Ukrainians are present in the lives of more than half of the respondents

40 percent respondents declared that they had people of Ukrainian nationality among their distant friends. More than a quarter of respondents indicated that Ukrainians were their friends at school or work - 28 percent. – or friends and close acquaintances – 27 percent

Every fifth respondent has Ukrainians among their neighbors, and 5 percent – in the family. A total of 55 percent Poles have come into contact with people of Ukrainian nationality in at least one of these roles. This means that for more than half of the respondents, they are not just anonymous people met in public space.

The study also shows the frequency of contacts with Ukrainians working in Poland. 27% come into contact with them every day. respondents, and 24 percent – several times a week.

Every tenth respondent declared the lack of any contacts with Ukrainians working in Poland.

Acceptance in almost all roles has declined

CBOS also examined the social distance towards Ukrainians, using a variation of the Bogardus scale (used to measure social distance). Compared to the previous measurement, conducted in 2023, the level of acceptance decreased in all analyzed roles.

Most people would accept Ukrainians as colleagues - 83 percent, 8 percentage points less than three years earlier. Not much less, 82 percent, would have anything against Ukrainian neighbors. This is a decrease of 10 percentage points.

75 percent respondents declared that they would accept a person from Ukraine as a doctor. In 2023, this percentage was 10 percentage points higher.

Less openness to close relationships and a Ukrainian boss

63 percent respondents would accept a person from Ukraine as a daughter-in-law or son-in-law. This category saw a decline of 15 percentage points.

An even greater decline concerns the acceptance of Ukrainians as guardians of children - in 2023, the result decreased by 16 percentage points, to 58%. The fewest people, 55 percent, would accept a person from Ukraine as a superior at work. This is a decrease of 18 percentage points.

CBOS emphasizes, however, that despite the deterioration of results, more than half of Poles still declare acceptance in each of the roles surveyed.

Who is more distant?

According to the CBOS analysis, a greater distance towards Ukrainians is more often declared by older people, residents of smaller towns, and respondents with lower education and lower household income. This also more often applies to respondents with unspecified political views and identifying with the right-wing than to people with left-wing views.

The study was conducted from July 2 to July 12, 2026 on a sample of 938 people. CAPI, CATI and CAWI methods were used.