Nearly three-quarters of Bermuda residents believe immigration benefits the economy, according to a new survey.

The poll found 72 per cent of people think immigrants help expand the economy by increasing the number of jobs on the island.

The remaining 28 per cent said immigrants do not help the economy because they take jobs from existing residents.

A sample of 400 people, including Bermudians and non-Bermudians, were quizzed over the telephone in the survey by Total Research Associates.

The poll also found 97 per cent of people believed immigration is important to Bermuda’s economy.

Asked to grade the importance of immigration to Bermuda’s economy, the results were:

• Critically important: 63 per cent

• Important but not critical: 34 per cent

• Not very important: 2 per cent

• Not important at all: 1 per cent.

The non-commissioned survey took place from July 2 to July 13 as part of the quarterly Total Research Associates Bermuda Omnibus. Results are accurate to within 4.9 percentage points, 95 times out of 100.