Navigating employment: analysing Ukrainian refugee workforce integration in Europe one-year post-exodus

Purpose We examine which demographic, employment and refugee-specific factors are associated with Ukrainian refugee labour market segmentation in European host countries one-year post-displacement. Using segmented labour market and human capital theories, the study advances an understanding of differentiated employment outcomes within a single refugee population. Design/methodology/approach We accessed a United Nations survey identifying 1,429 Ukrainian refugees employed in European host countries. First, multinomial logistic regression identifies which factors are associated with segmentation. Next, bivariate analysis explores disaggregated information on reported difficulties finding work. Lastly, descriptives examine the interaction between education and occupation by segment. Findings Employment outcomes among Ukrainian refugees are differentiated, suggesting refugees do not experience uniform labour market disadvantage. One in three secured same-level and 1 in 12 secured higher-level employment. Significant factors associated with segmentation for all groups are higher education and gender. Occupational grouping and difficulties finding work are associated with lower-level segmentation, while age and managerial occupation are associated with lower odds of higher-level segmentation. Difficulty finding work is the dominant predictor of lower-level segmentation. Originality/value The findings challenge the assumption that refugees uniformly experience labour market disadvantage. The study provides a nuanced understanding of which factors meaningfully contribute to divergent employment outcomes. Moreover, this study examines employment outcomes within a refugee population rather than against native-born or immigrant groups.