And, after all, 63% of Portuguese respondents consider that the entry of people from abroad benefits the country.
Migration has become a very frequent topic in Portugal, and in Europe in general, over recent times.
The Gallup International Association survey, conducted in Portugal by Intercampus, shows that Portuguese people are more optimistic than Europeans in relation to migration, especially to emigration.
Overall, more than half of Portuguese (52%) of those interviewed say that the emigration benefits Portugal; 24% think it is harmful and 23% responded that emigration has no relevant impact.
The responses of Europeans are very different: only 18% think that emigration benefits the country where they live, 35% believe that it harms them.
Already Germany, for example, 31% see emigration as something negative, 15% see benefits. But in Spain the scale is different: the negative idea about emigration reaches 56%.
In immigration (and after all), 63% of Portuguese interviewees consider that the immigrants are positive for the country; 22% talk about negative impacts.
Already Europa Western, 38% see benefits in immigration, 37% think it is something negative.
António Salvador, general director of Intercampus, summarizes in a statement sent to ZAP: “Portugal presents a unique position in the European context. While several developed economies associate emigration with the loss of human capital, the Portuguese maintain a more pragmatic view of international mobility”.
“The country’s historical experience as an emigrant society and the recognition of the contribution of Portuguese communities abroad help to explain this assessment. The mostly positive perception of immigration also reveals a society that identifies demographic and economic contributions in the entry of new residents”, considers the person responsible.
