What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore South African opinions on welfare distribution to immigrants and the factors influencing these views.

April 10, 2026Open Access

South Africans are split on whether immigrants should share in our welfare: what they believe and why

Puntos clave

The study aims to explore South African opinions on welfare distribution to immigrants and the factors influencing these views.
Analysis of public opinion regarding welfare and immigration
Exploration of political ideology and its impact on attitudes
Assessment of social trust and its relation to anti-immigrant sentiment
Many South Africans support prioritizing citizens for welfare benefits
Political ideology significantly shapes views on immigration and welfare
Higher levels of social trust correlate with more favorable views towards immigrants sharing welfare

Resumen

South Africa’s vast social safety net meets a small immigrant population. Yet big, unresolved questions and debates remain. Who should qualify, and on what terms, when budgets are tight and inequality is extreme? A new HSRC study digs beneath the rhetoric to understand why so many people favour “citizens first”, by examining the roles of political ideology, social trust and anti-immigrant sentiment.

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South Africans are split on whether immigrants should share in our welfare: what they believe and why

Puntos clave

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