Ukrainian refugees in Estonia have positively influenced the country's economy. Their contribution through taxes and consumption exceeds the costs of social and financial assistance.
This information was reported by Raoul Eamets, the Chief Economist of Bigbank, as cited by err.ee.
Estonian economists believe that Ukrainian refugees have had a positive impact on Estonia's economy. Since the beginning of the war, the country has accepted 153,322 refugees from Ukraine, but the current number residing in Estonia is unknown. The majority of war refugees are women, children, and pensioners. Estonia has spent around 8 million euros on social payments.
"If we compare the amounts that Ukrainian refugees receive in the form of social payments, they are significantly less than what Ukrainians contribute to the Estonian economy through taxes or consumer activities," noted Raoul Eamets, the Chief Economist of Bigbank.
According to him, the amounts of social payments to Ukrainians will decrease over time because refugees will learn the language, validate their qualifications, and be able to work in well-paid positions. This will allow Ukrainians to fill vacancies in the education and healthcare sectors, where there is currently a shortage of specialists. Currently, many Ukrainian citizens are working in positions unrelated to their expertise.
The total number of Ukrainians who have found employment in Estonia is 28,115, earning an average gross salary of 1,393 euros (before tax deductions). Most Ukrainian refugees work in the manufacturing sector, followed by trade, administrative work, and the service sector, as reported by Katrin Leivamets, a representative of the employment service.
She stated that even Ukrainians who did not work in Ukraine are finding job opportunities in Estonia.
