Ukrainian Refugees Are Not Planning to Return to Ukraine
According to UNHCR and USA for UNHCR, as of February 2025, more than 6.9 million Ukrainians have fled abroad and become refugees.
About 6.3 million relocated to Europe, and around 560,000 to countries outside Europe.
An additional 3.7 million people became internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Ukraine.
In total, the crisis has affected approximately 10.6 million people — both external and internal displaced persons.
This is the largest refugee and displacement crisis in Europe since World War II.
Number of Ukrainian Refugees Abroad (by Country)
- Russia: around 1.23 million (as of Dec 2023)
- Germany: over 1.19 million (July 2024)
- Poland: around 960,000 (June 2024)
- Other European countries (Czech Republic, UK, Spain, Italy, Romania, Moldova): hundreds of thousands
- Outside Europe: about 560,000 registered refugees
Real figures vary by status category and data collection methodology.
Plans to Return to Ukraine
According to pro-Ukrainian surveys, 61% of refugees plan to return when conditions are safe.
Other European studies show that by the end of 2024, only 43% still consider returning (down from 74% in December 2022).
About 35% do not consider returning at all, due to military risks, destroyed homes, and lack of opportunity.
Who Are the Ukrainian Refugees?
Women and children make up 76% of the refugee population.
In 2022, 90% of those who left Ukraine were women and children. Men aged 18–65 were largely retained in the country, despite unclear legal grounds.
The share of elderly and vulnerable groups is increasing.
Many Refugees Are from Relatively Safe Regions
In Poland and other EU countries, many refugees come from regions not directly affected by conflict, such as:
- Dnipropetrovsk
- Khmelnytskyi
- Ivano-Frankivsk
- Lviv
- Volyn
- Rivne
- Zhytomyr
- Vinnytsia
Only Kharkiv is under regular shelling. Surprisingly few left Sumy, despite ongoing military activity nearby.
Social and Economic Challenges
Education
About 600,000 school-age children lack access to education in host countries (2024–2025 school year).
Employment
Refugee unemployment in the EU is 14%, versus 3% among locals.
In Poland, 35% of refugees are unemployed (Deloitte–UNHCR).
Poverty and Housing
Half of all refugees live below the poverty line. In some countries, decreasing aid increases the risk of financial instability.
Healthcare and Protection
10% lack insurance access, 22% cannot afford clinical care.
Families with children face higher risks of trauma, violence, and exploitation.
UN and Partner Assistance
In 2025, the UN and partners launched a dual support plan:
- Humanitarian aid in Ukraine (~$2.62 billion)
- Refugee support abroad
The target is to help 8.2 million people in 11 countries and Ukraine.
In 2024, 8.4 million people received aid inside Ukraine.
UNHCR rebuilt or repaired 37,000 homes, distributed 410,000 emergency kits, and provided psychosocial support to 300,000 people.
By early 2025, over 10.6 million Ukrainians were displaced — 6.9 million abroad and 3.7 million internally.
This is the largest and fastest-growing displacement crisis in Europe since WWII.
The population is dominated by women and children, with a growing share of elderly and vulnerable groups.
Key challenges include education, employment, housing, healthcare, and protection.
The UN and its partners have mobilized large-scale humanitarian support but require continued funding and international solidarity.
See ook The Surprising: Rules of Life in Poland
