The results were compiled by the European Commission from its spring 2018 Eurobarometer survey of public awareness of the EU institutions. They come with the UK set to leave the EU next March, reducing the bloc to 27 members.
They reveal that 50 per cent of respondents indicated they trust Parliament, an increase of five points compared to the autumn of 2017, while the level of distrust fell by three per cent over the same period.
Over the course of the legislative period, trust Parliament has risen from 34 per cent in 2014 to a record 50 per cent now.
The survey also indicated that 93 per cent of respondents know about Parliament - considerably more than for the other institutions and a small increase since the last Eurobarometer.
The European Union, as a whole, also remains more trusted (42 per cent) than national governing bodies (34 per cent).
Parliament President Antonio Tajani said, “This Parliament is working to reduce the gap between the European institutions and citizens and is doing its job well. The citizens themselves tell us this through the latest Eurobarometer results.
“Over the last six months, confidence in the Parliament has increased from 45 per cent to 50 per cent. Parliament is by far the most appreciated EU institution.”
“I would like to thank the 751 MEPs who make up the assembly. We have shown that we can play a leading role by putting Parliament at the centre of the debate to change Europe and make it more effective.”
“In particular, on immigration which, as the Eurobarometer confirms, is at the top of our citizens' concerns, we have helped to give a European response. Back in November, we adopted a text to reform the asylum system, including the Dublin regulation, which reconciles firmness with solidarity."
Speaking on Thursday, he added, “We have also proposed a short, medium and long-term strategy to stop departures from Africa.”
The EPP group member said, “The Council can no longer postpone the reform of asylum and must be aware that the governance of immigration puts the very future of our Union at stake.”
Generally, the survey says that Europeans “continue to have a positive opinion of the state of the European economy. At 50 per cent it is the highest score since 2007.”
In 25 member states, a majority of respondents say that the situation of the European economy is good and, for the first time since spring 2007, positive opinions on the situation of the national economy (49 per cent) outweigh negative opinions (47 per cent).
Support for the Economic and Monetary Union and for the euro “remains at a record high”, it says, with three-quarters of respondents (74 per cent) in the euro area supporting the EU’s single currency.
Trust in the EU is on the rise at 42 per cent and at its highest level since autumn 2010. In 15 member states, a majority of respondents trust the EU. Trust is highest in Lithuania (66 per cent), Portugal and Denmark (both 57 per cent), and Luxembourg and Bulgaria (both 56 per cent).
Some 40 per cent of Europeans have a positive image of the EU and 21 per cent a negative one, with the highest percentages in Ireland (64 per cent), Bulgaria and Portugal (both 56 per cent) and Luxembourg (54 per cent).
A majority of Europeans are optimistic about the future of the EU (58 per cent) while “Free movement of people, goods and services within the EU” and “Peace among EU member states” are perceived as the two most positive results of the EU, for 58 per cent and 54 per cent of Europeans respectively.
Migration and terrorism are Europeans’ top concerns, it says.
Immigration features as the top challenge that the Union is currently facing (38 per cent) with terrorism second (29 per cent).
At national level, the main concerns remain unemployment (25 per cent, unchanged), health and social security (23 per cent) and immigration (21 per cent).
The survey says that Europeans “feel the benefits of Union policies and achievements.”
Compared to spring 2014, more citizens feel that they have benefited from key Union initiatives such as no or fewer border controls when travelling abroad (53 per cent), cheaper calls when using a mobile phone in another EU country (48 per cent) and stronger consumer rights when buying products or services in another EU country (37 per cent).
There is also strong support for the priorities that the Juncker Commission has set itself with free movement advocated by 82 per cent of the respondents and a common defence and security policy by 75 per cent.
For the first time citizens were also asked about their view on EU trade policy with a majority of 71 per cent voicing their support.