Survey of the International Organization for Migration: Ukrainians return because of the desire to be at home

Almost 4.4 million Ukrainians returned to their usual place of residence.

This is evidenced by the results of a survey and a report on the return of the population to Ukraine from the International Organization for Migration.

Mainly, people are returning to the city of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kyiv regions, while the majority returned more than a year ago. Almost half have returned from other regions of Ukraine, while 5% are considering moving again.

The researchers noted that the share of those returning to Ukraine from abroad with the intention of staying longer than a month is 8%.

According to the results of the survey, 26% of respondents said that the main reason for returning was «the desire to be at home». Next on the list were: the desire to be closer to family and friends; security; affordable housing; earning and employment prospects. For 19% of respondents, the main reason for moving was the lack of earning opportunities and stable work.

70% of respondents who returned indicated that they had to reduce their expenses to overcome difficulties. Yes, more than half limited their consumption of utility services, spent their savings, switched to cheaper products. In addition, 40% reduced food consumption. It is noted that more than a third of the respondents also reduced health expenses.

Survey methodology

From July 13 to August 12, 2024, the International Organization for Migration conducted the 17th round of a highly representative assessment of the situation regarding internal displacement of the population in Ukraine. The data presented in the report were collected by 51 registrars, using screening telephone interviews with 40,000 randomly selected respondents and follow-up interviews with 1,488 IDPs, 1,188 returnees and 1,800 local residents using the computerized telephone interview method and the random number dialing. The survey covered all regions of Ukraine with the exception of Crimea and the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, which are under temporary occupation.

Previously, NikVesti informed that there are five places of temporary settlement in the Mykolaiv region, where 322 internally displaced persons lived.