Two-thirds of Czechs believe that too many foreigners are working in the country

Despite the decrease in the number of people who believe that there are too many foreigners working here and that they’re taking our jobs, a majority of the population still holds that opinion

Two-thirds of Czechs (66 %) believe that too many foreigners are working in our country, and only a slightly lower percentage (60 %) say that the employment of foreigners is depriving our people of jobs. Compared with last year’s survey, the proportion of citizens who agree with these opinions has fallen. As in previous years, a three-fifths majority of the population (60 %) does not agree that foreigners are the only solution to labour shortages in certain professions.

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 16 to 23 March 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,050 people taking part in the survey.

Since 2009, when there was a noticeable rise in unemployment and the public started to feel the effects of the economic crisis, STEM has been monitoring public opinion on the fact that a relatively high number of foreigners are employed in many professions in this country. In the context of a change in the attitudes of Czech citizens towards foreigners and increased optimism in terms of economic outlook, it is interesting to track the dynamics of opinion on the employment of foreigners in this country.

According to the latest survey, a two-thirds majority of citizens (66 %) consider the number of foreigners living here to be too high. A three-fifths majority of the population (60 %) believes that foreigners are taking our citizens’ jobs. By contrast, two-fifths of people (40 %) admit that in the case of certain professions, without foreigners it would be difficult to find a solution to fill gaps in the labour market.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +

Up until last year’s survey, opinions on the employment of foreigners had been very stable. While the proportion of those who believed that the employment of foreigners was the only solution to labour shortages remained at the same level as in the previous two surveys, the level of agreement with the other two opinions analysed in the surveys decreased. The majority opinion that there are too many foreigners working in this country and that they are depriving our citizens of jobs decreased by 14 and 12 percentage points, respectively. Despite this decline, a clear majority of Czech citizens agree with these statements.

Source: STEM, Trends 2009-2016

Attitudes towards the number of foreigners in this country and their role in the labour market are not affected to any great extent by socio-demographic characteristics. The only factor that plays a definite role is level of education: the higher the level of education, the lower the proportion of respondents who agree with the statements that there are too many foreigners working in this country and that they are depriving our citizens of jobs. Moreover, compared with the last survey, the fall in the number of respondents who held the opinion that foreigners were “taking” the jobs of Czech citizens was much more significant among university graduates than among those in the remaining educational categories. Essentially, this means that in this educational category the proportion of citizens who disagree with this opinion already exceeds the proportion who agree (viz. second graph below).

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK,
High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK,
High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 3/2015, 3/2016

Differences according to social status are not statistically significant (the data merely indicate that the unemployed evidently most often believe that foreigners our depriving our citizens of work – 78 % of those who are unemployed answered in the affirmative). The opinions of those in employment differ slightly, however. The proportion of citizens who agree that there are too many foreigners in this country and that they are depriving our citizens of jobs is higher among blue-collar and white-collar workers and, by contrast, lower among those in management positions, experts and operational managers.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +
(531 employees; given their low representation in the survey, figures for those in management positions are only approximate)

In terms of political affiliation, it is evident that right-wing individuals have more favourable opinions on the employment of foreigners in this country – they are less likely to be of the opinion that too many foreigners work here and that they are taking our jobs.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +

World leaders favourability ratings – June 2016

Of the world leaders selected, Pope Francis enjoyed the highest ratings among the population. In line with recent surveys, Czech citizens also have a very positive opinion of Slovak Prime Minister R. Fico. By contrast, Russian President V. Putin and primarily German Chancellor Angela Merkel have received predominantly unfavourable ratings. President of the European Commission J.-C. Juncker still remains little known among citizens.

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 13 to 21 June 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,061 people taking part in the survey.

In addition to looking at Czech attitudes towards various countries, in its June 2016 survey STEM focused on how the public rated foreign political figures, presidents and prime ministers of certain countries, the president of the European Commission and the head of the Catholic Church. The survey was conducted shortly before the British public voted on membership of the European Union and thus before the outcome of the Brexit referendum was known. The graph below plots the findings.

Rating of foreign figures
“Please give me your opinion on the following foreign political figures.”

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents

Pope Francis

Pope Francis is unquestionably the highest rated international figure among Czech citizens, with over two-thirds of the public viewing him positively. Although this proportion is marginally lower than in our December 2015 survey (by 6 percentage points), he enjoys nonetheless the highest rating. Compared with his predecessor Benedict XVI, Pope Francis is still held in significantly higher regard by the Czech public (in 2009 Benedict XVI was rated favourably by 52 % of citizens).

Leaders of western European powers and Russia

A three-fifths majority of respondents rated British Prime Minister David Cameron positively in the June survey. President Barack Obama was rated favourably by over half the population. The public was undecided about French President Francois Hollande. Vladimir Putin and particularly German Chancellor Angel Merkel were rated negatively. If we examine the changes in the popularity of the five leaders since the December 2015 survey, D. Cameron and V. Putin have gone down slightly in the public’s estimation. There has been a more significant drop in F. Hollande’s popularity, while A. Merkel’s popularity is continuing to decline. The public view of B. Obama is similar to what it was in December 2015.

“Please give me your opinion on the following foreign political figures.”(proportion of “very favourable” and “somewhat favourable” ratings in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2008-2016

Russian President Putin is rated more favourably by men than women (37 % and 28 % favourable ratings, respectively), the over 60s (39 %) and those with a primary education (41 %) or apprenticeship (35 %).

In relation to attitudes towards the German Chancellor, there is no significant difference among the various population groups. The October 2013 survey found that Angela Merkel was rated favourably primarily by the better educated in society. Her ratings have since considerably deteriorated in connection with the refugee crisis. The current survey shows a continued decline in positive ratings, but more so among the less-educated sections of the population.

Comparison of A. Merkel’s ratings by education for 2013, 2015 and 2016
(proportion of “very favourable” and “somewhat favourable” opinions in %)

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 2013/10, 2015/12, 2016/6

In terms of socio-demographic factors, there are no significant differences in the public’s opinon of B. Obama, D. Cameron and F. Hollande, apart from the fact that the better educated are more likely to know the British Prime Minister and the French President.

Attitudes towards the heads of state of Russia, the US and Germany are very much influenced by political preferences. As expected, when compared with supporters of the other parliamentary parties, Communist Party (KSČM) supporters have a decidedly more favourable opinion of Vladimir Putin while are, on the contrary, more critical of Barack Obama. TOP 09 and Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) supporters rate Angela Merkel more positively.

B. Obama, V. Putin and A. Merkel’s ratings according to political party preferences
(proportion of “very favourable” and “somewhat favourable” opinions in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents aged 18+
Note: Given their low representation in the group, figures for ODS, TOP 09 and KDU-ČSL supporters are only approximate.

ČSSD is the ruling Czech Socialist Democratic Party; ANO is centrist party and one of the junior coalition partners; KDU-ČSL is the Christian Democrats and one of junior coalition partners; TOP 09 is a conservative opposition party; ODS is the liberal-conservative Civic Democratic Party, a right-wing opposition party; KSČM (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia).

Eastern neighbours

Robert Fico enjoys a high level of popularity among our citizens. Time and again surveys have found that Czech citizens have a distinctly positive attitude towards Slovakia and its political representatives. A third of respondents do not know Hungarian Prime Minister V. Orbán. The majority of those who do know him rate him favourably, and he has the same proportion of positive ratings as in the last survey. The Slovak Prime Minister’s favourability rating is also almost identical to December 2015 figures.

“Please give me your opinion on the following foreign political figures.”(proportion of “very favourable” + “somewhat favourable” ratings in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2009-2016

Robert Fico has a higher proportion of unfavourable ratings among university graduates and those with a secondary education, although a majority of these respondents also rate him positively.

R. Fico’s ratings by education

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents aged 18+

The following graph illustrates the prime ministers of Slovakia and Hungary’s ratings according to respondents’ political affiliation. While Communist Party (KSČM) supporters are more likely to rate Robert Fico favourably, he is also positively rated by supporters of government parties. The only group in this category with a different opinion of Viktor Orbán are TOP 09 supporters, a significantly lower proportion of whom rate him favourably.

Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán’s rating according to political party preferences
(proportion of “very favourable” + “somewhat favourable” opinions in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents aged 18+
Note: Given their low representation in the group, figures for ODS, TOP 09 and KDU-ČSL supporters are only approximate.

European Union representative

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker’s rating is unique in that a large proportion of respondents do not know him at all (40 %). The majority of those who do, rate him unfavourably (19 % positive opinions vs. 41 % negative). When compared to the findings of the December 2015 survey, there was no change in the proportion of respondents who did not know who the President of the European Commission was. The only difference was that there was a 3 percentage points’ increase in the proportion of those who viewed Mr. Juncker favourably. It is noteworthy that the October 2013 survey found that just under a quarter of respondents had never heard of Juncker’s predecessor José Manuel Barroso and the majority of those who had, rated him positively (48 %).

Czech attitudes towards certain European and non-European countries (prior to Brexit, Nice, the coup attempt in Turkey and violent attacks in Germany)

Prior to Brexit, the Nice attack, the attempted coup in Turkey and violent attacks in Germany, Slovakia enjoyed the highest favourability rating among Czech citizens, with Austria in second place. The vast majority of the public also rated the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France and Croatia positively. Of the non-European countries, Japan received the highest rating. There has been no fundamental shift in attitudes since the December 2015 survey. Attitudes towards Germany and the United States have further deteriorated slightly. Hungary, Russia and Ukraine also received somewhat less favourable ratings than in the last survey and, once more, Turkey, Ukraine, China, Russia and Serbia fared the worst.

Since 1994 STEM has been regularly monitoring the attitudes of Czech citizens towards certain European countries and the world powers. The June 2016 survey was conducted shortly before the British public voted on membership of the European Union and thus before the outcome of the Brexit referendum was known.

First, let us sum up the results of the survey. Respondents were asked to rate their attitudes towards the various countries on a scale of one to five, with one being the most positive. Slovakia clearly came out on top, with 85 % of respondents rating the country at one or two. Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France and Croatia also enjoyed very positive ratings, receiving a one or a two from approximately 70 % of citizens. Over half of those surveyed also rated Denmark, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Hungary, Slovenia and Poland favourably. Just under half of respondents viewed Germany favourably, giving the country a score of one or two. Turkey received the most ‘bad’ marks, followed by Russia and Ukraine. The United States, Serbia and China also received few positive ratings.

At the end of 2015 we observed a significant decrease in the proportion of positive ratings awarded to certain countries, compared with the results of the 2013 survey. This shift was most notable in the case of Germany, but other western European countries also fared worse than previously (Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom). The results of the most recent survey indicate a further slight decline in positive ratings for Germany and France. In the case of the other countries listed above, a small increase in favourable ratings was recorded. This by no means signifies a return to 2013 figures, however.

While Czech citizens’ attitudes towards Poland continue to improve, there has, by contrast, been no such improvement in Hungary’s ratings since the December 2015 survey. It is worth noting that Russia has also seen a fall in favourable ratings since the last survey.

Country popularity chart
“I’m going to read you the names of various countries and, using the school grading system, I’d like you to rate your attitude towards them on a scale of one to five, with one being the most favourable rating and five the least favourable.“
Rating in % (school grades: one = most favourable, five = least favourable)

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents

Country popularity comparison for 2013, 2015 and 2016
“I’m going to read you the names of various countries and, using the school grading system, I’d like you to rate your attitude towards them on a scale of one to five, with one being the most favourable rating and five the least favourable.“
Rating in % (school grades: one = most favourable, five = least favourable)

Source: STEM, Trends 2013/10, 2015/12, 2016/6

The following graph, which plots the attitudes of Czech citizens towards Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States over a period of more than twenty years, clearly shows a dramatic deterioration in the ratings of these countries in the 2015 survey, most notably in the case of Germany. Only the United Kingdom received a slightly higher rating in the June survey. It still remains to be seen, however, how the results of the Brexit referendum will be reflected in Czech attitudes towards the United Kingdom.

Development in the ratings of selected countries (1994-2016)
(Ratings using the school grading system: one = most favourable, five = least favourable; proportion of 1 + 2 grades in %)

Source: STEM, Trends Series 1994-2016

More detailed analyses of developments in attitudes towards Germany demonstrate interesting differences in relation to the level of education of respondents. The survey conducted at the end of 2015 found a fall in positive ratings for Germany in all educational categories. As this drop was most significant among university graduates, this resulted in a consensus on Germany among the various educational groups. The current data shows a further deterioration in attitudes towards Germany among the less educated. By contrast, in the most recent survey, secondary school and university graduates rated Germany slightly more favourably than in the December 2015 survey. Therefore, differences in terms of level of education are again more apparent, although not quite to the extent they were in 2013.

Differences in attitudes towards Germany by education (2013, 2015 and 2016)
(proportion of 1+2 grades in %)

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 2013/10, 2015/12, 2016/6

Czech public opinion on the direction of social policy

The June survey conducted by STEM found that slightly over half the population (56 %) would be more inclined to support families with children than to increase old-age pensions. A clear majority (70 %) calls on the state to focus primarily on expanding social services rather than on increasing social welfare payments. Society is divided into two equal camps on whether to invest additional resources in environmental protection or to increase the various social welfare payments.

STEM has been systematically monitoring the opinions of Czech citizens on social policy issues in the long-term. The results of the surveys, conducted over a period of twenty years, have shown that since the second half of the nineties the Czech public has been considerably more in favour of helping families with children than pensioners. Ten years later saw the beginning of a shift in public opinion, with part of the population being more inclined to believe that pensioners were worse off. Nonetheless, those who are more in favour of supporting families are still in the majority, although the current survey found that the proportion of citizens who hold this view is at a historic low.

“Imagine if you had to decide on whether to increase old-age pensions or extend the level of financial support provided to families with children. Which of the two options would you choose?”

Source: STEM, Trends 1997-2016

How should social policy be put into practice: by offering additional services or increasing social welfare payments? Prior to 2000, opinion was divided equally, but after that, there was a rise in the proportion of people who believed that the state social protection system should be based more on expanding social services than on increasing social welfare payments. Over the years, this opinion has continued to become more prevalent among citizens (primarily in 2013 and 2014). The June survey saw a slight decline in this view, but it will take subsequent surveys to confirm whether this is a long-term change or merely a short-term blip.

“State social protection measures consist of two basic areas – social welfare payments and social services. Which of these two areas do you believe the Czech state should prioritise?”

Source: STEM, Trends 1997-2016

If people were to choose whether to invest more resources in environmental protection or increase the various social welfare payments, half the population would currently favour one area, the second half, the other. The current findings are identical to those of the November 2014 survey.

“Imagine if you had to decide on whether to invest additional financial resources in environmental protection or increase the various social welfare payments. Which of the two would you prioritise?”

Source: STEM, Trends 1998-2016

Opinions on pensions and social policy differ considerably according to the age, education, and the financial situation of respondents. Political orientation and party political preferences are also determining factors.

The older the respondent, the more likely it is for him/her to have a preference for increasing old-age pensions. Older respondents are also more inclined to favour increasing various social welfare payments over investing in the environment. The majority of respondents in all age categories believe that expanding the spectrum of social services should take precedence over increasing social welfare payments.

Opinions on pensions and social policy
(by respondents’ age, proportion of those in favour in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents

In terms of education, the most significant differences in opinion were recorded in the respondents’ answers to the question regarding whether to increase social welfare payments or invest in the environment. The majority of respondents with a secondary or university education believed it was more important to prioritise environmental protection, whereas the reverse was true for those with a lower level of education.

Those with a higher level of education were also somewhat more likely to call for an expansion of social services rather than an increase in social welfare payments. This group was also more inclined to favour providing additional support to families over increasing pensions.

Opinions on pensions and social policy
(by education, the proportion of those in favour in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents
*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK,
High School Diploma in the US

Differences in the opinions of respondents according to party preference on the question of whether they would favour increasing pensions or providing additional support to families are largely determined by the age profile of the electorate of the various political parties. This is also one of the reasons Communist party (KSČM) supporters, who are in the older demographic, are least likely to prioritise support for families. By contrast, Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) and conservative TOP 09 supporters are most likely to favour providing support to families with children.

Supporters of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and conservative TOP 09 prioritised investment in the environment over increasing social welfare payments. The majority of Communist party (KSČM) and Social Democrat (ČSSD) supporters are in favour of increasing social welfare payments.

The majority of supporters of all parliamentary parties are of the view that expanding existing social services should take precedence over increasing social welfare payments.

Opinions on pensions and social policy
(by political party preferences, the proportion of those in favour in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/6, 1061 respondents
Note: Given their low representation in the group, figures for ODS, TOP 09 and KDU-ČSL supporters are only approximate.

Public still very critical of old-age pension levels

Over four-fifths of the population (83 %) do not consider the level of old-age pensions in this country to be adequate. According to almost three-quarters of citizens (74 %), the average old-age pension fails to cover the basic needs of the elderly. Four-fifths of the population (81 %) do not think that the current pension system allows people to live in dignity in their old age. Over three-fifths of respondents (63 %) believe that the political leadership of the country underestimates the provision of social security to citizens. There have been no fundamental changes in public perception of this issue since the May 2015 survey.

Czech politicians have given relatively little attention to pension policy in recent years, and any consideration given to this issue has been rather careless and hit and miss and linked primarily to increasing current pension levels alone. No significant changes are actually taking place in the area of pension policy. It is not surprising, then, that Czech public opinion has been critical of the current pension system for a long time. Over four-fifths of citizens (83 %) consider the current pensions paid out to senior citizens to be inadequate. A three-quarters majority (74 %) believes that the average old-age pension is insufficient to cover the basic needs of pensioners. Furthermore, four-fifths of respondents (81 %) do not think that the current pension system enables people to spend their old age in a dignified manner.

Opinions on old-age pensions (data in %)

Source: STEM, Trends 6/2016, 1061 respondents

According to the STEM surveys conducted between 1998 and 2002, public opinion on old-age pensions for that period was relatively stable. During those years the majority of citizens were critical of pension levels and their inadequacy in terms of allowing older people to live in dignity. The public was divided into two camps on whether pensions were sufficient to cover basic everyday needs. Since 2003, however, public criticism has been escalating, and was particularly strong in the May 2008 survey. The subsequent improvement in public attitudes towards pension levels ended in 2011, with public satisfaction at its lowest in the November 2014 survey. Since then, surveys have found only a partial improvement in attitudes towards the adequacy of pensions and the issue of whether pensions, at their current level, cover the basic needs of pensioners.

“Do you think that old-age pensions in the Czech Republic are currently adequate?”
(sum of “definitely yes” + “somewhat yes” answers in %)
Source: STEM, Social Protection 2/1998, Trends 2001-2016

“In your opinion, is the average old-age pension adequate to cover pensioners’ basic needs?” (sum of “definitely yes” + “somewhat yes” answers in %)
Source: STEM, Social Protection 2/1998, Trends 2001-2016

“Do you think that the current pension system allows people to live in dignity in their old age?”
(sum of “definitely yes” + “somewhat yes” answers in %)
Source: STEM, Social Protection 2/1998, Trends 2002-2016

Statistical analysis shows that a somewhat greater proportion of younger people consider pensions to be adequate, but even among this group, this view is clearly in the minority. In terms of the other questions put to respondents, we did not find any significant age-related differences.

“Do you think that old-age pensions in the Czech Republic are currently adequate?”

Source: STEM, Trends 6/2016, 1061 respondents

However, respondents’ opinions on the pensions system differed considerably according to their political orientation. Communist party (KSČM) supporters are most critical. By contrast, a somewhat higher proportion of Christian Democrat (KDU-ČSL) supporters believe that old-age pensions are adequate, are sufficient to cover the basic needs of pensioners and that the current system enables people to live in dignity when they are older. On the issue of whether or not current pension rates are adequate to cover day-to-day needs, supporters of the centrist ANO party and conservative TOP 09 concur with Christian Democrat supporters.

Opinions on old-age pensions
By political party preference
(proportion of “definitely yes” + “somewhat yes” answers in %)
Source: STEM, Trends 6/2016, 1061 respondents

Note: Given their low representation in the group, figures for ODS, TOP 09 and KDU-ČSL supporters are only approximate.

ČSSD is the ruling Czech Socialist Democratic Party; ANO is a centrist party and one of the junior coalition partners; KDU-ČSL is the Christian Democrats and one of junior coalition partners; TOP 09 is a conservative opposition party; ODS is the liberal-conservative Civic Democratic Party, a right-wing opposition party; KSČM (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia).

To conclude, we will look once again at the findings related more generally to the issue of social protection policy. Over three-fifths of citizens (63 %) believe that the current political leadership underestimates the provision of social security (definitely yes: 26 %, somewhat yes: 27 %, somewhat no: 29 %, definitely no: 8 %). This opinion is currently held by somewhat fewer people than during the economic crisis, but nonetheless the majority of citizens still believe this to be the case.

“Do you think that the current political leadership underestimates the provision of social security to the population?”
(sum of “definitely yes” + “somewhat yes” answers in %)
Source: STEM, Trends 1993-2016

How do supporters of the various political parties rate the approach taken by the government to the issue of social protection? Communist Party (KSČM) are most critical, followed by Civic Democrat (ODS) supporters. By contrast, supporters of the opposition conservative TOP 09 party are least likely to believe that the current government underestimates the provision of social security. Supporters of the governing parties agree on this issue, although a slight majority of them are of the view that the political leadership is not focusing enough on social protection issues.

“Do you think that the current political leadership underestimates the provision of social security to the population?”
By political party preference (proportion of “definitely yes” + “somewhat yes” answers in %)
Source: STEM, Trends 6/2016, 1061 respondents

Note: Given their low representation in the group, figures for ODS, TOP 09 and KDU-ČSL supporters are only approximate.

Public opinion on the possible settling of refugee families in towns and villages around the country

The Czech public is divided on whether settling two or three refugee families from abroad would lead to serious problems in the town or village in which they would take up permanent residence: approximately half the population (49 %) believes that this would cause serious problems; the other half (51 %), by contrast, does not anticipate any such problems. These opinions are closely linked to the size of respondents’ place of residence; the higher the population, the lower the proportion of people who would expect serious problems to arise as a result of the arrival of refugee families. A three-fifths majority of Czech citizens (61 %) believe that if hypothetically refugee families were to be settled permanently in their community, it would be better if family members tried as much as possible to get to know the locals and fit into the community.

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 4 to 13 May 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,292 people taking part in the survey.

In several of its surveys, STEM has already looked at the topic of refugees and Czech attitudes towards the migrant crisis in Europe. In its May survey, STEM focuses on the issue of refugees from a different angle. We have sought to take a topic presented by the media and transfer it to a context closer to everyday life, i.e. the local community and neighbourhood.

The responses to the first question in the survey show that public opinion is divided, with roughly half the population (49 %) indicating that they would have serious problems with a situation whereby two or three refugee families settled permanently in their town/village and the other half (51 %), by contrast, indicating they would not regard this to be a serious problem.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

The less-educated, blue-collar workers, white-collar workers and people living in worse-off households made up a greater proportion of those who would have a serious problem with refugees living in their neighbourhood. As expected, this opinion is also more prevalent among people from smaller towns and villages where there are real “neighbourhoods” and the potential impact on life in the community would be greater compared with in towns or cities.

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv.
A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

Of the possible approaches that refugee families could take to life in Czech towns or villages, a three-fifths majority of Czech citizens (61 %) said it would suit them better if the new residents tried to become assimilated as much as possible.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

In this case, the level of education of respondents again had a substantial impact on opinion. A significantly larger proportion of citizens with a lower level of education would welcome a situation whereby refugees lived more within their family units and kept to themselves. On this issue, the size of respondents’ place of residence had no clear-cut impact on attitudes, with the largest proportion of those in favour of refugees becoming assimilated in local communities being among residents of towns with a population of over 90,000 inhabitants (71 %). Nonetheless, only a slightly lower proportion of residents of towns with a population of 20,000 – 90,000 (63 %) were of the same opinion, as were inhabitants of the country’s smallest villages (of up to one thousand inhabitants) at 60 %.

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv.
A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

The vast majority of those who are not afraid that serious problems would arise if refugees settled in their communities would favour the refugees getting to know the locals and becoming assimilated in the community. There is no clear-cut opinion among the group who anticipate problems arising, although a slight majority are of the view that refugees should keep to themselves and live within their family units.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

The majority of Czechs believe the state should not increase unemployment benefits

Over the long term a three-quarters majority of the population (76 %) has held the view that in order to tackle unemployment the state should provide only minimal benefits to force people to find work. A similar proportion of citizens (73 %) do not believe that current levels of unemployment and social benefits provide adequate incentive for unemployed people to look for work. Two-thirds of citizens (69 %) do not think that the state should increase unemployment benefits.

Since the beginning of the nineties STEM has been monitoring public opinion on state policy to tackle unemployment through the provision of social and unemployment benefits. Over the years, the majority of Czechs have been inclined to believe that the level of state benefits should provide sufficient incentive for the unemployed to seek work but that such benefits should not be set at a level which would lower the living standards of unemployed people too much.

However, do Czech citizens believe that unemployment and social benefits at their current level provide adequate incentive for people who are unemployed to seek work? According to a three-quarters majority of respondents (73 %), current levels of unemployment and social benefits do not provide such an incentive. The majority of people (69 %) also believe that the state should not increase unemployment benefits.

Source: STEM, Economic Forecast 1991-92, Trends 1993-2016

Source: STEM, Trendy 2016/5, 1292 respondents

According to the surveys conducted by STEM, in the years 2004 to 2007 roughly one quarter of citizens considered the level of benefits provided to unemployed individuals to be adequate incentive to look for a job. In 2008 – when Mirek Topolánek’s government was responsible for the policy to tackle unemployment – this proportion increased somewhat, to two-fifths of the population. This remained more or less stable also in the years that followed, with some variations. However, since 2013 the proportion of people who believe that current levels of unemployment and social benefits provide adequate incentive for the jobless to look for work has been decreasing, and it is currently at the same level as it was roughly ten years ago.

Source: STEM, Trends 2004-2016

In the period since 2009 the proportion of the public who agree that the state should increase unemployment benefits has remained relatively stable at just below the forty percent mark. Nonetheless, STEM’s current data indicates a substantial drop in the proportion of people who would be in favour of an increase in unemployment benefits. This development is therefore consistent with STEM’s other findings which reflect developments on the employment market and show that the public currently considers the problem of unemployment to be less acute than in the past.

Source: STEM, Trends 1999-2016

Older people, university graduates and skilled professionals are more likely to believe that current levels of unemployment benefits do not provide enough incentive to look for work and that the state should not increase unemployment benefits.

Source: STEM, Trendy 2016/5, 1292 respondents

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents (674 employees)

Among those who have a strong fear of unemployment there is a significantly higher proportion who would welcome an increase in unemployment benefits by the state. However, unlike in the past, this is not even the majority opinion among this group.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016 /5, 1292 respondents

More people than before consider the unemployed as people who have no real interest in finding work

A clear majority of the public (70 %) believes that the state should guarantee employment for those who wish to work. Two-thirds of citizens (59 %) consider a certain level of unemployment to be a positive thing which leads to a greater respect for work. Over half the population (57 %) believes that the majority of people who are unemployed have no real interest in working, a significant increase since our last survey in 2014 (up 18 percentage points).

This survey was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 4 to 13 May 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,292 people taking part in the survey.

In the context of positive developments in employment in the Czech Republic and the decline in fear of unemployment among economically active citizens, it is interesting to take a look at current attitudes towards the unemployed and towards the role of the state with regard to the issue of unemployment.

A large majority of the Czech population (70 %) is inclined to believe that the state should take on an active role in tackling the problem of unemployment; in effect, they believe that the state should guarantee jobs. A third of respondents are firmly of this opinion. A roughly three-fifths majority of citizens (59 %) consider a certain level of unemployment to be a positive phenomenon which encourages people to take greater responsibility and increases respect for work. A similar proportion (57 %) believe that the majority of unemployed are people who are not interested in working.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

STEM has been monitoring public attitudes towards unemployment and the unemployed for 23 years now. The surveys conducted over the years have shown that attitudes towards this issue have remained relatively consistent in recent years. Opinions on whether the state should be obliged to guarantee jobs for those who wish to work have remained most stable. In 1993 the vast majority of people (roughly 80 %) shared the opinion that a certain level of unemployment was a positive phenomenon. As unemployment increased, however, this proportion gradually decreased. Up until 2010 this proportion remained above the 60% mark, whereas in recent years it has been slightly under 60 percent.

The dominant attitude following the establishment of the independent Czech Republic and again during the economic boom years of 2007 and 2008 was that the unemployed were people who were not really interested in finding a job. From 2009 onwards this was the minority opinion (at roughly 40 %). However, the current survey indicates a substantial shift in opinion and – similar to in 1993 – a majority of citizens now believe that most of those who are unemployed are not really interested in finding work.

Source: STEM, Trends 1993-2016

The survey found that the over 60s (62 %), students (61 %), pensioners (62 %), and white-collar workers (61 %) are somewhat more inclined to believe that the majority of unemployed are not really interested in finding work. As we have already pointed out, the proportion of people who agree with this opinion is now significantly higher than for our last survey, conducted in May 2014. A comparable increase has been recorded across the various socio-demographic groups, the only exception being among blue-collar workers where the increase was less pronounced (only 7 percentage points).

University graduates and employees who are experts or specialists in their field are less inclined to believe that the state has the obligation to guarantee jobs (although, even in this category, a slight majority believe so: 57 % and 58 %, respectively). By contrast, university graduates are significantly more often inclined than those with a primary education or apprenticeship to believe that unemployment makes people value work more and is therefore a positive phenomenon.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents
*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv.
A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US

Attitudes towards unemployment and the unemployed are also influenced by political orientation. On one side of the political spectrum, left-wing citizens emphasise an obligation on the part of the state to guarantee jobs and are less likely to consider the unemployed as people who have no real interest in finding work and unemployment as a positive phenomenon. By contrast, right-wing citizens are of the opposite opinion.

Source: STEM, Trends 2016/5, 1292 respondents

Fear of unemployment continues to decline

Only slightly over half the economically active population (54 %) fears unemployment. A three-quarters majority of people of working age would be willing to work outside their area of qualification or expertise if faced with the prospect of losing their job (75 %) or, indeed, would even be prepared to accept a lower salary (72 %). By contrast, only two-fifths of people (41 %) would be willing to relocate for work to a different town or village in a different region. Compared with the 2014 survey, people’s willingness to work outside their area of expertise has significantly declined (by 14 percentage points), although a clear majority would still be willing to do so.

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 4 to 13 May 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,292 people taking part in the survey.

Unemployment in the Czech Republic fell from 6.1 % in March to 5.7 % in April. With 414,960 people out of work, the unemployment rate is at its lowest level since January 2009. Unemployment levels decreased year-on-year by an entire percentage point; in April 2015 unemployment was at 6.7 %. According to the most recent Eurostat statistics from March, the Czech Republic has the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union. In this context, what are the current attitudes of Czech citizens of working age to unemployment?

According to the May STEM survey, just over half the population of working age (54 %) fear unemployment (pensioners are not included).

Source: STEM, Trends 5/2016, 951 respondents (excluding pensioners)

Since 2013, when fear of unemployment among people of working age had reached its peak, we have observed a very gradual decline in the proportion of those who fear losing their jobs. In the current survey we have seen a more significant drop in the level of fear of job loss, most likely as a result of the latest positive reports on employment. Indeed, current figures are at the same level as they were in the period prior to the beginning of the economic crisis in 2009.

Source: STEM, Trends 1993-2016

Women of working age (57 %) are somewhat more often inclined to fear loss of employment than men (50 %). The same is true for those with a lower level of education (see graph below), blue-collar workers (66 %), operational managers (63 %), private sector employees (57 %) and the under 30s (63 %).

Source: STEM, Trends 5/2016, 951 respondents (excluding pensioners)
*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK,
High School Diploma in the US

What would people be prepared to do if they were at risk of losing their job? The current survey shows that 75 % of economically active respondents are willing to work outside their area of qualification; 72 % of this group would even accept a lower salary, but only 41 % said that they would be prepared to move to a different region for work if they were at risk of losing their job.

Source: STEM, Trends 5/2016, 951 respondents (excluding pensioners)

The results of the current survey indicate the shifting attitudes towards a strategic solution to the risk of unemployment. Since 2013 there has been a gradual, albeit slight, decrease in the proportion of respondents who are willing to accept a lower salary. Although the proportion of those who are prepared to work outside their area of expertise has remained very stable in the long term, the current survey records a substantial drop (a decrease of 14 percentage points). According to the May survey, the willingness to relocate for work has remained at the same level as in previous years; i.e. workforce mobility remains low.

Source: STEM, Trends 2001-2016

The survey shows that people’s willingness to accept a lower salary due to fear of losing their job is relatively universal; it is largely similar across the various socio-demographic groups.

People’s willingness to work outside their area of expertise depends on their level of education, with those with apprenticeships most frequently prepared to work outside their area of qualification (81 %) and, by contrast, university graduates least often willing to do so (68 %).

As expected, the most significant differences among the different groups were in relation to people’s willingness to relocate for work. Moving to a town or village in a different region of the country is more tolerable for men (47 %) than for women (36 %). The survey found that young people under 30 are more prepared to relocate for work but that the willingness to move for a suitable position declined with increasing age (57 % of economically-active people aged 18 to 29, 39 % in the 30 to 44 age bracket, and 34 % of those aged 45 to 59).

Although it may be the case that people who fear unemployment are more prepared to work outside their area of expertise or for a lower salary than those who do not fear losing their job, their willingness, or rather their ability, to look for work farther away from home is limited. People’s willingness to move for work is roughly the same for those who fear unemployment and those who do not.

Source: STEM, Trends 5/2016, 951 respondents (excluding pensioners)

Willingness to grant asylum has declined; nonetheless, a majority would still grant asylum to refugees fleeing warzones

A two-thirds majority of Czech citizens (65 %) are in favour of the Czech Republic granting asylum to refugees fleeing war-torn countries. Roughly half the population (52 %) agrees that asylum should be granted to those fleeing political persecution. A minority of citizens (43 %) consider persecution on the grounds of religion or nationality to be a sufficient reason to be granted asylum. Only one-quarter of the population (24 %) is in favour of granting asylum to those fleeing a very poor economic situation in their country of origin. Compared with the 2005 survey, the proportion of those who agree that asylum should be granted for the reasons examined here has declined in all cases.

The survey cited here was conducted by the STEM non-profit institute (www.stem.cz) on a representative sample of the Czech population aged 18 and over from 16 to 23 March 2016. Respondents were selected using a quota sampling method, with some 1,050 people taking part in the survey.

As part of its series of surveys focusing on non-nationals living in our country, STEM also looks at the issue of granting asylum to refugees fleeing countries which are unsafe or in which the economic situation is poor. The TRENDS series of surveys also enables us to compare current opinions with the findings of surveys conducted on this topic in 2001 and 2005.

According to the most recent survey carried out in March 2016, an almost two-thirds majority (65 %) of Czechs agree that the Czech Republic should grant asylum to refugees from war-torn countries. Slightly over half of the population (52 %) consider political persecution to be a reason to grant asylum. Roughly two-fifths of the public are in favour of granting asylum on the grounds of persecution for reasons of religion (43 %) or nationality (42 %). Only one-quarter (24 %) of people are prepared to grant asylum to those fleeing a desperate economic situation in their country of origin.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +

Czech public opinion on granting asylum has changed since the last survey on this topic, carried out over ten years ago. There has been a decline in the proportion of people in favour of granting asylum to refugees in the case of all the reasons for seeking asylum examined in the survey. The most significant decline in the willingness of citizens to grant asylum was for those fleeing on the grounds of a poor economic situation (a fall of 35 percentage points) and for reasons of religion or nationality (a 32 % drop). Attitudes towards granting asylum to those fleeing war saw a relatively less significant decline (falling by 19 %).

Source: STEM, Trends 6/2001, 4/2005, 3/2016

The over-60s (36 %) are least often inclined to be in favour of granting asylum on the grounds of religion.

Attitudes towards granting asylum to those fleeing persecution for reasons of religion, nationality or race depends on the level of education of respondents. A substantially higher proportion of university graduates would grant refugees asylum on these grounds than is the case for other educational groups.

*Secondary School Leaving Certificate, equiv. A Levels in the UK, High School Diploma in the US
Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +

Political affiliation also has a significant impact on attitudes towards granting asylum to refugees. Apart from a desperate economic situation, right-wing voters are more often inclined to be in favour of granting asylum to refugees for the other reasons examined here.

Source: STEM, Trends 3/2016, 1050 respondents aged 18 +