Generational divide in Britain on refugees, with younger people more positive than older generations

The survey highlights a clear generational divide in attitudes towards refugees’ integration and contribution to British society. Gen Z in Great Britain are more optimistic than Baby Boomers on both measures - and more positive than Gen Z globally.

At the same time, public attitudes in Britain have become more sceptical over the past decade. Six in ten Britons (60%) now agree that many people seeking refuge may be motivated by economic reasons or access to services - up from 47% in 2017.

However, support for the principle of refuge remains strong. Nearly three quarters (73%) agree that people should be able to take refuge in other countries, including Great Britain, to escape from war or persecution.

This combination of support in principle alongside growing scepticism is reflected in wider attitudes:

• Nearly half (46%) agree that Britain should close its borders to refugees entirely.
• Only 41% believe most refugees who come to Great Britain will successfully integrate into society.
• Views are divided on whether refugees make a positive contribution.

Commenting on the findings, Trinh Tu, Managing Director of Public Affairs at Ipsos in the UK, said:

The principle of refuge still holds. But trust in how the system works has weakened. The generational gap in Britain is striking and suggests attitudes are not fixed. Understanding what shapes them will be critical for policymakers.

The findings point to a complex picture of public opinion in Britain: strong support for offering refuge alongside increasing concerns about how the system operates in practice. The generational divide suggests future attitudes may evolve, as younger cohorts replace older ones.

Full findings from the Ipsos World Refugee Day 2026 UK study are available here.