Attitudes towards Asylum Seekers - Trend
Q In general, why do you think someone would leave their own country to seek asylum as a refugee in another country? And for what other reasons?
Q In general, why do you think someone would leave their own country to seek asylum as a refugee in another country? And for what other reasons?
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2002 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | % | |
| Escape persecution | 43 | 35 | 45 | 43 |
| War | 29 | 24 | 29 | 24 |
| Poverty | 24 | 27 | 15 | 19 |
| Escape authorities | 19 | 16 | 12 | 13 |
| Escape torture | 17 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
| Famine | 12 | 9 | 6 | 7 |
| Economic reasons/Look for work | 11 | 16 | 31 | 43 |
| To draw benefits | n/a | n/a | 11 | 15 |
| Committed a crime in own country | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Drought/Floods | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Easier to campaign/Lobby from outside own country | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Raise profile of own country's campaign abroad | 1 | 1 | * | 1 |
| Other | 15 | 31 | 17 | 23 |
| No reason | * | 1 | * | 1 |
| Don't know | 3 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
