Many Europeans concerned with security, economic repercussions of refugee crisis Top choice
The recent surge of refugees into Europe has featured prominently in the anti-immigrant rhetoric of right-wing parties across the Continent and in the heated debate over the UK’s decision to exit the European Union. At the same time, attacks in Paris and Brussels have fueled public fears about terrorism. As a new Pew Research Center survey illustrates, the refugee crisis and the threat of terrorism are very much related to one another in the minds of many Europeans. In eight of the 10 European nations surveyed, half or more believe incoming refugees increase the likelihood of terrorism in their country.
But terrorism is not the only concern people have about refugees. Many are also worried that they will be an economic burden. Half or more in five nations say refugees will take away jobs and social benefits. Hungarians, Poles, Greeks, Italians and French identify this as their greatest concern. Sweden and Germany are the only countries where at least half say refugees make their nation stronger because of their work and talents. Fears linking refugees and crime are much less pervasive, although nearly half in Italy and Sweden say refugees are more to blame for crime than other groups.
Many Europeans concerned with security, economic repercussions of refugee crisis  | Top choice  | Refugees will increase  | Refugees are a burden they on our  | Refugees in our country  | the likelihood of terrorism  | jobs country because they take our  | are Refugees more to blame country for  | jobs country and social benefits they  | crime than other groups for  | in our country  | Hungary  | 43%  | 76%  | 82%  | 26  | Poland  | 71  | 75  | Netherla nds  | 60 61 61  | 35  | Germany  | 46 47  | Italy  | 65  | 55 57  | Swed en  | 32  | Greece  | 30  | 52  | UK  | 28  | 46  | France  | 24  | 46  | 53  | Spa in  | 40  | 13  | 40  | MEDIAN  | 59  | 50  | 30  | Note: Netherlands excluded on question a boutcrime (Q51b) due to administrative error.  | Source: Spring 2016 Global Attitudes Survey. 0512--  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 