08 May 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll 2025 with Amárach Research reveals, a significant majority in Northern Ireland (60%) do not believe that the post-Brexit reset in EU-UK relations has improved Northern Ireland’s relationship with the EU, despite the recent bilateral meetings and agreements between EU leaders and the UK Government.
Respondents across the island of Ireland said they would support a united Ireland within the EU, with 67% in Northern Ireland and 62% in Ireland in favour. However, those against a united Ireland in the EU is higher in the North (27%) compared to the South (16%), while a greater number of people in the Republic (22%) say they don’t know, in comparison to just 7% in Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the findings of the poll, Noelle O Connell, CEO European Movement Ireland said: “After more than a decade of tracking public sentiment, this year’s findings provide valuable insights into the current public sentiment on EU issues across the island of Ireland. As we continue to navigate the evolving reset of EU-UK relations, it is important that the voices of communities across Northern Ireland are heard and considered into the future. Listening to these perspectives is essential to strengthening trust and engagement in the years ahead.”
Support for Ireland’s membership of the EU remains strong in Northern Ireland, rising by 1% to 77% in 2025, compared to 82% in the Republic. Similarly in both jurisdictions, a majority in Northern Ireland (47%) approve of the direction the EU is moving in, though dissatisfaction is higher at 33%, compared to 26% in the Republic, with 19% of respondents in Northern Ireland stating they don’t know (27% ROI).
In addition, a majority in Northern Ireland (52%) believe the EU is effectively upholding its values, closely aligned with the Republic (51%), though 39% in the North disagree and 9% don’t know. Respondents in Northern Ireland expressed their dissatisfaction with the EU on matters such as, economic and regulatory issues (30%), migration (22%) and militarisation concerns (19%). Migration was found to be the EU’s weakest rated area of performance according to 50% in the North and 51% in the South.
Ms. O Connell said; “This year, support for the Ireland’s EU membership has risen to 77% in Northern Ireland, reflecting the enduring value placed on the EU across this island. However, the poll has identified a range of concerns, with economic and regulatory issues (30%) topping the list. Our poll comes at a time when debate surrounding the Windsor Framework’s implementation continues, given this, it’s crucial to maintain open dialogue and consultation through the EU-UK reset. This will help address challenges and ensure the unique benefits of Northern Ireland’s access to the EU’s single market are fully realised for businesses, stakeholders and communities alike.”
Respondents in Northern Ireland expressed most concern about the EU’s response to the Israel-Palestine conflict (52%), followed by the EU’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict (49%), migration (48%), security and defence (44%) and EU-US relations (41%). In the Republic, the cost of living (56% ROI, 38% NI) and housing (41% ROI, 22% NI) were of greater concern in comparison to Northern Ireland.
The EU continues to perform strongly on trade competence, with 49% in Northern Ireland and 40% in Ireland rating its performance. This represents only a 6% decline on last year’s polling (46% ROI, 55% NI 2024). The EU has also fared well on its management of the European economy (21%) in the Republic.
Responding to the EU’s performance across key areas of EU responsibility, Ms. O Connell said; “Notably, the EU has maintained confidence in trade performance despite tariff uncertainty in both jurisdictions, demonstrating its capacity to adapt and deliver amid evolving geopolitics shaping future trade relations.”
In Northern Ireland (39%), similar to the Republic, (40%), the majority of respondents do not trust any institution. The EU is, however, the most trusted institution in Northern Ireland at 29%, followed by the Irish Government at 19%. An extremely low level of trust was expressed in the UK Government (7%) and the Northern Ireland Executive at just 6%.
Now in its twelfth year, the annual European Movement Ireland Poll is the only island of Ireland poll dedicated to European affairs.