More and more Ukrainians want to stay in their country of refuge
Four years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia more and more refugees want to stay in their country of refuge. This is the result of a poll conducted in Denmark by researchers at the University of Copenhagen and the ROCKWOOL Foundation. It is published now as Research Insight 5/26 by RFBerlin. 76 percent of Ukrainians would like to stay in Denmark even when the war no longer poses a threat to their hometown. One year ago, that figure was only at 69 percent. "The longer the war goes on, the more refugees want to stay", says Mette Foged, senior researcher at the ROCKWOOL Foundation and associate professor at the University of Copenhagen.
"In 2023, only 50 per cent of the refugees wanted to stay in Denmark. “This may also be relevant in other countries where Ukrainians have sought refuge.”
Now, another 21 per cent say they want to stay in Denmark as long as their hometown is not safe. And only 3 percent want to go home now. "Fewer see a future in Ukraine now”, adds Foged The intention to stay is around 80 percent in the age groups from 18 to 49. Then it drops. The desire to stay in Denmark is less prevalent among the oldest Ukrainians. Only 52 per cent of those aged 60+ want to stay.
Also, 77 per cent of those who want to stay in Denmark report that fear of being sent home is a serious, major or somewhat of a problem in their everyday life. In Denmark, Ukrainians live only under a temporary status.
The information was collected via a questionnaire to adult Ukrainians (aged 18+) who arrived between the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 and July 2024. The poll was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026.
Wissenschaftlicher Ansprechpartner:
In English or Danish, please contact:
Prof. Mette Foged; 0045 35 32 35 82; mette.foged@econ.ku.dk
Prof. Karen-Inge Karstoft; 0045 35 33 50 50; kik@psy.ku.dk
Dr. Edith Zink (in German); ezi.zink@gmail.com
Originalpublikation:
Paper: “More and more Ukrainians want to stay in Denmark” by Mette Foged, Karen-Inge Karstoft and Edith Zink, published here:https://www.rfberlin.com/research-insight/ (more information also in German and Danish available at https://rockwoolfonden.dk/udgivelser/3-ud-af-4-ukrainere-oensker-at-blive-i-danmark/)
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