Research Report: Refugees from Ukraine in Germany , Date: 2023.02.16, format: Research report, area: Authority , Results of the First Wave of the IAB-BiB/FReDA-BAMF-SOEP Survey

Research Report 41: Refugees from Ukraine in Germany Source: BAMF (cover image: AdobeStock | Olga Yastremska, New Africa)

This joint research report by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), the Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF-FZ) and the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) at DIW Berlin presents in-depth findings from the joint study "Refugees from Ukraine in Germany". The nationwide study focuses on the arrival, current living conditions and future plans of Ukrainian refugees in Germany.

The analyses are based on approximately 11,700 interviews with Ukrainian men and women who arrived in Germany between 24 February and 8 June 2022. Interviews were conducted across Germany based on standardized questionnaires online (CAWI) or by paper (PAPI) between August and October 2022. When drawing the sample, 100 municipalities with a high proportion of Ukrainian refugees were first selected using the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR). The selected municipalities were then asked to provide addresses of the target population. By using weights, the sample is representative of this population. The study is planned as a longitudinal survey, with a second wave of interviews to be conducted in spring 2023. The first key findings from the first wave were published in December 2022 as part of a brief analysis.

Central results

For the first time, the study provides representative data on Ukrainian refugees living in Germany. Building on these, the research report presents in-depth analyses of arrival, the current living situation and plans for the future. The findings can help actors in various policy areas to draw conclusions about the particular problems and support needs of Ukrainian refugees.

  • The uncertain course of the war and the legal framework shape the living conditions of Ukrainian refugees and their intentions to stay in Germany: 37 percent of the refugees would like to stay in Germany forever or for several years, 34 percent until the end of the war, 27 percent are still undecided and 2 percent plan to leave Germany again within a year.
  • The vast majority of adult refugees are women (80 percent). Many of them came to Germany without a partner (77 percent), 48 percent with minor children. 12 percent of women have fled to Germany with their partner and minor children. Of the men, 71 percent live in Germany with their partner.
  • Compared with the overall population in their country of origin, refugees have a high level of education: 72 percent have a university degree.
  • Only few refugees had a good knowledge of German at the time of the survey (4 percent). However, half of the respondents was already attending a German course.
  • 74 percent of the respondents live in private accommodation, only 9 percent in shared accommodation.
  • The majority of refugees rate their health as good, but their life satisfaction is significantly lower than that of the German population.
  • The psychological well-being of refugee children is also low compared to other children living in Germany.
  • 17 percent of refugees of working age were employed at the time of the survey. 71 percent of employed refugees have a job that requires a vocational or university degree.
  • The refugees express a particular need for support in learning German, finding a job, medical care and finding housing.

The research report is only available in German. However, it contains an executive summary in English as well.

Notes: Identical versions of the research report have been published in a neutral design and by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB).

First key results of the first wave were published as part of a brief analysis in December 2022.