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A recent poll by the Financial Times depicts Spain as the most attractive place in Europe for foreigners to immigrate and work. A relaxed and positive working environment and an optimistic outlook on the future of Spain's economy were cited among the top factors that make Spain preferable even to the UK in the eyes of respondents.
Out of 6,500 respondents in five European countries (Britain, Germany, France, Spain and Italy), 17% believed that Spain was the best destination for working abroad. The UK followed closely with 15%; France with 11%; and Italy with 6%. Respondents from France and Italy showed the strongest preference for immigrating and working in Spain.
The poll also indicated that Spaniards are the most optimistic among Europeans when it comes to their future, and that Spain has an image abroad as a competent and self-assured country.
Spanish respondents proved to be the most liberal on their stance towards immigration, with 42% of those who responded expressing the opinion that it was actually having a positive impact on their economy. This contrasts strongly to the 47% of British respondents who thought immigration was impacting their country negatively. Only 19% in Britain and France viewed immigration in a positive light.
Spaniards were also the least likely to think that the quality of life was decreasing in their country. This, however, didn't stop most of them (71%) from declaring that Spain is in need of stricter immigration controls to stem the flow of illegal immigration – most of which comes from Africa. Similarly, 76% of British respondents were in favor of added border controls, while 66% of them believed that there are too many foreigners in their country.
The poll's results come in almost 70 years after Spain's devastating civil war and only 30 years after the death of the country's dictator, Francisco Franco, whose rule extended for 36 years. Today, the country enjoys a strong economy and excellent healthcare under an exemplary democratic system. Spaniards live the longest among European residents and their artistic and cultural contributions to the world (such as is the case with Spanish film and architecture) are gaining increasing renown.
This tremendous shift in Spain's destiny in such a short time is known as la Transición; the transition from a nation steeped in extreme poverty to one of the countries in Europe with the brightest future. The results of the Times poll reflects the attraction of Europeans to what is perhaps the Union's happiest country.
