One third of EU nationals say they are racists

A survey carried out on behalf of the European Union has found that one-third of EU nationals describe themselves as being "quite" or "very" racist.

The EU's Social Affairs Commissioner, Padraig Flynn, said he was extremely concerned over what he described as shocking statistics.

The survey -- conducted to mark the European Year Against Racism -- showed that Belgium followed by France and Austria had the highest number of self-confessed racists, while Sweden and Luxembourg had the lowest.

Just under half of those questioned said their country would be better off without immigrants from outside the EU; and many said they were dissatisfied with their living conditions, feared losing their job, and had little confidence in the political system.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service