Concern Over Immigration In Spain Rises Sharply As Majority Believe There Are "Too Many" Immigrants

Increased Concern Over Immigration in Spain

There has been a significant increase in concern among Spaniards about immigration in the past year. According to new polling, 57 percent of citizens believe there are now “too many” immigrants in the country. The 40dB Institute for El País and Cadena SER conducted a recent survey which revealed that 75 percent of Spaniards now associate immigration with negative concepts such as insecurity, crime, and overburdened public services. The concern has risen by 16 points over the last year and a half, reflecting a considerable shift at a time when the migrant crisis, particularly on the Canary Islands archipelago, is a major topic of public debate.

Immigration Viewed as a Significant Concern

The survey found that 41 percent of respondents view immigration as a significant concern. This growing unease is particularly prevalent among Gen Z males who largely agree with the description of the current migration crisis as an “invasion,” as stated by Vox leader Santiago Abascal. The center-right opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who has linked immigration with crime and called for “mass deportations,” also resonates with this demographic.

Political Affiliation and Views on Immigration

Political affiliation appears to influence opinions on immigration. Among supporters of the hard-right SALF, 93.4 percent believe there are too many immigrants, and Vox supporters are not far behind at 86.1 percent. However, 4 out of 10 left-wing PSOE voters (41 percent) also share the belief that there are too many immigrants, while 27.7 percent of Sumar voters and 24.2 percent of Podemos voters express similar views.

Linking Immigration to Negative Outcomes

The majority of respondents (74.8 percent) link immigration to various negative outcomes, such as increased insecurity (29.5 percent), strain on public services (27.2 percent), social divides (21.2 percent), and crime (19.2 percent). A significant portion also associates immigration with unemployment (16.7 percent) and a “loss of cultural identity” (7.6 percent).

Support for Humanitarian Immigration Policies

Despite these concerns, there is still support for humanitarian immigration policies. A majority (64.3 percent) agree that Spain should welcome people fleeing war or political persecution, though over half (52.8 percent) believe this should come with limitations.

Preference for Immigration Origins

One noticeable finding from the survey is that 1 in 4 Spaniards would halt immigration from North Africa’s Maghreb region, while 1 in 6 would restrict immigrants arriving from sub-Saharan Africa. Respondents also showed a preference for the origin of immigration when asked whether they would be happy with a family member marrying a foreign national. While nearly half (49 percent) would approve of a son or daughter entering into a relationship with someone from northern, central, or southern Europe, just 22.8 percent would be happy for a child’s partner to originate from North Africa.

Political Parties and Immigration

Despite its current handling of immigration, the incumbent PSOE was still seen as the most competent party to address the issue among the wider population with 20.5 percent, followed by Vox (17.7 percent) and the center-right PP (16.2 percent). Vox supporters, however, were the most convinced their party was the best equipped to tackle the issue with 83 percent of support. In contrast, 67.7 percent of PSOE voters believed their party had the best approach, and 57.3 percent of PP voters supported their own party’s stance.

Bottom Line

This survey reveals a significant shift in public opinion in Spain regarding immigration. The increased concern and negative associations with immigration are noteworthy, as is the continued support for humanitarian immigration policies. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think these views are representative of the broader public opinion in Spain? Share this article with your friends and let's start a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.