Poland explained why attitudes towards refugees from Ukraine have changed.

Polish attitudes towards refugees from Ukraine are changing

According to a report from Warsaw University, Poles are beginning to change their attitudes towards refugees from Ukraine. The study conducted by the university shows that while attitudes are generally positive, the public is increasingly experiencing negative sentiments.

'Our respondents feel that Ukrainians believe that everything is owed to them. They report problems with social assistance. They also distrust Ukrainians due to a lack of gratitude for the help provided, which Poles do not feel', - said Robert Staniszewski from Warsaw University.

Despite the growing negative sentiment, half of Poles still see benefits in the presence of Ukrainians in Poland. This includes filling vacancies in the labor market and increasing government budget revenues through tax payments.

'Thanks to Ukrainian workers, the labor market shortage is being closed, and tax revenues to the state budget are also increasing. Approximately 40% of respondents perceive threats. In particular, they are accompanied by law violations and crime that were not observed before. However, the presence of Ukrainians in the labor market is also perceived as a threat', - added Staniszewski.

According to the PESEL database, at the beginning of February 2025, nearly a million refugees from Ukraine were registered in Poland.

Analyzing the material, it can be seen that Polish attitudes towards refugees from Ukraine are complex, with elements of both positive perception and negative representations. On one hand, the country gains certain advantages from the presence of Ukrainians in Poland, particularly in the labor and economic spheres. On the other hand, negative attitudes are predominantly linked to fears of law violations and crime. Despite this, the report shows that Polish attitudes towards refugees from Ukraine are quite complex and require further study.