Number of refugees and IDPs planning to return to Ukraine decreases – UN survey
11 March 2024 18:30
In January-February 2024, 65% of Ukrainian refugees planned to return home, compared to 77% in April-May 2023.
This is evidenced by the results of a survey commissioned by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Kommersant Ukrainian reports
Among internally displaced persons (IDPs), 72% hope to return to their hometowns (compared to 84% in 2023).
A larger number of refugees hoping to return to Ukraine are among those in neighbouring countries (75%). Among Ukrainians who have found refuge in other European countries, the number is lower (62%). Refugees from Chernihiv, Kherson or Sumy regions are more likely to want to return (over 76% in each), as opposed to Poltava, Zakarpattia or Kyiv regions (60% or less in each). Refugees’ desire to return is also influenced by the presence of close relatives or housing in Ukraine.
Elderly people (79%) or refugees with more than two dependents per adult (76%) or unemployed (77%) are more likely to return. Those who do not have other dependent family members or are looking for work abroad are much less likely to return – 61% and 62% respectively.
According to the survey results, the main reason for postponing their return to Ukraine was the deteriorating security situation. Other reasons include concerns about economic opportunities in Ukraine (18% of refugees and 6% of IDPs, respectively) and damaged or inaccessible property (20% and 7%, respectively).
At the same time, many refugees and IDPs would return home permanently if the full-scale war ended within the next 12 months (35% of refugees and 43% of IDPs). A larger proportion (58% and 49%, respectively) indicate that the decision to return also depends on other factors or circumstances.
