Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, triggered an influx of arrivals from Ukraine across Europe. The continuous flow of refugees and the large number of asylum seekers from posed a challenge to Latvia's refugee reception system, including the collection, maintenance, and use of data.

To ensure more comprehensive and high-quality collection and use of data on Ukrainian civilians, a unified data collection model for Ukrainian civilians was developed within the study. This model was created based on available data about Ukrainian civilians, an analysis of data collection and usage processes, and international experience in gathering and utilizing data on third-country nationals, particularly recipients of international protection.

The proposed data collection model will provide a systematic and unified approach to compiling and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. This will result in more comprehensive and detailed information about Ukrainian civilians and their needs in Latvia, as well as insights into the attitudes of Latvian society toward this target group and their integration. Government institutions will be able to plan future support more effectively, while non-governmental organizations will be able to plan and deliver more targeted assistance in specific priority areas, taking into account the group’s needs and demographic characteristics.

Objectives

The research aimed to:

1. Evaluate the demographic profile and experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.
2. Identify gaps in the data collection processes and propose a unified data model.
3. Examine the public’s attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees and their integration.
4. Offer policy recommendations to improve Ukrainian refugee support and societal integration.

Key Sections and Findings

1. Demographics and Ukrainian Refugee Presence

• By January 2024, 43,430 Ukrainian refugees had been registered with temporary protection status. However, only 25,650 were estimated to remain in Latvia, with a high concentration in Riga region (70%).
• Ukrainian refugees are predominantly women (61%), and many are children or elderly.
• Challenges in tracking Ukrainian refugees stem from their mobility within the EU, incomplete data registration, and limited coordination among institutions.

2. Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Refugees

The report identifies several barriers Ukrainian refugees encounter in Latvia:

• Housing: Difficulty accessing stable and affordable accommodation.
• Employment: Limited job opportunities due to language barriers and mismatches between qualifications and labor market needs.
• Healthcare: Insufficient data on health needs and disparities in access to medical services.
• Education: Challenges in integrating children into Latvian schools and a lack of targeted support for learning the Latvian language.
• Integration: Limited participation in language programs and community engagement.

3. Data Collection and Management

• Existing data on Ukrainian refugees is fragmented, stored across different state and municipal databases, and lacks integration.
• A proposed Unified Data Model aims to streamline Ukrainian refugee data management by consolidating demographic, social, and economic information.
• Challenges include the lack of a centralized system for tracking integration outcomes and discrepancies between different sources of data.

4. Public Attitudes

• Surveys of Latvian residents reveal a generally supportive attitude toward Ukrainian refugees, reflecting solidarity with Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
• Concerns were noted regarding:
  • Ukrainian refugees’ ability to learn Latvian and integrate into local communities.
  • Perceived strain on Latvia’s social services and resources.

5. Policy Recommendations

The report outlines several recommendations to improve Ukrainian refugee integration and support:

1. Data Management:
   • Implement a unified and systematic approach to data collection on Ukrainian refugees, enabling informed decision-making and resource allocation.
2. Language and Education:
   • Expand Latvian language programs with greater accessibility and relevance to Ukrainian refugees’ daily lives.
   • Provide targeted support for children in schools to reduce educational disparities.
3. Employment:
   • Create tailored employment initiatives that align with Ukrainian refugees’ qualifications and help them overcome language barriers.
4. Social Integration:
   • Promote societal awareness campaigns to counter stereotypes and foster inclusivity.
   • Enhance community-based support networks for both Ukrainian refugees and local residents.
5. Health and Social Support:
   • Ensure equitable access to healthcare services.
   • Address gaps in housing availability and quality for Ukrainian refugees.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for a structured, data-driven approach to Ukrainian refugee support, alongside policies that address both immediate and long-term integration challenges. By adopting the proposed recommendations, Latvia can ensure better inclusion of Ukrainian refugees while fostering social cohesion.

Study “Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia: Available Data, Experience, and Public Attitudes” in Latvian is available here.

Projekts "Datu ieguve par Ukrainas civiliedzīvotājiem Latvijā un viņu vajadzībām"