Immigration is a hotter issue than the climate if you ask the average European. This is what the Danish think tank Alliance of Democracies has concluded in a new study.
In many countries, it is believed that restricting immigration should be a top priority for the respective governments. At the same time, more and more people have lost interest in climate change, according to the survey.
“Nowhere is this reversal more evident than in Germany, which now has the highest percentage of citizens who want their government to focus on reducing immigration. The issue is almost twice as popular compared to combating climate change,” the report states.
53 countries participated
The biggest perceived threat in 2024 is considered to be war and other violent conflicts, followed by poverty and famine. And about half of those who took part in the survey believed that their government only acts in the interests of a small group of people. Here, too, Germany stands out.
“Over the past four years, this perception has been highest in Latin America, lowest in Asia and has steadily increased in Europe since 2020 – especially in Germany”.
The survey was conducted in 53 countries representing over 75% of the world’s population. The study answers questions concerning the population’s attitude to democracy, government priorities and international relations.