Hate speech in Europe has reached alarming levels. This conclusion is outlined in the Council of Europe’s 2025 report. The institution warns that racist, anti-LGBT, and xenophobic rhetoric is undermining the foundations of democracies across the continent, according to IPN.

According to the report, hate speech has not only intensified but has also come to be accepted as the norm in public life and online. According to official data, ethnic origin remains the most common reason for attacks, followed by religion, nationality, sexual orientation and gender identity.

At the same time, the document notes an escalation of antisemitism and Islamophobia following the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in 2023. Furthermore, transgender people are frequently targeted in public discourse, particularly in the context of debates on gender identity.

At the same time, the report notes that strict immigration policies and polarizing political rhetoric fuel xenophobia and marginalization, while online anonymity facilitates the rapid spread of hate speech and the evasion of accountability. This trend directly affects young people, as schools become spaces where intolerance spreads and teachers are often unprepared to handle it.