Irregular migration is not the top priority for European voters despite the prominence of the issue in the media and political campaigning by rightwing parties over the last year, a survey commissioned by the European parliament shows.

The Eurobarometer poll, which tracks public opinions every quarter, puts poverty and the cost of living crisis and social exclusion as the number one issue for voters who go to the polls in early June to elect a new European parliament.

Health, jobs, defence and security all rank ahead of migration as does the climate crisis, which is a high priority for younger voters.

For voters in Italy, where irregular migration across the Mediterranean from Tunisia surged last year, along with those in Hungary, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia, the top priority is jobs and support for the economy.