If a referendum on Croatia's European Union membership were organised now, the majority of Croatians who would vote would opt for accession, according to a public opinion survey whose results were released on Wednesday.
The April survey by the Ipsos Puls-Public Affairs agency shows that 76 per cent of Croatians would vote in a referendum on the country's accession to the EU, of whom 53 per cent would vote for accession.
The survey covered 1,000 citizens and was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
It also shows that 40 per cent of those who would vote in the referendum would vote against Croatia's EU membership, while seven per cent would be undecided.
EU accession is supported by 46 per cent of men, 40 per cent of women, 46 per cent of those older than 65, 45 per cent of those aged 45-64, 49 per cent of those with a university degree, 46 per cent of those who finished high school, and 35 per cent of those who finished elementary school.
Broken down by region, EU accession enjoys the highest support in Slavonia (46%), followed by Lika and Banovina (43%), and Zagreb, northern Croatia and Dalmatia (42%).
The survey also shows a constant increase in the percentage of those who would vote in the referendum, 76 per cent, up from 65 per cent in June last year, 71 per cent in September and 73 per cent in December.
Asked about positive expectations of EU memberships, citizens mentioned mobility, more jobs, an open market, judicial reform, rule of law, better living standards, less corruption, progress, economic stability, EU funds, and more order.
As for negative expectations, citizens mentioned loss of political independence and national identity, a bad influence on agriculture and the economy, higher imports and competition, and strict laws.
