1.7 million young people have left Ukraine: what the authorities are doing to bring them back

Many young Ukrainians are leaving for internships and educational programs with the intention of returning. Athletes are also actively leaving in the autumn due to the start of the competitive season. Despite the optimistic data from the minister, businesses in Ukraine are complaining about a shortage of young employees in various sectors of the economy, which only exacerbates the pressure on the labor market.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidny, stated that about 1.7 million young people have left Ukraine since February 2022. He relies on data from the State Border Guard Service and explains that there has been no explosive increase in departures due to traditional factors of autumn activity at the border.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports provides an opportunity for citizens aged 18-22 to cross the border freely in hopes of encouraging youth to return to Ukraine. The minister urges young people to come back with new skills for the development of businesses and communities. A network of youth councils and the Easy platform has been created to provide information about opportunities for self-realization in their homeland.

Young Ukrainians are offered job vacancies, internships, volunteer programs, and grants through the Easy platform. The minister emphasizes the importance of seeing Ukraine as a country with its own language and territory and calls for a return for career growth and self-realization.

The Ukrainian authorities are responding to the situation regarding the departure of a significant number of youth abroad but do not consider it catastrophic. The Minister of Youth and Sports urges young people to return to Ukraine, offering various opportunities for self-realization and career growth.