In Ukraine, profound changes in the ethnic composition of the population are possible in the future due to a reduction in the number of Ukrainians and an increase in labor migration. This was stated by the President of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies and the head of the Office of Migration Policy Vasily Voskoboynik in an interview with Kommersant Ukrainian, published on May 22.
The presenter asked Voskoboinik whether, in his opinion, there is a threat of extinction of the Ukrainian nation and whether in the future ethnically they may no longer be Ukrainians in the classical sense, but people of mixed origin – for example, “mestizos,” a mixture of Ukrainians with Indians, Bangladeshis and other peoples.
He said that Ukraine, having an advantageous geographical location and the need for labor, will attract migrants from other countries. In the future, this may lead to the fact that part of the population will be of mixed origin, and society will become more diverse in ethnic composition.
“To some extent, this will be our path, because our territory is still located in a very favorable climatic zone. There are fertile lands here, trade routes intersect here. Next to us is a huge European neighbor, who will still need the same agricultural products, metal or new technologies that we will develop here,” Voskoboynik answered.
Voskoboynyk stressed that the decisive factor in this process should be the integration of migrants – the legality of their stay, payment of taxes and inclusion in Ukrainian society, and not ethnic origin.
He added that global competition for labor resources and the development of technology can change the very model of migration in the world, in particular due to the automation and robotization of some jobs.
