European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) says racism against people of African descent is “relentless and pervasive”.

According to a survey of black people living in 13 EU countries, discrimination and violence continue to plague them on a daily basis.

The number of Germans who feel discriminated against has almost doubled since the last survey in 2018.

According to the EU agency, the findings should serve as a “wake-up call.”

According to the FRA, many black people in the EU routinely face bias and discrimination “just because of their skin color”, from difficulties finding employment and housing to harassment that leaves victims feeling traumatized.

Over 6,700 first- and second-generation black citizens from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, Sweden and Spain were surveyed for the report.

Based on a comparison of this year’s survey results with those taken five years ago, the report highlights the “alarming lack of progress” made towards addressing racism.

There was an increase from 39% in 2016 to 45% in 2022 in the number of African-Americans experiencing racial discrimination.

According to the survey, 64% of Germans and Austrians felt discriminated against over the past year. Over the past five years, that number has risen to 76% in Germany, 72% in Austria, and 63% in Finland.

People of African descent face unfair treatment and bias when seeking jobs or homes in the EU today, according to FRA director Michael O’Flaherty.

Earlier this year, Germany’s government appointed its first anti-racism commissioner, Reem Alabali-Radovan, who said it proved the importance of boosting prevention and empowering those affected by racism.

Among the 13 EU countries surveyed, Poland, Sweden, and Portugal had the lowest harassment and discrimination rates.

There was outrage in Austria after a far-right deputy mayor wrote a poem comparing migrants to rats.