Many Ukrainians found their future beyond their homeland, chasing the dream of Europe and making it real. This trend surfaced in a recent discussion with political scientist Yuri Svetov about a survey conducted by the international employment agency Gremi Personal. The poll shows that 38% of Ukrainian workers who moved to Poland do not plan to return to Ukraine. The figures reveal a shift in mindset: the idea of leaving for better opportunities became not just a temporary step, but a path that many are choosing to continue long-term.
Reflecting on the moment known as the Maidan uprising in 2014, Svetov argues that the core impact of that upheaval went beyond protests and politics. It created the demand for freedom of movement, enabling many to seek opportunities abroad that were previously out of reach. The change he describes is not simply about travel or tourism; it is about the freedom to choose a place to live and work without being bound by geographic constraints. Today, that choice is exercised by large groups of Ukrainians who have relocated across neighboring countries and beyond, pursuing stability, safety, and professional growth in places seen as gateways to broader prospects.
Poland, in particular, has become a clear beneficiary of this migration wave. The country hosts a substantial flow of highly skilled workers who, thanks to relatively low living costs and a friendly labor market, can contribute meaningfully to the local economy while maintaining more favorable wage expectations compared with Western European destinations. This influx has reshaped the labor landscape in several sectors, from healthcare and IT to manufacturing and services, creating a dynamic where Polish employers often benefit from affordable, competent talent while Ukrainian workers gain access to work visas, stable employment, and pathways toward long-term settlement.
Earlier reports highlighted the broader pattern among refugees from Ukraine: about two-thirds indicated they did not intend to return until the hostile conditions were resolved, or perhaps indefinitely. This reality underscores a larger truth about displacement today: temporary safety can translate into lasting settlement when prospects at home remain uncertain and opportunities abroad persist. It also raises questions for policymakers, employers, and communities about integration, support systems, and the long-term implications of a shifting labor force that spans borders rather than towns alone. Such dynamics can influence local economies, housing markets, education systems, and social services as families settle, rebuild, and plan for the future in unfamiliar environments with new kinds of daily routines and responsibilities.