DOU: almost 50% of IT workers are thinking about leaving Ukraine, the rest want to stay
As of the summer of 2025, 48% of Ukrainian IT specialists are somehow thinking about moving abroad, 3% less than in the same period in 2024. Only 14% are actively considering leaving Ukraine: 2% will move in the near future, and 12% - when the borders open. This is stated in the summer survey of DOU.
26% of IT professionals are thinking about moving, but are not doing anything at the moment, 8% would like to go abroad only for a while. At the same time, another 48% do not plan to go anywhere, of which 14% are definitely not going anywhere, and 27% simply do not have such plans. 7% have already returned to Ukraine.
Men are more actively thinking about leaving Ukraine. According to the survey, 16% of them are, compared to 5% of women. 29% of men are also thinking about moving, but they are not planning to do anything yet, among women this figure is 19%. In contrast, 14% of women have already returned from abroad, while among men this figure is only 3%. Among those who do not plan to move anywhere, 49% of women and 38% of men.
Young specialists under the age of 25 are more likely to want to go abroad — 53% versus 45% among specialists over the age of 30. At the same time, young people also do not want to leave Ukraine forever and are ready to return — 13% versus 8% overall among all respondents. At the same time, financial situation does not have such an impact — in groups with different incomes, 15-18% of men are actively preparing to go. At the same time, the presence of a reservation or postponement has a greater impact, and those specialists who have already served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine are least likely to think about leaving.
Among those IT specialists who are already abroad, 20% plan to return to Ukraine, 37% will not do so yet, and 42% have not decided. Compared to 2024, the share of those who do not want to return to Ukraine has decreased from 45% to 37%. Older IT specialists mostly want to stay, while young people either plan to return or have not yet decided. At the same time, financial situation plays a greater role here, and those who spend more than they earn are more likely to think about returning.
The main reasons for emigration from Ukraine and the lack of desire to return from abroad are security risks, mobilization, and distrust of the authorities. At the same time, professional opportunities and salary have a lesser influence on these decisions.
As for the reasons for returning, IT specialists miss their usual life and family the most. Also, many IT specialists did not plan to stay abroad for a long time, or they want to be part of the reconstruction of Ukraine. At the same time, family and the reconstruction of the state, as well as the reluctance to start life from scratch, are the main factors for those who do not plan to leave at all.