A Readiness to Accept Immigrants in Europe? Individual and Country-Level Characteristics

Young People's Perceptions of Europe in a Time of Change

“…Findings from the European Social Survey suggested that public attitudes toward immigration are closely linked to people's educational backgrounds (Masso, 2009;Paas & Halapuu, 2012) and that young people and people with higher levels of education show more favorable attitudes toward immigrants than older and lesser educated people do. Both the 2016 EB86 survey (European Commission, 2016c) and the European Social Survey found that Europeans prefer migrants from the same racial or ethnic group as themselves and tend to hold negative feelings toward migrants from poorer countries outside Europe.…”

Refugee Quota: Is Estonia Ready to Receive Refugees? A Review of the Literature on Migration and Ethnic Minorities in Estonia

“…These Quota refugees would probably have non-European ethnic background. In a study of readiness to accept immigrants in Europe, Masso (2009) carried out a research asking question, whether they would like to have immigrants of different race and ethnicity and from outside Europe; Estonia placed at the bottom of chart just scoring 22 right after Hungary which scored 23 being the lowest, when Iceland and Sweden were at the top scoring 1 and 2 respectively. This was a scale of 23, where 1 being highest and 23 being lowest.…”

“…Despite of having long historical background of emigration, return migration and ethnic minorities, Estonia have less experience hosting non-European ethnic minorities and refugees. Estonia should make important changes and actions to receive refugees and to follow EU refugee quota because 1) there are not enough research/experience on receiving non-EU refugees and/or asylum seekers; and 2) because as statistics (Masso, 2009) show that Estonia is one of the harshest countries of the EU in regards to the refugees quota. Therefore their policy makers, academician and researchers will have to address this aspect to tackle the challenges which are emerging from migration crisis to build up a cohesive society.…”

“…In the recent decades, it has changed again; as Masso (2009) pointed out,"aims of immigrants have changed from an individual desire for a better standard of living to the desire that any standard of living is better than none" (p. 253). However, in the 1990s, European migration studies were mostly characterized with growing interest in ethnic return migration, which was poorly investigated before 1990s (Kulu & Tammaru, 2000).…”

Immigration, Integration, and Public Opinion in the European Union

“…Huntoon (1998) rightfully argues that EU nations need immigrants to fill shortages in lower paying jobs. On the other hand, more trade within the European community, according to Masso (2009), tends to be a trigger that promotes more favorable attitudes towards European integration. This is one of the best tools the European Union has at its disposal to foster favorable views of the EU, as trade and improved economic performance is one of the true Immigration, Integration, and Public Opinion in the European Union benefits of European integration.…”