Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>What Europeans Think About Immigration and Why It Matters provides the first comprehensive, accessible account of public attitudes to immigration across Europe. Drawing on an unprecedented range of survey data, case studies, and comparative research, it describes and explains both what Europeans think about immigration and how those attitudes are formed. The book explores how narratives, values, emotions, and identities shape public debate, and how these narratives circulate and evolve in different political and media contexts. It explains how volatile public attention to immigration has contributed to major political shifts and misunderstandings across Europe, influencing party competition, electoral outcomes, and policy agendas. It also examines how these shifts have driven significant changes in immigration policy at both national and EU levels. Going beyond diagnosis, the book sets out what effective communication on migration looks like, offering clear, evidence-based guidance. It introduces new, unified frameworks for understanding attitudes, narratives, and political change, and concludes with practical recommendations for policymakers, advocates, and others working to address one of Europe’s most important and contested issues.</jats:p>