To learn more about the needs of refugees from Ukraine, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community commissioned a systematic survey. Between 24 March and 29 March, a total of 1,936 interviews were conducted in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich as well as online, using the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and Germany4Ukraine.de. The results also provide some initial and reliable information regarding the refugees’ age structure, education level and their occupation in Ukraine. 

The majority of people arriving are women with children

The vast majority of the war refugees from Ukraine are women (84%), 58% of whom fled with their children; only 17% of the refugees came unaccompanied (most of them were elderly people). The average age of the refugees is 38.2 years.

The majority of the respondents were working before they fled Ukraine. 92% were in employment or undergoing vocational training in Ukraine. More than 93% of the respondents had completed secondary school and obtained a school leaving qualification.

Berlin is the most popular destination

Most refugees travelled through Poland (65%), while the remaining 35% came in more or less equal numbers via Ukraine’s other neighbouring countries.  One in five refugees (mostly men with children) used their own car to travel to Germany. For 82% of the respondents, Germany was the only destination they would consider. Apart from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands were also mentioned as possible destinations.

42% of the respondents are currently staying in large cities with populations of more than 500,000; 14% are staying in Berlin, 3% in Hamburg and 5% in Munich. Berlin is thus the city in Germany that is most heavily affected by the refugee movements. The respondents participating in the survey mentioned more than 500 different places when asked about their intended destination. The main reasons for choosing their current place of residence were because they have friends or relatives living there, the city was recommended to them by friends, it is the best place to find work and because they feel that it is easier to cope in a big city. The argument that it is easier to find employment in big cities plus the social contacts they have there were the main reasons why they decided to go to the major cities. 

Germany4Ukraine is considered a reliable source of information

Almost half of the respondents were aware of the Federal Government’s help portal. 48% indicated that they knew the website Germany4Ukraine.de. 33% said that they had already visited the website; another 14% only knew it by name. The help portal has an excellent image among those who had already visited the website. Almost all of them find it reliable, would recommend it to others and consider it a great help for refugees. 92% said that the website was well designed and again, 92% said that the website provided all the important information.

What matters most to the respondents in the locations where they are currently staying is getting financial assistance, medical care and help with visits to administrative authorities, as well as getting local transport tickets free of charge, finding a home of their own or permanent accommodation and Ukrainian-speaking contacts. 52% of the respondents consider psychological care to be important.

One third expect to be able to return to Ukraine soon

Only 42% of the respondents replied that they absolutely wanted to stay in their current city; 5% are considering moving to another city and 2% are considering moving to another country. 32% expect to be able to return to Ukraine soon; 19% have not yet made any plans.

When questioned, 53% of the respondents declared that they would also be prepared to move to another or smaller city. The main factors keeping them from moving to another city are social contacts (32%) and better job prospects (16%) at their current place of residence.