European Union citizens see immigration as the major challenge facing the bloc currently, according to Spring 2015 Standard Eurobarometer survey published on Friday.

Asking citizens about their main concerns, immigration is now at the top of the most frequently cited topics at EU level, the EU Commission said in a statement summarizing the findings of the survey.

With 38% (+14 points compared with the previous survey carried out in November 2014) migration is well ahead of the economic situation (27%, -6 points), the unemployment (24%, -5 points) and the public finances of member states (23%, -2 points).

Migration is the most frequently cited concern in 20 member states, peaking at 65% in Malta and 55% in Germany, the survey showed.

Seventy-three percent of Europeans say they are in favour of a common European policy on migration. While 51% of Europeans are positive about migration of people from other EU member states, 56% are negative about immigration of people from outside the EU.

Concern about terrorism at EU level has also increased significantly since November 2014, rising by six points to 17%, according to the survey.

The Spring 2015 Standard Eurobarometer is the second EU-wide opinion poll conducted since the Juncker Commission took office on 1 November last year. A total of 31,868 people were interviewed across the 28 EU member states and in the candidate countries between 16 and 27 May.

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