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Survey suggests immigrants are more welcome in Nordic countries
| Published: | 11 Jan at 6 PM |
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The European Social Survey, one of the most broadly based of its type, indicates that nations in the Nordic countries and Finland are more tolerant towards immigrants than other European nationals.
The survey, one of several recent pan-European studies, is academically-driven and aims to explain the interactions between countries and the beliefs and cultures of their inhabitants. In general, a percentage of residents in each European country are quizzed on their attitudes towards changes, with the thrust of the latest survey based on immigration.
Participants were asked whether immigrants were positive or negative influences on their country’s economy and culture and whether changes wrought by migrants change the country for better or worse. The most negative responses regarding immigration were found in eastern and southern Europe, with responses from the Scandinavian countries and Finland the most positive.
However, discrimination was reported in even the most sympathetic countries, sparking a Finnish survey of discrimination amongst immigrants by the University of Turku. The survey revealed that immigrants faced the most discrimination in Portugal, Spain, the UK, Estonia, the Netherlands and Greece, with even Scandinavian and Finnish immigrants reporting that one-tenth of their number felt unwelcome.
Ethnic minorities such as the Roma and immigrants from African countries reported the worst discrimination, with almost 50 per cent of those surveyed falling victim to racial discrimination over a 12 month period. Somalian migrants living in Denmark and Finland were the worst affected, and Roma migrants living in Poland, Greece and other European migrant destinations also reported severe problems.
According to University of Turku professor Dr Heikki Ervasti, economic concerns and immigrants’ effects on individual labour markets are the main cause for discrimination. The workplace and other workers’ attitudes came in for criticism, both in public and private organisations, with language difficulties causing problems in most countries.
The survey, one of several recent pan-European studies, is academically-driven and aims to explain the interactions between countries and the beliefs and cultures of their inhabitants. In general, a percentage of residents in each European country are quizzed on their attitudes towards changes, with the thrust of the latest survey based on immigration.
Participants were asked whether immigrants were positive or negative influences on their country’s economy and culture and whether changes wrought by migrants change the country for better or worse. The most negative responses regarding immigration were found in eastern and southern Europe, with responses from the Scandinavian countries and Finland the most positive.
However, discrimination was reported in even the most sympathetic countries, sparking a Finnish survey of discrimination amongst immigrants by the University of Turku. The survey revealed that immigrants faced the most discrimination in Portugal, Spain, the UK, Estonia, the Netherlands and Greece, with even Scandinavian and Finnish immigrants reporting that one-tenth of their number felt unwelcome.
Ethnic minorities such as the Roma and immigrants from African countries reported the worst discrimination, with almost 50 per cent of those surveyed falling victim to racial discrimination over a 12 month period. Somalian migrants living in Denmark and Finland were the worst affected, and Roma migrants living in Poland, Greece and other European migrant destinations also reported severe problems.
According to University of Turku professor Dr Heikki Ervasti, economic concerns and immigrants’ effects on individual labour markets are the main cause for discrimination. The workplace and other workers’ attitudes came in for criticism, both in public and private organisations, with language difficulties causing problems in most countries.
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