77% of Turkish public favors closing doors to refugees, global survey finds

On World Refugee Day 2024, a global survey conducted by Ipsos and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reveals that 77% of Türkiye’s public supports the idea of closing doors to refugees altogether. This significant majority indicates a notable shift in public sentiment toward refugee policies in the country.

The survey of 33,197 adults in 52 countries revealed a downward trend in global optimism toward refugees in recent years. While the right to asylum from conflict and persecution is widely recognized, support for this principle has been declining year after year.

The research highlights varying national approaches to addressing illegal migration and supporting refugees, often influenced by security concerns. In Türkiye, a significant majority of the population believes that incoming refugees are primarily seeking economic advantages or better living conditions rather than fleeing war as genuine asylum-seekers.

Specifically, 77% of Turks surveyed advocate for a complete closure of refugee entry, contrasting sharply with the global average sentiment of 44%. This disparity underscores the complex and sometimes conflicting perspectives prevalent worldwide regarding refugee acceptance policies.

TWEET: Türkiye leads with 77% supporting full closure of refugee entry, reflecting global trends of declining refugee optimism, per survey