Global Attitudes to Refugees: a 52-country survey from Ipsos and UNHCR

Key findings:

1. Global support for offering refuge to people seeking safety from war or persecution remains high. Almost three in four people (73% Global country average) express support for offering refuge to those fleeing war or persecution. Support is highest in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, with 93% in Kenya and 92% in Uganda.
2. There is significant support or ‘openness’ among the public to finding solutions that enable refugees to access their rights. While attitudes varied, half of those surveyed believe in refugees being able to integrate and, for example, access their full right to education, and nearly as many support their full access to healthcare and jobs (44% and 42%, respectively). Around three-quarters (77%) expressed support, to a varying degree, for policies that allow refugee families to be reunited in the country of asylum.
3. Still, some major hosts and Western countries showed less positive sentiment. This scepticism is coupled with concerns about refugees' ability to integrate and their overall contributions. While globally a third believe refugees will positively contribute to their country's labour market, national economy, and culture, another third holds the opposite view. The survey also showed concerns about the impact of refugees on national security and public services, notably in countries with large refugee populations.
4. Despite the concerns and scepticism about refugees' impact on host societies, many people are still taking action to support refugees. A third have shown support for refugees in several ways, including by donating or through social media posts. With 75% of refugees living in low- and middle-income countries, almost two in five people surveyed (37%) believe that international aid for countries hosting refugees is insufficient. 
   This report presents the findings from an Ipsos and UNHCR global survey of 33,197 adults across 52 countries for World Refugee Day 2024. The research, released as part of UNHCR’s Hope Away from Home campaign, aims to shed light on issues related to refugees and contribute to a better global understanding of public attitudes towards refugees.
   The survey takes place against a backdrop of unprecedented levels of forced displacement, with more than 120 million people forcibly displaced globally, by May 2024, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events seriously disturbing public order. This is a historic new record propelled by new and long-lasting conflicts around the world. 
   Of those, 43.3 million are refugees, with low- and middle-income countries hosting 75% of the world’s refugees, and Least Developed Countries hosting 21% of the total. This includes 31.6 million refugees and people in a refugee-like situation and 5.8 million other people in need of international protection under UNHCR’s mandate, as well as 6 million Palestinian refugees under UNRWA’s mandate. 
   Ipsos has conducted an online World Refugee Day survey annually since 2017. The countries surveyed change each year, so the Global Averages are not directly comparable for some years. The 2024 survey is our largest survey to date.

Public Understanding of "Refugees" 

This year’s survey sought to capture public understanding of the term "refugees”. 

The legal definition of a refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their own country due to war, violence, or persecution and seek safety in another country. 

Overall, the large majority or people surveyed – 75% (Global country average), correctly understand the term "refugee" to mean someone who has left their home country due to conflict, violence, or persecution or has sought and been granted asylum. However, a significant portion also believes the term applies to those escaping natural disasters or seeking better economic opportunities. It is important to appreciate these different interpretations and levels of understanding when analysing the findings.