The euro area : report

Since the launch of the euro in 2002, the number of countries using the common currency has increased to 19 Member States, with the euro area now made up of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. In the 14 years since the introduction of the euro, the European Commission has repeatedly measured public perception of the euro in the euro area countries. As the euro area has expanded, surveys have also included questions about the adoption of the euro in new euro countries. As well as general questions about the euro and economic policy and reforms, the current report also includes questions specific to Latvia and Lithuania - the most recent new members of the euro area. Questions in this wave of the survey cover the following areas: The impact of the euro at a national and EU level, and its impact on European identity, Handling and distinguishing euro coins and banknotes, The euro's impact on prices, Economic policy coordination in the euro area, The need for economic reforms, and § Expectations for inflation. This survey was carried out by the TNS Political & Social network in the 19 Member States of the euro area between the 17th and 18th October 2016.