A growing prominence
North and South: poles apart
A quarter of Europeans claim to know what the term circular economy means. An even greater number believe it is well developed in their country, underlining the fact that it is evolving in a positive and beneficial way, just like the practices it encompasses (Fig. 6).
And while 36% of Europeans on average are of this view, the figure does not reflect the significant geographical disparities at play, with many countries finding themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum. In the countries of the North is where we find those who are quickest to assert that their circular economy is well developed, not least the UK and Norway, where 1 in 2 respondents express this opinion. Respondents in the South are less likely to do so, with the Bulgarians proving to be particularly sceptical (6%).
France finds itself somewhere in between, with a near-average score.
Consumers are well informed
The level of awareness shown by European consumers regarding the circular economy is a source of even greater hope for its development in the coming years. 6 out of 10 believe they are well informed or very well informed on the topic (Fig. 7). The three Nordic countries stand out as being clearly the most knowledgeable (7 out of 10). The Eastern European countries also form a fairly homogeneous group, but one that displays much less awareness, with the Bulgarians emerging as the least well informed Europeans (only just under 4 out of 10). More surprisingly, several Western European nations score below the overall average. They notably include Austria and France (1 in 2).
