What Makes Us Happy in the EU? The Decline of Unhealthy Companies Relying on the State

Croatia will become the 28th member of the European Union on Monday, bringing a series of changes to our daily lives. What changes excite citizens the most was explored by the portal MojPosao in a survey conducted with over 500 respondents.

The majority of respondents, 36%, are most excited about the possibility of accessing the EU labor market, which they believe offers greater opportunities for finding jobs and ‘a much larger selection of jobs than in Croatia and a greater choice of employers.’ 

Respondents comment that ‘there is no place for young, ambitious, and highly educated people in Croatia’ and hope that the EU labor market has ‘less nepotism than in Croatia and a greater selection of job opportunities.’ 

Lower food prices are a change that pleases 18% of respondents, although some of them point out that we already have ‘European prices and Croatian salaries.’
For 16% of respondents, the best change is the abolition of customs duties, which will also facilitate online shopping.

Employment support (for youth) is a measure that 16% of respondents are looking forward to. 
For 6% of respondents, the greatest joy comes from lower telecommunications service prices, while some of them also express happiness about the possibility of other price reductions, such as electricity.
The remaining 9% of respondents are pleased with other changes brought by Croatia’s entry into the EU. Among them, they highlight higher salaries, the absence of monopolies, and the possibility of traveling and staying abroad. 

One respondent adds that ‘there are no illusions that the EU has its flaws,’ but hopes that with Croatia’s entry into the European Union, laws punishing offenders will be applied more rigorously. Another respondent emphasizes that the change that excites him the most is the increased competitiveness of the entire economy: ‘The decline of unhealthy organizations relying on state aid and the opening of space for businesses based on healthy foundations.’