8 Jul 2025

Ukrainian Diaspora: Shared Identity Across Borders

1. Who Are the Ukrainian Diaspora?

The Ukrainian diaspora encompasses people who have made their homes beyond Ukraine's borders while maintaining ties to their cultural heritage.

This global community spans from rural villages in Canada to urban neighborhoods in São Paulo and New York. For many, leaving Ukraine was not a choice — but a necessity driven by wars, repression, or economic hardship.

There were four major waves of emigration from Ukraine:

In the late 19th century, many rural settlers set out in search of farmland and a better life across the vast frontiers of North and South America.
1920s–1930s: Political refugees from Soviet repression
Post-WWII: Displaced persons, many professionals and intellectuals
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a significant number of individuals from Ukraine moved abroad in pursuit of improved economic prospects.
Since 2014 & 2022: War refugees escaping Russian aggression

Each wave shaped the identity of the Ukrainian diaspora population in different ways — from farmers to freedom fighters to tech professionals.

2. Ukrainian Diaspora Population Worldwide

With over 20 million people living outside their homeland, this is among the largest diasporic communities worldwide.

These numbers include both first-generation migrants and third- or fourth-generation descendants who may no longer speak the language fluently but still embrace their cultural identity. Diaspora communities often preserve elements of their native culture even more carefully than in Ukraine itself — because those customs become symbols of connection.

3. Ukrainian Diaspora Population by Country

Here’s where the biggest populations connected to Ukraine can be found around the world:

Several countries around the world host large Ukrainian diaspora communities, each with its own unique history and characteristics.

🇨🇦 Canada is home to approximately 1.4 million Ukrainians, making them the fourth largest ethnic group in Western Canada. The Ukrainian presence in Canada is long-established and deeply rooted, especially in provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

🇺🇸 The United States has a Ukrainian population of around 1 million. This is an active and historically rich diaspora that began forming in the 19th century and continues to thrive across major cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

🇵🇱 Poland now hosts over 1.3 million Ukrainians, with a significant number arriving after the 2014 Crimea crisis and the 2022 full-scale invasion. Many Ukrainians have integrated into Polish society while maintaining strong cultural ties.

🇩🇪 Germany is home to an estimated 900,000 Ukrainians, many of whom arrived as war refugees following the escalation of conflict in 2022. Germany has become one of the main destinations for displaced Ukrainian families.

🇧🇷 Brazil has a long-standing Ukrainian community of about 600,000 people, largely descended from immigrants who settled there between the 1890s and 1930s. These communities are mostly located in the southern regions of the country.

🇦🇷 Argentina is home to roughly 300,000 Ukrainians, particularly concentrated in the northern provinces. Ukrainian culture remains vibrant here, with traditional festivals, churches, and schools still active.

🇮🇹 Italy has around 250,000 Ukrainians, many of whom are recent labor migrants working in caregiving, domestic service, and agriculture. The community continues to grow as migration trends evolve.

4. The Largest Ukrainian Diaspora Communities

Canada is home to the most prominent Ukrainian diaspora community, with significant populations also found in the United States and Poland.

These communities are not just large — they’re culturally strong. Canadians with roots in Ukraine helped establish bilingual schools, credit unions, and even influenced Canadian politics. In Poland, workers and students from Ukraine are reshaping the economy and academia.

5. Ukrainian Diaspora in Canada

The Ukrainian diaspora in Canada dates back to the 1890s. Settlers came to work on farms, build railroads, and start new lives in the Prairie provinces.

Notable aspects of community life in Canada include:

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (Alberta)
Vyshyvanka Day parades
Shevchenko Foundation & Ukrainian-language media
Politicians of Ukrainian descent (e.g. Chrystia Freeland)

This is arguably the most structured and culturally confident segment of the global community.

6. Ukrainian Diaspora in the USA

In the USA, members of the community are active in:

Ukrainian Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches
Community centers (e.g. Ukrainian Institute of America)
Saturday schools and educational efforts
Fundraising for Ukraine

The diaspora community in the USA maintains a strong academic and cultural presence, especially in cities such as New York, Cleveland, and Chicago.

7. Cultural Identity: Clothing, Traditions, and Heritage

Ukrainian diaspora clothing includes embroidered shirts, woven belts, and traditional headpieces. Many communities organize festivals with:

Folk dance ensembles (e.g. "Shumka", "Veselka")
Embroidery workshops
Cooking classes (varenyky, borshch, pampushky)
Language camps for children

Even those born abroad feel deep pride in donning a vyshyvanka or hearing traditional songs.

8. How the Diaspora Supports Contemporary Ukraine

The diaspora has consistently supported Ukraine in moments of crisis:

Lobbying governments (e.g. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America)
Sending aid, helmets, vehicles, and drones
Hosting refugees and fundraising millions

This support isn't temporary — it's a lasting connection between Kyiv and cities like Toronto, Chicago, and beyond.

9. The Digital Revival of Diaspora Culture

Today, a new generation abroad is reviving culture through:

Short-form TikTok content showcasing ancestral traditions and everyday cultural expressions.
Instagram shops selling embroidery and pysanky
YouTube & podcast series on history and culture

Modern diaspora life is digital and global — but deeply rooted in tradition.

Conclusion: A Global Ukrainian Family

The Ukrainian diaspora is not just scattered people — it’s a connected culture. From Alberta to Buenos Aires, New Jersey to Naples, the spirit of Ukraine thrives.

Wherever people from Ukraine live, they plant seeds of memory, pride, and resilience. They sing, build, fight, and remember. The diaspora population may live far from Kyiv — but Ukraine lives in their hearts.