Despite geopolitical instability and significant cuts in humanitarian aid, world public opinion is still largely supported by refugee rights, according to a new IPSOS survey released on the occasion of World Refugee Day.

As Ipsos reports, “two -thirds of the public in 29 countries (67%) continue to support the principle of asylum for those in need”, although this percentage records a slight reduction of two percentage points compared to 2024. Supporting in countries such as Sweden, Argentina and Argentina.

His Trinity, director of Ipsos Public Affairs, noted that “this research confirms the continuing public commitment to asylum, which is encouraging.” At the same time, he stressed that “there is an urgent need to address the public’s persistent concerns about the motives of asylum seekers and their integration”.

Ipsos, he said, is “to provide data that feeds constructive dialogues and solutions that benefit both refugees and local communities.”

However, the investigation records constant skepticism about the motives of refugees. The majority (62%) of respondents believe that “asylum seekers are mainly seeking financial opportunities than escaping dangers”. This perception feeds concerns about border security and the welfare state, with 49% expressing support for the full closure of their country’s borders to refugees. However, 40% recognizes the positive contribution of refugees to their new homes, with the United States standing out. “The US is among the most supportive countries, with 56%,” it said.

The survey also records a reduction in citizens’ personal involvement in refugee support actions, such as donations or volunteering, with the relative rate falling to 29% from 38%, possibly due to “fatigue, compassion and financial restrictions”.

However, the majority (62%) believe that the richest countries have a “moral obligation to provide financial support to refugees”. In countries such as Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey, public opinion is in favor of the highest involvement of international organizations, while UN funding is drastically reduced.

Dominic Hyde, UN High Commissioner for Foreign Relations for Refugees (UNHCR), pointed out the gap between compassion and action. “There is a clear distance between compassion and action. The public continues to believe in the right to seek security and wants a greater contribution than the rich states, but economic conditions and the global political climate are eroding individual support, “he said. He also warned that “the humanitarian system will weaken without a single effort by governments, organizations, the private sector and the public to build solutions and hope for those who are forced to flee.”

Ipsos’s annual worldwide study on World Refugee Day, which has been taking place since 2017, is taking place at a time when forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels. By April 2025, over 122 million people have been violently displaced worldwide, of which 42.7 million are refugees.

The findings from the research conducted in April and May emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of public perceptions in order to enhance support for refugees.