News: What do the Dutch and Belgians think of Spain

The Spanish independent research agency Real Instituto Elcano has published the report of the Barometer on the Image of Spain.

This report contains the research data from the survey conducted among 3,790 Europeans, including 600 Belgians and 401 Dutch citizens.

In the Barometer about the image of Spain, the results are questions about what Europeans think about various aspects of Spain. The survey included not only 600 Belgians (261 Walloons and 339 Flemings) and 401 Dutch, but also 400 Germans, 400 Britons, 400 French, 400 Italians, 401 Poles, 396 Swedes and 391 Portuguese. HERE all results can be read.

General image of Spain

To the question of what in the nine participating countries in general is found of Spain with a figure between 0 and 10, the Dutch have given the south European country a 7.1 and the Belgians a 7 as a mark. The Swedes have given Spain a 6.8, the Germans a 6.7, the British a 7.3, Italians a 7.3, Portuguese a 7, French a 7.1 and the Poles a 7.4. The total mark is a 7.1.

Different aspects (Belgians)

What do the Belgians think of the following aspects of Spain. It must be taken into account that of the total of 600 Belgians interviewed, 77% actually did in Spain.

Spain as a tourist destination (8,1), gastronomy (7,1), population (6,9), sportsmen (6,6), safe country (6,5), country for shopping (6,6), democratic country (6.1), infrastructure (6.3), culture (6.1), education (5.8), technology (5.9), development (6), connectedness with climate change (5.8), economy (5.7), Spanish companies (5.4), country to invest (5,9) politics (5,1).

Different aspects (Dutch)

What do the Dutch think of the following aspects of Spain. It must be taken into account that 78% of the total of 401 Dutch respondents actually visited Spain.

Spain as a tourist destination (7,7), gastronomy (7,2), population (6,9), sportsmen (6,6), safe country (6,7), country for shopping (6,5), democratic country (6,3), infrastructure (6,3), culture (6,3), education (6,2), technology (6,1), development (5,6), connectedness with climate change (5,8 ), economy (6), Spanish companies (5,9), country to invest (5,6) politics (5,7).

Profile Spain (Belgians)

Questions have also been asked about various aspects, which makes it possible to compile a profile of Spain, which is what the 600 Belgians questioned said:

traditional country (68%) <> modern country (26%)

gives no confidence (34%) <> gives confidence (60%)

authoritarian (39%) <> democratic (55%)

corrupt (34%) <> fair (61%)

lazy (34%) <> workers (59%)

countryside (39%) <> urban area (56%)

weak country (37%) <> strong country (58%)

conflicting (38%) <> passive (57%)

selfish (26%) <> solidary (70%)

poor (59%) <> rich (38%)

religious (83%) <> non-religious (14%)

not tolerant (29%) <> tolerant (68%)

In summary: Belgians see Spain as a traditional country which gives confidence, has a democracy and is a fair country with hard workers who live mainly in an urban area, passive and solidarity, but also poor, religious and tolerant.

Profile Spain (Dutch)

Questions have also been asked about various aspects, so that a profile of Spain can be compiled, this is what the 401 Dutch respondents said:

traditional country (69%) <> modern country (24%)

gives no confidence (36%) <> gives confidence (58%)

authoritarian (35%) <> democratic (58%)

corrupt (34%) <> honest (60%)

lazy (35%) <> workers (59%)

countryside (40%) <> urban area (54%)

weak country (31%) <> strong country (63%)

conflicting (35%) <> passive (60%)

selfish (28%) <> solidary (67%)

poor (50%) <> rich (45%)

religious (78%) <> non-religious (18%)

not tolerant (28%) <> tolerant (69%)

In summary: The Dutch see Spain as a traditional country which gives confidence, is a democratic and honest country with hard workers who live mainly in an urban area, passive and solidarity, but also poor, religious and tolerant.

Image of Spain

When asked whether the Catalan conflict changed the image of Spain, the Dutch and Belgians have indicated the following.

The Belgians say 4% that the picture of Spain has become better, 17% that it is worse, 62% that nothing has changed and 17% that they know nothing about it. 7% of the Dutch say that the image they have of Spain has improved, 10% that it is worse, 60% that nothing has changed and 23% that they know nothing about it they are not familiar with the conflict.