Three in four adults on average support the principle of giving refuge to people escaping war or persecution. Moreover, a third reported they have taken personal action in support of refugees in the past 12 months, according to a survey released by IPSOS.
In the survey held in 29 countries, IPSOS said that an average of 74% of people supported giving refuge. They said New Zealand (87%) had the highest support. Spain (85%) and Great Britain, Sweden and Canada (all 84%) followed. South Korea (55%), Singapore (55%) and Turkey (61%) recorded the lowest.
LESS POSITIVE NOW
Despite public support for giving people refuge remained high, views are less positive than in 2022 in a number of countries. The year 2023 saw a reversal of some of the positive shifts.
ALLOWING REFUGEES CURRENTLY IN THEIR COUNTRY TO REMAIN
Over eight in ten people surveyed support allowing refugees currently in their country to stay. However, they are divided on whether to accept further refugees.
Four in five (81%) agree that refugees currently living in their country should be allowed to stay. One in five (19%) think refugees currently in the country should be deported and no further allowed.
People in New Zealand (68%), Spain (65%) and Brazil (63%) are supportive of allowing more refugees into their country. Meanwhile, Thailand (56%), Peru (54%) and South Korea (54%) are most supportive of letting refugees currently in their country stay but not allowing further refugees in.
Over half of people in Turkey and Malaysia support deporting refugees currently in the country and not allowing any more (59% and 52% respectively).
The reason that resonates most with the public for accepting refugees is that it is a humanitarian obligation (42%). A further 13% see it as a legal obligation under international law, 13% to boost the economy by bringing in refugees with necessary skills, and 8% to promote diversity and multiculturalism, IPSOS said.
MAJORITY THINK REFUGEES IN THEIR COUNTRY ARE TREATED WELL
The majority of people globally think refugees are treated well in their country (60%), although a quarter think they are treated badly (23%). People in Indonesia (89%) and Poland (80%) are most likely to think refugees are treated well in their country, whilst those in South Africa (45%) and Italy (38%) are most likely to say they are treated badly.
LEGAL ROUTES
More than a third (35%) thinks that there are enough legal routes into their country already to avoid refugees having to enter illegally, while 31% think more legal routes should be provided. One in six (14%) think that there should be no legal routes, the IPSOS said.
People are most likely to think that there are enough legal routes into their country, meaning refugees do not need to enter illegally in Indonesia (47%) and Argentina (44%). Support for more legal routes for refugees is highest in Brazil (53%), Great Britain (47%) and Thailand (45%). Almost half of people in Turkey think there should be no legal routes for refugees to enter (46%), followed by Malaysia (28%).
DOUBTS OVER REFUGEE
Some people doubt the real intention of refugees. There is also some doubt over whether most refugees will successfully integrate into their host country. Three in five believe that allowing asylum seekers to work would help integration. However, half of the people think it could attract people without a genuine asylum claim.
Almost three in five (58%) agree that most foreigners who want to enter their country as a refugee are there for economic reasons or to take advantage of welfare services (33% disagree).
While three in five (59%) agree that allowing asylum seekers to work helps them learn the language and integrate, half (48%) think that it could attract people without a genuine asylum claim (18% disagree).
Half (49%) believe most refugees will successfully integrate into their new society, while 43% disagree.
While half (49%) disagree that borders should be closed to refugees entirely, 43% agree and think their country cannot accept any more refugees at this time.
OVERALL CONTRIBUTION OF REFUGEES
About 45% agree refugees make a positive contribution to their country. However, 44% disagreed with this. New Zealand (70%), Australia (66% and Canada (64%) had the highest numbers supporting this argument. Turkey (75%), South Korea (65%) and Hungary and Malaysia (62% respectively) had the lowest.
