Where do Ukrainians work and how much do they earn in Germany and the Netherlands
Due to the war, the number of Ukrainians in Germany increased from approximately 140,000 at the end of 2021 to more than 1.26 million in March 2024. About 120,000 of our fellow citizens with protection status lived in the Netherlands in March this year. Although the official statistics of these countries indicate a low level of employment among refugees, they take into account last year’s data. Currently, most migrants of working age have already found or are actively looking for work.
How many Ukrainians got a job
According to the results poll, conducted by the EWL Migration Platform and the Center for East European Studies of the University of Warsaw, in Germany 67% of able-bodied citizens of Ukraine have already found employment or are taking preparatory courses. Although the official statistics of the Federal Republic of Germany for 2023 show only 20% of employment among refugees. In the Netherlands, 61% of Ukrainians report having a job.
The main reasons why some refugees have not yet found work in both countries include receiving financial assistance, childcare responsibilities and being supported by relatives.
Work and salary
Ukrainian workers in Germany earn an average of 1,334 euros (before taxes) per month, and in the Netherlands – 1,304 euros, which is twice the average salary in Ukraine.
Most often, Ukrainians in Germany work in the service sector (16%), hotel business (9%), trade (8%), care for the elderly (8%) and industrial production (7%). In the Netherlands, Ukrainians are employed in the service sector (17%), hotels (10%), trade (9%), industrial production (7%) and agriculture (6%).
High potential
74% of Ukrainians in Germany and 75% in the Netherlands have a higher education or study experience at universities. In addition, more than half of Ukrainians (56% in Germany and 57% in the Netherlands) feel comfortable communicating in English. In the Netherlands, 52% of Ukrainians admit that they speak the local language, while in Germany this figure is 48%.
According to Mikhalina Selevych, director of international development at the EWL Migration Platform, Ukrainian refugees have significant potential for local labor markets, particularly in IT, mechanical engineering and healthcare, where there is a high demand for specialists. The number of vacancies in the German labor market is up to 2 million, and in the Netherlands – 400 thousand. After an economic downturn in 2023-2024, most analysts expect the German and Dutch economies to grow by 1.5% in 2025, boosting demand for workers.
The main problems during the job search among Ukrainians: insufficient qualifications for desired positions (31%), and lack of offers that would meet expectations (23%).
