Labor migration regulation from Ukraine to the European Union: Recent flow dynamics of Ukrainian citizens

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Abstract

The issue of labor migration in Ukraine is complex and multifaceted. Experiencing the realities of both a post-COVID-19 era and the ongoing Russian war of aggression, the situation of Ukrainian labor migration and regulation has significantly deteriorated. According to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, in 2021, Ukrainian migrants remitted 15 billion dollars, which is equivalent to 8% of the Ukrainian gross domestic product (GDP), back to their homeland (Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, n.d.). This article aims to illustrate the tendencies of the labor market for Ukrainians to European Union (EU) member states. It draws parallels to the pre-COVID-19 migratory trends and the post-war 2022 situation in which, faced with unprecedented circumstances, many Ukrainian people left Ukraine to move abroad. Inductive and deductive methods have been applied to frame labor migration. A secondary literature review analysis has also been used to trace the dynamics of labor migration over recent years. The article suggests that low wages, high unemployment, and uncertainty have provoked the rise of emigration abroad, including labor migration. Ukraine should continue with the adoption of laws that would activate the labor market, stimulate employment among the population, and improve the economic situation.

Keywords: Labor Migrants, COVID-19, Remittances, War Conditions, Labor Market, Migration Policy

Authors’ individual contribution: The Author is responsible for all the contributions to the paper according to CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) standards.

Declaration of conflicting interests: The Author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

JEL Classification: D8, F2, J6

Received: 17.06.2024
Revised: 03.10.2024; 11.02.2025
Accepted: 06.03.2025
Published online: 11.03.2025

How to cite this paper: Mamaiev, D. (2025). Labor migration regulation from Ukraine to the European Union: Recent flow dynamics of Ukrainian citizens [Special issue]. Journal of Governance & Regulation, 14(1), 424–432. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i1siart18