A recent survey shows that 70 percent of Italians think that there are too many migrants in the country and that the arrival of so many foreigners has created problems for Italian public services.
A whopping 70 percent of Italians say that there are too many migrants in the country and that immigration has led to problems for Italian public services. A total of 43 percent agree that the presence of migrants in the country has made it more difficult to find work, while 22.8 percent think that immigration is good for the economy. These are some of the results of the survey 'Stereotypes of Prejudices of Italians', conducted by the Milan-based Fondazione Centro di Documentazione Ebraica Contemporanea CDEC in collaboration with IPSOS.
Intolerance and Xenophobia on the rise
The survey found that ''intolerance towards migrants, xenophobia, and right-wing tendencies have increased''. While in 2013, migration was an issue cited by only 3 percent of Italians as being among the most important ones for the country, the figure has now risen to 35 percent.
The survey was carried out on a broad sample of 1,000 people and found that there were two main groups with contrasting views: those that say that migrants should be taken in as people fleeing hunger and war (25.4 percent) and those who say that all migrants should be denied entrance since Italy cannot take anyone else in (24 percent). In the middle, most (44.4 percent) think that only political refugees should be accepted.
Many respondents said that there are too many migrants in Italy and that immigration has caused problems for the public services and the job market. 41.7 percent say that migrants are ruining Italian traditions and culture. However, over a quarter of those interviewed say instead that immigration is good for the economy and helps make the country less close-minded (27.4 percent).
A combined index on anti-immigrant feelings shows that 61 percent of respondents agree with statements that stress the negative aspects of immigration. Those who have the strongest anti-migrant views (22.8 percent) are often from the northwestern part of the country, those over age 50, those with low education and income levels, workers, the unemployed, housewives and those who consider themselves to be right-wing.
60 percent of Italians feel Islam is a threat
In terms of multiculturalism and coexistence with Islam, many of those interviewed expressed the need for reassurance: 54 percent say that minority cultures must adapt to the one of the majority.
Migration from Muslim countries is seen as a threat for the West by 60.8 percent and Islam seems too traditionalist of a religion and unable to adapt to the present by 65.5 percent of the respondents. However, 44.7 percent think that Muslims have the right to build mosques in Italy (disagreed with by 31.8 percent). About 30 percent think that Muslims support international terrorism.