Ukrainian refugees are standing in line for food in the reception area after arriving at Berlin’s main railway station, Germany, on March 8, 2022. AP/Michael Sohn
As Deutsche Welle writes Deutsche Welle
According to a survey conducted by an independent sociological institute, about two-thirds of Germany’s population oppose payments to Ukrainian refugees under Bürgergeld. At the same time, a significant portion of those polled believes that men of conscription age should return to Ukraine.
Only 17% of respondents said that Ukrainian refugees should receive financial assistance; 66% expressed opposition, 7% were neutral, 10% did not respond.
Regarding migration expectations: 62% of respondents believe that men of conscription age should return to Ukraine; 18% oppose, 8% are not concerned about this issue, 12% did not respond.
According to the Federal Employment Agency of Germany, as of March 2025, 701 thousand Ukrainians had the right to social assistance; of this group, 502 thousand were of working age (15–66 years).
Work and migration of Ukrainians in Germany in recent years
According to data as of August 4, the number of Ukrainians who work and contribute to social security funds increased by about 80 thousand over the year and reached 272 thousand people.
The survey was conducted on October 16 and 17 and covered 1,003 respondents.
Against the backdrop of relaxed travel rules for men aged 18–22 at the end of summer, the flow of Ukrainian asylum seekers increased: according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the number of applications from this age group rose from about 100 to around 1,000 per week.
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