Ukrainian refugees who came to Vienna can better imagine that they will stay there for a long time than those in Krakow (Poland). They also tend to have higher educational qualifications. This says migration researcher Judith Kohlenberger from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Researchers from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) also took part in their study. The team conducted approximately 1,500 interviews in the spring of 2022. The content included, for example, socio-demographic background, economic opportunities and expectations in arrival centers in Vienna and Krakow. One of the results: The refugees are more highly educated than the general population in Ukraine. In the war-torn country, about 30 percent of 25 to 64-year-olds have a university degree, in the sample from Krakow this is 66 percent and in Vienna even 83. This is explained by the fact that these people often have the financial and social means of escape.
Knowledge of German and quality of life played a role
The “mass influx directive” not only gave Ukrainians a legal option to flee, but also allowed them to choose their country of destination. According to the surveys, the reasons for choosing Austria included prior knowledge of German, high quality of life, friendships, relatives and acquaintances in Vienna and previous professional or private stays. Social networking would also have helped with integration, Kohlenberger said.
“This makes it clear that even for people forced to flee, the decision to leave and the choice of destination country is multi-causal – it is not about social benefits, as is often claimed, but mainly about existing social networks in the world. country of destination.”
Elections in Poland due to geographical proximity
Neighboring Poland, on the other hand, was often chosen because of its geographical proximity to Ukraine. Accordingly, the willingness to stay in Krakow is significantly lower than in Vienna. However, in Poland it is easier for refugees to take up paid work. One in five people said in the survey that they had worked in healthcare and education in their home country.
“Since dequalification, i.e. working in the labor market below their respective qualifications, is arguably more pronounced among women, the predominantly female refugee population from Ukraine should be supported with easily accessible childcare, further training and flexible working hours. ,” Kohlenberger countered.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than nine million people are currently fleeing Ukraine, including almost six million within Europe. The study in Vienna was conducted at the Austria Center Vienna, where the refugees had to go through administrative procedures. Ukrainian students and researchers helped.
Source: Krone
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