NEWS – GERMANY
According to a recent survey in Germany, only 34% of Ukrainian refugees plan to return home immediately after the war ends, Remix News reported.
A survey conducted by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) showed that 2% of Ukrainians plan to stay in Germany for at least another year after the war ends, while 11% plan to stay for several more years. More than a quarter of the respondents (26%) stated that they do not plan to return to Ukraine at all and would like to stay in Germany forever.
More than a million Ukrainian refugees have moved to Germany since the start of the war in Ukraine. As of 15 February 2023, the total number of refugees in Germany was 1,055,323, second only to Poland with 1.55 million registered refugees and Russia with 2.85 million refugees.
Despite having a good education, only 4% of respondents reported good German language skills, and only 17% of Ukrainians were able to find work in Germany.
The study found that three quarters of Ukrainian refugees live in private accommodation, 9 per cent in refugee centres and 17 per cent in hotels. Around 80% of adult refugees were women, three quarters of whom arrived in Germany without a partner. 48% of the women arrived with minor child(ren).
Why Germany is better
According to the survey, Ukrainians want to stay in Germany mainly because human rights are respected in the country. Respondents also noted the good welfare system and the fact that Germany is tolerant and open to migrants.
At the same time, local German authorities increasingly face the challenge of maintaining their welfare systems and many have announced that they will no longer accept new immigrants.
“There is a shortage of housing, kindergarten places, teachers for schools and language courses, all of which are serious reasons for growing social tensions,” warns Reinhard Sager, president of the German District Association.
The public also increasingly disapproves of the government’s open borders policy. According to a recent survey by ratings agency INSA, 51 percent of Germans believe the country has taken in too many refugees.
