Ukrainian refugees

Almost half of the refugees do not want to return from Norway to Ukraine after the end of the war

Since the beginning of the war, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes, looking for a safe haven in different parts of the world. Many countries have opened their doors to Ukrainian refugees, providing them with temporary shelter, access to education, medical care and work. However, over time, statements about reluctance to return to the Motherland, even after the end of the war, are increasingly being heard. One of the vivid examples is the situation in Norway, where almost half of the Ukrainian refugees do not want to return to Ukraine after the end of the war.

Reasons for reluctance to return home

47% of Ukrainian refugees said that they do not want to return to their homeland even after the end of the war. This data was released by the Office for Inclusion and Diversity (IMDi), which writes VG.

According to researcher Vilde Gernes from the Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) at OsloMet, there are several reasons why Ukrainian refugees want to stay in Norway. First of all, it is the level of security and stability that the Scandinavian country provides. Many Ukrainians who have experienced the horrors of war appreciate the peaceful and predictable life in Norway, where there is no threat of shelling or hostilities.

Another important reason is the economic and social support provided by the state. Ukrainian refugees get access to free education, medical services and financial assistance, which allows them to gradually adapt to their new environment. For many families, this becomes a decisive factor, especially if they see prospects for their children.

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According to the survey, those who have lived in Norway for a long time are more likely to decide to stay than those who arrived recently. This is due to the fact that integration into a new environment over time makes the connection with the Motherland less strong.

Dynamics of changes in the attitudes of refugees

Interestingly, these attitudes change over time. In January 2023, every third Ukrainian refugee in Norway expressed a desire to stay, and more than half could not decide. Current results show that the share of those who want to stay has increased significantly.

The number of boys aged 16–17 among newly arrived Ukrainians is also increasing. Researchers assume that this is due to the fact that after reaching the age of 18, young men can no longer leave Ukraine due to martial law restrictions.

Norway’s policy towards Ukrainian refugees

Norway is making significant efforts to support Ukrainian refugees, but its policy is gradually changing. At the end of September, it was announced that the country would no longer grant automatic asylum to all Ukrainian refugees. Requests will now be considered individually, especially if it concerns citizens from the western regions of Ukraine, which are considered relatively safe.

At the same time, those who already live in Norway get the opportunity to integrate into society. For many, it is a chance to build a new life, because they have access to work, education and health services.

Future: return or new life abroad

The reluctance of almost half of the Ukrainian refugees in Norway to return home causes discussions both among the Ukrainians themselves and in the international community. On the one hand, this indicates the success of the integration policy in the countries that accepted the refugees. On the other hand, about the deep injuries caused by the war and the lack of confidence in stability and security in Ukraine.

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For Ukraine, this is a challenge that calls into question the possibility of returning millions of refugees to the Motherland. Society must find answers to the questions: how to create conditions that will encourage Ukrainians to return, and how to take into account the interests of those who decided to stay abroad.

The situation regarding the position of Ukrainian refugees in Norway reflects a global trend — many people who fled the war find not only safety, but also new opportunities for life in new countries. The question of returning to the Motherland remains open and depends on the extent to which Ukraine will be able to guarantee its citizens stability, security and prospects in the post-war period. Currently, almost half of the refugees in Norway have already made a choice, and this choice indicates the need for deep changes in the future of Ukraine.

 

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