Survey finds 51% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland plan to return home after war

Intentions to return to Ukraine

A survey conducted by the Ukrainian polling organisation Rating Group indicates that 51% of Ukrainian war refugees currently living in Poland intend to return to their home country. However, most individuals in this category are postponing their departure until active combat operations cease. Exactly 43% of respondents stated that they plan to go back only after the war with Russia ends, whereas 8% expressed readiness to return in the immediate future. At the same time, 26% of respondents stated that they do not plan to return to Ukraine, and 23% were unable to provide a definite answer.

For the vast majority of displaced people, safety remains the primary prerequisite for repatriation. A total of 71% of participants identified the establishment of security and a stable situation in Ukraine as the most critical factor guiding their decision. The study was conducted via online interviews between 21 and 25 August, surveying a sample of 1,000 people who fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Perceptions of mutual relations

The study also assessed the social dynamics between Ukrainian refugees and their host society. When asked about their personal stance toward local Polish residents, 50% of Ukrainian respondents described their attitude as warm, while 44% characterized it as neutral.

Refugees reported a more cautious perception regarding how Polish society views them. Only 30% of respondents evaluated the attitude of Poles toward Ukrainian refugees as warm, whereas 46% viewed it as neutral, and 22% described it as cool. These perceptions exist within a sizable diaspora. According to data from the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs, approximately 1.9 million Ukrainians currently reside in Poland, comprising roughly 1 million wartime refugees who arrived after February 2022 alongside pre-existing economic migrants.

Experiences with discrimination

The survey gathered detailed responses regarding discrimination encountered by refugees over the past 12 months. While 49% of respondents stated that they had not faced discrimination for any of the listed reasons during the past year, a notable portion reported facing prejudice in daily interactions.

Nationality and ethnic origin were the most common grounds for mistreatment, cited by 31% of respondents. In addition, 22% reported facing prejudice because they spoke the Ukrainian language in public or private settings. Negative treatment due to speaking Russian was reported by 6% of respondents. Other categories included age discrimination at 5% and gender-based discrimination at 3%.

Sociological perspectives on integration

Sociologists analyzing the polling results point to shifting social dynamics affecting Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Dr Dominika Blachnicka-Ciacek from the Faculty of Sociology at the University of Warsaw addressed the psychological impact of public hostility in remarks to the Polish Press Agency.

Growing hostility towards Ukrainians in Poland affects their sense of security.

Blachnicka-Ciacek observed that social barriers persist even for Ukrainians who speak fluent Polish and work alongside Polish citizens daily. She noted that while Ukrainian migrants show willingness to integrate, Polish counterparts do not always reciprocate. Furthermore, apprehension surrounding the public use of the Ukrainian language has become more noticeable. Citing findings from the Stand with Ukraine foundation, Blachnicka-Ciacek pointed to the previous year's presidential campaign as the period when negative sentiment first rose noticeably. This shift contrasts with the early stages of the war, when 70% of Polish society offered direct aid and 7% hosted refugees at home.