PERCEPTION OF MIGRATION FROM NON-EU COUNTRIES IN SLOVAKIA: THE CASE OF NITRA REGION

The results of Eurobarometer surveys in last two years shows that Slovaks have very negative perception of immigration from the non-EU countries. As suggested by Eurobarometer the attitude is influenced by factors such as education level, wealth, occupation, age and other socio-economic factors. The main aim of this contribution is to analyze Slovak attitude towards migration in relation to other EU countries and to search for possible causes of the negative attitude toward Slovak citizens with special focus on Nitra Region. To what degree people attitudes from Nitra Region differ from that of the Slovakia and the EU? The contribution will present research results dedicated to false assumptions and misunderstandings of citizens about migration which will be put in relation to migration in its deeper context. In this sense presented study will reveal discrepancy between Eurobarometer survey data and data collected on a local level in Nitra region. The main claim of the contribution is in line with existing literature and leads to the conclusion that negative attitude of citizens is mostly caused by lower level of education and lack of general knowledge about migrants.