European countries are increasingly revising their policies toward Ukrainian refugees. A process described as 'pushing out’ has begun, with cuts to social benefits and a rise in anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. Yet the economic contribution of Ukrainians remains significant, with high employment rates and business creation.
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, said after travelling across Europe and speaking with Ukrainians that he has heard many stories about what has been called 'pushing out’. He noted a clear trend involving reductions in social support and growing hatred towards Ukrainians, who are becoming victims of anti-immigrant rhetoric from the far right.
Dr hab. Jan Brzozowski, head of the Department of Research on Social Change in Europe at Jagiellonian University, told 'Fakt’ that society is undergoing a clear shift in how Ukrainian refugees are perceived. In his view, we are witnessing a process of 'cherry picking’ – selectively keeping only those refugees who are healthy, working and well-educated.
The alarming trend of cherry-picking
– There is a mentality that those who are weakest should return to Ukraine, and those who work and pay taxes will be graciously allowed to stay – Brzozowski said. He added that while this does not surprise him as a researcher, he deeply regrets it.
The commissioner’s remarks come amid rising political pressure in several EU states to limit aid and tighten residency rules for Ukrainians. Meanwhile, public sentiment in some host countries has turned more hostile, often fueled by far-right parties that frame refugees as a burden.
The overlooked economic engine
Data from the Polish Economic Institute shows that Ukrainians in Poland exhibit above-average labour activity. According to the National Bank of Poland, the employment rate among pre-war immigrants from Ukraine reaches 90 percent, and among refugees it stands at 75 percent – both well above the general Polish employment rate of 57 percent.
Between 2022 and 2025, Ukrainians registered a total of 123,600 businesses in Poland – sole proprietorships and companies. In 2025 alone, the number of new enterprises was about 72 percent higher than in 2022. According to mBank’s estimates, if 500,000 Ukrainians were to leave Poland, the country’s GDP would grow 0.8 percentage points slower in 2026 and 0.2 points slower each year from 2027 to 2030.
Currently, over 1.5 million Ukrainian immigrants (including children and adults) reside legally in Poland. The PIE estimates that for 4 out of 10 adult Ukrainians, there is a high probability of staying in Poland permanently. This probability rises with the degree of integration.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. Shutterstock/Sodel Vladyslav
