Where the Ukrainian population has grown, and where it has declined: Eurostat has updated its statistics
11 August 23:21
The number of people who have left Ukraine and are receiving temporary protection in the European Union rose to 4.41 million in June. An increase was recorded in nearly all EU countries, but Poland showed the opposite trend: over the course of the month, the number of people granted temporary protection there fell by more than 6,300. This is according to new data from Eurostat, as reported by "Komersant Ukrainian"
As of June 30, 2026, 4.41 million people who had left Ukraine due to the Russian war were receiving temporary protection in European Union countries.
Over the past month, their number increased by 24,380 people, or 0.6%.
The increase occurred in 24 of the 27 EU countries. At the same time, Poland, Belgium, and Ireland recorded a decrease in the number of people with this status.
Which Countries Have the Most Ukrainians?
The main host countries for people who have left Ukraine and received temporary protection remain Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
| Country | Number of people under protection | Share of the total number in the EU |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 1,286,230 | 29.2% |
| Poland | 961,170 | 21.8% |
| Czech Republic | 390,810 | 8.9% |
These three countries account for nearly 60% of all recipients of temporary protection in the European Union.
Germany remains the undisputed leader, hosting nearly one in three people registered under this mechanism in the EU. Poland ranks second, although the number of Ukrainians with this status there is gradually decreasing.
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Where the Number of Ukrainians Increased the Most
The largest absolute increase in June was recorded in Italy. Over the course of the month, the number of temporary protection recipients there rose by 4,115 people, or 8.8% at once.
The top three countries with the largest increases also included:
- the Czech Republic—an increase of 3,835 people, or 1%;
- Germany — an increase of 2,960 people, or 0.2%;
- Italy — an increase of 4,115 people, or 8.8%.
Thus, Italy not only led in terms of absolute growth but also demonstrated a significantly higher growth rate than Germany and the Czech Republic.
Why Poland Saw a Decline
Against the backdrop of growth in most EU countries, Poland recorded the largest decline. In just one month, the number of people under temporary protection in the country decreased by 6,335, or 0.7%.
A decline was also recorded in:
- in Belgium—a decrease of 35 people;
- in Ireland — a decrease of 15 people.
However, the scale of the decline in these two countries is minimal compared to Poland.
Eurostat does not explain the reasons for the monthly changes in each individual country. A decrease in the statistical figure does not necessarily mean that all these people have returned to Ukraine. The figure may be influenced by relocation to another country, termination or change of status, deregistration, and other administrative procedures.
Therefore, the data show a change in the number of active statuses but do not allow for the precise determination of each person’s subsequent route.
The Czech Republic remains the leader in terms of the burden on its population
In terms of the total number of protection recipients, the Czech Republic ranks behind Germany and Poland. However, it hosts the largest number of Ukrainians relative to its own population.
The highest rates are in:
- Czech Republic — 35.8 protection recipients per 1,000 residents.
- Slovakia — 27.2 per thousand.
- Cyprus — 26.8 per thousand.
The average figure in the European Union is 9.8 people per thousand residents. Thus, the relative burden on the Czech Republic is nearly 3.7 times higher than the EU average.
Who Is Under Temporary Protection
Ukrainian citizens account for over 98.5% of all people benefiting from the temporary protection mechanism in the European Union.
In terms of demographic structure, recipients of this status are distributed as follows:
- 43.4% — adult women;
- 27% — adult men;
- 29.6% — children and adolescents.
Thus, nearly one-third of all people under temporary protection are minors.
Temporary protection is applied in cases of a mass influx of people who cannot safely return to their country of origin. It allows them to be granted basic rights without having to go through a lengthy individual asylum procedure.
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