Ella Libanova,

Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences,

Kyiv, Ukraine

E-mail: libanova@ukr.net

ORCID: 0000-0001-7170-7159

Labour migration from Ukraine: Key features, drivers and impact

Abstract. The main features of external labour migration from Ukraine are defined in the article, including the scope, the directions, the role in the modern and future development of Ukraine. Its main components are considered that differ in the length of migrant’s stay abroad, the composition of participants, the impact on the overall social and economic situation in the country and the life of migrant’s households. The scope and structure of the migratory flows in the recipient countries are clarified. The estimates of migration mobility of various population groups of Ukraine are presented. It is demonstrated that external migrations in the modern Ukraine perform the functions of social lifts, and migrant’s intentions to leave the country has become the prevalent behavior patterns. According to studies results, the main factor is differences between wage in Ukraine and potential remuneration in the country of destination, but mentality is the important role. Due to traditional high mobility of Ukrainians, it is unreasonable to promote the idea to stop the external migration exclusively solely through the growth of wages. The opportunities of the state impact on the migration behaviors of the population are outlined and the most effective actions, from the point of view of the author, are highlighted.

Received: December, 2018

1st Revision: January, 2019

Accepted: March, 2019

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2019/12-1/19

JEL Classification: D02, O17, P31

Keywords: labour migration from Ukraine, scale and direction of Ukrainian migrations, migration causes and consequences