Young people have more confidence in the European Union and its institutions than their elders, an EU-wide survey has found.

The survey found that 58 per cent of young people had confidence in the EP compared to 48 per cent for the 55+ age group.

The Commission enjoyed the confidence of 52 per cent of young people compared to 43 per cent in the 55+ group. 58 per cent of young people had confidence in the EU against 43 per cent in the older group.

The survey also found that more young people considered EU membership to be rather beneficial for their country.

To young people aged 15 to 24, Europe represented the freedom to travel, work and study everywhere in the EU (55 per cent), the euro (38 per cent), peace (26 per cent), cultural diversity (24 per cent), a stronger say in the world (23 per cent), democracy (21 per cent), economic prosperity (18 per cent), waste of money (11 per cent) and a lack of control at external borders (11 per cent).

The most important personal concerns for young people were inflation (30 per cent), unemployment (29 per cent), the education system (23 per cent) and the economic situation (22 per cent).

41 per cent of young people believed that their financial situation was less secure than the situation of their parents while 47 per cent predicted that the financial future for the children of today would be less secure than their own.

The survey was held as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Maltese Gianluca Bezzina and Marvic Vassallo, who were born in the week when the Wall came down took part in a debate What does Europe mean to me? with another 87 students from all over Europe born in the same week, held in Brussels.

The debate was on EU issues, including the identity of the separate states would be lost in future and the benefits of membership.