European sovereignty is not about building fences or retreating from the global stage. Nor is it intended to oppose national sovereignty. Instead, its focus is strengthening the European Union’s ability to navigate the intricate interdependencies that define today’s global order. This spirit underpins the European Sovereignty Index, a tool developed by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) to assess how EU member states contribute to European sovereignty across six critical domains: climate, defense, economy, health, migration, and technology. But how well is the continent performing so far?
In 2021, market research and consulting firm IPSOS conducted a survey across several European countries on behalf of the Jean Jaurès Foundation and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. They interviewed 8,000 Europeans about European sovereignty and found widespread support for the idea. Majorities in most nations agreed that EU sovereignty is important in areas such as the economy, technology, and defense. However, when asked about the EU’s actual capabilities, respondents were skeptical. Only about a third believed the bloc was effective at exercising sovereignty in these priority areas.
Launched in June 2022 and repeated in 2023, the European Sovereignty Index evaluates each member state’s capabilities and commitments in the six key areas, offering valuable insights into strengths and weaknesses within the EU framework.
Each country is rated on a scale from 0 to 10, with categories ranging from “failing” to “excellent.” The Index uses normalized indicators that account for population size, ensuring a fair reflection of each country’s potential contributions. For two consecutive years, the results have shown a mixed picture for the EU:
- Good scores in health and the economy.
- Satisfactory scores in defense, climate, and migration.
- Poor scores in technology.
The disparity between the best and worst performers is most pronounced in defense, where some countries are perceived as close to fulfilling their potential, while others lag far behind. Migration shows the narrowest range, with most countries scoring “satisfactory” or “poor,” collectively dragging down the EU’s performance in this area.
In domains like technology, climate, and defense, the EU scores higher on commitments than on capabilities. This suggests that while the Union has the ambition to act, it lacks the resources to follow through. Alternatively, it may indicate that Europeans are not investing enough to turn intent into action. European sovereignty achieves a “good” rating in health and the economy, but no area reaches an “excellent” rating, nor does any fall to the lowest “failing” level overall.
The Four EUs
The Index classifies member states into four groups based on their contributions to European sovereignty, revealing which countries lead and which underperform. Only eight countries scored “good” on average, while two were categorized as “failing.”
There is considerable variation among member states, particularly in defense, where some countries approach their full potential, while others fall short. The Index also highlights that while five countries are “leaders” in European sovereignty, more than twice as many are “underperformers.”
Leading Nations in European Sovereignty
According to the European Sovereignty Index, the following countries are leaders:
- Germany: With strong contributions across multiple domains, especially in defense and the economy, Germany is a cornerstone of a more sovereign Europe.
- France: A vocal advocate for strategic autonomy, France excels in defense and technology, consistently pushing for European independence.
- Italy: Although less influential than Germany and France, Italy plays a significant role in economic sovereignty and security discussions.
- Poland: Despite challenges related to the Rule of Law and hesitation to fully adopt the European acquis, Poland’s contributions to defense and migration reflect its geopolitical priorities.
- Sweden: Known for its commitment to European values and cooperation, Sweden’s contributions enhance the perception of European sovereignty.
The Path Forward
Achieving true European sovereignty is within reach, but it demands sustained commitment and effort from all member states. Where does your country rank on the Index? Do you view the European Sovereignty Index as a valuable tool for advancing European unification and, ultimately, federalization? Share your thoughts and join us at the next Together for Europe meeting!