Prejudice towards Muslims is much higher in the Netherlands than EU average: Report

Half of Dutch Muslims have experienced discrimination at least one point last year, which is more than the average in the European Union (38 percent). This was shown in a report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, which was presented on Thursday.

The European Union (EU) agency, which is based in Vienna, conducts research into racism and discrimination and publishes periodic reports with comparisons between EU countries and with previous periods.

An increase in discrimination against Muslims throughout the whole European Union could be seen in the report “Being Muslim in the EU.” In the report, it is stated that 47 percent of European Muslims have been discriminated against in the last five years. This number was at 39 percent in a similar study in 2016.

Muslims in Austria experience the most discrimination in comparison to other European countries, according to the study. Of these, 66 percent reported having experienced verbal abuse or difficulties renting or buying a home in the previous year.

The survey was conducted in 2021 and 2022 among 9,604 Muslims from 13 EU member states, of whom 1,192 came from the Netherlands. The report pointed out that the situation may have changed in the meantime, as the data is from before the start of the war between Hamas and Israel on 7 October 2023.