Patterns Among Ukraine’s Young Male Refugees
Since the exit regulations for young Ukrainian men were relaxed in August 2025, the number of male refugees has risen significantly. New surveys show why they fled, what their living situation is like in the host countries, and whether they plan to return.
Since 28 August 2025, Ukrainian men aged 18–22 have been allowed to leave their country. Previously, men between the ages of 18 and 60 had been prevented from doing so by the martial law invoked after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In December 2024 and December 2025, the research agency Info Sapiens conducted surveys of Ukrainian refugees for the Centre for Economic Strategy. Comparing the findings of the two surveys reveals the effects of this change to the law and the trends among young men who had emigrated earlier.
Overall, the 2025 survey, which is not yet published, recorded a 25 per cent increase in the number of young male refugees compared with 2024. Roughly one in four young men surveyed at the end of 2025 said they had left Ukraine that year.
In terms of their distribution across Europe, young male refugees follow similar patterns to refugees in general: approximately one-fifth went to Germany, the same number to Poland, and one in ten to the Czech Republic. At the same time, young men were twice as likely as refugees overall to go to the US.
Motivations to leave
All young men surveyed mentioned the ongoing war as a motivation for leaving Ukraine. In the 2025 survey, 70 per cent cited Russian military action in or near their town or village, or Russia’s occupation of it. The rest said that although their settlement was far from the front line, they were still afraid of shelling, which affects the whole of Ukraine.
The second most common reason for emigrating was a fear of mobilisation, followed by a desire to study abroad or a lack of prospects in Ukraine, then a lack of electricity, heating, and water because of the shelling. The latter problem worsened catastrophically in January and February 2026, so it may cause a further increase in the number of refugees.
Living conditions and adaptation
Most young men surveyed did not feel discriminated against or stigmatised by their host communities for leaving Ukraine. In 2025, 72 per cent reported that locals had a positive attitude towards them – an increase from 67 per cent in 2024. Only 4 per cent noted ‘rather negative’ attitudes, and none experienced a wholly negative attitude (figure 1).
Figure 1
The young men surveyed also showed high – and increasing – levels of adaptation to their host countries. In 2025, 81 per cent had friends among the locals, while 77 per cent had at least a basic knowledge of the host country’s language, with 30 per cent claiming a proficient level. These figures were all higher than in 2024.
Similarly, the well-being of Ukraine’s young male refugees increased significantly. In 2025, 42 per cent reported that they had enough money for all needs except very expensive purchases like a flat (compared with 28 per cent the previous year), while only 4 per cent did not have enough funds for basic needs (down from 8 per cent).
Young men’s overall level of employment also rose, from 41 per cent in 2024 to 49 per cent in 2025. In particular, the share of those in work in their host country went up from 29 per cent to 45 per cent, while the number of those employed remotely in Ukraine fell from 12 per cent to 4 per cent. Generally, young men’s education levels are very high: in 2025, just over half had at least some higher education, while 9 per cent had a professional qualification, making them a valuable resource for host communities.
At the same time, the share of those looking for a job increased from 19 per cent to 27 per cent. High levels of education are one factor that explains the high unemployment rate: many young men cannot find a job that matches their qualifications. Meanwhile, there was a fall in the number of those studying in their host country, from 61 per cent to 49 per cent, while the share of those enrolled in remote education in Ukraine was stable at 18 per cent.
Despite a high unemployment rate, the main problems facing young Ukrainian male refugees are not material but psychological. In 2025, just over one-third reported mental health problems, and the same number said they felt sadness and anxiety for Ukraine; 31 per cent experienced separation from friends and loved ones, while 27 per cent cited uncertainty about the future.
It is notable that despite their high levels of adaptation, young men were almost twice as likely as refugees overall to report mental health problems. As this is still a stigmatised topic in Ukraine, especially among men, the real prevalence of the issue could be even higher.
Intentions to return
Because of their fear of mobilisation and high levels of adaptation to their host countries, Ukraine’s young male refugees show little intention to return home: in 2025, only 31 per cent planned to do so (compared with 43 per cent of all refugees), while 53 per cent planned not to (against 38 per cent of all refugees) (figure 2).
Figure 2
Among those who plan to return, 62 per cent want the war to end first, but 38 per cent are considering the option of going back before hostilities cease.
The main barriers to refugees’ return are a fear of the war, a fear of mobilisation, higher living standards in the host communities, and a fear of unemployment in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the main factors that would motivate refugees to go back include an end to the war, the possibility of free movement to and from Ukraine, an end to mobilisation, higher living standards in Ukraine, and employment opportunities.
In particular, free movement for Ukraine’s young male refugees would be a strong motivation for their return, although such a policy will be possible only after the war ends. Housing and employment support programmes would also encourage some refugees to return home. Finally, given their high levels of unemployment, more opportunities for remote working in Ukraine could be an incentive for some of the country’s young male refugees.
Inna Volosevych is a sociologist and the deputy director of the Ukrainian opinion research institute Info Sapiens.
The author is grateful to the Centre for Economic Strategy for its permission to use the data before the 2025 survey is published.
The survey of Ukrainian refugees conducted annually by Info Sapiens for the Centre for Economic Strategy since 2022 includes 1,000 respondents aged 18 or over. It is based on a random selection of mobile phone numbers in all host countries (excluding Russia and Belarus) in proportion to the number of refugees in each country.