Over half of Europeans back ban on immigration from Muslim countries, poll shows

Backing a ban: A new poll shows more than half of Europeans support a ban on further migration from Muslim majority countries
Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP
Jamie Bullen9 February 2017

A "sobering" poll shows more than half of Europeans back an immigration ban from Muslim majority countries.

New research has been published in the wake of Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban which sparked a furious backlash from world leaders.

An average 55 per cent of people across 10 European countries said they supported a ban, according to a poll by international think tank Chatham House.

The survey, described as “striking and sobering” by the think tank, asked more than 10,000 people if they agreed or disagreed that further migration from mainly Muslim countries should be stopped.

Just 20 per cent disputed the statement while the rest offered no opinion.

Respondents were asked their opinions before President Trump signed an executive order halting immigration from seven Muslim majority nations into the United States.

Findings also revealed how opposition to Muslim immigration is “especially intense” among retired citizens with people below 30 notably less opposed.

And of those with secondary school qualifications, 59 per cent opposed further Muslim immigration, compared to less than hlaf of those educated to degree level

In Poland, 71 per cent of people wanted a halt of immigration, 65 per cent in Austria, 53 per cent in Germany and 51 per cent in Italy.

Over in Britain, 47 cent of people agreed with a ban.

In none of the 10 countries did the percentage of those who disagreed surpass 32 per cent.

A Chatham House spokesperson said: “Our results are striking and sobering.

“They suggest that public opposition to any further migration from predominantly Muslim states is by no means confined to Trump’s electorate in the US but is fairly widespread.”

The Chatham House Europe Programme, with Kantar Public, surveyed 10,195 adults in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK over a month ending in January.

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