Authors

Hanna Vakhitova²; Nataliia Zaika¹; Volodymyr Vakhitov¹;  ¹ American University Kyiv, Ukraine;  ² Southern Denmark University and Kyiv School of Economics, Ukraine

Discussion

Most studies on armed conflict focus on forcibly displaced persons, overlooking those who remain – a bias known as "mobility bias." Our study examines the migration aspirations of women who chose to stay in Ukraine during the war, highlighting the economic, security, and social factors shaping their decisions. A survey of 2,018 women in January 2025 found that most (80%) intend to stay, driven by family ties, patriotism, and economic stability, while financial constraints and adaptation concerns act as barriers to leaving. Using a discrete choice experiment, we show that worsening conditions could trigger further migration, making our analysis crucial in capturing marginal willingness to leave.