A RISE in the number of young people casting their vote in the European elections led to an increased turnout, a survey has found.
Almost 28,000 citizens took part in research in the weeks after the May polls, with the majority pledging support for EU membership.
In Northern Ireland, two of the three politicians elected to the European Parliament were pro-Remain - with the Alliance Party winning a seat for the first time after hugely increasing its vote after running its leader Naomi Long.
The 'Eurobarometer' survey found overall turnout increased by eight points to 50.6 per cent - resulting in the highest participation since 1994 - with young and first time voters driving figures up.
Almost 70 per cent of respondents said their country had benefitted from being a member of the EU.
The post-electoral research also examined the top issues that that made citizens vote, with economy and growth, climate change, human rights and democracy as some of the main motivators.
More than a third of respondents said 'the way the EU should be working in the future' was a key influencer as to why they went to they went to the polling station.
