The mood of Ukrainians has changed significantly over the past six months. In particular, the number of Ukrainians who do not plan to return home has doubled. Find out more about how many IDPs want to stay in Poland longer

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Despite the risks in Ukraine, many people have been returning home. However, there are also those who are not in a rush to go back or who are even considering emigration. The analytical company "Gremi Personal" conducted a study to investigate how many refugees plan to stay in Poland after the end of the war.

Most of the refugees plan to return home

According to the collected data, 82% of Ukrainians intend to return home, but after victory. Only 8% plan to return this spring, 6% in the summer, and 4% will come home in the autumn.

However, a considerable number of respondents expressed a desire to settle in Poland. Approximately 38% of those surveyed indicated that they would like to stay, while an additional 7% are considering relocating from Poland to another country.

The study was conducted by "Gremi Personal" in March 2023 and involved more than 1,000 participants.

Have the sentiments of Ukrainians changed?

The survey proved some changes since the last research. Back in October 2022, the results were different:

• 17% of respondents did not plan to return home;

• 35% planned to stay in Poland for a year;

• 25.5% intended to return after the victory.

What influences a decision change?

Director of the “Gremi Personal” recruitment department, Anna Jobolda, notes that the number of Ukrainians who want to stay in Poland has doubled due to several factors. First, the houses of some Ukrainians were destroyed. Secondly, people adapted to life in Poland, got jobs and placed their children in school.

Another point that attracts Ukrainians in Poland is the opening of Ukrainian companies. Business willingly employs Ukrainians, so highly qualified employees can find decent job. We would like to add that in the second half of 2022, more than 10,000 companies started operating in Poland.

Knowledge of the local language also plays an important role in adaptation to a foreign country. Research has shown that many refugees have already mastered the Polish language. 30% of respondents can already speak Polish fluently, and 50% continue to learn it.

Poland has simplified the process of obtaining citizenship for Ukrainians, which no longer requires them to pass exams on the country's history or political system. As a result, it is not surprising that 2022 was a record year for the number of Polish passports issued to foreigners. Around 10,000 people became Polish citizens during the year.

Are Ukrainians satisfied with life abroad?

On the eve of the Easter holidays, the border service of Poland recorded a mass return of Ukrainians home. While some of them may only be visiting their home country temporarily, others may have no plans to return to their former place of residence.

Interestingly, the majority of these returning Ukrainians in April came not from Poland, but from Germany. Anna Michalska, the spokeswoman of the Border Service of Poland, reported this.

Why do our compatriots return home despite the danger? We conclude that the main factors are the cost of living abroad, the difficulty of learning the local language, and the lack of work. We also do not reject longing for the native country and family circumstances.

Studies show that only 20% of refugees are full-time employees. This means that most Ukrainians live on social allowance. Often, such financial assistance cannot cover all needs, so Ukrainians return home.

Everyone who plans to come to Ukraine should know the rules of entry. Follow the link to learn about checkpoint opening hours, border crossing rules, customs rules, and other important information.

Photo: DOMINIKA ZARZYCKA/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

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