Buzz
Between January and August 2015, over 350,000 migrants were recorded at Europe's borders. This marks the highest number ever recorded and is likely still an underestimate. Every day brings new images of migrant protests in Hungary or lifeless children being pulled from the sea after failed Mediterranean crossings. It has been called the worst crisis in a generation.
Amid the media frenzy, hard facts can often be elusive. But if you take a closer look, you'll uncover some undeniable truths about Europe's ongoing crisis.
10. It’s More of a Refugee Crisis Than a Migrant Crisis
Much of the media has so far referred to the crisis as one involving “migrants.” The UN, however, disagrees. On July 1, 2015, they issued a statement regarding their investigation into the 137,000 people who had crossed the Mediterranean up until that point. They concluded that the majority should be classified as “refugees.”
This has ignited a significant (and emotional) debate within Europe's media. Outlets like the BBC continue to use the term “migrant,” stating that it is technically accurate and neutral, as it describes both refugees and economic migrants alike. Others strongly disagree, with the UN suggesting that “migrant” should not be used when referring to refugees, since it implies voluntary action. Al-Jazeera has argued that the term is increasingly used as an insult, dehumanizing both groups. The UK’s Channel 4 and The Guardian share this view, and The Washington Post has raised similar concerns.
The language surrounding migrants has become toxic in recent weeks. UK tabloids have referred to “swarms” or “hordes” of “marauding” migrants preparing for an “invasion.” One well-known columnist even called those dying in the Mediterranean “cockroaches.” Such language is unlikely to be used when referring to refugees, especially considering the tragic circumstances many of them have fled.
9. The Majority of Refugees Come from Some of the World’s Most Dangerous Places
While there are still economic migrants entering Europe, often via the same routes, the majority are fleeing some of the most perilous countries in the world. Of those crossing the Mediterranean, one-third are escaping the devastation in Syria. The second- and third-largest groups are coming from Afghanistan, a war-torn country, and Eritrea, a brutal dictatorship often referred to as “Africa’s North Korea.”
Smaller groups are also escaping from equally dire situations. Iraqis, Somalis, and Nigerians are heading to the safety of Europe, as are citizens from Darfur, where genocide has been ongoing since 2003. Altogether, they are believed to make up 70 percent of those crossing from Africa.
However, there are still many arriving from countries that we wouldn't typically consider dangerous. In the first quarter of 2015, citizens of Kosovo filed more asylum applications than from any other country. Albanians and Serbians also represented a significant portion of the total. By and large, people from these nations have been denied asylum, with Germany notably turning away anyone from the Balkans.
8. There Are Fewer Refugees Than You Might Think
At the start of this article, we noted that 350,000 people had crossed into the EU by August 2015. This was 70,000 more than the total for 2014 and exceeds the entire population of Iceland. However, in the grand scheme, it’s not as substantial as it appears.
With a population of 503 million and a land area of 4.4 million square kilometers (1.7 million square miles), the EU is larger than both India and Peru combined. At this scale, 350,000 people represent less than 0.7 percent of the total population. While 350,000 is likely an undercount, it doesn’t include those from the Balkans sent back or others denied asylum.
The idea of a swarm of migrants overwhelming Europe doesn’t reflect the reality in all countries. While nations like Hungary are genuinely overwhelmed, others have barely been affected. For instance, Britain has taken fewer than 300 Syrian refugees this year and has seen its overall asylum-seeker numbers decline. From a peak of nearly 200,000 refugees in 2011, the UK now houses only 117,161, a decrease of over 76,000. Spain has received just 21,112 applications, one of the lowest rates in Europe per capita. Slovakia has taken so few refugees that the number is effectively zero.
The true issue lies in Europe’s disjointed approach to refugee resettlement. Germany advocates for each nation to share the burden and alleviate pressure on Hungary and Greece. However, no EU rules mandate this, allowing some countries to close their borders entirely and refuse any refugees.
7. But Some Countries Are Still Facing Intense Strain
In recent years, Hungary has welcomed nearly 130,000 asylum seekers. While this number may seem modest, Hungary’s small population means it is facing significant challenges. As a major transit point for refugees traveling through the Balkans, this small nation has seen a large influx of people. In response, Hungary has closed its train stations to refugees and denied them passage to Germany.
Further south, parts of Greece are similarly overwhelmed. Already struggling financially, Greece has been unable to process the thousands of applications it receives. As a result, islands like Lesbos have seen their population surge from 90,000 to around 110,000, with 2,000 new refugees arriving every day. The situation often leads to squalid conditions, as thousands of people are placed in temporary camps that the government cannot afford to properly maintain.
Even countries known for their openness to refugees may be facing more challenges than they publicly acknowledge. While Germany has welcomed Syrians with open arms, The Economist reports that the nation is politically approaching its breaking point.
6. Many Europeans Are Embracing The Refugees
Given the tense situation outlined earlier, it’s easy to think that all Europeans are united in opposition to the refugees. While some media outlets portray this narrative, it’s simply not the case.
In Germany, hundreds of soccer fans at various matches have unfurled large banners welcoming refugees. This is surprising, given that European soccer is often seen as a breeding ground for far-right views. In Austria, a country traditionally opposed to immigration, 20,000 people recently marched in Vienna to express their support for those fleeing persecution. At a temporary migrant camp in Munich, German police had to turn away locals after an appeal for food donations resulted in an overwhelming influx of parcels. Surveys have consistently shown that 60 percent of Germans believe their country can take in even more refugees.
Even Szeged, a Hungarian city on the frontlines of the crisis, has witnessed thousands donating food, clothing, and medical supplies to the refugees on the streets. Similar acts of kindness have been seen in parts of Greece.
This is not to imply that everything is going smoothly. In Eastern Germany, migrant shelters have been set on fire by neo-Nazi groups. In Sweden, there are concerns about integration within the refugee community. However, it does demonstrate that everyday Europeans are far from unified in their opposition to the newcomers.
5. The UK Is Particularly Divided
Due to the shared language, many Americans interested in the refugee crisis are turning to the UK for updates. However, the UK’s response has been particularly polarized, with the media turning it into a political battleground.
Recent polls reveal that the country is uncertain about how to handle the crisis. One survey reported by ITV revealed that about half of the British public wants all refugees denied entry. When asked specifically about those fleeing the Syrian civil war, 47 percent of respondents said they should not be accepted into the UK. On a broader scale, 42 percent still favored closing the borders to those fleeing conflict. Contradictory polls have surfaced, though. A YouGov poll commissioned last summer found that 8 in 10 young Brits were proud of their country’s history of welcoming refugees.
Different parts of the UK are also deeply divided. While pledging to assist more refugees, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has openly criticized David Cameron for refusing to accept more than 300 Syrian refugees. Members of the prime minister’s own party have called his response to the crisis disgraceful. Meanwhile, the media is splintering. Toxic rhetoric has become standard as tabloids clash with broadsheets. Interestingly, this is happening despite the UK having one of the lowest migrant inflows in Europe.
4. The Crisis Could Still Cause The Collapse of The EU
One of the most striking features of this crisis is how it has become a trigger for many of the existing issues plaguing Europe. Despite overcoming a banking disaster that nearly brought down the entire continent, the EU now faces the very real possibility of falling apart.
At the heart of this issue is the principle of free movement. Within the Schengen Area, 26 European countries have abolished border controls, creating an EU where citizens are free to live and work anywhere. This principle is seen as a fundamental pillar of Europe. Angela Merkel has made it clear that Germany believes an EU without Schengen would be a destroyed entity. Yet, some nations are now pushing for the end of Schengen.
Denmark is among the countries calling for the reinstatement of border controls. Britain is not far behind, despite being one of the two EU countries not part of Schengen (the other is Ireland). In another way, Germany is also facing challenges within the union. Berlin is growing increasingly frustrated that other nations are not taking in more refugees, asserting that it is their humanitarian responsibility to do so.
Additionally, there is the issue of the UK’s upcoming referendum on its membership in the EU, which could take place as early as April 2016. Some fear that the refugee crisis might push the UK to vote to leave the EU. Should this happen, Finland has already stated that “without Britain, there is no European Union.”
3. It’s The Refugees Who Are Truly Bearing The Brunt
While much of the coverage of Europe’s crisis centers around the EU’s struggles, it’s easy to lose sight of who is truly suffering. Despite the genuine concerns of many Europeans opposed to migration, it is the refugees who are enduring the most pain.
Every day, children are drowning in the Mediterranean as they try to escape persecution. On September 2, 2015, a boy named Aylan Kurdi was found face down on a Turkish beach. He and his family had been fleeing the horrors of the Islamic State in northern Syria, hoping to make it to Canada. He was just three years old. His five-year-old brother perished alongside him.
In Austria, a truck packed with 71 refugees was abandoned on a roadside under the blistering summer sun. All the passengers suffocated. Among the victims were a two-year-old girl and three boys, ranging from 8 to 10 years old. By the time they were discovered, the bodies had decomposed to such an extent that the exact death toll was nearly impossible to determine.
Every day, more heartbreaking stories emerge—such as the tragedy of 150 people drowning off the coast of Libya, or the nearly 2,000 nameless individuals who perished in a desperate attempt to reach Europe between January and April of this year. And more continue to arrive. While there may be no simple solutions to Europe’s refugee crisis, ignoring this unspeakable suffering is the last thing we should do.
2. The Economic Impact May Be More Beneficial Than You Realize
In Europe, much of the refugee debate revolves around concerns over how an influx of migrants will impact national economies. Many people believe that refugees and migrants are drawn to generous welfare systems, a belief that is especially strong in Britain. However, this view doesn’t represent the full picture.
The welfare system in Britain is relatively frugal. According to a 2012 European Commission report, the UK ranked alongside Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Estonia, and Malta for having a “relatively tight” welfare structure. On the other hand, countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands were ranked higher. Additionally, migrants in the UK face significant barriers to claiming unemployment benefits (“Jobseeker’s Allowance”), needing to live in the country for over three months and prove their potential for employment. Even then, they can only receive benefits for six months unless they secure a job.
For refugees, the situation is even more restrictive. In the UK, asylum seekers receive just £36.95 per week, which is less than what refugees are allocated in France. In Germany and Sweden, the amount is even lower. Furthermore, both Britain and Sweden have stringent labor restrictions, meaning refugees' impact on the job market is minimal.
The Economist has suggested that this is a problem, advocating for countries to not only accept refugees but also allow them to work. The publication cites studies showing that migrants are net contributors to public finances, more likely to start businesses, and less likely to commit crimes than native populations. The article argues that migrants help to increase wages overall. Considering Europe’s rapidly aging population, this approach may become a necessity for many countries.
1. Other Regions Have Taken In More Refugees
Although the European migrant crisis is significant, it pales in comparison to the scale of refugee movements in other parts of the world. In the Middle East, several countries are experiencing some of the fastest population shifts in recorded history. For example, Turkey has seen its population grow by 1.6 million as Syrians flee the violence of ISIS. The UNHCR forecasts that by year’s end, two million refugees will be residing in Turkey.
However, this is still a relatively small number, making up only 2.6 percent of Turkey’s total population. In Jordan, the impact has been even more dramatic. This small nation has accepted 620,000 refugees, which amounts to nearly 10 percent of its population of 6.4 million. As a result, Jordan is now at risk of running out of water. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s refugee crisis is even more pronounced, with nearly one in five residents being a Syrian refugee as of March 2015, a number that has likely risen to one in four. When compared to these figures, Europe’s refugee intake appears relatively modest.
The United States has also contributed to the global refugee effort. As one of the largest refugee resettlement nations, the US admits an average of 70,000 refugees each year. However, due to post-9/11 regulations, Syrians face significant hurdles in being accepted. To date, only 1,000 Syrian refugees have been granted asylum in the US, though the White House has announced plans to raise that number to 8,000 by 2016.
