Eurobarometer reports: Discrimination in the EU 2012 (1) & Accessibility (2)

KEY FINDINGS - Discrimination in the EU report

The perception of discrimination in the EU Discrimination is still considered to be common in the EU member states. The three most widely perceived grounds are “ethnic origin” (56%), “disability” (46%) and “sexual orientation” (46%).

The experience of discrimination in the EU Personal experience of discrimination (17%) remains in 2012 largely at the levels measured in 2009 (16%). Europeans who say they belong to a minority are on average more likely than other Europeans to report that they have personally experienced discrimination.

Impact of the economic crisis on discrimination The economic crisis is contributing to more discrimination in the labour market, especially for older people, and is impacting negatively on policies promoting equality and diversity.

Equal opportunities in employment Discrimination in employment against people over 55 years old is seen as a significant problem in 2012. Europeans are very supportive of measures to foster diversity in the workplace and more critical towards what is being done to promote diversity in the workplace.

Perceptions of the Roma situation in society in 2012 The Roma are widely perceived as a group at risk of discrimination whose better integration could benefit society.

 Discrimination in the EU in 2012

KEY FINDINGS - Accessibility in the EU report

The European Union takes action on behalf of its citizens to prevent discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation or disability. Official statistics state that 80 million people in the European Union (or one out of every six citizens) are affected by some kind of disability. This figure is expected to rise in line with predictions for an increasing proportion of older citizens overall in future years.

Profile of people with disabilities in the EU

Almost three in ten Europeans (29%) say that they, or someone in their household, has a longstanding illness or health problem, which has lasted, or was expected to last, for 6 months or more.

Difficulties of accessibility that people with disabilities are facing in their daily lives

Nearly two in five respondents (38%) who say that they or a member of their household have a longstanding illness or health problem have experienced difficulties using pavements or crossing at traffic lights. The same proportion (38%) say that they have experienced difficulties entering into a building or an open public space, while more than a third (36%) have experienced difficulties taking a taxi, bus, train or flight.

Views on better accessibility for people with disabilities Almost all respondents (97%) agree that people with disabilities should be able to participate fully in society like people without disabilities (ie. they should be able to go to school, get a job, access shops and supermarkets, go on holidays, etc). Eight in ten respondents (80%) totally agree with this statement.

 Discrimination in the EU in 2012 - Report

Related EPHA articles

 Unemployment Remains at Alarming High level: Euro unemployment rate rose tot 11.8%. EU27 to 10.7%
 Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion EU Commissioner: "The European Social Situation is Worrying" - Social Investment Package as a European Answer
 Unemployment Remains at Alarming High level: Euro unemployment rate rose tot 11.8%, EU27 to 10.7%
 New report: Mapping Exclusion - Institutional and community-based services in the mental health field in Europe
 Second Poverty Convention urges EU Member States to invest in social policies for human capital and social cohesion.
 EPHA Press Release - Child poverty is not the problem itself - It is a symptom
 Report on the EP seminar ’From Rhetoric to Action - Tackling Child Poverty and Promoting Children’s Health and Well-being in the EU’
 Draft Council conclusions on Child Poverty
 EPHA publishes Policy Recommendations on Child Poverty, Health and Well-being
 Eurostat statistics published: 23% of EU population, including 27% of children in poverty in 2010
 EPHA Briefing Paper on Health Inequalities
 2011: increasing poverty in Europe concludes first annual review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe