Choosing a Future: The Resettlement Intention Among Ukrainian and Syrian Refugees in Europe

Abstract

My honours research centres on answering the research question: “What factors affect integration outcomes among Syrian and Ukrainian refugees, and to what extent do these factors vary across countries with different resettlement programs?” My thesis measures the integration outcomes by assessing the “pull” factors that affect refugees’ long-term resettlement decisions. I use three UNHCR-collected surveys of intentions of Syrian and Ukrainian refugees across European host countries as the primary data source. The key concept, integration, operates along three interconnected dimensions: economic, social, and psychological. The study employs regression analyses to examine the relationships between refugees’ employment status, income level, satisfaction with local residents, sense of belonging in host countries, and resettlement decisions. I hypothesize that refugees with a stable employment status or a positive relationship with local residents foster a sense of belonging, ultimately increasing the likelihood of staying in host countries.  

Simultaneously, my thesis aims to compare the integration outcomes across host countries. These countries are classified into three different types of resettlement programs: Core Service, Limited Provision, and Flexible Support. Each program differs in the scope and duration of resettlement services (i.e., cultural orientation, employment and language training). The study has social and academic significance. 1) The result provides insights into barriers hindering refugee integration into host societies, which is useful for understanding the resettlement practices of the two largest sources of refugees internationally. 2) The study contributes to the ongoing debate regarding the “push and pull” framework, focusing on examining how “pull” factors influence integration outcomes.