World Refugee Day – Urban Indians’ dilemma – Support refuge for those displaced by war and persecution, but believe India cannot take more refugees

World Refugee Day is today, June 20th, 2022. According to a global survey by Ipsos on World Refugee Day in 28 markets and 20,505 respondents, citizens in most global markets (78%) and urban Indians (70%) support refuge for those displaced by war and persecution, but 6 in 10 (62%) believe we cannot take more refugees, as most refugees come for economic reasons believe at least 3 in 4 Urban Indians (76%) and easily integrate (68%).

The prolonged  Ukraine War has once again put the focus on refugees as citizens of Ukraine have been fleeing to friendly countries to  escape their war torn country. Interestingly, global citizens are more amenable to refugees and display humanitarian attitude with only 1 in 3 (36%) saying they should close their doors to more refugees. Also, there is polarized views among global citizens (54%)  view that refugees come for economic reasons.

The markets most amenable to helping refugees were Sweden (88%), Brazil (86%), Poland (85%) and Spain (85%).

And the markets most opposed to refugees and emphatic on closing their borders to refugees entirely were Turkey (76%) and Malaysia (68%). India was placed 3rd.

Elucidating on the findings, Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India said, “India has in the past seen a huge influx of refugees from the border towns and since they speak the same language they have merged with the local population (68% urban Indians fear refugees integrate with the locals). For an emerging, populous market like India, more refugees add to the strain of  resources.  In fact, resemblance with the locals in border towns is starkly similar and refugees come more to have a better life and enjoy benefits doled out for the locals and make India their home, is the fear among most urban Indians polled. Though after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, India has welcomed refugees from Afghanistan who wanted asylum.”

Govt spending on refugees

Urban Indians display divided views. 22% believe govt should increase spending on refugees, 35% believe govt spending should remain the same, while 30 per cent believe govt should cut back on spending on refugees.

Philanthropic side of Urban Indians  in the last 12 months & motivations

In the last 12 months, 26% of urban Indians polled claim to have donated funds to support the refugees cause, 26% claim to have posted social media messages in support of the refugees and 18% claimed to have contacted govt officials.

Rationale for philanthropy? 43% of urban Indians polled said they were motivated by the war in Ukraine; for 56% it was their first time ever; and 13% said they regularly support refugees.