How does the world feel about immigration?

Even before the current migration crisis in Europe, views on immigration in the region were the most negative in the world, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

In a survey conducted across over 140 countries between 2012 and 2014, 52% of Europeans said they wanted to see immigration levels in their country cut back. The global average was just 34%.

Sentiment varies widely within the region. Western Europe was more favourable to keeping immigration at present levels (45%) or even increased (11%). Only 39% of people in western Europe as a whole said immigration should be reduced. That statistic was offset, however, by the particularly high levels of support for lower immigration in eastern Europe (56%), southern Europe (58%), and northern Europe (56%).

The report notes that northern Europe’s numbers are particularly remarkable. Even though nearly all northern European nations expressed support for current or heightened levels of immigration, sentiment against immigration is so strong in United Kingdom, Latvia and Lithuania that those numbers are not reflected. In the UK, 69% of respondents said they would like to see a decrease in immigration.

Numbers were more positive globally. In the top 10 migrant nations, seven (United States, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Germany and France) said that immigration should be kept at the same levels or increased.

Author: Donald Armbrecht is a freelance writer and social media producer.

Image: A migrant looks out of a bus window on a highway near Edirne, Turkey.   Reuters/Osman Orsal