The survey of the International Republican Institute (IRI) shows that 86% of respondents support joining the European Union, 79% – joining NATO.
Based on the survey, 86% of respondents support joining the European Union (of which 73% fully support, and 13% somewhat support), and 79% support NATO membership (of which 65% fully support, and 14% somewhat support).
At the same time, among those who support joining the European Union, 17% would be against joining the European Union if it meant cutting trade relations with Russia, 74% would still support it, and 9% did not know or refused to answer.
Among the main benefits of joining the European Union, 45% named the strengthening of the economy, 14% – security, 14% – development of the country, 8% – better future.
Among the main obstacles in the way of Georgia joining the EU, 27% of respondents named political instability in Georgia, 17% – internal opposition in Georgia, 13% – Georgia has not met its obligations under the EU Association Agreement, 11% – opposition by EU countries, 6% – Russia.
As for NATO, among the main benefits of joining the North Atlantic Alliance, 47% of respondents name security, 17% – defense, 13% – strengthening the economy, 6% – development of the country, 5% – stability/peace.
Among the main obstacles in the way of Georgia joining NATO, 27% of respondents name Russia, 20% – the status of occupied regions, 14% – political instability in Georgia, 11% – internal opposition in Georgia, 7% – opposition by NATO countries.
The survey fieldwork was carried out by the Institute of Polling and Marketing. The survey was coordinated by Dr. Rasa Alisauskiene of the public and market research company Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization on behalf of the Center for Insights in Survey Research. Data was collected throughout Georgia between September 14 and October 14, 2023, through CAPI administered faceto-face interviews in respondents’ homes. The sample consisted of n=1,200 permanent residents of Georgia aged 18 and older and eligible to vote. It is representative of the general population by the age, gender, region and settlement size. The response rate was 73 percent. The margin of error for the mid-range full sample does not exceed ±2.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The survey was funded by the US Agency for International Development.
