Ukrainian youth are massively looking for a future abroad: the Office of Migration Policy announced alarming figures
22 September 2025 17:46
Ukraine risks losing a significant part of the younger generation if it does not create competitive conditions for life and self-realization. This was stated by Vasyl Voskoboinyk, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies and Head of the Migration Policy Office, during a panel discussion on the “quiet migration” of students.
Young people look to the West
According to the head of the Office of Migration Policy, Ukrainian applicants and students are increasingly focused on life abroad, as they see more opportunities there.
“Young people are already living in a different world: social media, friends abroad, vivid stories from France or England. For them, the concept of “love for the homeland by default” is a thing of the past century. Today, there are no borders,” Vasyl Voskoboinyk
Salaries and rent are the main barriers
Sociological data provided by the president of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies show that
- 86% of Ukrainians consider their income level insufficient;
- in Kyiv, a barista pays up to 78% of his salary for rent, a salesperson – 80%, a driver – 56%;
- a junior researcher after graduate school receives only 10 thousand UAH.
“A novice teacher with a salary of 8,000 hryvnias has to live on the street to have something to live on,” added Voskoboynyk.
Scale of migration: what can be changed?
According to Voskoboynyk, the fact that 19% of young Ukrainians no longer see their future in Ukraine is particularly alarming.
“I predict that of those who have already gone abroad, 70% will not return. And among young people, this figure may reach 90%. A person who earns 2-3 thousand euros abroad will not return on a salary of 500 dollars with huge rent expenses,” explained Vasyl Voskoboynyk.
The president of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies and head of the Migration Policy Office emphasizes that in order to retain students and young professionals, it is necessary to create competitive conditions at home.
“Young people should see the advantages of Ukraine over Poland or Germany. If these advantages do not exist, no slogans will help. The main thing is affordable housing, decent work and a developed social infrastructure,” Voskoboinik summarized.
Ukraine is facing a serious challenge to preserve its young generation. If the state does not offer students and young professionals real prospects, the country risks losing not only people but also its future intellectual and economic potential. Competitive salaries, affordable housing, and high-quality social infrastructure are not only desirable changes, but also critical conditions for young people to choose Ukraine over other countries.
