Ukrainian Voices: Surveying the Spatial and Socio-Economic Trajectories of Ukrainian Refugees across Europe

The displacement of approximately eight million Ukrainians throughout Europe since February 2022 has had a significant impact on migration governance, and sparked important discussions within migration research. Leveraging novel data from the “Voice of Ukraine” (VOU) survey — a multifaceted longitudinal study of Ukrainian refugees deployed since June 2022 — we examine the migratory and socio-economic trajectories of this community in exile. We posit that the demographic characteristics of Ukrainian refugees, and the asylum and integration policies enacted by European countries of settlement, shape variation in migratory decisions as well as integration outcomes. Our initial analyses of the VOU data show a surprising migratory sedentariness following an initial sorting across Europe. They also reveal a potential association between policies and socio-economic integration tied to housing, education, employment, and personal finances. Our work sets the stage for further exploration of the interplay between refugee attributes and the legislative frameworks of host nations, shedding light on broader dynamics of forced displacement.