The survey was conducted by Rating Lab. The survey for the study was conducted by the Rating Sociological Group on the Rating Online Platform. August 2023

LENGTH OF STAY IN EUROPE T

he majority of respondents (59%) have been in Europe for about a year – this is the first group of migrants at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Most of them are Ukrainians who left the east of the country and the capital.

Another 8% have been in Europe for about six months, and 4% for several months. Most of them are Ukrainians who left the south, in particular due to the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.

At the same time, a quarter of those surveyed have been in the country for several years. Most of them are Ukrainians who left the west and centre of the country, most likely to find work.

While those who have been abroad for several years are more likely to live in southern and eastern Europe, those who arrived as a result of and during the full-scale invasion are more likely to be in western and northern European countries.

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LIVING CONDITIONS

According to the survey results, our citizens living in Europe enjoy comfortable (34%) or fairly comfortable (51%) living conditions, with only 13% experiencing uncomfortable conditions. Comfortable living conditions for 85% of citizens may be another argument for continuing to stay abroad.  

The comfort of living conditions depends on:

• Region. The best living conditions are in Northern Europe (90% live in comfortable conditions), while in Eastern (84%) and Southern Europe (83%) there are fewer such conditions;

• Income. In 93% of cases, those who are well-off have comfortable conditions (half of them have completely comfortable conditions), while among the poor, only 74% have such conditions (only 18% have completely comfortable conditions), as their current income level does not allow them to provide better living conditions;   

• Length of stay in the country. Ukrainians who have been living in the country for several years have the most comfortable conditions (89%). However, those who have arrived recently also have fairly decent living conditions (about 80%). This indicates that countries from all corners of Europe have been able to provide Ukrainians with good living conditions, as the difference between the groups is insignificant.

TRAVELING IN EUROPE

Ukrainians are curious and travel around Europe. 27% of respondents often traveled within their country of residence, while 33% did so occasionally. Other European countries were visited by 15% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Perhaps some of them often travelled around Ukraine and therefore it is a hobby and a habit, but most of them probably take the opportunity to see Europe, because although foreign tourism was visa-free, it was quite expensive for ordinary citizens. Such new habits lead to changes in experience, broadening of horizons, raising of cultural level, cognitive activity, and contribute to socialisation and adaptation in the country of residence.

Young people travel the most because they are the most mobile, have fewer obligations and burdensome circumstances, and are more easy-going. With age, the number of trips gradually decreases.

Those who have lived in the host country longer travel around Europe more often than those who arrived later. In terms of income, the wealthy travel the most because they can afford it, while the poor travel the least. In general, income has the greatest impact on the ability to travel.

By region, Ukrainians in Eastern Europe travel the least, while those in the South travel the most.

TRAVEL TO UKRAINE

46% of those who left visited Ukraine. Thus, more than half of our citizens who left have never been home during their stay abroad. It is important to note that among those who left during the war, 60% have never visited Ukraine.

Men travel home less often (69% have never visited Ukraine) than women (51%), probably because they feel that travelling to Ukraine is risky, as they may not be allowed to return. Internally displaced persons with children also travel home less often, possibly for security reasons or because it is more difficult to endure the long journey.

Respondents who are in Eastern Europe travel home relatively more often, as it is closest to the border and there are more Ukrainians who moved there before the invasion. Accordingly, Ukrainians who left the west of the country travel home most often.

In contrast, the majority of residents of the east of the country (64%) who fled the war have never been to Ukraine. The situation is similar for residents of the south (60%).

The east and south are hot spots, with active front lines and combat operations, and most of the shelling occurs in these regions, so it is likely that citizens from these regions do not come home for safety reasons. In addition, part of the east and south are under occupation, and many cities and towns are partially or completely destroyed, so there is simply nowhere to go, even if one wanted to.

Therefore, most often it is mainly women without children, people with higher incomes, from the western and central regions of Ukraine, who have been living in Eastern Europe for several years, who travel home.

RELATIONS WITH THE LOCAL POPULATION

The attitude of the local population towards Ukrainians is generally positive: 51% say they have a positive attitude, 38% say they have a neutral attitude. Only 9% have encountered a cold reception.

The attitude of Ukrainians towards locals is assessed even better: 61% are warm, 35% are neutral and only 3% are cold.

This positive attitude is due to the fact that Europe and Europeans have accepted our citizens, provided them with shelter, social protection, opportunities to study and work, and live in safety.

Therefore, this attitude is to some extent due to gratitude for Europe's position.

The best relations are on both sides in Northern Europe, while the least warm relations are in Eastern Europe. Women rate their relations with locals slightly better, while men are more emotionally reserved. People who left immediately after the invasion feel better treated than those who arrived recently or lived there before the invasion. Cases of discrimination clearly have an impact: where such cases have occurred, relations are more neutral. However, in none of the categories is there a predominance of cold attitudes (there are no negative values in the index).

Interestingly, young people experience cold attitudes from locals much more often than older people.

COMPARISON OF OPPORTUNITIES

Overall, opportunities are better in Europe than in Ukraine, especially in terms of income (87% better in Europe, compared to 3% better in Ukraine), social security (75% compared to 15%), protection of citizens' rights and freedoms (67% compared to 19%), opportunities to live comfortably (60% versus 26%), and finding work (54% versus 30%).

According to respondents, Eastern and Southern Europe lag behind Northern and Western Europe in terms of social security and protection of citizens' rights and freedoms.

According to respondents, it is possible to achieve success both in Europe (40%) and in Ukraine (41%), but it is still somewhat better to do business in Ukraine (45%) than in Europe (34%), which is probably due to a better understanding of how this process works, how to start it and how to develop it in one's own country.

Incomes are obviously higher in Europe, and even if you lose a more skilled job here in Ukraine, less skilled jobs are better paid in Europe. Poverty and social insecurity have been inherent in our society for decades, so finally having social protection seems attractive. The rule of law is also not a strong point of Ukrainian society, which is why judicial reform is the most sought-after in surveys in Ukraine. The opportunity to live comfortably is also an advantage of Europe, which is closely linked to social protection, rights and higher incomes.

Success is an abstract category, but here, as correlation analysis shows, it is significantly linked to opportunities to do business (0.58**), find a job (0.52**) and live comfortably (0.51**).

The results of factor analysis (total variance 64%) allow us to conditionally divide opportunities into two groups (factors): 1) protection and income; 2) achievement and employment. Comfort applies to both groups, although it is more often found in group 1. Europe clearly wins in terms of protection, and good income is also a kind of protection and an opportunity to secure more comfortable living conditions – and this is a significant argument for why Ukrainian citizens choose Europe. Achievements and success are not so clear-cut, because it is possible to do business in Ukraine, as well as to achieve success and ensure comfort for oneself, but there are still better opportunities for finding work in Europe. However, those who have not yet been able to find work abroad believe that employment opportunities are better in Ukraine.

COMPARISON OF OPPORTUNITIES AND AREAS

Government online services in Ukraine are rated significantly higher (71%) than in Europe (16%). Similarly, financial and banking services are rated significantly higher in Ukraine (70% versus 14% in Europe).

Ukrainians also rated the healthcare sector better in Ukraine than in Europe. In particular, both the accessibility of healthcare services (71% versus 21%) and the quality of healthcare services (60% versus 25%) were rated higher.

At the same time, opinions were divided on education. While respondents rated preschool and school education slightly better in Ukraine (42%) than in Europe (35%), higher education was rated slightly better in Europe (43%) than in Ukraine (32%). Ukrainian students at European universities agree more than others that higher education is better in Europe.

The vast majority of Ukrainians surveyed agreed that public transport in Europe is significantly better (77%) than in Ukraine (14%). A similar opinion exists regarding European roads, which are considered to be better there (85%) than in Ukraine (5%).

However, respondents consider housing in Ukraine to be more affordable (57%) than in Europe (22%), because it is cheaper to rent and even cheaper to buy, and renting requires fewer lengthy and bureaucratic procedures. Moreover, in Europe, Ukrainians are not citizens of the country, but have either a residence permit or asylum, which also does not facilitate the possibility of renting or buying housing.

Differences depending on the region of residence of Ukrainians in Europe are not linear. There are almost no regional differences in the availability of housing, financial and banking services, and higher education.

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There are minor differences in public transport and roads. Northern Europe has the best indicators in preschool and school education, which in other regions of Europe is inferior to Ukraine. The Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian school education systems are known for their approach to teaching and socialising children and are recognised not only in Ukraine but also worldwide.

Online government services are also best in Northern Europe, although they do not have an advantage over Ukrainian services. According to Ukrainians, online services in Western Europe are the worst.

Access to medical services in Eastern and Northern Europe is worse than in Western and Southern Europe. The same applies to their quality, which in Eastern Europe is significantly worse than in Ukraine.

In addition, according to Ukrainians, the beauty industry in our country is much better (85%) than in Europe (5%).  Ukraine also has better cafes and restaurants (60% vs. 16%), postal services and delivery services (54% vs. 25%). Online shopping in Ukraine is also considered better (51%) than in Europe (22%), but opinions are divided on retail chains and shops: 42% consider them better in Ukraine, 36% in Europe.

There are no significant differences between regions, except for Southern Europe, where cafes and restaurants, the beauty industry and shopping received relatively better ratings, as it is a traditional resort region and offers better conditions for tourists.

The results of factor analysis (total variance 57%) allow us to conditionally divide areas and services into three groups (factors): services; social and humanitarian sphere; infrastructure, with only the latter fully corresponding to Europe.

Services and social and humanitarian issues (education, medicine) are generally in line with Ukraine.

Europe is about work, protection, income, comfort and infrastructure.

Ukraine is about services, including medical and, to some extent, educational services, business opportunities and affordable housing.

Success can be achieved equally well in Ukraine and in Europe.

There is a clear correlation: the longer Ukrainians stay abroad, the better they rate their host country.

Those who have recently arrived rate Ukraine more highly, followed by those who have been living there for about a year – both groups have not yet adapted, are not used to it, and often moved unconsciously in search of a better life, rather than because of the war. These are usually quick and not very well-informed decisions (except for safety).

Those who have been living abroad for several years and left Ukraine not because of the war, but precisely for better opportunities, tend to favour Europe. In addition, the situation with opportunities in Ukraine could indeed have improved over the past few years.

Women tend to rate all opportunities, sectors and services in Ukraine more highly, while men lean more towards Europe. Women find achievements and employment in Ukraine, as well as most areas and services, particularly attractive. It is important to note that most women left after the start of the full-scale invasion under the refugee programme, so their assessments are those of refugees, not people who consciously chose to move abroad in search of a better life.

Ukrainian women and men agree on only one thing: their assessments of income levels in Europe, the quality of European roads, and the fact that housing is more affordable in Ukraine.

The assessments by age of the respondents are fairly evenly distributed. However, older people are generally less demanding and give higher ratings to the country of residence than younger people. This is especially true for government online services, banking services, delivery services, shopping, cafes and restaurants, and the beauty industry — perhaps younger people use such services more often in general and rate them better in Ukraine.

Older people also see fewer advantages in the Ukrainian system in terms of the availability and quality of medical services and the availability of housing.

Young people (aged 16-25) rate higher education in Europe slightly better, as this is their priority. Perhaps they are already familiar with it because they are studying in Europe or are considering such an opportunity.

The chances of finding a job are most sensitive to employment: those who, for various reasons, do not have a job in Europe rate the chances of finding one in Ukraine more highly. Since work is directly linked to the perception of success, the unemployed rate success in Ukraine more highly.

Another clear correlation is that the higher the respondents' incomes, the better they rate their country of residence. The biggest difference in assessments is among people whose income has deteriorated or remained unchanged after moving.

Income is interrelated with the understanding of opportunities: people with high incomes are usually more motivated to achieve, set goals, understand opportunities and use them. Low-income people are more often motivated to avoid failure, rely more on others, find it difficult to act in new circumstances, and see new opportunities, especially in the circumstances in which they find themselves abroad.

CORRUPTION, BUREAUCRACY, TAXES

Ukraine lags far behind European countries in terms of corruption, but when it comes to bureaucracy and tax rates, most people believe that the climate at home is more favourable than in Europe.

84% believe that the level of corruption in Ukraine is higher than in Europe (3%). On the other hand, the level of bureaucracy is higher in Europe (50%) than in Ukraine (25%). Also, according to respondents, the level of taxation in Europe is higher (59%) than in Ukraine (16%). However, Ukraine (25%) lags behind Europe (52%) in terms of economic freedom, as well as in terms of income (3% vs. 87%).

Correlation analysis showed that there is a link between answers to questions about income and economic freedom (r=0.41** - the higher the economic freedom, the higher the income), and the level of bureaucracy is linked to the tax rate (r=0.34** - the greater the bureaucracy, the higher the taxes).

Also, the assessment of a high level of bureaucracy in the host country is directly linked to the assessment of public and financial online services, which are significantly worse in Europe compared to Ukraine. The highest levels of bureaucracy and taxes are considered to be in Western European countries.

In addition, there is a negative correlation between corruption and income (r= -0.32** - the higher the corruption, the lower the income, or the higher the corruption, the lower the economic freedom (r= -0.21**). This is precisely where Ukraine loses out to Europe, and it is directly related to corruption, because where corruption exists, there is neither good income for the majority nor economic freedom, as economic opportunities are provided through corrupt schemes.

4% of Ukrainians gave bribes to officials in their country of residence. The same number refused to answer. This was most common in Southern European countries.

Compared to Ukraine, European countries look attractive in terms of corruption: only 5% believe that there is a high level of corruption in their country of residence, 24% believe it is average, while in Ukraine the figures are 79% and 18% respectively.

At the same time, those Ukrainians who gave bribes in their country of residence rate the level of corruption in Europe higher – 45% (medium or high level); among those who did not give bribes, only 27% did so.  The most corrupt countries for our citizens are Southern Europe (38% believe that corruption is at a medium or high level) and Eastern Europe (35%), while the lowest levels are in Western Europe (14%) and Northern Europe (14%).

The assessment of corruption levels is linked to:

• length of residence: the shorter a person has lived in the country, the lower their assessment of corruption: for those who have lived there for less than six months, corruption is present in 17% of cases; for those who have lived there for several years, the figure is 33%. They have less experience interacting with various institutions and living in the country as a whole, so their perceptions are more positive.

• employment: those who are studying assess corruption most positively: 23% have not encountered it at all, only 19% confirm its existence; those who work have more social experience and therefore encounter corruption more often.

DECISION TO RETURN OR STAY ABROAD

49% of Ukrainians who moved after the invasion would not want to stay abroad. Even among Ukrainians who moved to Europe before the invasion, 40% feel the same way. Almost one in five is undecided about whether to return or stay, while the rest are considering staying abroad permanently. In reality, the possibility of staying depends not only on desires, but also on other circumstances: opportunities, availability of work, residence permits, opportunities for children to study, changes in personal circumstances. Therefore, it is impossible to say that exactly this number of our citizens will stay or return to Ukraine.

One of the objectives of this study was to identify the factors that determine this.

Regression analysis showed that although the vast majority of respondents rated services in Ukraine significantly higher than in Europe, other factors have the greatest influence on the decision to return or stay abroad:

1) Opportunities. First and foremost, this refers to the opportunity to live comfortably and achieve success. To a lesser extent, it also refers to the opportunity to run your own business and find a job.

2) Education and housing affordability. Although this factor is less significant, it is still important. The level of infrastructure, social security and protection of rights and freedoms have a minor impact.

Infrastructure, social security, and the protection of rights and freedoms have a minor impact.

On the other hand, high levels of bureaucracy and taxation in Europe have a much smaller impact on these decisions, as does the high level of corruption in Ukraine.

The desire to stay or return is also linked to a number of circumstances (listed in order of significance based on the results of regression analysis):

• Income: Ukraine is more attractive to low-income people, while Europe is more attractive to high-income people. Improvements in income after moving also have a significant impact on the desire to remain in the host country. 

• Belief in victory: those who do not believe in victory definitely want to stay; those who believe that victory will come in a few months want to return home the most. The longer the war lasts, the less desire there will be to return.

• Language proficiency: those with a high level of language proficiency mostly want to stay abroad. Language is both adaptation and the opportunity to work, earn an income, communicate and learn. Lack of language skills and the need to learn (and not everyone can learn a language, especially at an older age) is a significant barrier, because living without language means social isolation, low social status and unskilled work. Attitudes of locals, cases of discrimination: cases of discrimination against Ukrainians do not encourage the desire to stay.

• The attitude of locals also determines the dynamics: a warm attitude encourages the desire to stay, a cold one does not. The factor of corruption also has an impact: those who have paid bribes or believe that there is corruption in the country are more likely to want to return. In general, the better the living conditions in the country, the less desire there is to return.

• Gender, age, presence and age of children: men are much more inclined to stay than women. Age differences are non-linear, but both middle-aged women and men are less inclined to return to Ukraine than the youngest (16-24) and oldest (45-55+) age groups. Older women are most eager to return home: it is probably more difficult for them to adapt, find a job, learn the language, and expand their social circle. The age of children does not fundamentally affect the desire to return; Ukrainians with school-age children are only slightly more inclined to stay.

• Employment: most of those who want to return to Ukraine are unemployed or employed in Ukraine. Those who have found work in Europe are more hesitant.

• Frequency of visits to Ukraine, region of Ukraine, length of stay: among those who have never visited Ukraine since moving, the fewest want to return. This applies primarily to Ukrainians who left the east and south of the country. The frequency of travel within the country of residence or Europe is, on the contrary, linked to the desire to return: those who travel frequently are more likely to want to return. Perhaps those who want to return see life abroad now as an opportunity to see the country while they are here — a combination of living and tourism (to have time to see the country). The length of stay has a linear effect: the longer a person lives abroad, the less they want to return to Ukraine.

• Region of Europe: in Western and Southern Europe, there are slightly more people who want to stay. It is difficult to say why this is the case, because if we consider the economic and social level, it could be Western and Northern Europe, but if we consider the climate and favourable living conditions, it is probably Southern Europe.

EMPLOYMENT

49% of Ukrainian refugees surveyed in Europe are employed. Among those who arrived before the invasion, the figure is 74%.

The highest number of employed Ukrainians is in Eastern Europe (67%), and the lowest is in Western Europe (35%). The fewest employed Ukrainians are those who arrived from the south and east of the country, as well as from Kyiv. Those who have a good command of the local language are mostly employed.

Among those who are employed, more than 80% have jobs in their country of residence, 14% in Ukraine or in several countries at once.

Рівень працевлаштування серед чоловіків майже у 1,5 рази вищий, ніж серед жінок. Аналогічно серед респондентів, які не мають дітей, зайнятість вища, ніж серед тих хто мають (14% з них не працюють через догляд дитини). Чверть респондентів у віці 16-24 років не працюють через навчання.  

The employment rate among men is almost 1.5 times higher than among women. Similarly, among respondents who do not have children, employment is higher than among those who do (14% of them do not work because they are caring for a child). A quarter of respondents aged 16-24 do not work because they are studying. Among those who are not employed, a quarter are actively looking for work, another 39% are considering it, while a third are not looking for work.

Ukrainians living in Western Europe are the least concerned with finding work. Women are less likely to consider looking for work than men, especially middle-aged women.

REFUSAL TO EMPLOY UKRAINIANS AND BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT

Almost 40% of Ukrainians surveyed in Europe have heard of cases where Ukrainian refugees have been denied employment, with 14% having heard of many such cases and another 24% having heard of isolated cases.  Among those who are actively looking for work, 57% of respondents have heard about such cases.

Respondents in Eastern Europe are more likely to mention cases of Ukrainian refugees being denied employment. This opinion is particularly popular among young Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Europe.

The most common problems faced by Ukrainians seeking employment in Europe are the language barrier (73%), unskilled work (29%), low-paid work (19%), and non-recognition of Ukrainian educational qualifications (14%). Respondents who are currently actively looking for work add to this the unwillingness of employers to hire Ukrainians. The latter factor is also often mentioned by respondents who continue to work in Ukraine. Those who work in Ukraine are also more likely than others to see unskilled work as a problem, and perhaps for this reason do not want to leave their Ukrainian jobs for such work.

While the language barrier was mentioned more often by respondents in Western Europe, low-paid jobs and the unwillingness to hire Ukrainians were mentioned more often in Eastern Europe.

Respondents in Northern Europe mentioned jobs being far from home more often, while those in Southern Europe mentioned the non-recognition of Ukrainian diplomas.

CHANGE IN FINANCIAL SITUATION

Almost 40% of Ukrainians surveyed reported an improvement in their financial situation over the past year, a quarter reported no change, and a third reported a deterioration. Among Ukrainians who left before the invasion, almost half reported such changes.

The longer Ukrainians stay in Europe, the better their financial situation has changed over the past year.

There is a direct correlation: among those who have a job in their country of residence, the majority have improved their financial situation, while among those who are unemployed or continue to work in Ukraine, the opposite is true.

It is important to note that most students have also improved their financial situation. Meanwhile, middle-aged and older people, especially women, have seen a deterioration in their financial situation.

Most Ukrainians who have improved their financial situation over the past year are in Northern and Western Europe.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Only 13% of Ukrainians surveyed in Europe have a high level of proficiency in the language of their country of residence, while another 20% have an intermediate level, which allows them to hold a conversation or read short texts. 29% have a basic level, which allows them to communicate at an everyday level and requires knowledge of simple phrases. The rest have a beginner's level or no knowledge at all.

Ukrainians living in Southern and Eastern Europe have the best language skills, while those in Northern Europe have the worst.

The longer Ukrainians stay in Europe, the higher their level of proficiency in the local language. Among Ukrainians who have been here for more than a few years, 58% have a high or intermediate level, while among those who have been here for a few months, only 7% do.

Older people find these skills the most difficult to acquire. Young people show significantly more progress.

Almost 40% of Ukrainians attend language courses in their country of residence, and another 20% plan to do so. Language courses are most often attended by Ukrainians living in Western (61%) and Northern (55%) Europe, and least often by those living in Eastern Europe (24%). Students and job seekers are the most likely to learn the language. Language courses are more often attended by people of middle and pre-retirement age.

ASSESSMENT OF WESTERN AID

The vast majority of Ukrainians in Europe (72%) believe that Ukrainian refugees are receiving sufficient aid. In particular, 84% of Ukrainians surveyed in Western and Northern Europe, 65% in Eastern Europe, and 47% in Southern Europe share this opinion.

The majority of respondents (61%) consider humanitarian aid to Ukraine to be sufficient, including 76% of respondents in Northern Europe, 63% in Eastern Europe, 60% in Western Europe and 50% in Southern Europe.

A relative majority of respondents (52%) consider financial aid to be sufficient, including 66% of respondents in Northern Europe, 53% in Eastern Europe, 52% in Western Europe, and only 34% in Southern Europe.

At the same time, more than half of respondents (56%) are dissatisfied with the provision of weapons to Ukraine, including 35% of respondents in Northern Europe, 48% in Eastern Europe, 69% in Western Europe and 72% in Southern Europe.