Ukrainians and Belarusians mass asylum applications in Poland

In the first half of 2024, 7,7 1000 applications for global protection were submitted in Poland. This is up to 79 percent more than in the same period of the erstwhile year. The largest group of applicants were citizens of Ukraine and Belarus.

Statistics on applications for global protection

Data published by the Office for Foreigners show that the number of applications for global protection lodged in the first half of 2024 was 7,7 thousand, an increase of 79 percent compared to the same period in 2023. global protection was sought most frequently by Ukrainian citizens (2.7 thousand), Belarus (2,000), Russia (0.6 thousand), Somalia (0.4 thousand), and Syria (0.3 thousand).

Demography of applicants

Most applications (5,1,000) were submitted by men, while women were 2.6 1000 applicants. The dominant age group was young adults aged 18-34. Children under the age of 13 were 17 percent of all applicants, which translates into about 1,000 people, while young people aged 14-17 are almost 0.3 thousand.

Criteria for granting global protection

According to the regulations, foreigners are entitled to global protection (in the form of exile position or subsidiary protection) if they are threatened with persecution or a real hazard of failure of life or wellness in their country of origin. However, they must not pose a threat to the safety of the host State.

Decisions of the Office for Foreigners

In the first half of 2024 The Office for Foreigners issued decisions against 4.7 1000 people, of which 3 1000 fulfilled the conditions for granting global protection. Most affirmative decisions were received by Belarusian citizens (1.4 thousand), Ukraine (1.3 thousand) and Russia (0.1 thousand). Negative decisions affected 760 people, mainly Russian citizens (320), Belarus (50) and India (45).

Aid to foreigners

During the exile procedure, foreigners may benefit from the unwarranted social assistance offered by the Office for Foreigners, which includes accommodation, food, medical care and educational activities, including learning Polish. As of June 30, 2024, 5.9 1000 foreigners benefited from social assistance, of which 940 people stayed in abroad centres.

Poland as a multi-ethnic country

It has been stressed many times that Poland is becoming a multiethnic country. According to the National Bank of Poland data, 61% of migrants who settled in Poland before the escalation of the conflict and 39% of “refugees” from Ukraine intend to stay in Poland permanently or for more than a year.

Reports and analyses

In November 2022 the Polish Press Agency published a study "Europolis. Migrants in Poland", prepared by Insight Policy for Schuman Foundation and Adenauer Foundation, which indicated that 2018 was the first year with a affirmative migration balance in Poland.

In June 2022, a think tank “Wise Europa” published a paper entitled “Goscanna Polska 2022+”, which indicated the transformation of Poland from an emigration country to immigration. This task was covered by the honorary patronage of the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland and co-financed by the Stefan Batory Foundation.

Changes before the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine

Even before the escalation of the conflict in 2021, Poland recorded a evidence number of work permits for foreigners and statements concerning the employment of workers from the East. Almost 3 million specified papers were issued at the time, an increase of over 30% compared to the erstwhile year.

Daniel Głogowski

Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.