Working and discussion papersSeptember 2020Helen Dempster, Amy Leach and Karen HargraveSnapshot of a line graph.This paper builds on a 2017 ODI working paper entitled Understanding public attitudes towards refugees and migrants. Since then, the field of public attitudes towards immigration has grown immensely, with a proliferation of regional, national and global surveys seeking to ascertain how attitudes have changed over time. Researchers have also attempted to map individual drivers of public attitudes through attitudinal segmentation, while studies have detailed the influence of policymakers, public policy, the media, civil society and the private sector on public attitudes towards refugees and other migrants. This paper revisits the conclusions of the original paper and provides new evidence to support anyone seeking to influence public attitudes towards immigration. Key messagesPeople hold diverse and seemingly contradictory attitudes towards immigration – they can support reductions while recognising the positive economic and cultural impact of immigrants in their country.Segmentation across high-income countries shows roughly half of people form a ‘conflicted’ middle: neither for nor against migration.Attitudes towards immigrants and immigration are rooted in individuals’ values and worldview. While they can be shifted by external factors, they are relatively fixed.Attempts to shift attitudes must therefore understand and engage with these values, particularly those of the ‘conflicted’ middle.Read the research Public attitudes towards immigration and immigrants: what people think, why, and how to influence themDocumentRelated Public narratives and attitudes towards refugees and other migrants: Kenya country profileAn overview of public perceptions and political narratives about migration and asylum in Kenya.Briefing papers19 August 2020 Public narratives and attitudes towards refugees and other migrants: US country profileAn overview of public perceptions and political narratives on refugees and other migrants in the US.Briefing papers3 March 2020 Public narratives and attitudes towards refugees and other migrants: UK country profileThis briefing presents an overview of migration and asylum policy in the UK as well as the county’s perceptions of and political narratives on migrants.Briefing papers1 November 2019 Understanding public attitudes towards refugees and migrantsWhat does the literature tell us about public attitudes towards refugees and migrants, their drivers, and how to influence them?Working and discussion papers22 June 2017See more:migration and refugeesGlobal
