Well-educated young women from Oslo most immigrant-friendly

Of all Norwegians, young, well-educated women living in major urban areas such as Oslo and its environs have the most charitable view of immigrants, according to Statistics Norway's new survey on Norwegian attitudes to immigrants and immigration policy.

The exact opposite of the young women are older men with little education living in Hedmark and Oppland. When the various answers in the survey are compared, these men are the least immigrant-friendly.

Party affiliation

The Socialist Left Party and the Liberals have the most pro-immigrant voters, while the Progress Party has the least immigrant-friendly voters. Asked whether immigrants have too easy access to social assistance compared to Norwegians, Christian Democrats responded much the same as Progress Party voters. On other questions, answers given by Centre Party supporters most closely paralleled those of Progress Party voters.

Same opportunities in the job market

Ninety-two per cent of the population now agree that immigrants should have the same job opportunities as Norwegians. This is an increase of six percentage points from last year. The percentage who disagree dropped three percentage points to five per cent. This is the only significant change in attitudes since 1997.

Small changes otherwise

Those surveyed were also asked for their opinion on the following claims: "Norway should grant residence permits to at least as many refugees and asylum seekers as today", "Immigrants have too easy access to social assistance compared to Norwegians" and "Immigrants are more criminal than Norwegians". Opinions have not changed much since last year. Sixty-nine per cent agree that Norway should grant residence permits to at least as many refugees and asylum seekers as today while 23 per cent disagreed.

Fifty-three per cent agree that immigrants have too easy access to social assistance, while 32 per cent disagreed. In addition, 43 per cent believe immigrants are more criminal than Norwegians. The percentage who disagree with this claim remained unchanged at 39 per cent.

This year for the first time respondents were asked whether Norway should take in more, fewer or about as many refugees and asylum seekers as it currently does. Thirteen percent said Norway should take in more, 31 per cent said fewer and 55 per cent think Norway should carry on as now.

New Statistics
Attitude towards immigrants and immigration policy, 1998.
The statistics are published annually in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics. In addition, they are published in Notes 55/98. For more information, contact: svein.blom@ssb.no, tel +47 21 09 48 72.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 38, 1998