The Centre for Public Opinion Research, based at the Czech Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences, published the results of a series of surveys on the public opinion on foreigners. The surveys were conducted between January and March 2023. 

Reception of those displaced from Ukraine

The data shows that 56% of Czech citizens surveyed indicated that they agree with the reception of those displaced from Ukraine. Also, 11% are in favour of making permanent settlement available to those from Ukraine, while 71% would prefer that they were granted temporary reception with the expectation that they will subsequently return to their country of origin. Support for their reception is decreasing over time, findings show.

Perception of foreigners as 'a problem'

Exactly half of those surveyed considered newly arrived citizens of other nationalities to be 'a problem' for the country overall. However, when asked more specifically about migrants arriving to their place of residence, only a quarter of respondents (24%) said they feel such people represent a problem. Compared with the results of previous surveys, these responses demonstrate partial improvement in the image of foreigners from the point of view of the Czech public: the highest proportion of people so far said they disagree with the statements that foreigners pose a health risk, are responsible for the increase in crime, or threaten the 'Czech' way of life.

Attitudes towards different population groups  

Social separation was measured by presenting respondents with a list of social groups, and asking them which type of people they would not like to have as neighbours. The list included categories such as LGBTIQ+ people, Muslims, Christians, migrants, people who are particularly poor or rich, people who are disabled, young or elderly people, as well as people with addictions. Respondents demonstrated the lowest tolerance of people addicted to drugs (89% would 'reject' them as neighbours), people addicted to alcohol (69%) and people with a criminal past (64%). A total of 49% of respondents said they would 'reject' Muslims as neighbours, 15% said the same of people with a skin colour different from their own, and 14% - foreigner. The levels of tolerance towards these various groups stayed more or less the same across all surveys.