More money: Ukrainian refugees' income is much higher than before the war
How better do Ukrainian refugees live abroad, what are their further plans and how does the financial situation in the country of stay affect the decision to return home? The answers to these and other questions are in the focus material. The study of the Center for Economic Strategy (CES) showed that at the end of January 2024, 4. 9 million Ukrainians were abroad. The main reasons for the difference between these figures and the UN data, which are the number of Ukrainian refugees almost 6.
5 million, experts call a possible double accounting (for example, a person initially left for Germany, where she received temporary shelter and then moved to the United Kingdom and also got there. Residence permit), as well as the fact that some refugees do not inform the local authorities of the country of residence of the decision to return to Ukraine.
According to analysts, after the start of a full -scale invasion, many Ukrainian refugees have lost most of their income, but in two years the situation has improved significantly: more than half of Ukrainian refugees in Europe have higher income than before the full -scale war. Since May 2023, the proportion of people who lacked food or clothing decreased by 10 pp, while almost three times the proportion of those who sufficient to refuse in no way has increased.
The increase in the wealth among Ukrainian refugees is explained by both social payments and increasing involvement in the labor market. In half a year, the proportion of those who report that it has work or business has increased from 39% in May 2023 to 45% in January 2024. Work ties with Ukraine are stored: 8% continue to work remotely in the same work in Ukraine, on which they worked before the full -scale war; About 2% have found a new distance work in Ukraine.
At the same time, Ukrainians gradually integrate into foreign labor markets. Among the employed Ukrainian citizens abroad, 61% say they earn more than a full -scale invasion. In addition, despite the overall reduction of the support received, the level of assistance to refugees remains significant: approximately 71% of refugees receive at least some help.
Ukrainians with high levels of income are less likely to return to Ukraine many people are convinced that large incomes do not mean a better standard of living - they say, in Europe much higher not only income but also costs. However, experts have somewhat different opinion. The President of the All -Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies Vasily Voskoboynik considers the study data quite reliable.
He adds that in most cases, the best income in Europe still means better financial situation. "The belief that large incomes in Europe are completely offset by the expense of illusion in most cases," the expert said in a focus comment. - For example, in Ukraine, the minimum wage is $ 200, in Germany - 10 times higher. But prices for products , goods, services in Germany are 1. 5-2 times higher, not 10. We like to discuss the high prices of housing in Europe, but everything is not so easy here.
They spend 78% of the average earnings in Kiev. Earnings in Europe have better living conditions than those who work accordingly for a minimum or average salary in Ukraine. " Revenues in Europe are higher than Ukrainian: even at a simple physical work without knowledge of language and work experience, earning minimal rates, you can get more, added Martin Kolodzik, director of international recruitment of the EWL migration platform.
"In Poland, which ranks second in Europe in the number of Ukrainians, almost 70% of refugees work. Now in enterprises in various fields or logistics warehouses, even without knowledge of language and work experience, you can earn 4-5 thousand zlotys in your hands (39. 8 - 49. 7 thousand UAH), experts earn more, - said Martin Kolodzik in conversation with focus. In Ukraine.
In Poland, which ranks second in Europe in terms of the number of Ukrainians, almost 70% of refugees Ukrainian refugees in Germany save on average 494 euros a month after paying for all expenses associated with staying in the country, reminiscent of Martin Kolodzik, citing research data Ewl. A similar survey in Poland showed that 59% of Ukrainian citizens remains almost 4. 5 times less than 500 zł per month (111 euros) after paying all the cost of residence.
Half of Ukrainians (52%), who are abroad, plan to return to Ukraine, reports CES. "However, we are not sure that they will actually come back," the analyst report said. "The longer the war will last, the more Ukrainians adapt to life abroad. In addition, some of the respondents (14. 7%) believe that prospects for Their children are better abroad. In addition, analysts made a regression analysis of the factors that correlate with the return of Ukrainian refugees.
Its results show that pre -war income has ceased to be an important factor for returning to Ukraine. This is probably due to the fact that those who had high income for a full -scale invasion have already returned, while others have found a fairly paid job abroad and do not want to return. At the same time, the current income is statistically significant: Ukrainians with higher income abroad are less striving to return to Ukraine.
For example, Ukrainians with the highest income of 85% are less likely to return than those who have the lowest income. The results of the analysis of the authors of the study show that women 55% are more likely to return to Ukraine than men. Men fear that they will not be able to go abroad or be punished if they crossed the border illegally. Older people who can explain more complex adaptation to life abroad than the younger ones are more likely to return to Ukraine.
Less less prone to return students of foreign education institutions, employees, business owners abroad and those who do not work but are looking for a job. This is quite expected, because all these people gradually adapt to life in the country of stay and build new connections with it.
"First of all, the decision to return home is influenced by the situation with security in Ukraine - the results of a survey of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Romania, which we have conducted since the beginning of a full -scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, - says Martin Kolodzeychik. The situation and in general the opportunity to work in the country of stay is also an important factor in deciding to return or stay.
" For the vast majority of Ukrainian refugees surveyed in Poland and Germany, competitive salaries and working conditions in Ukraine are a favorable factor for returning home, the expert continues. So, if Ukraine is able to create such conditions, it will be an important argument for Ukrainian refugees. "But still the decision to return depends on the set of factors - security in Ukraine, the end of the war, the availability of housing and the creation of conditions for the return Country, etc.
, ”the Kolodgechik summarized. But unfortunately, even the end of the war does not mean to stop migration. CES analytics have explored how many more Ukrainians can go abroad after the end of the war and the abolition of the ban on traveling men abroad. Only those who already have family members abroad were taken into account and may want to leave to reunite with them outside Ukraine.