Europeans fear refugees will lead to more terrorism, fewer jobs, poll shows

WASHINGTON, July 12 (UPI) -- Most Europeans believe the flood of Muslims into Europe will lead to an increase in terrorism and a bigger economic burden, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

The survey results, published on Monday, showed 59 percent polled in 10 European countries -- accounting for 80 percent of the EU population -- believe the influx will lead to more terrorism.

In Hungary it was 76 percent, followed by Poland at 71 percent; Netherlands at 61 percent; Germany at 61 percent; Italy at 60 percent; Sweden at 57 percent, Greece at 55 percent, United Kingdom, 52 percent; France at 46 percent and Spain at 40 percent.

Europeans also said in the survey they were concerned about an economic burden, with the majority in five nations saying refugees will take away jobs and social benefits from the native-born population: Hungary (82 percent), Poland (75 percent), Greece (72), Italy (65), France (53). Overall, 50 percent of respondents among the 10 nations said they agreed that refugees will take away jobs and benefits.

The other percentages were United Kingdom (46), Netherlands (44), Spain (40), Sweden (32) and Germany (31).

Most recent refugees to Europe are arriving from majority-Muslim nations such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Somalia.

Germany took in more than 1 million refugees last year. German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week admitted many terrorists had infiltrated Europe disguised as refugees.

"In part, the refugee flow was even used to smuggle terrorists," she said, addressing supporters of her Christian Democrat Union party on Monday.

The poll showed most people in four countries have negative opinions about Muslims: Hungary (72 percent), Italy (69), Poland (66) and Greece (65). Then it follows with Spain (50), Netherlands (35), Sweden (35), France (29), Germany (29) and United Kingdom (28).

Some of these views are linked to a belief that Muslims do not wish to participate in broader society. Overall, 58 percent say Muslims want to be distinct.

The strongest views are in Greece (78 percent), followed by Hungary (76), Spain (68), Italy (61), Germany (61), United Kingdom (54), Netherlands (53), France (52), Sweden (50) and Poland (45).

The percentage has declined since 2005 in four of five countries where trend data is available. The biggest drop has been in Germany from 88 percent in 2005.

Muslims weren't the only minority group viewed unfavorably by many Europeans. Across the 10 nations polled, a median of 48 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Roma (Gypsies) in their country. A total of 82 percent hold this view in Italy followed by Greece (67), Hungary (64) and France (61). The lowest was Netherlands at 37 percent.

Only 16 percent have an unfavorable opinion of Jews in their country. Nations with the most unfavorable view were Greece (55 percent), Hungary (32), Italy (24) and Poland (24). The least negative was Netherlands at 4 percent.

The Pew Research Center conducted the phone survey in 10 European Union nations and the United States, surveying 11,494 people from April 4 to May 12 before the Brexit referendum in the UK and terrorist attacks at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, both of which took place in late June.

The latest report did not include information from the United States on attitudes toward Muslims.