Ukrainians in the USA
Demographic studies confirm the beginning of the fifth wave of Ukrainian migration
Author: Oleg Volovyna, 2024
The number of people of Ukrainian descent in the United States has been growing since 1987 thanks to a steady influx of immigrants from Ukraine, known as the Fourth Wave. According to the latest estimates, there were 1.025 million Ukrainians in the United States in 2010, 1.104 million in 2015, and 1.331 million in 2022.
Russia's war against Ukraine, which began with the annexation of Crimea in February 2014 and the invasion of eastern Ukraine in April 2014, followed by a full-scale invasion in February 2022, has caused a massive exodus of refugees, many of whom ended up in the United States. Demographic analysis shows that these migrants are different from the Fourth Wave, and they can be considered as the beginning of the Fifth Wave of migration from Ukraine to the USA.
The Fourth Wave (1987–2013):
• 275,000 migrants (as of 2022). • Made up 20.7% of all persons of Ukrainian origin in the USA.
The fifth wave (2014–2022):
• 124,400 migrants. • Made up 9.3% persons of Ukrainian origin in the USA.
Both waves of migration together make up almost a third of all Ukrainians in the USA (30%).
Data on migrants are based on the annual American Community Survey (ACS). The actual number of Fifth Wave migrants may be higher, as the 2022 survey did not fully account for the influx caused by the invasion, and a significant number of migrants arrived in 2023.
Differences between the Fourth and Fifth waves of migration
- Language of communication at home:
- Fourth wave: only 37% speak Ukrainian at home.
- Fifth wave: 57% communicate in Ukrainian at home.
- Educational level:
- Fourth wave: 54% have a college degree.
- Fifth wave: 61% have a higher education (in 2022, among men, this indicator increased to 70%).
- Employment structure:
- Men (2022): Higher percentage of professionals and managers compared to 2014-2021.
- Women: similar employment structure for both periods, with a high share in service and administrative occupations.
- Age composition:
- Among the men of the Fifth Wave (year 2022), there are more representatives of the age group 5-17 years, and in the age groups 25-44 and 45-64 years - a decrease due to restrictions on leaving for men of conscription age and losses in the war.
- Women (2022) have a larger share in the 18-24 age group.
Features of migrant settlements
- Cities where the number of migrants increased in 2022:
- New York, Chicago, Los Angeles.
- Philadelphia rose from 12th to 7th place for the number of migrants.
- Example of Boise, Idaho:
- In 2013: 1,568 Ukrainians (20% born in the USA, 72% - Fourth wave).
- In 2022: 7,363 Ukrainians (49% – Fifth Wave).
- Ukrainian has become the main language of communication among all migrants.
The influence of the Fifth Wave on the Ukrainian community
- Strengthening communities: creation of new communities, business development, support of Ukrainian schools and communities.
- Inhibition of assimilation: increasing the number of Ukrainian speakers.
- Social and economic contribution: high level of education and professional achievements of migrants.
Further analysis of the Fifth Wave will allow us to better understand its long-term impact on the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States.
Detailed data is posted on the website of the Center for Demographic and Socio-Economic Research of Ukrainians in the USA at the Scientific Society named after Shevchenko: www.inform-decisions.com/stat.
Support the Ukrainian hub
Sacrifice:
https://www.every.org/associasao-ukrainian-hub
Contact by email
info@ukrainianhub.org
Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM