Leaders of Western Europe's three largest economies—France, the United Kingdom, and Germany—are experiencing historically low approval ratings. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recorded a 16% approval rating in May, according to a Deutschlandtrend/ARD poll, making him the most unpopular chancellor in Germany's history. French President Emmanuel Macron's popularity is similarly low, either tying or surpassing former President François Hollande as the most unpopular French president in the last fifty years. Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had only 13% of voters satisfied with his leadership, marking him as the most unpopular premier in the UK before his resignation.
The unpopularity of these leaders is not unique to them; it reflects a broader trend across Western, Northern, and Central Europe, with notable exceptions in smaller countries like Slovakia and Denmark. Polling data from various countries indicates a general decline in public trust in leaders, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez receiving just 31% trust and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro receiving 34% positive ratings.
A report by former European Central Bank head Mario Draghi highlighted Europe's declining competitiveness, noting that the EU's share of global GDP fell from 26.5% in 1990 to 16.1% in 2024. This decline is attributed to a significant drop in productivity, which is now at 80% of the U.S. level, compared to 95% in 1995. The aging population is a major factor, with the EU's median age rising from 39.3 years in 2004 to 44.9 years in 2025. This demographic shift is leading to a decrease in the ratio of working-age individuals to retirees, which has implications for pension systems and economic growth.
As the number of working-age individuals declines, governments face difficult choices regarding pension reforms, which are often unpopular. For instance, Macron's attempts to reform the pension system have led to widespread protests. Similarly, pension reforms in Belgium and the UK have contributed to the unpopularity of their leaders. The challenges posed by an aging population and declining productivity are creating a difficult political landscape for European leaders.