Attitudes Towards Immigrants and the Effect of Migration in European Countries

Based on data from the European Social Survey 2002, this chapter compares attitudes towards immigration across European countries. Using aggregated data about numbers and structure of immigrants in European countries and indicators of country’s economic situation, this chapter looks at the question whether attitudes towards immigration are related to country-level characteristics. Particularly, it focuses on willingness of public to accept immigrants, and public perception of the social, economic and cultural impact of immigration on the host country.