Although attitudes toward migrants in Lithuania are becoming increasingly negative, Ukrainians remain the most positively perceived group.
This is according to the results of a survey conducted on behalf of the Vilnius office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Eitvidas Bingelis, head of the IOM office in Lithuania, stated that the recently published survey results show that Ukrainians are viewed most favorably compared to migrants from other countries.
Respondents gave Ukrainians an average favorable rating of nearly 7 out of 10.
Belarusian migrants are the second most favorable group (5/10), followed by labor migrants from Central Asia (4.83/10). Migrants from the Middle East (4.13/10) and those who entered Lithuania via the Belarusian border in 2021 (3.73/10) received less favorable ratings.
“Although the overall attitude toward migrants has worsened, Ukrainians are still viewed positively, which suggests they are integrating well into Lithuanian society by learning the language, working as employees, or starting their own businesses,” said Bingelis.
The survey also showed that respondents consider Lithuanian language courses the most important measure for the integration of Ukrainians—65% of respondents rated them as a priority.
Other measures include assistance with paperwork (40%), organizing educational and extracurricular activities for children (31%), and providing services in the labor market, vocational training, and skills assessment (29%).
Half of those surveyed believe that Ukrainian refugees who learn the language and find work should be allowed to stay in Lithuania after the war. Another 34% would not object to Ukrainians staying if they choose to do so. At the same time, one in ten respondents believes that Ukrainians should leave Lithuania after the war ends.
