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FRA Campaign Stereotypes (2025)

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A FRA CAMPAIGN

What do you choose to see?

Imagine applying for your dream job – only to know that once the recruiter sees your name you will never hear back.

The flat you hoped to rent suddenly becomes “unavailable” the moment the landlord meets you face to face.

At school, no one wanted to sit next to you – just because of who you are.

You do not tell your colleagues about your same-sex partner, fearing how they might react.

You never speak about your faith – because it does not feel safe to do so.

These are the real experiences behind the data collected by FRA. They show how deeply stereotypes shape attitudes and how easily they lead to discrimination.

Too often, people do not see the person – they only see their skin colour, their religion, their sexual orientation or another visible trait. This leads to exclusion. It fuels intolerance and discrimination. It can even lead to violence.

Challenging prejudice and stereotypes is not easy. But everything changes when we choose to truly see people for who they are. We can look beyond someone’s disability or skin colour – and see a person with their own dreams and aspirations.

We can choose to understand, not assume. To connect, not exclude.
So, pause. Look again.

What do you choose to see?

Being Black in the EU means facing racism every day.

Finding a place to live or getting a decent job are a challenge for many. This affects every part of their life and keeps the cycle of discrimination and inequality going.

  • 1 in 2 Black people experience racism because of their skin colour or ethnic background.
  • 1 in 3 Black people work in jobs they are overqualified for. They are also three times more likely to have low-skill jobs or temporary contracts compared to people generally.
  • 1 in 3 Black people struggle to find decent housing, with 1 in 4 being turned away by private landlords.

For more, see our report Being Black in the EU.

Anti-Muslim discrimination is widespread in the EU.

Simply having a Muslim name may prevent someone from being invited to a job interview. Wearing religious clothing, such as a headscarf, can make it harder to get a job that matches one’s qualifications or to find decent accommodation.

  • 1 in 2 Muslims face racism and discrimination because of their skin colour, ethnic background or religion.
  • 1 in 3 Muslims cannot get a job that matches their level of qualification because of discrimination.
  • 1 in 4 people say they would not hire a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf.
  • 1 in 3 people feel uncomfortable having a Muslim as a neighbour.

For more, see our report Being Muslim in the EU and our Fundamental Rights Survey. 

Many Jews feel compelled to conceal their identity.

This can mean not giving their real name when booking a restaurant, avoiding religious symbols in public or staying away from Jewish events. This is a reality for many Jews living in Europe. Most hide their identity to avoid negative stereotyping, harassment and attacks.

  • Over 9 in 10 Jews have encountered antisemitism recently.
  • 1 in 3 face harassment because of their religion.
  • 3 in 5 hide their Jewish identity at least occasionally, and 1 in 3 avoid Jewish events or sites because they do not feel safe. 

For more, see our report Jewish People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism.

Prejudice against Roma is deeply rooted in European societies.

Widespread discrimination and high rates of early school leaving trap many in poverty and unemployment. This results in much lower life expectancy – Roma people live, on average, 10 years less than people generally in the EU.

  • 1 in 4 Roma face discrimination in everyday life, from work to education to housing.
  • 1 in 2 people would feel uncomfortable having a Roma as a neighbour.
  • 1 in 4 people would find it acceptable not to hire a Roma person.
  • 7 in 10 Roma leave school early, and 1 in 2 young Roma are not in paid work.

For more, see our report Roma in 10 European countries and our Fundamental Rights Survey.

Many LGBTIQ people in the EU are still afraid to show who they are.

They avoid holding hands in public or hide who they are at work. Even though most people today agree that everyone should have the same fundamental rights, LGBTIQ individuals still face violence, harassment and bullying.

  • 1 in 2 LGBTIQ people avoid holding hands with their same sex partner in public.
  • 1 in 2 LGBTIQ people face harassment.
  • 2 in 3 LGBTIQ people are bullied at school. 
  • 1 in 3 LGBTIQ people have suicidal thoughts due to their experiences of violence, harassment and bullying.

For more, see our report LGBTIQ at a crossroads: progress and challenges.

Everyone should be able to live, work and move through society without barriers – but for many people with disabilities, that is still not the reality.

They face barriers every day – at work, online and in public spaces. Too often, they are overlooked and underestimated, leading to exclusion and deepening inequalities. Some even face harassment and violence.

  • 4 in 5 people with disabilities face obstacles in everyday activities like shopping or using public services.
  • 1 in 2 experience harassment.
  • 1 in 2 worry about becoming a victim of crime – and many avoid certain places out of fear of being attacked.
  • 1 in 2 face discrimination in employment.

For more, see our Fundamental Rights Survey. 

Ageism affects young and old people – but in different ways.

Young people are often underestimated, disrespected, and not included in decision making. Older people see their work and promotion opportunities dwindle with age. They are often underrepresented, excluded from society and lack access to public services due to increasing digitalisation.

  • 1 in 3 older people in Europe say having been a target of ageism.
  • 1 in 3 older people in the EU are insulted, abused, or denied services due to their age.
  • Only 1 in 4 older people in the EU have basic digital skills, which can limit their access to healthcare, pensions and other essential services – depriving them from their fundamental rights.
  • Young people are at greater risk of experiencing violent crimes and harassment. Nearly 2 in 3 have experienced harassment and close to 1 in 4 violence.

For more, see WHO Global Report on Ageism, the 2023 Eurobarometer on discrimination, and FRA’s reports ‘Crime, safety and victims’ rights’ and ‘Fundamental Rights of older persons: ensuring access to public services in digital societies’.

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