Attitudes of Finns towards immigrants more positive than previously

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The attitudes of Finns towards immigrants have become more broad-minded since the recession of the 1990s. In particular the attitudes towards foreign job applicants are significantly more positive than previously. Based on a recent survey, as many as half of those Finns questioned would like to welcome more skilled foreigners into the country.
      The information is based on a survey conducted by Magdalena Jaakkola that was published on Wednesday. The survey consists of interviews carried out in 1987, 1993, 1998, and most recently in 2003.
     
Around half of Finns believed in 2003 that in order to guarantee its economic competitiveness, Finland should receive more skilled foreigners, including various experts, scientists, students, and language teachers.
      More than one-third of Finns hoped to see more foreign entrepreneurs moving to Finland.
      According to Jaakkola, the positive attitudes extend to cover even foreign physicians, teachers, nannies, social workers, and police officers.
      "Preferably, Finns would nevertheless like to see immigrants in typical entry professions such as cleaners or taxi drivers", notes Jaakkola.
      Furthermore, Finns would rather have foreign colleagues than foreign bosses.
     
The attitudes are affected by prevailing social phenomena including the economic conditions and employment situation in the country, according to Jaakkola.
      Magdalena Jaakkola's first interviews on Finns' attitudes towards immigrants were conducted in 1987, when the country was enjoying economic prosperity and the number of immigrants was low. In the second round in 1993, Finland was deep in a recession that brought a high unemployment rate, and also had a multiple number of immigrants and refugees when compared with 1987.
      By 2003, the unemployment rate had declined by 50% from the darkest times of the recession, and public discussion had started on the fact that immigrants will be needed to secure a sufficient amount of labour, as the country will otherwise face a labour shortage once the population begins to age.
     
The most positive attitudes towards immigrants are found among women, people with a university-level education, as well as among those living in the Greater Helsinki area. Moreover, personal relations with immigrants as well as a good socio-economic situation decrease immigration-related fears. Young males and pensioners remain among the least-welcoming towards immigrants.
      Among the Finnish political parties, the Green League and the National Coalition Party are more inclined than the other parties to approve the idea of taking in more foreign workers.
     
Negative attitudes towards refugees have declined after the depression. The majority of the interviewees believed that Finland should take in at least as many refugees as before.
      The supporters of the Green League and the Left Alliance feel that Finland should increase the number of refugees to be received.
      At the end of 2003, 107,000 foreign citizens and almost 160,000 people born abroad were resident in Finland. Almost half of them live in the capital area of Finland. The largest immigrant groups are the Russian, Estonian, and Somalian minorities.
      The survey was financed by the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of the Interior, the City of Helsinki Urban Facts, and by the Rehabilitation Foundation.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish plumber seeks employment (18.10.2005)
  City of Kajaani to root out racism and prevent further outrages (10.10.2005)
  Government calls for more immigrants (19.11.2004)

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