CHANGES IN SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS REFUGEES IN HUNGARY - Summary
Integration is a two-way process that requires effort from both the individual and the host society. After all, it seems in vain for people to be ready to integrate if the receiving environment does not support them in this.
Basing on the most important international and Hungarian surveys (the European Social Survey, the Pew Research Center and TÁRKI, among others), a deeper analysis on the changes in social attitudes towards refugees in Hungary has been carried out. In general, until 2014, the whole Europe was characterized by a positive attitude, but this has changed radically as a result of the refugee crisis. In 2016, Hungary became the second most rejecting country among those who participated in the survey (2002, 2014, 2016).
Negative attitudes towards refugees in Hungary are strongly correlated with the rejection of immigration. This suggests that the concepts of “refugee” and “migrant” have become blurred for many in Hungary as a result of the governmental communication.
Attitudes towards immigrants and refugees shifted negatively for all social groups surveyed. The 31-50 age group is the most hostile. Those with higher education and those living in the suburban settlement are the least hostile. The most rejecting are those with no more than a secondary education, living in large towns or small villages or on homesteads. Those employed have a higher rejection rate than non-workers, so fears of losing their jobs may play a role.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the attitude is mostly shaped by unrealistic, non-personal experiences, as when comparing with other countries (and also in absolute terms), there are very few accepted refugees and protected people living in Hungary.
In the future, it would be worthwhile to place more emphasis on monitoring the attitude towards refugees and protected persons, and to explore the reasons in more detail. At the same time, surveying and monitoring the attitudes of immigrants and refugees could contribute to a complex understanding of the subject.
Full policy brief in English version is available here
Basing on the most important international and Hungarian surveys (the European Social Survey, the Pew Research Center and TÁRKI, among others), a deeper analysis on the changes in social attitudes towards refugees in Hungary has been carried out. In general, until 2014, the whole Europe was characterized by a positive attitude, but this has changed radically as a result of the refugee crisis. In 2016, Hungary became the second most rejecting country among those who participated in the survey (2002, 2014, 2016).
Negative attitudes towards refugees in Hungary are strongly correlated with the rejection of immigration. This suggests that the concepts of “refugee” and “migrant” have become blurred for many in Hungary as a result of the governmental communication.
Attitudes towards immigrants and refugees shifted negatively for all social groups surveyed. The 31-50 age group is the most hostile. Those with higher education and those living in the suburban settlement are the least hostile. The most rejecting are those with no more than a secondary education, living in large towns or small villages or on homesteads. Those employed have a higher rejection rate than non-workers, so fears of losing their jobs may play a role.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the attitude is mostly shaped by unrealistic, non-personal experiences, as when comparing with other countries (and also in absolute terms), there are very few accepted refugees and protected people living in Hungary.
In the future, it would be worthwhile to place more emphasis on monitoring the attitude towards refugees and protected persons, and to explore the reasons in more detail. At the same time, surveying and monitoring the attitudes of immigrants and refugees could contribute to a complex understanding of the subject.
Full policy brief in English version is available here