With the introduction of the visa-free regime with the European Union, Ukrainians are pouring into neighboring countries in search of better economic opportunities. Poland, as one of the main points of destination, registers a million and a half Ukrainian workers.
Ukrainian emigrants are welcome in Europe because they help European countries address their own demographic crisis. But it becomes ever more challenging for Ukraine’s government to win back its depleting workforce and encourage people to stay.
In a survey conducted in December by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, the percentage of Ukrainians who said they plan to work this year in the EU was 27%. In real terms, this would be 10 million people.
