Estonia — Labour Market Integration of Refugees from Ukraine (April - June 2024)

The IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) collected data through Surveys with Refugees in the Ukraine Response region from April to June 2024. In Estonia, a total of 654 surveys were collected. This report explores different aspects of the economic integration, employment profiles, and prospects of the adult respondents, specifically those who have an intention to stay or have already established themselves in the country. These individuals, who intend to stay in Estonia for the foreseeable future, are actively using their skills and resources to fully integrate into the host community. The report offers insights into their involvement in the labour market and detailing their experiences, needs, and intentions concerning employment in Estonia for the duration of their displacement.

Key findings:

• 85% of respondents were active, while 15% were inactive.
• Within the active population, 77% were employed and 23% were unemployed and looking for a job.
• Among the inactive population, 31% were on parental leave, 38% were retired, 20% were students and 11% were unemployed and not looking for a job.
• The majority of Ukrainian refugees depend on their income (81%) as the main source for daily expenses. However, over half (55%) of respondents rely on the authorities’ support, 15% on familial support and 6% on their savings.
• 24% did not attend any type of language classes for Estonian. However 41% are attending language classes at schools, over one quarter (23%) have classes with migration authorities and 29% receive online classes.
• The majority of respondents have not received any remittances (83%). 17% received 20 to 2,000 euros. Among recipients, 49% stated they have spent from 10 to 2,000 euros, whereas 51 per cent haven’t spent any of their remittances.
• Regarding entrepreneurship, many displaced Ukrainians are interested in opening their own business (28%). 3% already own their own business and 5% are unsure of wanting to. A significant proportion (64%) are not interested in having their own business.
• IOM’s DTM questioned respondents regarding workplace exploitation in Estonia, uncovering that 6% of those surveyed had encountered some degree of labour exploitation.