Migrations, Integration Processes and Perceptions of the Host Population

Pietro Mazzette , University of Sassari
Gabriele Ruiu, Università degli Studi di Sassari

Public debate on migration in 2023 is still dominated by opposing positions in many developed countries. On the one hand, there are those who see migration as a problem, a factor of social and economic instability. On the other hand, some see migration as a natural and positive phenomenon which can bring economic and cultural benefits to host societies. This paper aims to explore the perceptions of local inhabitants regarding migrants in European Countries using the lens offered by two theories: Group Threat Theory (GTT) and Intergroup Contact Theory (ICT). To this end, we exploit data from the 2017 Eurobarometer Survey (Eurobarometer 88.2). In particular, the wave used in our analysis contains several questions that allow us to focus on both the perception of immigrants by natives and the frequency of contact between locals and immigrants. This source has been integrated with official statistics on the amount of incoming migration and the unemployment rate registered at the region (NUTS 2 level). This information comes from OECD data. Overall, our findings support both GTT and ICT’s predictions. On the one hand, the higher the unemployment rate, the more likely immigrants are perceived as a threat. In addition, our results suggest that the low educated people especially perceive competition with immigrants. However, the more frequent the contact with migrants, the less likely they are perceived as a problem for the hosting society. Keywords: Group Threat Theory, Intergroup Contact Theory, Perception towards migrants, Outgroup size

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 6. Migration Momentum: Mapping Multigenerational Mobility