Ukrainians feel at home but find Dutch language difficult, study shows

Refugees from Ukraine feel at home in the Netherlands and want to stay for the time being, but they have difficulty mastering the Dutch language, which makes it difficult for them to participate in Dutch society.

The Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC) of the Ministry of Justice and Security has conducted research into Ukrainian refugees for the first time. About 60 percent of them work, but most say they do so below their level. Half have completed a university education. That is more than for other groups of refugees. Six out of ten Ukrainians without work say this is because they do not speak the language well.

Ukrainians give themselves an average of 2.2 as a grade for their command of Dutch. Just over half say they do not speak the language at all, and only 5 percent give themselves a passing grade. Most Ukrainians without work also think that their lack of language skills is the reason that they do not have a job in the Netherlands.

Whether this is also related to their Dutch language skills will be investigated further in future studies. According to the study, Ukrainians do not need to integrate and, therefore, do not need to learn Dutch. The lack of language skills is likely a barrier to other aspects of integration, such as socializing with Dutch people. Therefore, it would be desirable if there were plans to teach Ukrainians better Dutch, the WODC concludes.

Nearly 3,500 Ukrainian refugees participated in the study.