EMBARGOED UNTIL 3 DEC 09, 2 p.m. CET, 8 a.m. EST
2009 COUNTRY SPECIFIC RESULTS
SPAIN
Immigration
 58% of those polled felt that immigration was more of a problem than an opportunity,
the second-highest of all countries.
 Spaniards estimated the percentage of immigrants living in their country to be 24%,
while in reality it is 13%.
 56% of those polled in Spain believe that the unwillingness of immigrants to integrate
into society is the greatest barrier to integration, as opposed to 31% who believe that
discrimination by society is the greatest barrier.
 80% support allowing environmental migrants to settle in Spain, the highest percentage
of all countries polled.
Jobs
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61% of Spaniards disagreed that immigrants take away jobs from native-born workers.
55% of Spaniards agreed that immigrants bring down wages, one of only two countries
where a majority agrees.
Legal vs. Illegal Immigration
 71% of Spaniards polled were more worried about illegal immigration than legal
immigration, the second-highest total of countries polled.
 When asked whether illegal immigrants increase crime, seven out of ten (70%) of
Spaniards agreed.
Permanent Migration
 68% of Spaniards support permanent migration over temporary migration.
 47% of those polled in Spain support the legalization of immigrants.
Rights
 69% of Spaniards would give immigrants the same right to political participation as
native-born citizens, the second-highest percentage of all countries polled.
 In addition, 84% support giving immigrants the same social benefits as native-born
citizens, the second-highest percentage of all countries polled.
Government Management
 Support for the Spanish government’s management of immigration was negative, with
only one third (33%) saying that the government has done a good or fair job, the second
lowest percentage of all countries polled.
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