Two-thirds of Europeans believe that the world used to be a better place, according to an Eupinions survey.
Italians were particularly nostalgic, with 77% finding the past better.
‘Nostalgic’ Europeans often appear more rightwing and are generally more critical of immigration, the survey found.
Support for EU membership was higher, at 82%, among non-nostalgics than among nostalgics (67%).
Head of the survey, Isabelle Hoffman said that “nostalgia is an indication of high levels of insecurity in society.”
53% of Europeans think migrants “take jobs” from the locals. Only 45% believe that “immigration is good for the economy”.
People between 56-65 years of age are the most nostalgic with 70%. The rate for people under 25 is at 52%.
Also, men with 53% are more nostalgic than women, who are at 47%.
10,855 people from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain participated in the survey.