coin as the Finnish 2-cent coin doesn’t exist.

EB Spécial N°287 “Les faces nationales des pièces en euro” (note à propos de la QE3)

En Finlande, des pièces de 5 centimes d’euro ont été utilisées à la place des pièces de 2 centimes d’euro, car les pièces finnoises de 2 centimes n’existent pas.

TABLES

TOTALBoth sides of euro coins are the same regardless of the issuing

country

Euro coins have one side that is common to all countries issuing euro coins and one side that is specific to the issuing country

There is no 'common side' of euro coins; both sides are different

depending on the issuing countryDK

EURO ZONE 13201 4% 73% 14% 9%BE 1040 3% 82% 12% 3%D-W 1003 2% 85% 8% 5%DE 1510 2% 85% 8% 5%D-E 507 2% 88% 9% 1%EL 1000 12% 72% 14% 2%ES 1007 4% 66% 14% 16%FR 1039 4% 75% 15% 6%IE 1003 5% 68% 16% 11%IT 1017 6% 55% 24% 15%LU 510 2% 85% 10% 3%NL 1001 2% 86% 10% 2%AT 1009 3% 75% 14% 8%PT 1002 9% 63% 17% 11%SI 1037 5% 78% 11% 6%FI 1026 4% 87% 7% 2%

QE1 In your opinion, which of the three following statements on euro coins is the correct one?

TOTAL Yes No DKEURO ZONE 13201 78% 12% 10%BE 1040 78% 16% 6%D-W 1003 91% 6% 3%DE 1510 92% 5% 3%D-E 507 95% 3% 2%EL 1000 84% 15% 1%ES 1007 69% 13% 18%FR 1039 74% 14% 12%IE 1003 70% 13% 17%IT 1017 71% 15% 14%LU 510 87% 6% 7%NL 1001 83% 10% 7%AT 1009 89% 5% 6%PT 1002 65% 14% 21%SI 1037 62% 21% 17%FI 1026 71% 18% 11%

2 euro coin (Germany)

QE2.1 For each of the following images, could you please tell me whether or not it represents a genuine euro coin side? (cf. document 'Euro Coins QE2')


Fake coin 1



50-cent coin (Spain)



1 euro coin (Italy)



Fake coin 2



2 euro coin (France)



Fake coin 3



50-cent coin (Germany)


TOTAL10 cents & 1

cent10 cents & 2

cents10 cents & 5

cents20 cents & 1

cent20 cents & 2

cents20 cents & 5

cents50 cents & 1

cent50 cents & 2

cents50 cents & 5

cents

Other (SPONTANEOU

S)DK

EURO ZONE 13201 1% 4% 3% 5% 59% 15% 1% 1% 2% 2% 7%BE 1040 1% 6% 2% 2% 53% 28% - 1% 3% 3% 1%D-W 1003 2% 3% 2% 6% 63% 10% - 3% 1% 1% 9%DE 1510 1% 3% 2% 6% 63% 11% 1% 2% 1% 1% 9%D-E 507 1% 3% 3% 5% 61% 14% 1% 1% 1% 1% 9%EL 1000 1% 1% 2% 5% 54% 26% 1% 2% 4% 3% 1%ES 1007 - 2% 1% 4% 68% 13% - 1% 1% 2% 8%FR 1039 1% 6% 5% 5% 52% 23% - 1% 3% 4% - IE 1003 4% 5% 3% 7% 62% 8% - - 1% 1% 9%IT 1017 2% 4% 3% 6% 60% 7% 1% 1% 1% 2% 13%LU 510 1% 3% - 3% 58% 25% - 2% 4% 1% 3%NL 1001 4% 9% 2% 7% 59% 11% - 1% 2% 2% 3%AT 1009 2% 6% 3% 9% 62% 8% - 2% 2% - 6%PT 1002 3% 7% 2% 5% 54% 6% 1% 2% 1% 3% 16%SI 1037 1% 5% 4% 3% 30% 35% 1% 4% 12% 2% 3%FI 1026 - - 11% 1% 2% 76% - - 5% 2% 3%

QE3 Without turning the following two coins (20-cent coin and 2-cent coin), could you tell me what combination from the following list corresponds to the values of the two? (see document "ReadMe Euro Coins QE3")

TOTAL Yes, many times Yes, a few times Yes, but only once No, never DK YesEURO ZONE 13201 4% 14% 9% 62% 11% 27%BE 1040 4% 11% 12% 67% 6% 27%D-W 1003 1% 8% 5% 72% 14% 14%DE 1510 1% 8% 5% 73% 13% 14%D-E 507 - 7% 6% 77% 10% 13%EL 1000 3% 9% 13% 74% 1% 25%ES 1007 2% 13% 6% 67% 12% 21%FR 1039 11% 18% 13% 48% 10% 42%IE 1003 4% 19% 7% 58% 12% 30%IT 1017 4% 24% 10% 51% 11% 38%LU 510 3% 5% 12% 74% 6% 20%NL 1001 1% 7% 16% 63% 13% 24%AT 1009 4% 12% 4% 43% 37% 20%PT 1002 3% 10% 5% 76% 6% 18%SI 1037 - 2% 4% 88% 6% 6%FI 1026 1% 5% 4% 86% 4% 10%

QE4 To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a fake coin instead of a genuine euro coin?

TOTAL Yes, many times Yes, a few times Yes, but only once No, never DK YesEURO ZONE 13201 3% 15% 12% 62% 8% 30%BE 1040 4% 11% 19% 64% 2% 34%D-W 1003 1% 11% 7% 69% 12% 19%DE 1510 1% 11% 8% 70% 10% 20%D-E 507 1% 11% 13% 71% 4% 25%EL 1000 3% 8% 14% 75% - 25%ES 1007 1% 10% 6% 71% 12% 17%FR 1039 9% 15% 16% 54% 6% 40%IE 1003 4% 22% 10% 55% 9% 36%IT 1017 3% 28% 13% 50% 6% 44%LU 510 4% 7% 17% 69% 3% 28%NL 1001 - 10% 22% 61% 7% 32%AT 1009 4% 15% 7% 42% 32% 26%PT 1002 3% 10% 6% 77% 4% 19%SI 1037 - 3% 8% 86% 3% 11%FI 1026 1% 9% 10% 76% 4% 20%

QE5 To your knowledge, have you ever mistakenly accepted a non-euro coin or a coin-like object instead of a genuine euro coin?

TOTALYou never have to turn a euro

coin to be sure of its value

You occasionally have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its

value

You frequently have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its

value

You always have to turn a euro coin to be sure of its

valueDK

EURO ZONE 13201 36% 40% 14% 8% 2%BE 1040 27% 44% 16% 13% - D-W 1003 32% 46% 13% 7% 2%DE 1510 33% 45% 13% 7% 2%D-E 507 36% 40% 16% 8% - EL 1000 35% 25% 19% 21% - ES 1007 47% 37% 10% 5% 1%FR 1039 32% 38% 19% 9% 2%IE 1003 44% 39% 10% 5% 2%IT 1017 36% 39% 12% 9% 4%LU 510 39% 43% 11% 7% - NL 1001 29% 49% 14% 8% - AT 1009 28% 41% 20% 8% 3%PT 1002 44% 34% 13% 7% 2%SI 1037 18% 35% 18% 28% 1%FI 1026 51% 36% 10% 3% -

QE6 Some people have difficulty in distinguishing the value of euro coins. They need to turn the coins to be sure of their value. Which of the following situations corresponds best to you?

TOTALThe red 1 cent

coinThe red 2 cents coin






The bi-colour 2 euros coin

None (SPONTANEOU

S)

All of them (SPONTANEOU

S)DK

EURO ZONE 8225 30% 57% 44% 30% 40% 21% 11% 15% 7% 4% 3%BE 754 39% 73% 58% 30% 32% 14% 5% 7% 8% 1% 0%D-W 664 20% 50% 38% 24% 44% 27% 10% 14% 8% 1% 3%DE 992 20% 51% 38% 24% 44% 26% 11% 15% 8% 1% 3%D-E 322 24% 54% 40% 22% 41% 25% 14% 18% 9% 1% - EL 654 56% 79% 72% 46% 49% 29% 19% 23% 1% 16% - ES 520 30% 62% 52% 28% 36% 25% 16% 21% 11% 10% 6%FR 687 39% 73% 58% 28% 34% 16% 8% 8% 7% 2% 1%IE 540 42% 62% 49% 36% 41% 25% 24% 19% 3% 10% 3%IT 603 28% 47% 33% 28% 33% 13% 6% 14% 7% 1% 5%LU 312 39% 72% 59% 25% 34% 18% 6% 6% 9% 3% 0%NL 707 24% 44% 27% 48% 63% 25% 19% 20% 5% 3% 1%AT 696 37% 61% 47% 57% 63% 34% 27% 21% 2% 12% 4%PT 547 17% 31% 21% 16% 22% 15% 8% 21% 12% 1% 11%SI 842 51% 75% 63% 42% 49% 38% 20% 19% 8% 14% 2%FI 504 12% 12% 10% 35% 63% 40% 15% 9% 11% 2% 2%

(IF 'TURN THE COINS', CODE 2,3 OR 4 IN QE6)

QE7 For which of the following euro coins do you have difficulties in identifying the value? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)

TOTAL It is a good thing It is a bad thing It is neither a good nor a bad thing

(SPONTANEOUS)DK

EURO ZONE 13201 57% 9% 28% 6%BE 1040 65% 9% 24% 2%D-W 1003 65% 6% 25% 4%DE 1510 66% 7% 24% 3%D-E 507 72% 7% 20% 1%EL 1000 78% 6% 16% - ES 1007 46% 7% 36% 11%FR 1039 70% 9% 18% 3%IE 1003 65% 5% 23% 7%IT 1017 31% 16% 41% 12%LU 510 82% 3% 14% 1%NL 1001 76% 6% 16% 2%AT 1009 53% 7% 35% 5%PT 1002 43% 12% 39% 6%SI 1037 75% 7% 14% 4%FI 1026 77% 8% 13% 2%

QE8 Would you say that it is a good thing or a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country?

TOTALIt is an expression of the

cultural diversity in Europe

You like to see a national symbol of (OUR COUNTRY)

on the euro coins


Other (SPONTANEOUS) DK

EURO ZONE 7544 65% 30% 28% 1% 1%BE 676 62% 30% 34% 1% 1%D-W 651 72% 22% 35% - 1%DE 1001 70% 22% 36% - 1%D-E 365 63% 24% 40% - 1%EL 777 57% 56% 19% - - ES 466 58% 38% 21% 1% 3%FR 732 69% 26% 28% 2% 1%IE 651 48% 50% 12% 1% 1%IT 317 64% 25% 18% 1% 2%LU 420 56% 36% 41% 3% 2%NL 762 57% 37% 27% 1% 2%AT 534 62% 44% 39% - 0%PT 426 58% 34% 19% 1% 1%SI 782 66% 52% 31% 2% 1%FI 787 59% 31% 40% 1% 0%

(IF 'IT IS A GOOD THING', CODE 1 IN QE8)QE9a What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a good thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)

TOTALThe variety of designs is

confusing

A currency that is common to several countries should look

the same everywhere

You do not like some national designs

Other (SPONTANEOUS – SPECIFY)

DK

EURO ZONE 1209 46% 56% 5% 2% 2%BE 90 36% 61% 6% 4% 1%D-W 66 56% 51% 1% 1% 2%DE 102 52% 52% 1% 4% 3%D-E 38 39% 53% - 13% 5%EL 65 75% 55% - - - ES 71 56% 54% 5% 1% 3%FR 91 30% 77% 4% 3% 3%IE 50 58% 41% - - 9%IT 161 50% 44% 7% 0% 1%LU 14 38% 91% - - - NL 64 37% 64% - 13% 2%AT 76 50% 53% 8% - - PT 124 14% 76% 11% - 2%SI 73 52% 51% 16% 8% 9%FI 86 40% 60% 3% 5% 3%

(IF 'IT IS A BAD THING', CODE 2 IN QE8)QE9b What are the reasons that explain best why you think it is a bad thing that euro coins have national sides that are different from country to country? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)

TOTAL Totally agree Tend to agree Tend to disagree Totally disagree DK Agree DisagreeEURO ZONE 13201 12% 25% 23% 26% 14% 37% 49%BE 1040 8% 19% 29% 40% 4% 27% 69%D-W 1003 15% 17% 23% 36% 9% 32% 59%DE 1510 15% 17% 24% 36% 8% 32% 60%D-E 507 17% 17% 23% 39% 4% 34% 62%EL 1000 26% 35% 21% 16% 2% 61% 37%ES 1007 11% 31% 16% 9% 33% 42% 25%FR 1039 10% 22% 27% 29% 12% 32% 56%IE 1003 10% 24% 18% 23% 25% 34% 41%IT 1017 9% 32% 24% 19% 16% 41% 43%LU 510 11% 16% 23% 43% 7% 27% 66%NL 1001 9% 10% 24% 52% 5% 19% 76%AT 1009 18% 37% 23% 11% 11% 55% 34%PT 1002 11% 34% 21% 14% 20% 45% 35%SI 1037 7% 20% 25% 37% 11% 27% 62%FI 1026 9% 22% 28% 36% 5% 31% 64%

Euro-area countries should be allowed to introduce new national sides of euro coins as often as they wish

QE10.1 As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a limited volume of a commemorative 2-euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.

TOTAL Totally agree Tend to agree Tend to disagree Totally disagree DK Agree DisagreeEURO ZONE 13201 12% 18% 28% 29% 13% 30% 57%BE 1040 13% 15% 33% 36% 3% 28% 69%D-W 1003 14% 13% 23% 42% 8% 27% 65%DE 1510 13% 13% 25% 42% 7% 26% 67%D-E 507 9% 12% 31% 44% 4% 21% 75%EL 1000 15% 15% 36% 33% 1% 30% 69%ES 1007 9% 22% 25% 13% 31% 31% 38%FR 1039 11% 16% 29% 34% 10% 27% 63%IE 1003 8% 12% 25% 32% 23% 20% 57%IT 1017 13% 30% 29% 14% 14% 43% 43%LU 510 5% 4% 21% 64% 6% 9% 85%NL 1001 12% 6% 27% 52% 3% 18% 79%AT 1009 11% 20% 33% 25% 11% 31% 58%PT 1002 10% 28% 32% 9% 21% 38% 41%SI 1037 7% 12% 24% 47% 10% 19% 71%FI 1026 10% 12% 29% 43% 6% 22% 72%

Euro coins should have two common European sides that are not different from country to country

QE10.2 As a matter of fact, euro-area countries cannot change their national sides of euro coins, except when the Head of State depicted on a coin changes. In addition, euro-area countries are allowed to issue a limited volume of a commemorative 2-euro circulation coin with a different national side each year. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree with it or not.

National sides of euro coins Full report

Documents

Transcript of National sides of euro coins Full report