The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has published a study into Lithuania’s integration of Ukrainian refugees. In a press release on Monday, UNHCR said better integration was needed to address issues, including some 30 percent of new arrivals struggling to afford food.
"We are grateful for Lithuania's generous reception of refugees from Ukraine but highlight some current needs to be addressed for better inclusion and integration,” Renata Kules, UNHCR’s Government Liaison Officer for Lithuania, said in the statement.
The 2024 Socio-Economic Insights Survey (SEIS) covered 638 refugee households (1,445 individuals) and underscored both positive integration trends and persistent challenges that require targeted support.
While many refugees are thriving, the SEIS survey reveals that significant gaps remain for those with heightened vulnerabilities or specific needs.
Among the positive trends, the majority of refugees in Lithuania are satisfied with their living conditions and have their basic needs met. Nearly 85% of respondents feel confident and safe in their surroundings, with satisfaction levels rising by 7% from 2023.
The survey found that 83% of school-aged children are enrolled in school, though enrolment rates drop for teenagers (70%) and university-aged students (37%), highlighting the need for improved educational access for older students.
While 53% of working-age refugees are employed, 10% are unemployed, and 37% are outside the labour force. Encouragingly, 85% of those employed have formal work contracts.
Only 25% of refugees report speaking Lithuanian well enough for daily conversation, though 41% have attended language courses, with nearly three-quarters expressing satisfaction with the instruction. Encouragingly, two-thirds of those with poor or no understanding of Lithuanian are willing to learn.
One in three refugees required medical attention in the past month, yet 17% of those in need could not access care due to barriers such as lack of health insurance (35%), financial constraints (19%), and long waiting times (18%).
Nearly 14% of refugee households struggle to afford basic food, while 39% report incomes that only cover basic food but not utility bills or medical expenses. Among new arrivals, 30% reported difficulty affording food.
Approximately 63% of refugee households live in private apartments or houses, with 13% still residing in collective sites, primarily in rural areas. Encouragingly, 70% of households now cover their accommodation costs.
Some 72% of refugees describe their relationship with local communities as positive, though 28% reported experiencing hostility, with verbal aggression (55%) and discriminatory behaviour (55%) being the most common.
In terms of mental health, women are more likely to report emotional distress affecting daily life (32%) compared to men (18%).
Key recommendations
Despite Lithuania's strong support for refugees, certain areas require urgent attentio – expanding job-matching services, vocational training, and language learning, strengthening healthcare access, a greater focus on boosting enrolment rates for teenagers and young adults in higher education is needed, along with support for language learning to improve integration.
Furthermore ,UNHCR has called on Lithuania to promote mentorship programmes, social activities, and intercultural dialogue, as well as to provide targeted housing support for newly arrived refugees and those with specific needs.
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