Socio-economic Factors Shaping the Integration of Ukrainian Refugees into the Polish society

Abstract

The Russian-Ukrainian war has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees in Poland. This has had a significant impact on the socio-economic situation of both the refugees and the host country. This study examines the socio-economic factors that shape the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the Polish society. The research identifies key challeng­es faced by Ukrainian refugees in Poland, as identified in a survey conducted between August 2022 and January 2023 with 73 respondents. These include language barriers, difficulties in accessing employment, and housing issues. The findings indicate that the majority of refugees are middle-aged women with higher education degrees, yet they encounter difficulties with regard to financial stability and adaptation in Poland. The study concludes that effective integration policies must address these socio-economic challenges in order to facilitate better adaptation and potential long-term settlement of Ukrainian refugees in Poland.