Education and Displacement: Ukrainian Families in Germany

The escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine since February 2022 has prompted one of the most significant displacements of people in post-1945 Europe. Of the more than eight million people currently staying outside of Ukraine, most are women and one-third are children. This report focuses on the question of education in the context of displacement, looking specifically at the challenges and conditions that emerge in the very first months after arrival. The educational situation of children is of utmost importance for the social integration of both parents and children and, alongside the labour market integration of parents, a crucial factor in understanding how Ukrainians think about their future.

We draw on an original online survey conducted among displaced Ukrainian parents in Germany in the summer of 2022 as well as numerous qualitative interviews with both parents and pupils. The findings show the extent to which pursuing their education in parallel in Germany and Ukraine is placing a double burden on young Ukrainians. At the same time, the research sheds light on the reasons for educational choices and how families navigate this new situation.