In all warsthe most harmed They are the Citizens. Many of them They die without blaming anything. Others look forced to flee from their country to save life. This was recently recalled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) against the resurgence of conflicts in the Middle East: “Once people are forced to flee, there is no going back.”
For Ukrainians, this is not a warning, but a hard reality. Since Russia launched its large -scale invasion in 2022, Europe has witnessed the largest crisis of displacements in decades. Millions of people, mostly women and children, abandoned the country in search of security and stability.
Three years later, more than five million continue to live abroad. And, around this situation, two great issues arise: how have they gone away from home? Can they ever return?
Great integration capacity
Unlike other refugee groups, Ukrainians have shown surprisingly high integration levelsespecially in the labor market. Jean-Christophe DumontDirector of the OECD International Migration Division, which in many countries Its employment rate has been “perhaps twice as observed for other refugees”.
However, everything depends on the nation where they will land. This insertion has been especially successful in countries like Polandwhere they already existed migratory links and linguistic affinities previous. On the other hand, in nations such as Norwaywhere the idiomatic barrier is greater, The situation has been more complicated.
Data also reflect a Progressive economic improvement. A study of the Ukraine Economic Strategy Center shows that the proportion of refugees who needed to save or borrow to buy clothes had increased from 7% Before the war at 28% in November 2022. However, By December 2024, that number had returned to 7%indicating a recovery in living conditions.
Three key factors in your favor
This positive integration has several Explanations. First, the Macroeconomic context It was favorable, since Many European countries faced a shortage of labor after pandemicand Ukrainian refugees arrived Just in time to cover urgent vacanciesespecially in sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality and administration.
In addition, the European Union gave them the “temporary protection” statusallowing them to immediately access employment, housing, education and social services, without the need to go through an individual asylum process.
Another key factor has been the High educational level of the Ukrainian refugees. About two thirds have higher studies, And more than 40% have an equivalent master or titleeven surpassing many local populations. Nevertheless, Many work in positions for those who are overcoweddue to linguistic obstacles and al Non -Credential Recognition.
EU’s plan to return home
The stability they enjoy in Europe makes many Ukrainians consider staying. If in November 2022 half of the refugees had concrete plans to return, by December 2024 that figure had fallen to 20%.
However, there are also those who want to return home and the European Union (EU) is drawing a plan for them. The European Ministers of Interior approved on June 13 a new extending it until March 2027, while planning its return.
“Today we extend the protection of Ukrainian citizens, but we also talked about the way to advance, on a ‘road map’why Ukrainians, of course, desperately need their population to rebuild the country “said the European Commissioner of Interior and Migration, Magnus Brunnerain Luxembourg.
Brussels has begun to outline a plan to move from the current emergency regime to a more stable framework, which combines the Integration with return options. Among the proposals is the creation of ‘hubs’ In European capitals, where refugees would receive Orientation on the return And they could consult the status of its properties.
Oleksiy ChernyshovVice Ukrainian Prime Minister, thanked the decision and underlined his relevance: “It is very important to give these people clarity about their life plan and their security”.
