A new Polish labor market survey reveals that 88% of Ukrainians intend to remain in Ukraine after the war, though economic factors may drive continued migration to Poland.
Majority Intend to Rebuild Ukraine
The vast majority of Ukrainian citizens do not plan to emigrate after the war ends and borders reopen. According to the latest “Polish Labor Market Barometer” from Personnel Service, 88% of respondents state they want to stay in their homeland. Only 8% consider the possibility of economic emigration.
However, some individuals currently in Poland are increasingly considering permanent residency.
Younger Ukrainians More Open to Emigration
The research indicates a clear trend: the dominant motivation for Ukrainians is the desire to return home and participate in its reconstruction, viewing emigration as a potential, short-term solution.
Differences in approach are visible among younger respondents. In the 18–35 age group, 14% are considering leaving, while among those over 50, it is only 3%. Men (12%) are also more likely to consider emigration than women (5%).
Economic Factors Will Drive Decisions
Experts emphasize that any post-war emigration would primarily be economic and temporary in nature.
Decisions to remain in Poland depend primarily on economic conditions, with higher earnings being the most important factor, cited by 54% of respondents.
Ukrainians in Poland Increasingly Staying Longer
A different situation exists for those already working in Poland. As many as 38% of them state they do not plan to return to Ukraine. Another 17% want to return immediately after the war ends, and 16% within 1–2 years.
The 1-2 year timeframe presents a real opportunity for Poland to compete for retaining these workers permanently, often individuals with years of experience in the Polish market, language skills, and cultural understanding, filling key personnel gaps.
Poland Remains an Important Migration Destination
Despite declarations of staying in Ukraine, some Ukrainians may decide to seek employment abroad immediately after the war, particularly during the initial period of economic recovery.
The majority of Ukrainians want to stay in the country and rebuild their homeland, which is understandable and natural. At the same time, data shows that among young and professionally active people, this openness to leaving is significantly higher. It can be assumed that some of them, especially in the first months after the end of the war, will want to temporarily improve their financial situation. This means that Poland will remain an important destination for labor migration, although the scale and pace of this movement will depend on the progress of Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The pace of migration will depend on how quickly Ukraine begins to rebuild and stabilize its labor market.