Nearly two thirds of Belarusian immigrants not planning to return from Poland soon

November 26, Pozirk. Some 68 percent of Belarusians who have immigrated to Poland are planning to stay there “permanently or for more than a year,” according to a survey conducted by the Polish National Bank.

Over 700 people were polled between April 15 and July 5. The survey showed that Belarusian immigrants are mostly well educated. Half of them are under the age of 34.

Belarusians’ employment prospects vary depending on their gender and time of arrival. The best positions are occupied by those who arrived before 2019 and spoke Polish well. People who arrived in 2020–2021, especially women, are in a more difficult situation.

Poland is a top destination for Belarusians fleeing political reprisals in their home country after the disputed presidential election of 2020.

Belarusians in Poland often fill vacancies in the sectors with a large share of “male professions.” Their most common places of work are industry, transport, IT (13 percent of respondents) and construction.

Sixteen percent of respondents are unemployed.

About 16 percent spend almost all of their income on current expenses, while 37 percent spend half or even less. Almost 33 percent of respondents transfer money to Belarus.

About 79 percent of those polled expressed satisfaction with life in Poland as very good or good.

Asked about the most important form of support, more than 54 percent of respondents highlighted simpler legalization procedures.

The Polish social insurance system ZUS had more than 134,000 Belarusian nationals registered as of the end of June, an increase of 12,000 from the previous year, the Belarusian Solidarity Center reported.

According to the Polish Office for Foreigners, 118,562 Belarusians were lawfully living in the country as of December 31.