Most Europeans believe their country’s state pension system will soon become unaffordable, yet they also consider the current benefits too low and oppose reforms like raising the retirement age.
As populations age and birth rates fall, Europe’s “pay-as-you-go” state pension systems—where current workers fund retirees’ benefits—are under growing strain. Efforts to reform these systems have faced strong, sometimes violent, resistance in countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. A YouGov poll across six countries highlights the public opinion challenge facing governments.
Many recognize the financial trouble: majorities in Italy, France, Germany, and Spain (52–61%) said their system is already unaffordable, as did 45% in Poland. In the UK, the figure was 32%. Looking ahead, pessimism deepens: between 49% and 66% across all six countries believe the system will be unaffordable by the time today’s 30- and 40-year-olds retire.
Retirees are more optimistic about affordability, especially in the UK, where 62% of pensioners see the system as sustainable, compared to just 27% of non-retirees.
Despite acknowledging unsustainable costs, majorities (53–83%) in all countries feel pension payments are too low—a sentiment even stronger (72–88%) among current retirees. Most European pensioners rely on state pensions, and majorities of working-age people (57% in Germany and the UK to 72% in Italy) lack confidence they will have a comfortable retirement.
When asked about measures to make pensions more affordable, there was clear reluctance to accept reforms many governments are pursuing. The poll found net opposition in all six countries to raising the pension age, increasing taxes on workers, requiring children to support retired parents, or reducing pension amounts.
Resistance to raising the retirement age was strong, with opposition ranging from 47% in France to 65% in Germany. Many preferred lower retirement ages: 20% in the UK to 38% in Poland favored age 60, while 22% (Italy) to 45% (UK) supported age 65. In France, 22% preferred the current age of 62.
Opposition to cutting pension benefits was even stronger, ranging from 81% in Germany to 61% in Italy. However, there was some support for legally requiring workers to contribute to private or workplace pensions, especially in the UK (57%), Germany (49%), and France (41%).
Helping older workers stay in their jobs longer also garnered support, from 57% in Poland to a low of 27% in Italy. Italians were notably more open to measures targeting the wealthy: 66% supported higher taxes on well-off pensioners to help the poorest, and 52% favored denying state pensions to high-income retirees.
Across all countries, more people (28–55%) felt retirees with above-average incomes should bear more responsibility for funding more generous state pensions.Low-income retirees were more likely to oppose the changes than younger people (15% to 31%). Overall, both pensioners and working-age individuals responded based on their own interests: retirees generally opposed cuts to their pensions, while working-age people mostly rejected raising the retirement age or increasing taxes on their generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the polling that reveals most Europeans believe state pensions will become unsustainable designed to answer questions from basic to more advanced
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What does state pension unsustainable actually mean
It means that the government may not have enough money in the future to pay the full pension benefits it has promised to retirees potentially leading to lower payments a later retirement age or higher taxes for workers
2 Why are people worried about this now
People are worried because of demographic changes there are fewer young people working and paying taxes to support a growing number of retirees living longer This strains the payasyougo system most European countries use
3 What was the main finding of the poll
The poll found that a majority of people across Europe share this concernthey dont believe the current state pension system can be maintained in its current form for the long term
4 Does this mean my pension will disappear
No its very unlikely to disappear entirely The concern is about its adequacy and sustainability Changes are expected which is why planning ahead is crucial
5 Who conducted this poll
Intermediate Advanced Questions
6 What are the main reasons the system is under pressure
The primary reasons are
Aging Population Lower birth rates and higher life expectancy mean more retirees per working person
Economic Stagnation Slow economic growth limits the increase in tax revenues needed to fund pensions
High Public Debt Many governments already have high debt making it harder to borrow more to cover pension shortfalls
7 Which countries are most concerned according to the poll
While concerns are widespread polls typically show the highest levels of worry in countries with very low birth rates or those with significant demographic challenges Northern European countries with stronger prefunded pension elements often show slightly more confidence
