The Contribution of Ukrainian Refugees to the Economy of Poland and the Increase in Russian Citizenship in Germany
Ukrainian refugees have made a significant contribution to the development of the Polish economy, as confirmed by recent data from the UN Refugee Agency. According to the organization’s report, by allowing Ukrainians to work and start their own businesses, Poland was able to increase its gross domestic product by 2.7% in 2024.
This is reported by AgroReview
“By allowing Ukrainian refugees to start working and open small businesses, Poland increased its GDP by 2.7% in 2024,” the agency noted.
Economic Impact and Integration in Poland
The involvement of Ukrainian refugees has contributed to the specialization and increased productivity of the Polish economy, while the employment level of the local population has not suffered. The presence of Ukrainians has even stimulated wage growth at the local level. Experts emphasize that if barriers to the integration of Ukrainians in the labor market can be fully overcome, this could bring an additional $1.60 billion to the Polish economy each year.
However, according to surveys, a significant portion of Ukrainians in Poland still do not feel fully integrated. Although over 80% of Ukrainian migrants have stable jobs and the prospect of staying in the country long-term, only 11% believe they have truly been able to “settle in” to Polish society. Additionally, 17.9% of respondents consider returning to their homeland a real possibility.
Increase in the Number of Russians with German Citizenship
At the same time, Germany has recorded a substantial increase in the number of individuals who have obtained German citizenship. Over the past year, this figure has risen by nearly 46%, reaching a new record—more than 291,955 individuals obtained citizenship, compared to 91,860 in 2023. The increase among citizens of the Russian Federation has been particularly notable: the number of Russians who received German passports has reached about 13,000, which is 500% more than before.