The stability of legal residency, living conditions, and income level are key reasons why Ukrainians decide to stay in Poland. Social benefits play a secondary role. These conclusions were reached by analysts at the Polish Economic Institute in a study on the integration of Ukrainian migrants. This is reported by inPoland.
The report notes that the migration of Ukrainians to Poland is not homogeneous. Researchers divided migrants into several groups depending on the duration of stay, employment level, and life plans. Even stable work and a high income do not always mean an intention to stay in the country for a long time.
Types of migrants and level of integration
Analysts identified four main groups of Ukrainians: «Guests», «Travelers», «Newcomers», and «Settlers». The group «Settlers» is considered to be the most integrated - these are people who have been living in Poland for over four years, have permanent jobs, and established social contacts with local residents.
At the same time, the research shows that:
high employment does not guarantee a desire to stay forever
some well-integrated Ukrainians plan to move to other countries
less integrated migrants often stay due to the lack of alternatives.
What influences the long-term decisions of Ukrainians in Poland
According to the institute's estimates, about 650,000 working Ukrainians may leave the Polish labor market in the future. This mainly concerns «Guests» and «Travelers» who view Poland as a temporary stage.
The key factor for long-term stay, according to the study, is not economic benefit but a sense of identity and connection to the country of residence. It is cultural, social, and emotional integration that significantly influences the decision to stay in Poland, more than income level or access to social programs.
Previously, we wrote about what Ukrainians in Poland should do for legalization after the end of temporary protection.