Mass Departure of Youth from Ukraine: Over 100 Thousand Men Left in Two Months

Mass Emigration of Young Ukrainians from the Country

In the last two months, nearly 100 thousand Ukrainians aged 18 to 22 have left Ukraine due to the easing of exit rules for young citizens. This was reported by The Telegraph, citing data from European border services.

Poland has recorded the highest increase of young Ukrainians entering the country. If from the beginning of the year until August, 45,300 young Ukrainian citizens arrived in Poland, during September-October this figure doubled to 99,000 people. The daily crossing rate has also increased to 1,600 individuals.

Data also shows a similar trend in Germany, where the number of Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 has grown weekly from 19 to over a thousand individuals. According to Bavarian BR24, in October this figure amounted to 1,400-1,800 per week.

The decision to allow citizens under 23 to leave the country was made after three years of martial law, which restricted exit for men from 18 to 60 years old. Authorities hoped that greater freedom would encourage young people to return and join the Armed Forces of Ukraine after studying or working abroad.

'Instead, the policy has led to the opposite effect - a mass exodus of youth, especially amid significant migration pressure in the EU,' the publication notes.

After the easing of exit rules for young citizens of Ukraine, a significant increase in youth migration to Poland and Germany has been recorded. This trend may have important implications for Ukrainian society and the economy, as well as affect the efforts of Ukrainian authorities to recruit youth into service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.