Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Data on self-perceived discrimination in the European Union indicates that in 2024, people born abroad (i.e., those born in a country other than their country of residence) experienced greater discrimination than those born in their country of origin across various social contexts. According to figures released by Eurostat, the European statistical office in Brussels, the highest percentage was recorded among those seeking housing, with 12.5% ​​of those born abroad reporting discrimination, compared to only 4.3% of those born in their country of origin.

Meanwhile, 9.7% of those born abroad experienced discrimination when dealing with public services or administrative offices, while this figure was 4.5% among those born in their country of origin.

Regarding public spaces (cafes, shops, sports facilities, etc.), 7.8% of those born abroad experienced discrimination, compared to 2.8% among those born in their country of origin. The smallest difference between those born abroad and those born in the country was observed when interacting with educational institutions: 4.3% versus 2.3%, respectively.

Those born abroad are almost three times more likely to experience discrimination in public spaces. Specifically regarding discrimination in public spaces, the five countries with the highest proportion of foreign-born individuals also have the largest gaps in self-perceived discrimination between those born abroad and those born in the country. The Netherlands ranked first, with 16.2% of those born abroad experiencing discrimination compared to 5.0% of those born in the country (a difference of 11.2 percentage points), followed by Austria (13.9% versus 6.1%), Denmark (13.1% versus 5.3%), Finland (13.1% versus 2.4%), and Portugal (10.8% versus 1.8%).

The rates of self-discrimination were very similar between the two groups in Croatia (0.8% for those born abroad versus 0.7% for those born in the country) and Estonia (6.7% versus 6.4%).