Abstract

Despite the extensive migration-related research, studies rarely examine the key determinants that shape attitudes toward different migrant groups, who are thought to have different motives for migration, such as economic immigrants who migrate voluntarily to improve their living conditions and refugees who are forced to flee their home country due to conflict, persecution, and human-made or natural disasters. In addition to the lack of academic research examining different patterns and determinants of attitudes of natives toward refugees and economic immigrants, studies rarely focus on native young adults. Using data from the EU-funded EURYKA project, this article analyzes the attitudes of Greek young adults (18–34 years) toward economic immigrants and refugees, incorporating realistic group conflict theory as well as ideological and cultural-related explanations. The results show that Greek young adults’ opposition toward refugees is more widespread than toward economic immigrants. Socioeconomic indicators are only weakly associated with Greek young adults’ negative attitudes, while ideological orientations and attachment to local values are stronger predictors. As young generations are shaping the landscape for the harmonious integration of newcomers, it is crucial to understand the key factors that shape young people’s attitudes toward refugees and economic immigrants, especially in countries such as Greece that have been severely affected by the recent “refugee–migrant crisis.”