Federal Institute for Population Research

Top news

Arbeitshelm vor Ukraineflagge (refer to: Protection seekers from Ukraine: making better use of potential for the German labour market) | Source: © BillionPhotos.com/stock.adobe.com

Press releaseProtection seekers from Ukraine: making better use of potential for the German labour market

New data from the Federal Institute for Population Research show a further increase in the employment rate among Ukrainian refugees. This has almost doubled from 16 per cent in summer 2022 to 30 per cent in spring 2024.

Peer-Reviewed Articles in Scientific JournalsUkrainian Refugees in Germany: Evidence from a Large Representative Survey

Brücker, Herbert; Ette, Andreas; Grabka, Markus M.; Kosyakova, Yuliya; Niehues, Wenke; Rother, Nina; Spieß, C. Katharina; Zinn, Sabine; Bujard, Martin; Cardozo, Adriana; Décieux, Jean P.; Maddox, Amrei; Milewski, Nadja; Sauer, Lenore; Schmitz, Sophia; Schwanhäuser, Silvia; Siegert, Manuel; Steinhauer, Hans; Tanis, Kerstin (2023)

Comparative Population Studies 48: 395–424

DOI: 10.12765/CPoS-2023-16

This study describes the first wave of the IAB-BiB/FReDA-BAMF-SOEP Survey on Ukrainian Refugees in Germany, a unique panel dataset based on over 11,000 interviews conducted between August and October 2022. The aim of the IAB-BiB/FReDA-BAMF-SOEP Survey is to provide a data-infrastructure for theory-driven and evidence-based research on various aspects of integration among Ukrainian refugees in Germany, the second most important destination country in the EU after Poland, hosting over a million people who arrived in Germany shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Based on the survey, this study also provides first insights into demographic, educational, linguistic, occupational, and social characteristics of this population. The analyses revealed that the refugee population comprised mostly young and educated individuals, with a significant proportion of females without partners and female-headed separated families. While German language skills were limited, about half of Ukrainian refugees had attended or were attending language courses. However, the integration process faced significant challenges, as the participation of children in day-care was relatively low, and the self-reported life satisfaction was markedly below the average of the German population. The study highlights the need for targeted policy measures to address such issues. Additionally, policies may aim at harnessing the high potential of the Ukrainian refugees for the German labor market. Given that a substantial proportion would like to stay in Germany permanently, policymakers should take note of these findings and aim to facilitate their long-term integration process to ensure that these refugees may thrive in Germany.

Use of cookies

Cookies help us to provide our services. By using our website you agree that we can use cookies. Read more about our Privacy Policy and visit the following link: Privacy Policy

OK