Page 27 - UKRRptOct23

A recent study conducted by the Rating Sociological Group sheds light on the employment situation among Ukrainian refugees in Europe, distinguishing between those who arrived after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and those who came to the EU before the invasion, Interfax Ukraine reported on September 8.
According to the study, 49% of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Europe after the invasion are currently employed, while this number rises to 74% among those who arrived in the EU prior to the invasion. The employment distribution varies by region, with Eastern Europe having the highest percentage of employed Ukrainians (67%), followed by Western Europe (35%). Conversely, the lowest employment rates are observed among refugees from the south and east of Ukraine and Kyiv.
Among the employed refugees, more than 80% have secured jobs in their host countries, while 14% work either in Ukraine or across multiple countries simultaneously. Notably, the employment rate among men is nearly 1.5 times higher than among women.
For those who are unemployed, the study reveals that 25% are actively searching for employment, 39% are contemplating job opportunities, and 36% are not currently seeking work. Ukrainian refugees in Western Europe appear to be the least engaged in job searching.
Respondents in Eastern Europe more frequently reported instances of refusal to hire Ukrainian refugees. This sentiment was particularly prevalent among younger Ukrainians who recently arrived in EU countries.
Language barriers emerged as the most common employment challenge for Ukrainian refugees in Europe, cited by 73% of respondents. Other employment issues include unskilled work (29%), low wages (19%), and non-recognition of Ukrainian education diplomas (14%).
Language proficiency among Ukrainian refugees varies, with only 13% claiming to speak the host country's language at a high level, while 20% have an average level, allowing for basic conversations and text reading. Meanwhile, 29% possess a basic level for everyday communication, requiring knowledge of simple phrases, while the remaining respondents have lower language skills or none at all.
Language proficiency is notably better in southern and eastern Europe and lower in northern Europe. The study indicates that longer stays in Europe correlate with higher levels of language proficiency. Among those who have been abroad for several years, 58% exhibit high or average language skills, compared to just 7% among those who recently arrived. Additionally, younger individuals tend to make more significant progress in language acquisition.
Approximately 40% of Ukrainian refugees are currently attending language courses in their host countries, with another 20% planning to do so. The prevalence of language courses varies by region, with 61% of refugees in western Europe and 55% in northern Europe participating in language programs. Language courses are more common among students and job seekers, as well as individuals in middle and pre-retirement age groups.
The study surveyed 2,116 Ukrainian refugees aged 18 and above who found temporary shelter in 31 European countries after February 24, 2022. The results were processed with the latest data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the margin error of the survey is within 3.2% with a probability of 0.95.
27 UKRAINE Country Report October 2023 www.intellinews.com