Vladimir PRIPP

Perception Towards Immigration in Romania and Bulgaria

Introduction

Perception towards immigration in romania and bulgaria. Discover Romanian & Bulgarian perceptions of immigration. This study analyzes attitudes, identifies predictors like age, gender & education, and informs public policy for migrant integration in less-developed EU nations.

Abstract

Migration is an extensively researched global phenomenon. However, most studies have focused on Western countries with strong economies while migration to less economically developed countries remain largely undocumented. Former communist countries from Europe, which have experienced a population exodus in the last decades, only recently became places of interest for migrants. With migration to less developed countries being a relatively newer phenomenon, the available data predominantly consists of raw figures which focus on counting the number of immigrants. There is a lack of qualitative research focusing on aspects such as the impact on the receiving countries and the livelihood of the immigrants in these receiving countries. Important issues, such as the impact on the receiving countries, have not been studied. Thus, the main issue with this subject is the lack of data and literature. This research, which analyses the immigration phenomenon from Romanians’ and Bulgarians’ perspectives, provides valuable insights into the aforementioned domain by presenting not only citizens’ attitudes toward immigration but also predictors of negative and positive attitudes toward this phenomenon. This paper provides an indepth analysis of factors influencing attitudes toward migrants. The research method utilized is secondary data analysis. For this research, I used the Eurobarometer 98.2 for which the data was collected between January and February 2023. Firstly, I presented the general attitudes toward migration by employing frequencies and crosstabs. Afterward, by using regression and factorial analyses, I identified the attitude predictors toward immigration. Romanians and Bulgarians have mixed feelings about migration. Age, gender and education are strong predictors of attitudes toward migrants. The findings are interesting because, partially, they reject the idea that Romanians and Bulgarians discriminate against migrants. The insights from this study not only address a gap in the existing literature but also have the potential to inform the development of public policies aimed at facilitating migrant integration.

Review

This paper, "Perception Towards Immigration in Romania and Bulgaria," addresses a critically underdeveloped area within migration studies by shifting focus from Western economies to less economically developed countries, specifically Romania and Bulgaria. The abstract effectively highlights a significant gap in the literature, noting the scarcity of qualitative research and nuanced data beyond mere immigration counts in these former communist states. By aiming to provide insights into citizens' attitudes toward immigration and identify predictors of these attitudes, the research promises to fill a vital void and contribute valuable perspectives on a phenomenon that is only recently gaining traction in these regions. The methodology outlined involves secondary data analysis of Eurobarometer 98.2, collected in early 2023, which is a reputable source for public opinion. The analytical approach, combining frequencies and crosstabs for general attitudes with regression and factorial analyses for identifying predictors, appears sound and appropriate for the research questions. The stated findings – that Romanians and Bulgarians hold mixed feelings, and that age, gender, and education are strong predictors of attitudes – offer intriguing insights. Particularly noteworthy is the claim that findings partially reject the idea of overt discrimination against migrants, which could challenge existing assumptions and foster a more nuanced understanding of public sentiment. Overall, this research represents a timely and valuable contribution to the field. While relying on secondary data may limit the depth of qualitative understanding into the lived experiences of immigrants or the precise mechanisms of impact on receiving communities, the use of a comprehensive survey like Eurobarometer provides a robust foundation for analyzing broad public perceptions. The study's insights are not only academically significant by addressing a clear literature gap but also carry substantial practical implications for informing public policies aimed at facilitating migrant integration in Eastern European contexts. This paper lays crucial groundwork for future, more targeted investigations into this complex and evolving phenomenon.

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