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Image: (Volker Weihbold)
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More than 80,000 refugees from Ukraine found refuge
Image: (Volker Weihbold)
VIENNA. Integration: Almost three quarters of the 80,000 refugees now have German language skills
Almost six million displaced people have found refuge in Europe since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022. Exactly 80,665 were registered in Austria at the beginning of this year. Compared to other asylum seekers, this group enjoys a special status under EU regulations. This includes a time-limited right of residence and, since April 2023, free access to the labor market.
A recent study commissioned by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), in which 1,358 women and men from Ukraine aged between 18 and 55 were interviewed, leads to a clear conclusion: when it comes to integration, people from Ukraine tend to be model students. This is especially true when it comes to acquiring German language skills – and to some extent also for integration into the job market.
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Few returnees
From October, Ukrainians can apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus. This is important because very few people plan to return to their homeland. In the first year of the war, 30 percent of those surveyed spoke of concrete plans to return; in 2023, this proportion had shrunk to 13 percent. This year it was only three percent. Conversely, 55 percent rather do not want to return or definitely do not want to return. For study director Sonja Dörfler-Bolt, it is realistic for these people to stay, also because of their adaptability.
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This is closely linked to language acquisition, in which Wolfgang Mazal, head of the Austrian Institute for Family Research at the University of Vienna, attests that the displaced persons have “turbo-integration”. Since the beginning of the war, the ÖIF has arranged 55,000 free German course places for this group. German is now the most common foreign language at 72.4 percent; in 2022, this figure was still 17 percent.
And there has also been a qualitative improvement: the majority of Ukrainian women speak German at B1 level (“extended basic knowledge”), while men speak at least A1 (“elementary language use”). ÖIF expert Barbara Stewart attributes this success to the high level of education of the displaced persons: 75 percent of those surveyed had a university degree. In this group, “six out of ten people currently pass the German exam,” says Stewart. For all other refugees, the figure is four out of ten.
Since 2015, a further decline in the level of education has been observed. Among those entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection who attended an ÖIF German course this year, “around 66 percent had a need for literacy, with 41 percent of them not even literate in their own mother tongue.”
occupation
The figures are contradictory when it comes to the employment rate. The current study shows that 43.7 percent of the Ukrainians surveyed are employed. However, the recognition of training is often cited as an obstacle. The head of the Employment Service (AMS), Johannes Kopf, recently spoke of an “anything but satisfactory” employment rate of 30 percent among the displaced. Stewart explains the discrepancy as follows: In the AMS study, the employment rate of 15 to 64 year olds was estimated. The agency itself surveyed 1,358 displaced people aged 18 to 55.
In Upper Austria, the employment rate of 66 percent is the highest of all federal states, according to State Councilor for Integration Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (VP). He explains this with the obligation to make an effort to learn the language and low-threshold German courses that aim to teach everyday language.
According to AMS figures, the number of Ukrainians in employment has multiplied since the outbreak of war in February 2022: from under 800 to 4,000 in Upper Austria, from just over 5,000 to 21,000 throughout Austria. As of the end of August, almost 1,000 Ukrainians in Upper Austria are unemployed or in training, and around 5,500 nationwide. These figures have fallen significantly compared to the peak in autumn 2022. In Upper Austria, the number of people registered with the AMS has halved, and in Austria it has fallen by a third. According to the AMS, more than 37,000 people are in basic care. (luc/sib)
ePaper
The provided content appears to be a combination of HTML, SVG, and some text that discusses the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Austria following the war that started in February 2022. This includes statistical data on language acquisition, employment rates, and future plans for return.
Key Points from the Text:
- Ukrainian Refugee Status:
– Almost 80,665 Ukrainians are registered in Austria.
- They enjoy special status in the EU, including temporary residency and access to the labor market since April 2023.
- Language Acquisition:
– The Austrian Integration Fund conducted a study showing that Ukrainian refugees are excelling in learning German.
– A significant increase in the proportion of refugees learning German has been reported, with many now possessing a B1 or A1 proficiency level.
- Plans to Return to Ukraine:
- There has been a decline in the percentage of refugees who plan to return home, dropping from 30% to 3% over time.
– 55% do not wish to return to Ukraine.
- Employment Statistics:
– The employment rate for refugees appears to show contradictory statistics, with 43.7% being employed according to a recent study, while the official employment service suggests a lower rate of 30%.
- The article cites that in Upper Austria, the employment rate among refugees is notably higher.
- Educational Background:
– Many Ukrainians have a high educational background, which contributes to their success in language acquisition and employment opportunities.
- Integration Challenges:
- The recognition of foreign qualifications is a noted barrier to employment for many refugees.
- Specific German language programs have been arranged to facilitate the integration process.
The content serves to highlight the challenges and successes related to the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Austria, focusing on language skills and employment prospects.
