Ukrainians in Austria integrate much faster than refugees from other countries, Ambassador says
Photo: Refugees from Ukraine in Austria integrate quickly (Getty Images)
Ukrainian refugees in Austria learn the language, enter the labor market relatively quickly, and send their children to school. They integrate much faster than refugees from other countries, says Austrian Ambassador to Ukraine Arad Benkö in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
The status of temporary protection for Ukrainians in Austria has been extended until March 2026. Therefore, any Ukrainian who arrives in Austria can apply for temporary protection, as the full-scale war is still ongoing.
“We have around 85,000 Ukrainian refugees in Austria. As far as I know, around 30 percent of them have jobs,” Benkö said.
According to him, many of them have learned German during this time. A large percentage are women and children.
“It is a fact that Ukrainians integrate much faster than refugees from other countries.,” he said.
Benkö adds that Ukrainian refugees enter the labor market relatively quickly, they send their children to school. Even, to two schools - from Monday to Friday to the Austrian school, which is compulsory, and on Saturday many Ukrainian children go to a Ukrainian school to learn the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian history.
“I think that this is very important that they continue this because in order to speak German well, you also should speak your mother language well,” he said.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, as of December 16, 2024, 6.814 million refugees from Ukraine were registered worldwide. In less than a year, the number of refugees has increased by 370,000 people.
According to the UN, the largest number of Ukrainians is in the following countries: Germany - 1.235 million people, Poland - 985,100, Czechia - 380,400, UK - 253,500, Spain - 217,000, Italy - 171,500, France - 64,600.
