Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Finland has accommodated about 37,500 Ukrainian citizens seeking temporary protection or asylum (as at the end of August). The number of clients receiving reception services provided by the Finnish Immigration Service is higher than ever before.

The arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Finland has given rise to the need to obtain information on their situation and needs for various services. For this purpose, the Ministry of the Interior launched a survey in June, carried out as an online Webropol survey directed at Ukrainians between 15 June and 6 July 2022. In addition to the Ministry of the Interior, other parties involved in drawing up the survey included the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and the Finnish Immigration Service. The total number of responses was 2,136.

The survey queried Ukrainians who had arrived in Finland for their background details, education, occupation, language skills and region of origin in Ukraine. It also explored their lives in Finland, their place of residence, the status of their applications for temporary protection, potential employment and studies, and children’s schooling. It further assessed how satisfied Ukrainians were with access to information and certain services provided by reception centres. It concluded with questions about their plans for the future. The respondents also had a chance to send a message to the Finnish authorities. Based on the survey, the researchers also provide recommendations for public authorities on how to develop services for Ukrainians moving forward.