The European Union and a number of other European countries remain the main destinations for refugees, offering them temporary protection, access to the labor market, healthcare and education. The war, which began in February 2022, has become one of the biggest humanitarian challenges in modern Europe, giving rise to new waves of migration and adaptation of millions of people to new realities.
An important element of this crisis was the fact that Ukrainian refugees, unlike many other categories of migrants, have strong support from both EU governments and local communities. Many of them received the right to temporary stay, work and access to social services. However, as the conflict drags on, more and more Ukrainians face the challenges of long-term integration, finding stable work, and creating new social ties in new countries.
Leading countries by the number of Ukrainian refugees
As the President of Ukraine reported, a total of 7.5 million Ukrainians left our country. As of the end of September 2024, the largest number of Ukrainian refugees is in Germany, which has become the main refuge for Ukrainians after giving way to Poland last year. Germany accepted about 1.2 million people, which is 17.8% of all Ukrainian refugees in Europe. Such a change can be explained by the fact that Germany offered a wide range of social guarantees, employment opportunities and access to quality medical and educational services, which became attractive to many Ukrainians.
The second position in terms of the number of Ukrainian refugees was occupied by Poland, which accepted about 970,000 people (14.4%). In 2023, Poland was the main destination for Ukrainian refugees, hosting more than 1.6 million people. However, at the beginning of 2024, many Ukrainians began to look for other countries to live, which may be related to various factors: economic difficulties, overcrowding of labor markets and reduced opportunities for integration into Polish society.
The third place in terms of the number of refugees was the Czech Republic, which accepted 371,000 people (5.5%). This country, despite its modest size, was able to provide effective support to refugees thanks to a well-organized system of social assistance and active support from the government and international organizations.
Ranking of countries by the number of Ukrainian refugees
The following 10 leaders can be singled out in the list of countries that accepted the largest number of Ukrainian refugees:
- Germany – 1.2 million people (17.8%);
- Poland – 970 thousand people (14.4%);
- Czech Republic – 371 thousand people (5.5%);
- Great Britain – 248 thousand people (3.7%);
- Spain – 211 thousand people (3.1%);
- Italy – 173 thousand people (2.6%);
- Romania – 162 thousand people (2.4%);
- Slovakia – 126 thousand people (1.9%);
- Moldova – 123 thousand people (1.8%);
- The Netherlands – 119 thousand people (1.8%).
It is worth noting that these figures reflect changes that have occurred over the past year. For example, Bulgaria, which in 2023 ranked 7th in terms of the number of Ukrainian refugees (163,000 people), dropped out of the top 10 this year. On the other hand, the Netherlands rose in the ranking due to the increase in the number of Ukrainians who chose this country for temporary residence.
Reasons for changes in migration flows
One of the important factors of changes in migration flows of Ukrainians in 2024 is the economic situation in various European countries. For example, in Poland, rising inflation, crowded labor markets and difficulties with integration have forced some Ukrainians to look for better conditions in other countries. Germany, on the other hand, continues to attract refugees thanks to its strong social guarantees and relatively stable economy.
In addition, the governments of the EU countries are adapting their policies regarding refugees, in particular by introducing new programs of integration, training, adaptation in the labor market. Countries such as the Czech Republic and Spain are stepping up efforts to provide additional resources to support Ukrainians, making these countries attractive to those seeking temporary or long-term asylum.
Consequently, the situation with Ukrainian refugees continues to be dynamic, and as of September 2024, Europe remains a key region for those who have been forced to leave Ukraine. The support provided by European countries is vital to ensure the safety and stability of these people in the new environment. However, the duration of the war and the difficulties of returning home highlight the need for long-term solutions for refugees, both at the level of individual countries and within the framework of European policies.
