Displaced Ukrainians: Over 4.2 Million Granted Temporary Shelter within European Union
Flowing from War, Seeking a Fresh Start.
Navigating a new life away from conflict. Non-EU citizens who've abandoned Ukraine due to the Russian invasion face this challenge. As per Eurostat, by March 31, 2025, over 4.26 million non-EU citizens displaced by Ukraine's war held a temporary protection status in the EU. These individuals fall under a process specifically designed for mass or imminent mass influxes of displaced individuals from third countries unable to return to their homeland.
Germany Leads the Pack
"The EU nations sheltering the most temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine are Germany (1,184,890 people; 27.8% of the EU total), Poland (997,120; 23.4%), and the Czech Republic (365,055; 8.6%)".
Compared to the second and third months of 2025, a descending pattern unfolds. "In contrast to the end of February 2025, the overall number of individuals under temporary protection in the EU dropped by 45,455 (-1.1%) - it is further noted -. The steepest declines were seen in the Czech Republic (-32,695; -8.2%), Sweden (-20,505; -43.2%), and Lithuania (-4,845; -9.9%). These drops are primarily due to temporary protection statuses expiring in March 2025, with some individuals potentially being excluded during renewals".
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Numbers Climb in 18 EU Countries
The number of individuals under temporary protection has escalated in 18 EU countries, with the most significant absolute increases observed in Germany (+7,090; +0.6%), Poland (+2,330; +0.2%), and Spain (+2,275; +1.0%). Italy takes an intermediate position with 165,225 people.
"In relation to each EU country's population - the document continues - the highest ratio of temporary protection beneficiaries per thousand people was observed in the Czech Republic (33.5), Poland (27.2), and Latvia (26.4), while the corresponding figure at the EU level was 9.5 per thousand people".
Insights:
- The European Commission has proposed extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2027, to ensure ongoing support and stability for those displaced by the conflict.
- Germany hosts the largest number of beneficiaries, followed by Poland and the Czech Republic.
- Despite a slight decrease between February and March 2025, the overall number of beneficiaries under temporary protection remains significant. Furthermore, the numbers have increased in 18 EU countries, with the largest escalations seen in Germany, Poland, and Spain.
- The highest ratio of beneficiaries per thousand people is observed in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Latvia, while the EU-wide figure stands at 9.5 per thousand people.
Displaced by war and conflicts in Ukraine, non-EU citizens are contending with navigation of a new life, particularly those residing in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic where the majority of temporary protection beneficiaries have sought refuge. Despite a decline in the overall numbers between February and March 2025, the numbers of beneficiaries under temporary protection have still escalated significantly in 18 EU countries, with the largest increases observed in Germany, Poland, and Spain.
