At a time when migration dominates political debate worldwide, a global survey by the Gallup International Association reveals something deeper than partisan clashes: how societies see themselves.
The data—drawn from 60 countries across all continents—suggests that attitudes toward migration are not simply ideological. They are tied to collective confidence.
And nowhere is the contrast sharper than between Greece and the United States.
How the Survey Works
The methodology of the survey is straightforward but revealing.
Citizens were asked whether they view migration from their country to other countries and from other countries into their own as positive or negative.
The final balance is calculated as the difference between positive and negative responses.
Within this global framework, Greece and the United States appear at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Greece: Migration as Loss
Greece records a -87% balance for migration abroad—the most negative result among the 60 countries included in the survey.
For Greek society, the departure of citizens is not perceived as mobility, but as loss.
The reasons lie in recent history:
- The decade-long financial crisis
- Massive brain drain of skilled professionals
- Rapid demographic aging
- A widespread feeling that the country cannot retain its productive workforce
All these factors have created a climate of deep insecurity.
When it comes to immigration into Greece, the balance is -17%, indicating caution but not an extreme reaction.
The striking element is not who comes—but who leaves.
Greek society is far more concerned about those departing than those arriving.
United States: A Different Picture
In the United States, the data paints a dramatically different portrait:
- +10% balance for migration abroad
- +24% balance for migration into the country
The +24% figure ranks among the highest in the global survey.
This finding is particularly notable given the intensely confrontational political rhetoric surrounding migration in recent years—especially during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Trump-era immigration policy included:
- Stricter border controls
- Restrictions on asylum
- Construction of sections of the wall along the US–Mexico border
- Strong rhetoric about “illegal immigration”
Yet the Gallup International data suggests that public attitudes do not fully align with this hardline political narrative.
American society remains, to a significant extent, positive toward immigration.
This indicates that a nation’s social confidence—the belief that it can absorb and integrate newcomers—may operate independently of political tensions.
Europe and Turkey: A Mixed Picture
Across Western Europe, attitudes toward immigration are generally neutral (0%), while views on emigration are negative (-17%).
In Eastern Europe, the sentiment is even more negative toward people leaving (-20%).
Individual countries show variation:
- Germany and the United Kingdom record positive views toward immigration
- France shows a negative balance (-11%)
Meanwhile, Turkey records a strongly negative -46% balance for immigration, reflecting social fatigue after years of large refugee inflows.
The Deeper Message
The Gallup International survey does more than measure opinions about migration—it measures collective self-confidence.
Greece appears as a society gripped by anxiety, facing the loss of human capital, demographic balance, and long-term prospects. The -87% figure for emigration is not just a statistic—it signals deep insecurity about the future.
By contrast, the United States appears as a society that believes it can move, absorb, and renew itself, reflected in the +24% balance for immigration.
Europe overall sits in a fragile equilibrium, marked by internal divisions and polarization.
Why the Paradox Exists
How can this relatively positive American public attitude coexist with the election of a president who championed a strict immigration agenda?
The answer lies in the complexity of social attitudes.
Citizens may view immigration as broadly beneficial while simultaneously demanding stronger border control. Elections are rarely decided by a single issue. Economic concerns, cultural polarization, and the feeling of losing control can strongly shape voting behavior.
Populist rhetoric does not always reflect the social average; often, it mobilizes those groups that feel the greatest insecurity.
Ultimately, that may be the most important conclusion: attitudes toward migration reveal less about what we think of “others” and more about how secure we feel about ourselves—and about our future.
Antonis Papakostas is a PhD in Computer Science and a research associate at Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).
