Scales, Dynamics and Spatial Patterns of Forced Internal Displacement of Population in the East of Ukraine

Abstract

Eastern Ukraine is a region where for the first time during the time of independent Ukraine in 2014 forced internal migration of the population arose, as well as a region that accepted almost 2/3 of all internally displaced persons (IDPs). The uneven concentration of IDPs in the Eastern region of Ukraine creates an excessive burden on the labor market, infrastructure, and local authorities. The purpose of the study is to identify and explain the spatio-temporal features of forced internal displacement in the East of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019. The study is based on statistics from the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regional state administrations. The following research methods were used in the work: mathematical-statistical, analysis and synthesis method, generalization, description, systematization, retrospective, graphic, cartographic and cartographic modeling. The study of the dynamic aspects of IDPs in the region revealed a gradual decrease in the dynamics of the number of IDPs, which may be due to the successful integration of forced migrants into host communities, the reluctance to confirm the status of IDPs through bureaucratic procedures and periodic inspections, or with repeated displacement. Analysis of the spatial characteristics of IDPs by city, city councils and districts of the Eastern region of Ukraine allowed us to distinguish three categories of IDPs depending on their location in the region. Among them: the overwhelming majority – IDPs of retirement age, who are guided by the factor of territorial proximity, are registered in the areas closest to the demarcation line, although most of them actually live in territory beyond the control of Ukraine, and carry out periodic trips through the demarcation line; IDPs of working age, which are mainly located in cities for the purpose of employment and access to quality services; the most vulnerable and socially unprotected categories living in places of compact accommodation of IDPs, but their minority. The age structure of IDPs is considered, the predominant age group of all regions of Eastern Ukraine are pensioners. The regions with the highest share of pensioners and a large demographic burden of pensioners and IDP children on the local population are identified. In particular, in some areas of the Luhansk region, the number of IDP pensioners is almost double that of the local population of all age groups. This situation requires special attention, since an excessive concentration of IDP pensioners in these territories can lead to a deep demographic crisis. So, the socio-geographical analysis of the spatial distribution of IDPs in the Eastern region of Ukraine shows the real extent of forced internal population displacement in the region, and the analysis of the age structure of IDPs allows one to determine the options for the impact of forced migrations on the socio-economic development of host regions and serves as an indicator of the need to adopt appropriate programs or decisions regarding the improvement of the situation of IDPs.

Conflicts in Urban Space and Post-Industrial Urban Transformations

“…Internally displaced persons overload the labor market by provoking competition for the most prestigious job positions; the social infrastructure, such as pre-school, general secondary and higher education institutions, by creating significant queues in the departments of social welfare, pension funds, insurance offices. They create an excessive workload for the transport system, for the government and local authorities Lohvynova, 2020). The change of the urban space by the internally displaced persons due to the construction of the modulartype towns for their accommodation causes conflict situations.…”

Spaces of internal displacement: Understanding the hidden urban geographies of armed conflict in Ukraine

“…Hnatyuk, 2016;NRC, 2016), and barriers to socio-economic integration and adaptation of IDPs to new geopolitical and life realities (e.g. IOM, 2016;Lohvynova, 2020). Also, the studies covered the impact of mass IDP flows on the socio-economic development of Ukrainian regions (e.g.…”

Internal Displacement of the Population During Times of War: Social Needs, Adaptation, and Prospects of Migrant Integration (Case of Odesa)

“…У дослідженнях того періоду (Malykha, 2015;Malchykova & Lozova, 2017) і в працях останніх років (Batychenko et al, 2022;Havryliuk 2022;Molikevych, 2023) представлено аналіз поняття ВПО і просторово-часові аспекти дослідження осіб, які змушені мігрувати через повномасштабне військове вторгнення з боку росії. Війна та вимушені міграції негативно впливають на генофонд та демографічні показники населення України, на що у своїх працях звертають увагу багато дослідників (Lohvynova, 2019(Lohvynova, , 2020Libanova, 2022;Lozova, 2023, etc.). Активність міграційних процесів впливає на розміщення населення в країні.…”