Der Spiegel: Over half of Ukrainian refugees in Germany unwilling to return home

Proceeding from a recent article, Der Spiegel features that more than half of the Ukrainian refugees currently residing in Germany have expressed a desire to remain in the country and do not wish to return to Ukraine.

These findings come from a recent survey conducted by the Federal Employment Agency, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, and the German Institute for Economic Research.

The survey shows that 59 per cent of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Germany between late February and May 2022 have stated they do not plan to return to Ukraine. Among those who arrived later, the number increases to 69 per cent. Additionally, nine out of ten respondents indicated they would not consider returning to Ukraine as long as the ongoing conflict persists.

Sociologists also noted that the longer refugees stay and settle in Germany, the less likely they are to return to their home country. The survey, which took place between July 2023 and January 2024, involved 3,403 Ukrainian refugees currently living in Germany. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, over 1.2 million Ukrainian citizens have sought refuge in Germany. 

Unlike asylum seekers from other nations, Ukrainian refugees have been granted a special status in the country, making them eligible for civil welfare benefits, known as Bürgergeld. According to German authorities, approximately 700,000 Ukrainians in Germany are currently receiving Bürgergeld, with around 480,000 of them being of working age.

By Naila Huseynova