Lithuania

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania became one of the main host countries for refugees, especially women and children. As of November 2024, more than 91,000 refugees from Ukraine had been registered in Lithuania—the largest migration flow in the country’s history. More than 70% of them are women, often arriving with children. Although urgent measures were taken at the beginning of the crisis and society demonstrated solidarity, the long-term integration of these individuals presents far more complex challenges requiring coordinated and consistent support.

Ukrainian women in Lithuania face multilayered vulnerability. Most arrived under intense stress—separated from partners and family, responsible for children, having experienced trauma, and uncertain about their future. A needs assessment conducted by UNHCR showed that 26% of Ukrainian refugees experience psychological difficulties affecting their daily lives. This is also confirmed by the NGO “Open Nations” operating in Lithuania—more than 20% of weekend family camp participants rated their psycho-emotional state as poor or very poor (1 or 2 out of 5).

Although 81% of newly arrived Ukrainian migrants in Lithuania have higher education, many are unable to find employment matching their qualifications, and only 8% work in highly skilled jobs. The main obstacles include language barriers, lack of childcare options, and the time-consuming relocation process.

Ukrainian women often become the sole providers for their families; therefore, they face emotional exhaustion and professional stagnation—signs of a deeper integration crisis. The situation is further complicated by shifting public attitudes. As the crisis subsides, expectations for integration outcomes grow. Refugee women, already struggling with trauma, caring for children, and bearing the burden of relocation, face increasing societal expectations without adequate support structures. Slow integration is driven not only by limited resources or government actions but also by ongoing uncertainty about the war. Many Ukrainian migrants, hoping to return home soon, hesitated to learn the language, retrain, or actively engage in the community. While understandable, this hindered their integration. However, as the war continues with no clear end in sight, more women are beginning to view Lithuania as a long-term or even permanent place of refuge—and their needs are changing.

Migrant children, especially adolescents, also silently struggle with integration-related challenges. Although they formally attend schools, their participation is often superficial. A 2023 study published by MDPI on how the learning process for these children was organized in Lithuania showed that municipalities that quickly hired Ukrainian-speaking teachers and provided psychological and language support achieved better results. However, most children in schools still do not receive the emotional support they need.