Ukrainian refugees in Austria do not plan to go home, the country’s authorities are dissatisfied with the level of their employment

In light of recent events and the war in Ukraine, a large part of the population has been forced to seek refuge abroad, trying to find safety and stability for their families. One of these countries was Austria, which accepted more than 78,000 Ukrainians. However, the number of those wishing to return to their homeland after the end of hostilities is steadily decreasing.

According to the latest survey by the Austrian Institute for Family Research, commissioned by the Austrian Integration Foundation (ÖIF), as of the beginning of 2024, only 3% of the more than 78,000 Ukrainian refugees in Austria are determined to return to Ukraine after the end of hostilities. This is significantly lower than in 2022, when 30% expressed a desire to return home, and from 2023, when there were already 13%. To some extent, this may be due to the fact that 85% of respondents feel safe and comfortable in Austria, having reliable access to social services, medicine, and support from the local community. About 95% of respondents note that coexistence with Austrians is harmonious and favorable for both sides.

Also, 12% of refugees have plans to return, but not immediately after the end of hostilities, and 56% do not plan to return to Ukraine at all. This trend is not unexpected, because many Ukrainians were able to adapt in Austria, in particular in the professional sphere.

Employment of Ukrainians in Austria

However, the level of employment of Ukrainian refugees remains a challenge. According to a study commissioned by the Austrian Employment Service (AMS), only 30% of Ukrainian citizens have official employment. This is still an improvement compared to previous months, but AMS Director General Johannes Kopf expressed concern that a large number of Ukrainians are not registered as jobseekers.

“It is good that the employment rates of Ukrainians in Austria have recently increased again, but we still cannot be satisfied with the employment rate of only about 30%. And still too few displaced persons have registered with the AMS as job seekers.” – said the general director of the service, Johannes Kopf.

Of the 81,000 Ukrainians registered in the country by the beginning of 2024, only 6,000 have officially applied to the Employment Service.

Ukrainians often find work in fields that do not require a high level of language skills or special qualifications, such as the hotel and restaurant business and trade. This is especially noticeable in Vienna, where a significant number of refugees work in these industries. At the same time, 12% of respondents were able to achieve recognition of their diplomas in Austria, which opens up wider professional prospects for them. Another 50% plan to do so in the near future, which indicates the desire for integration and professional development of Ukrainians in the country.

These data testify to the complex and ambiguous processes taking place with Ukrainian refugees in Austria. Most of them have already started building a new life in this country, looking for stability and security for themselves and their families. A significant part of Ukrainians do not plan to return to their homeland even after the end of the war, which may have serious consequences for the socio-economic situation in Ukraine after the restoration of peace. However, there is hope that increasing the level of employment and recognition of diplomas will help Ukrainians achieve greater success in professional integration in Austria.