**Millions of Ukrainians Given Temporary Protection in EU**
As of October 31st, 2024, over 4.2 million non-EU citizens from Ukraine have been granted temporary protection status due to the ongoing Russian war.
The European Union activated a special directive on March 4th, 2022, allowing Ukrainians fleeing the war access to essential services like healthcare and education. In response to the influx of refugees, Europe saw an unprecedented crisis in 2022. By July, it was estimated that almost 6 million Ukrainian refugees were in continental Europe.
**Where are they going?**
Germany hosts over 1,100,000 people (27.2% of the EU total), followed by Poland with 983,880 (23.4%), and Czechia with 379,370 (9.0%). The numbers show a significant breakdown by age and gender: adult women make up 45%, children are 32%, and adult men are 23%.
The European Council says this shows the EU’s commitment to helping Ukrainian displaced persons.
**Temporary Protection Extended**
On June 25th, 2024, the European Council decided to extend temporary protection for these individuals until March 4th, 2026. The report highlights minimal changes in numbers between September and October 2024.
**Country-specific numbers**
Czechia takes in the most refugees relative to its population (34.8 beneficiaries per thousand residents). Poland is next with 26.9 and Estonia with 25.3, compared to the EU-wide average of 9.3 per thousand.
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