The Europeans are, on average, overall satisfaction with their personal situation, but less satisfied when it comes to the economy, public services and social policies in their countries, according to a poll released today. The Eurobarometer survey on the social climate in the EU has also found important differences between countries, with people in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands generally more satisfied with their personal situation.The Special Eurobarometer survey on the social climate is the first in a series of annual surveys to monitor the European citizens’ subjective well-being and was conducted in May-June 2009 between citizens in the 27 Member States of the EU . He asked people their opinion about their personal economic situation and national social and feelings about the policies of their governments in various areas, including health care and pensions.According to the Eurobarometer survey, a majority of Europeans are satisfied with life in general, giving an average of 3.2 points (on a scale of -10 to +10). But there are marked differences between Member States: the highest level of satisfaction was reported in Denmark (+8.0), with Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland also have high levels. Satisfaction levels lowest were reported in Bulgaria (-1.9), followed by Hungary, Greece and Romania.When it comes to public services, the Europeans are on average quite dissatisfied with how their governments are run (-1.2 points). In all countries except Luxembourg and Estonia, the Europeans say it has worsened over the past five years and hope it will continue to deteriorate (in all countries except Luxembourg).Europeans are most dissatisfied with the way in which inequality and poverty are addressed in their countries (-2 points). Only respondents in Luxembourg and the Netherlands scored positive, while respondents in Latvia and Hungary were the (most are very dissatisfied or worse -5 points).Based on this investigation, the European Commission made a report that takes a closer look at long-term social trends in the EU. This year it focuses on two key issues in public policy: housing (including the status and ownership costs), and the possible effects of the recession.The European Commission’s latest Annual Report on the Social Situation Report shows that Europeans now spend more of their income on housing costs than they did ten years ago (almost 4 percentage points more), while mortgage debt has risen sharply in the EU.Moreover, even if it is still too early to assess the social impact of the crisis, the report examines in May What lessons learned from the experience of past recessions. It shows that social expenditures have played a role in protecting those affected in times of recession, but the chances of the unemployed receive income support varies across the EU.