Immigrants from Muslim countries are favourably disposed towards their lives in Denmark.
In a survey (in Danish) conducted by Statistics Denmark for CEPOS (Center for Political Studies) in 2007 (but for some unknown reason only published last weekend) 79 percent of the immigrants and 91 percent of the descendants from Muslim countries indicate that their lives are better in Denmark, compared to what it would have been in their countries of origin.
In the same survey 76 percent of the immigrants and 75 percent of the descendants answered, that they were satisfied with the general social situation in Denmark. This level is a par with that of ethnic Danes. This suggests that although the group is often presented as being very dissatisfied with the social conditions in Denmark, general satisfaction is dominating.
It is good news, partly because immigrants’ satisfaction in itself is positive, and partly because one must expect that this satisfaction is a better starting point for integration. In the survey, respondents were also asked about specific aspects of the Danish society compared to their countries of origin. The respondents are most satisfied with the economical conditions in Denmark compared to the countries of origin, and least satisfied with the rights of religious minorities. The assessment of the economic situation of the respondents seems to be the most significant for the level of overall satisfaction.
