The survey is carried out every two years in over 30 European countries
The existence of strong xenophobic attitudes is recorded in Cyprus, according to the results of the European Social Survey (ESS) for 2022, reports the University Field Research Center, PAKEPE, of the University of Cyprus, on Wednesday, noting at the same time that the results highlight the role of the state in the establishment of a National Plan for the Integration of immigrants that needs to be addressed with a holistic view of the issue of immigration.
Cyprus is among the 10 most xenophobic countries that took part in the CSR (out of 31 in total), it is noted, in a PAKEPE announcement.
PAKEPE explains that today, xenophobia may not have faded, "however, we have the appropriate tools to recognize it and therefore to manage it, and as such a reliable tool we can also see the European Social Survey".
According to PAKEPE, the survey "constitutes the most serious research infrastructure in the EU for the collection of data concerning social issues", is carried out every two years in over 30 European countries and, "therefore, it does not only allow to ascertain the existing situation in a specific point in time, but also longitudinal comparisons to detect changes over time, in the same country, but also comparisons of each country with all the others".
Cyprus results
From the most recent data collection in Cyprus, when participants were asked whether people of the same ethnic origin as the majority of the island's inhabitants should be allowed to immigrate to Cyprus, 58% agreed to a lesser or greater extent.
However, according to PAKEPE, this majority agreement turned into a refusal when the question referred to people of either a different origin or coming from poorer non-European countries. 65% disagree to a lesser or greater extent with the immigration of people of different ethnicity, a percentage that reaches 66% when it comes to people from poorer countries outside of Europe.
"The above "opposition" between the attitudes towards the immigration of people of the same and different ethnic origin indicates the existence of strong xenophobic attitudes in Cyprus: on the one hand, there is a mild agreement towards the immigration of people of the same ethnicity as that of the majority of the island's inhabitants. On the other hand, however, for people who would be characterized as "foreign" (different nationality), the agreement turns into a refusal", says PAKEPE.
With this attitude, Cyprus is among the 10 most xenophobic countries that took part in the CSR (out of 31 in total), it is noted and added that the majority of Greek Cypriot residents seem to differ significantly from the general attitude in Europe, as in Cyprus there are more negative attitudes than in Europe on average.
In addition, attitudes towards immigration appear to leave, to some extent, a geographical footprint with Northern and Western countries on average evaluating immigration more positively.
44% of participants said they believe to a lesser or greater degree that immigration is bad for the economy. Similarly, 49% believe that it also harms the cultural life of Cyprus.
In fact, the majority of participants (48%) state that with the arrival of people from other countries, Cyprus becomes a worse place to live, according to PAKEPE.
"The above responses reveal the prevalence of a feeling of threat, namely, realistic and symbolic threat," it states.
PAKEPE also states that realistic threats (the word 'realistic' does not indicate the existence of real threats and only refers to the subjective perception of the individual) are related to the fear of physical risks, for example risks to the physical integrity of the individual, for his health or, in this case, for his financial well-being.
Similarly, symbolic threats refer to the feeling of danger that can arise through the conflict of an individual's or a group's worldview with another "foreign" way of thinking. Such threats concern religion, values, morals and customs, and tradition.
In the CSR, according to the announcement, there is a deterioration of attitudes towards immigration between the years 2018-2020 in specific questions, which seems to be mainly due to the existence of strong symbolic threats.
"Possibly a concentrated deterioration can be observed in the sub-category of asylum seekers from third countries, who were in this period both the main target of xenophobic media and official political xenophobic discourse of securitization on the part of government officials," it states.
Nevertheless, it is added, in Cyprus there is a decrease in opposition to the general idea of immigration over time.
Specifically, in Round 10 of the CSR, attitudes towards immigration show signs of gradual improvement after 2012, where even the most negative attitudes were recorded perhaps due to the high realistic threats that prevailed in a period of financial crisis and memorandum.
The non-dramatic worsening of attitudes towards immigration in a period of data collection with strong migration flows to Cyprus and xenophobic discourse "and on the official side of the government in this period" generally appears to be moderated by generational differences where younger generations seem have significantly improved attitudes towards immigration compared to the older generation, it states.
PAKEPE considers that these findings do not cause complacency, but they constitute a creative basis for interventions aimed at raising public awareness and improving relations between the native and immigrant population.
National Immigrant Integration Plan
The results of the CSR, according to PAKEPE, highlight the role of the state in establishing a National Plan for the Integration of immigrants that needs to be addressed with a holistic view of the issue of immigration: from the integration of immigrants and refugees into society (as opposed to their marginalization in hospitality centers), the development of an inclusive education program, the integration of immigrants into the Cypriot labor market and contact with the native population.
Such a state plan, it is stated, presupposes "the necessary shift from representations of the Immigrant as a threat, to a more humanitarian representation that sees the immigrant population as an opportunity for the development of Cyprus, which is happening as we have seen from the results of this research in many other European countries".