Military refugees from Ukraine have significantly impacted Poland’s economy, contributing to its growth and increased specialization. According to a report from the UN Refugee Agency, legislative changes that allowed Ukrainians to work and start their own small businesses led to a 2.7% increase in Poland’s gross domestic product in 2024.
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“By allowing Ukrainian refugees to start working and open small businesses, Poland increased its GDP by 2.7% in 2024,” the agency noted.
Impact on the Labor Market and Integration of Ukrainians
The presence of Ukrainian refugees has not only made Poland’s economy more efficient but has also contributed to wage growth at the local level. Meanwhile, the employment rate among Poles has remained stable. Experts note that full integration of Ukrainians into the labor market could provide a macroeconomic effect for the country of nearly $1.6 billion annually.
Despite these positive economic trends, many Ukrainians still do not feel fully integrated into Polish society. According to data from Gremi Personal, over 80% of Ukrainian migrants in Poland have stable jobs and see the prospect of staying long-term. However, only 11% of respondents feel they have been able to “settle in” to this country. Additionally, 17.9% of respondents consider the possibility of returning to Ukraine as a real option.
Increase in New Citizens in Germany
Meanwhile, Germany is experiencing a record increase in the number of people obtaining citizenship. In the past year, over 291,955 individuals received German passports, which is nearly 46% more compared to the previous year when 91,860 people were granted citizenship. There has been particularly notable growth among Russian citizens – the number of Russians who received German passports reached around 13,000, which is 500% more than last year.