66% of Germans oppose benefits for Ukrainian refugees
The majority of Germans are against financial payments to Ukrainian refugees, while supporting the return of men of conscription age to Ukraine.
Source: a survey conducted by INSA Public Opinion Research Institute, as cited by German international broadcaster and media outlet DW and reported by European Pravda
Details: When asked whether all Ukrainian refugees in Germany should receive social assistance, only 17% of respondents answered "yes" or "probably yes".
Sixty-six percent opposed this, giving a clear "no". Another 7% said they did not care, and 10% did not respond.
When asked whether Ukrainian men of conscription age living in Germany should return to Ukraine, 62% of Germans answered "yes".
Only 18% opposed this, 8% said they did not care, and 12% did not answer.
The survey was conducted on 16-17 October with 1,003 respondents.
According to the German Federal Employment Agency, as of March 2025, 701,000 Ukrainians were entitled to social assistance paid to jobseekers and low-income individuals.
Of these, 502,000 were able-bodied citizens aged 15-66. Compared with the previous year, their number has fallen by around 4,300.
Background:
- In August, the German government prepared a draft law to reduce state payments for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees.
- Minister-President of Bavaria Markus Söder called for increasing incentives to work in Germany, including for Ukrainian refugees.
- He also called for the abolition of Bürgergeld payments for Ukrainian refugees. These benefits are granted to those seeking employment or whose income is insufficient for self-support.
- Söder argued that social payments are preventing many Ukrainians from seeking employment in Germany.
- It was reported on 15 October that the number of Ukrainian refugees working in Germany has risen significantly over the past two years.
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