In this episode, Panu Poutvaara (ifo Center for Migration and Development Economics) and Damla Buyuktaskin (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency) discuss explore the difficult decisions refugees face after displacement: Should they return home or rebuild their lives in the host country?
Based on survey data from over 12,000 Ukrainian refugees, Poutvaara shows that while many people initially hoped to return home, more and more are now planning to stay abroad for good. “About half have already returned or still plan to return,” he notes. “But one quarter now plan to settle permanently outside of Ukraine.”
Damla Buyuktaskin brings a broader global perspective, discussing the challenges refugees face in Asia and the Pacific, where legal barriers often prevent them from working or leaving camps. “We try to find the ‘why’ that convinces governments to let refugees work,” she explains. “Because they come with skills, determination, and the potential to contribute to their host societies.”
Their conversation outlines the structural and personal factors shaping refugee decisions: from legal frameworks and labor market access to safety, education, and future prospects. It’s a nuanced look at the policies that matter and the people behind the numbers.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Working Paper: The Effect of Conflict on Ukrainian Refugees’ Return Intentions and Integration Outcomes (Poutvaara et al.)
UNHCR Programs
