“70% of European salary”: a demographer named the condition for the return of refugees to Ukraine

Refugees will return to Ukraine if they can earn 70% of the salary they receive abroad.

This was stated by Alexey Poznyak, a senior researcher at the Institute of Demography.

“Even before the full-scale invasion and even before the start of the hybrid war, experts estimated: if salaries at home reach approximately 70% of the level in the host country, this would be a significant incentive for refugees to return. The 30% difference is compensated by the fact that a person is within the legal framework of their own state. It is also compensated by the sense of being surrounded by familiar things,” Poznyak said.

According to media reports, Ukrainians in Poland earn between €700 and €1,300 per month. In Germany, they earn €1,500 to €1,900 per month.

Meanwhile, the average salary in Kyiv, according to job listing sites, was 25,500 hryvnias (less than €600) as of December last year. Across Ukraine, this figure is significantly lower. In other words, the salary gap is still far from reaching the “70% of European levels” benchmark.

And this does not include additional social benefits, which are often provided even to working individuals in many EU countries (such as child allowances).

It should be noted that Ukraine has established the Ministry of National Unity to facilitate the return of refugees. Officials there have already stated plans to prioritize the return of men from Europe, luring them with jobs in the defense industry and promises of exemption from mobilization. However, there have been cases where individuals were mobilized despite exemptions.

Previously, media outlets reported that the new Ministry of National Unity is calling on Europe to cease providing assistance to Ukrainians in the EU and advocates for depriving military-age men of consular services.