Ukraine is facing a demographic crisis exacerbated by the Russian invasion, with its population declining from 41 million in 2021 to around 35 million. The EU’s Joint Coordination Center warns it could drop below 29 million in 30 years. The UN estimates 6.2 million refugees have fled, with only one million returning, posing a threat to economic recovery. Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko emphasized the need for refugees to return post-war. The Center for Economic Strategy predicts significant GDP declines if the population continues to decrease. Ukraine also has an aging population, with a high percentage of pensioners and a low fertility rate. Safety and income are the top concerns for refugees considering return. Metinvest and UFuture are working to address labor shortages and promote job creation. The EU’s Temporary Protection Directive allows Ukrainians to live and work in the EU until 2025, but some may return due to financial challenges. Countries like Switzerland and Germany are considering incentives for Ukrainians to stay or return. Ukraine may need to attract labor migrants post-war to fill sector gaps.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted labour flows in Southeast Europe, affecting both the import and export of workers. Countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary, which rely on foreign labour, have seen a decline in migrant workers, while nations such as Croatia and Bulgaria have experienced a return of their citizens from Western Europe. The pandemic has led to increased unemployment and reduced remittances, impacting local economies. Experts predict that the situation will continue to evolve, with potential long-term consequences for labour mobility and economic stability in the region.

The Polish foundation Share the Care, established in 2019, is working to promote parental equality in the labor market. The foundation's president, Karolina Andrian, emphasizes the importance of equal treatment in parenting and the labor market as a basic human right. Despite a shift towards a more partnership-based family model in Poland, women still bear the brunt of childcare and household duties. The EU's work-life balance directive, which was transposed into the Polish Labor Code, extends parental leave and includes nine additional weeks for the second parent, typically fathers. The directive also mandates quotas for gender balance on management and supervisory boards. Notable companies like NatWest, Philip Morris, and Ikea have been recognized for their efforts in supporting parental leave for fathers. Philip Morris in Poland, for example, has introduced a subsidy for fathers on parental leave to receive 100% pay during their nine weeks of leave.

In Poland, businesses such as Dwa Borsuki and Kubota continue to support the LGBTQ community despite the anti-LGBTQ stance of the ruling Law and Justice party. The 'pink economy' in Poland, valued at nearly €36 billion, is an incentive for companies to cater to LGBTQ consumers. With the upcoming elections, the potential impact of the LGBTQ vote is highlighted, and businesses express their intention to support the community regardless of political developments.

The article covers a range of political developments across Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on Hungary, Czechia, and Poland. It highlights the establishment of a new institute by Hungary's Fidesz party to foster international relations with Christian political movements, the political scandal involving Czech Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamacek, and the approval of the EU's coronavirus recovery fund by Poland's Sejm. The text also discusses the internal political dynamics and challenges faced by opposition parties in these countries, as well as the broader implications of these developments on the political landscape.