Survey Reveals Mass Exodus of Ukrainian Youth with No Plans to Return.

Emigration Intentions on the Rise Among Young Ukrainians

According to TSN.ua: In 2025, sociologists recorded an increase in the share of Ukrainian youth who have left the country and have no intention of returning home. This finding comes from a survey conducted by the sociological group "Rating" with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The study covered 2,050 individuals aged 14–35 in government-controlled areas of Ukraine, as well as 600 respondents across 24 countries worldwide. The margin of error does not exceed 2.2%.

Economic Drivers and Shifting Cultural Identities

Economic factors play a key role in driving emigration sentiment, pushing young people to seek better opportunities abroad. According to the data, young people are increasingly choosing to live in other countries, viewing this as more promising than returning to their homeland. Beyond economic reasons, attitudes toward language, culture, and work are also significant. This underscores the need to create favorable conditions for youth in Ukraine to curb emigration trends.

The survey also revealed shifts in young people's views on Russian content. For instance, 52% of teenagers aged 14–19 supported a complete ban on Russian content, but this figure dropped to 28% over the past year. This indicates a change in perception and possibly an adaptation of youth to new conditions in the information environment.

“These skills are becoming increasingly relevant in a rapidly changing world, where young people must be prepared for new challenges and opportunities.” — Sociological group “Rating”

It is worth noting that the study not only identified emigration intentions but also highlighted key skills essential for youth success, including:

• stress resilience,
• digital literacy,
• capacity for continuous learning.

The rise in emigration sentiment among Ukrainian youth could have long-term consequences for the country's demographic situation and economic development. The loss of young professionals may lead to a shortage of skilled labor, complicating economic recovery after periods of crisis. At the same time, changes in the perception of Russian content may signal a shift in cultural identities among youth, potentially influencing social processes in Ukraine.