Close to half the population fears there is tension between different racial and ethnic groups, an EU agency has found, with concern being highest among younger people.

An analysis of data collected by Eurofound, the EU agency for the improvement of living and working conditions, shows that 49 per cent of the Maltese population believes there is “a lot” of tension between the members of different racial and ethnic groups. 

Compared with data from previous years, the survey shows increased fears of racial tension. In 2011, when the previous survey was conducted, only 36 per cent held that perception, down from 43 per cent in 2007.

The survey, done every four years, was conducted from September 2016 to February 2017 in all EU Member States, as well as in the five EU candidate countries: Albania, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.

The survey also shows the perception of racial tension is highest among younger people, with 55 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 saying they believe tension is high.

The rate for those aged 35 to 64 is slightly lower, at 48 per cent, with the perception of tension between racial groups lowest in the elderly – only 44 per cent.

At EU level, 41 per cent fear there is a lot of tension among racial and ethnic groups, with the highest rate recorded in Italy, where the rate is 55 per cent.

At the other end of the scale, the lowest rate was recorded in Latvia and Lithuania: only 20 per cent  said that such tension exists.