THE majority of Scots have never knowingly come into contact with a refugee, a fresh poll has shown, as campaigners call for more action to heal division and build understanding on the 75th anniversary of a UN convention.
On 28 July 1951, in response to the millions displaced by the horrors of the First and Second World Wars, world leaders pledged to protect the rights and dignity of people fleeing persecution.
The UK Government was one of the first countries to sign the historic UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
It outlines the basic minimum standards for the treatment of refugees, including the right to housing, work and education while displaced so they can lead a dignified and independent life. It also defines a refugee’s obligations to host countries and specifies certain categories of people, such as war criminals, who do not qualify for refugee status.
Now 75 years on, a poll of more than 2000 Scots carried out for the Scottish Refugee Council has found 77% of people have never knowingly come into contact with a refugee, and the majority "wildly overestimate" how many people are seeking safety in the UK.
Only 1% of the world's refugees come to the UK but the poll suggests only 13% of Scots have an "accurate idea" of this and 63% think the figure is much higher.
A total of 17% think more than 20% of the world’s refugees come to the UK.
The poll also showed most Scots believe people seeking asylum receive more support than they do.
Asylum seekers live on about £10 a week, but more than half of Scots (53%) think they receive more. A staggering 13% think they receive more than £200.
Research conducted by Survation in April 2026 showed that personal experience of meeting refugees was the single strongest predictor of sympathetic attitudes.
Sabir Zazai, chief executive of Scottish Refugee Council, said the polling shows a huge gulf between reality and people's perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers which must be bridged.
He said: “When disinformation and misunderstanding is rife, sticking to the facts becomes more important than ever.
"Our polling shows a huge gap between assumptions and reality. This can be bridged by bringing communities together for open conversations.
"It also requires accuracy, sensitivity and the responsible use of language from our politicians and in the media.
"The 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention is a timely reminder of Scotland’s proud history of welcoming refugees and of the friendships, families and communities that have been built over generations.
"It also highlights a universal truth, that we all want the same things: safety, dignity, and the best for our families.”
The Survation poll also showed, however, that more than 60% of Scots think asylum seeking children should be reunited with their families in Scotland and more than half (54%) believe people should have the right to work and provide for themselves and their families while waiting for a decision on their asylum claim.
Nataliya Lyalyuk, manager of St Mary’s Ukrainian School in Glasgow, added: “Before the war in Ukraine, I had a respected professional career, three university degrees, a loving family and a home. In 2022, the war changed everything. I arrived in Scotland with just one suitcase, my children and my mother, determined to rebuild our lives from the beginning.
"The survey results remind us that many people have never had the opportunity to meet a refugee. When they do, they discover that refugees are teachers, doctors, lawyers, parents and neighbours—people who want to contribute, work hard and give back to the communities that have welcomed them.
"Upholding refugee rights means giving people the chance not only to survive, but to rebuild their lives with dignity, hope and purpose.”
It comes after Scotland's Housing Secretary last month condemned what she called “misinformation” on refugees as she hit back at claims “strangers” were being put before Scots.
