Immigration in the EU. Fear or Fact?
Immigration remains a concern for the European Union, as it continues to be highly politicized and debated. Many European Union citizens consider immigration to be one of the most serious national and regional issues, often alongside economic difficulties. While these fears are real and widespread, wide-ranging research makes it clear that they are mostly shaped by information gaps, misconceptions, and more profound worries, which do not always reflect the actual reality of migration into the EU.
Recent statistics from the Standard Eurobarometer showed that a considerable share of European Union citizens are concerned about immigration in the region and favor strengthening the European Union's immigration policy. Statistics collected that 67% of European Union residents support the introduction of a European Union immigration policy, while three out of four residents think that their country should help refugees. On the other hand, 56% are aware that immigrants' contributions to their country's development are positive. However, the level of their contribution varies according to the country they are coming from, mainly distinguishing between the European Union and non-EU states. A lesser percentage of the European Union population views the immigration of foreigners coming from non-EU states positively, while around 50% perceive the matter negatively.
The biggest difference described in the data collected from the EU was the difference between perception and reality. Statistics collected from Eurostat show that non-EU citizens make up around 6-7% of the EU population, while surveys carried out by the European Commission reveal that many Europeans estimate this figure to be much higher, often twice the actual rate. This exaggeration contributes to fears of “overpopulation” and feeds into narratives that frame immigration as a crisis rather than a manageable social process.
These issues go beyond numbers and involve concerns about integration and values. A survey carried out across the European Union indicates that Europeans express various levels of uncertainty when it comes to assessing whether these immigrants integrate well in society and embrace the country’s existing traditions. They fear that immigrants might not embrace their host culture and might end up imposing their own cultures. Research carried out by various institutions around the globe, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), indicates that immigrants' success levels in integration tend to be far more associated with educational and working opportunities. Moreover, another fear is the association between immigration and crime. This is a common narrative; however, the reality is different. An extensive study indicates that immigrants are not likely to increase the rates of criminal activity in the region. In addition, the possibilities of immigrants being involved in criminal activities are the same as those of the people of the region.
This preconceived belief was examined in detail in a study conducted by economists Erasmus University Rotterdam, who pointed out that the misrepresentation of immigrants in the region with criminal activity cannot be considered a consequence of the increase in the number of immigrants in the region. This, in turn, indicates that the widespread stereotypes of the region's residents regarding the region's security are extremely negative.
The concerns of EU Member States' citizens can not be sufficiently substantiated. Statistical data provided by the Member States and scientific evidence indicate that Europeans' concerns are not in line with the level of information they have received on the issues. Financial instability, inadequate housing conditions, and political polarization have created an environment in which immigration is presented as a simple solution to almost all the problems these countries face today. They agree that politics is influenced by immigration issues, but deny that they have ever been the main cause of such problems.
References
De Groot, R. (2024). Study debunks beliefs about immigration and crime. Www.eur.nl. https://www.eur.nl/en/news/study-debunks-beliefs-about-immigration-and-crime
Eurostat. (2025). Europa.eu. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/interactive-publications/migration-2025
Immigrant civic engagement and social integration: Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023. (2023). OECD. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/indicators-of-immigrant-integration-2023_1d5020a6-en/full-report/component-10.html
European Parliament. (2024). Plenary insights – October II 2024 [Eurobarometer report]. European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/files/be-heard/eurobarometer/2024/en-plenary-insights-october-ii-2024.pdf
