Public Support Holding Steady for Refugees Despite Global Fragility
This year’s survey comes at a critical time. We're seeing more people displaced from their homes than ever before, and at the same time, organizations that help refugees are facing serious budget cuts. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), by the end of April 2025, 122 million individuals globally were forcibly displaced from their homes. This includes 42.7 million refugees, a significant 73% of whom are being hosted in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the disproportionate pressure faced by these nations.
Key findings from the 2025 survey include:
- Majority still support the right to seek refuge: Despite global challenges, a strong majority (67%) continues to support offering refuge to those fleeing war or persecution. Countries like Sweden, Argentina, and the Netherlands show particularly strong support.
- Concerns about motives and integration persist: A significant percentage (62%) believe that many asylum seekers are primarily economic migrants, leading to anxieties about border security. This perception fuels concerns about refugees' ability to integrate and contribute positively to society.
- Wealthier nations expected to increase support: A majority (62%) believe wealthier nations have a moral obligation to provide financial assistance to refugees. The public would most like to see increased financial contributions from international organizations (e.g., UN and World Bank) (39%) - just as aid to the UN is being drastically reduced - and governments of other wealthier nations (30%). Citizens in some nations, like the US, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Australia, show a desire for their governments to do more.
- Declining personal action: While compassion remains relatively high, active support through activities such as donations or social media engagement has decreased from 38% in 2024 to 29% this year. This decline may be attributed to shifting public priorities, particularly economic concerns.
Commenting on the findings, Trinh Tu, MD, Public Affairs, Ipsos in the UK says:
This survey confirms the public's continued commitment to providing refuge, which is encouraging. It’s also clear from our data that there is an urgent need to address the persistent underlying concerns among the public about asylum seekers' motivations and integration. A more balanced narrative, acknowledging the diversity of views and experiences among both refugees and the public, would greatly assist this. This is the driving force behind Ipsos’ annual global survey for World Refugee Day – to provide data that informs constructive discussions and solutions that benefit both refugees and local communities.
Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director of External Relations:
There’s a clear disconnect between compassion and action. The public still believes in the right to seek safety and wants wealthy nations to do more, but the economic backdrop and global political climate are eroding individual support. Needs are more acute than ever. The humanitarian system will wither without a unified effort from governments, organizations, the private sector and the public to build solutions and hope for those forced to flee.
About the survey
This study, conducted across 29 countries, is part of Ipsos’ commitment to building a better global understanding of public attitudes towards refugees. It has been undertaken annually since 2017 and continues to highlight the importance of understanding diverse public attitudes to inform effective solutions and support for refugees worldwide.
This year's survey took place between 25 April and 9 May 2025. Ipsos interviewed a total of 22,734 adults in these countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Spain, U.S, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and Türkiye.
