Youth in exile: integration and identity among Ukrainian refugees and Russian and Belarusian migrants in Georgia post-2022

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered a major wave of migration to Georgia, which has become both a transit and host country. This study examines integration and identity formation among young Ukrainian refugees and young Russian and Belarusian migrants who arrived in Georgia post-2022. Based on qualitative interviews conducted in Tbilisi and Batumi, the research combines empirical data with theoretical perspectives from migration and youth studies. The analysis reveals contrasting experiences: Ukrainian youth often struggle with housing and economic insecurity despite generally positive public sentiment, while Russian and Belarusian youth – typically with higher human capital – grapple with politicized identities and social tensions. Across all groups, identity emerges as fluid and shaped by legal status, socio-political affiliations, transnational ties, and local contexts. Youth are shown to be active agents navigating integration through informal networks, education, and civic engagement, rather than passive recipients of policy. A comparative lens underscores the need for differentiated policy responses that reflect the distinct challenges and capacities of each group. This study offers insights into youth mobility amid conflict and displacement and offers recommendations for fostering inclusive integration and identity development within Georgia’s shifting geopolitical landscape.