Migration is a litmus test for Czech society, says expert, as two-thirds of Ukrainians wish to stay

The Ukrainian population in the Czech Republic, predominantly young and female, presents a promising opportunity for the country, says migration expert Marie Jelínková from Charles University. However, in an interview with Czech Radio, she warns that despite this, Czechia hesitates to introduce the structural changes needed to support their integration. According to Jelínková, around 380,000 Ukrainian refugees currently reside in the country, with approximately two-thirds wishing to remain. She highlights the strong tendency for temporary migration to become permanent, a pattern observed in previous migration waves.