WHAT SHAPES STUDENTS' EUROPEAN IDENTITY?: COMPARATIVE EVIDENCE FROM 16 EU COUNTRIES

Abstract

The development of European identity among young people has become
an increasingly important issue in the context of growing social diversity,
political change, and ongoing debates about the future of European
integration. Schools play a significant role in shaping civic attitudes and
a sense of belonging to broader political communities. The aim of this
study is to identify the factors associated with the formation of European
identity among Grade 8 students in European Union member states. The
study draws on data from the International Civic and Citizenship Education
Study (ICCS) 2022 and includes a sample of 52,726 students from 16 EU
countries. Descriptive statistics and model-based analyses were employed
to examine how students’ civic knowledge, socioeconomic background,
migration status, and learning environments relate to their European
identity. The findings indicate that European identity is a multidimensional
construct associated with higher levels of civic knowledge, a more open
classroom discussion climate, and greater engagement in civic and political
discussions. Socioeconomic background and migration-related contexts also
show associations with students’ identification with Europe, although the
strength and direction of these relationships vary across countries. These
results highlight the importance of educational environments and civic
learning opportunities in fostering a sense of European belonging among
adolescents and underline the role of schools as key contexts for the
development of supranational civic identities.