According to a report by the National Bank of Poland (NBP) on the economic situation of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland, 78% of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland are either employed or actively seeking work. In comparison, 68% of immigrants from Belarus plan to stay in Poland permanently or for more than a year.
The NBP report, “Life and Economic Situation of Migrants from Ukraine in Poland in 2024,” highlights that employment is the primary source of income for Ukrainian immigrants. For pre-war immigrants, wages account for approximately 90% of their income, while for refugees, this figure is around 76%.
The report indicates that Ukrainian immigrants are active in the Polish labour market. This group’s proportion of working or looking for work is significantly higher than that of Polish citizens. However, the study also reveals that unemployment remains a significant issue for refugees, as their rates are considerably higher than the overall unemployment rate in Poland. Additionally, the NBP noted that immigrants are generally paid more in professions that men predominantly occupy.
The report states, “Despite the passage of time, the percentage of Ukrainian immigrants who prefer to settle permanently in Poland has not increased.”
It was noted that knowledge of the Polish language has improved among pre-war immigrants and refugees, reflecting their social and economic integration. The NBP indicated that the housing situation for pre-war migrants and refugees is gradually becoming more similar, showing the progressing integration of refugees. However, an increasing number of immigrants do not express any specific plans.
The authors of the report pointed out that compared to previous studies, the percentage of respondents giving “hard to say” answers regarding their residence plans has risen, both among pre-war immigrants and refugees.
Additionally, the report revealed that over 90% of Ukrainian children in Poland have benefited from the Polish education system. According to their parents and guardians, the main difficulties these children face during their stay in Poland include a lack of knowledge of the Polish language (36% of responses), a lack of friends (33% of responses), and a decline in their standard of living compared to the situation before the war (29% of responses). Furthermore, findings showed that migrants continue to support their loved ones in Ukraine, with 40% providing financial assistance and 49% offering material support, primarily to family members.
Immigrants from Belarus
Also, on Monday, NBP published a study titled “The Life and Economic Situation of Migrants from Belarus in Poland in 2024.” The report indicates that the political situation in Belarus is the main reason for increased immigration, followed by economic factors. Notably, Belarusian immigrants are generally well-educated, with half under 34 years old and many arriving with their spouses.
24% of respondents hold a Pole’s Card or Polish citizenship, which gives them a better command of the Polish language, more stable residency status, and improved job prospects. Approximately 16% of surveyed immigrants were unemployed, with those arriving before 2019 experiencing the most success in the job market. Most respondents work in sectors like industry, transport, IT, and construction, with a significant percentage employed in IT.
The economic situation of these immigrants varies: around 16% spend most of their salary on living expenses, while nearly 33% transfer money back to Belarus. The report also highlights that 79% of immigrants are satisfied with their lives in Poland, and 68% plan to stay long-term. This research is part of the NBP’s pilot study conducted between April 15 and July 5, 2024, involving 775 respondents from six voivodeships.
