From protection seekers to skilled workers

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, around 1.18 million Ukrainian nationals fled to Germany, making it the leading host country in Europe. According to recent surveys, 44 per cent of Ukrainian refugees want to stay in Germany permanently or for several years. This raises the question of suitable integration programmes – especially for those who will be staying long-term. Quick access to employment is a crucial prerequisite for successful integration. The EU Temporary Protection Directive requires member states to provide refugees with access to education and employment alongside healthcare, housing and social security. However, many Ukrainian refugees in Germany are currently not employed. The discourse surrounding their low labour market participation often focuses on the impact of the citizens' allowance. In contrast, studies indicate that the level of education, qualifications and the number of children significantly affect employment prospects, especially for refugee women. The widely discussed case of 1,400 Ukrainian doctors waiting for work permits in Germany also exemplifies systemic barriers. How do socio-demographic and structural factors affect the employment of Ukrainian refugees in Germany? In order to answer this question, the following text examines the composition of Ukrainian refugees in Germany – including age structure, gender, employment and educational level – as well as institutional conditions for entering the labour market and potential obstacles. Building on these insights, measures are identified that can contribute to the successful integration of Ukrainians into the labour market.

Read the entire analysis „Von Schutzsuchenden zu Fachkräften: Einflussfaktoren für die Arbeitsmarktintegration ukrainischer Geflüchteter“ here as PDF. Please note, to date the analysis is only available in German.