Negative Attitude towards Asylum Seekers in Reykjanesbær
Sixty-six percent of respondents in Reykjanesbær either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that “the stay of asylum seekers in the country is good for the community.”
The attitude of inhabitants in Reykjanesbær in Southwest Iceland, where the majority of asylum seekers in Iceland live and where a hostel housing some asylum seekers is located, are more negative than that of inhabitants in the capital region, a recent survey concluded. They believe the asylum seekers receive higher financial support than in reality.
Iceland Review reports that until 2013, Reykjanesbær was the only municipality in Iceland responsible for accommodating asylum seekers. The number of asylum seekers in Reykjanesbær totaled 200 at one time. The municipality has a population of around 14,500.