UNHCR Bulgaria (2020), Public attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers in Bulgaria, Sofia, UNHCR, 11 November 2020

Country

Bulgaria

Title

UNHCR Bulgaria (2020), Public attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers in Bulgaria, Sofia, UNHCR, 11 November 2020

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Year

2020

Type of publication

Survey - quantitative research

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

UN body

Institution

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees I United Nations

Main Thematic Focus

Public perceptions & attitudes

Target Population

Migrants

Key findings

The report examines the perceptions towards refugees and asylum seekers and includes several questions related to religion. It notes that the fear of refugees spreading their cultural and religious beliefs is the second most widespread concern (45 % in 2018, 44 % in 2019 and 52 % in 2020) after the fear of committing a crime. The share of people who consider it important that refugees living next to them are Christian is also growing (34 % in 2018, 33 % in 2019 and 39 % in 2020) but remains lower compared to the importance of other factors such as the acceptance of the local way of living, professional skills, education and speaking of Bulgarian.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The report presents a comparative analysis of two separate surveys examining Bulgarian society's attitudes towards refugees. The survey commissioned by UNHCR Bulgaria in January 2020 includes quantitative research covering respondents between 18 and 61 with different socio-demographic characteristics and qualitative study based on focus group discussions. The survey of the Bulgarian Academy of Science was conducted in August 2020 using the same methodology.

Sample details and representativeness

The survey commissioned by UNHCR Bulgaria includes quantitative research covering more than 1000 respondents and qualitative study based on focus group discussions conducted in Sofia, Plovdiv, Haskovo and Vidin. The survey of the Bulgarian Academy of Science includes quantitative research covering more than 1000 respondents and qualitative study based on focus group discussions in various Bulgarian cities.

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.