Why do some countries “send” so few people to Brussels?
The European Commission employs more than 30,000 people from across the European Union, but it has long faced the problem of uneven representation of citizens from individual member states. This issue also raises a broader dilemma: how to reconcile the principle of selecting candidates purely on the basis of merit with the requirement that the European administration represent all member states.
A total of 15 countries remain chronically underrepresented. For example, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Czech Republic all have low representation. A new study, however, shows that this is not solely due to a lack of interest in working in EU institutions.
The study, titled “Eurocrats Wanted: Why Some Member States Lag in European Commission Recruitment,” was published in the prestigious Journal of Common Market Studies. Its authors are Mgr. Jarolím Antal, Ph.D., doc. Ing. Mgr. Kateřina Kočí, Ph.D., and prof. JUDr. Nicole Grmelová, Ph.D., from the Faculty of International Relations at the Prague University of Economics and Business.
The Myth of “Disinterest in Brussels”
The academic debate to date has often relied on the so-called “rejection hypothesis” — that is, the notion that citizens of certain countries are simply not interested in pursuing a career in the EU. However, the study challenges this view. According to the authors, the issue is not primarily one of disinterest, but rather a structural problem. Furthermore, the geographical imbalance is exacerbated by a cumbersome selection process, which is often lengthy, administratively demanding, and sometimes also non-transparent.
The economic situation also plays a significant role. The study notes that in countries such as the Czech Republic or Poland, unemployment is relatively low and young people have ample job opportunities at home. The motivation to seek work at the European Commission is therefore lower than, for example, in Southern Europe.
The different culture of public service also plays a role.
Other barriers include the practical challenges of living in Brussels — high housing costs, language requirements, and concerns about employment opportunities for partners and schooling for children.
Some countries, such as the Netherlands and Ireland, are building active support systems for candidates — ranging from specialized offices and mentoring to collaboration with universities. However, even these systems may not be sufficiently effective on their own.
According to the authors, there is a need for more long-term, systematic, and targeted work with candidates.
The authors of the study also emphasize that the representation of individual countries in the European Commission is not merely a technical matter of personnel. It is also a matter of member states’ trust in European institutions. According to the study, if certain countries feel they are not adequately represented in Brussels, this could undermine the legitimacy of the EU as a whole.
The study’s topic has also garnered media attention. You can read a related article on the Hospodářské noviny website.