Patterns and Prevalence of Transnationalism Among Refugees: Comparing Gender and Origins

This contribution provides a systematic overview of the prevalence and heterogeneity of transnationalism among different groups of refugees. While there is a substantial body of research on transnationalism among other migrant groups, such as migrant workers, research on forced migrants remains fragmentary. Refugees often have less agency, greater vulnerability, and fewer resources compared to other migrants, raising questions about their transnational behaviours. We explore how gender and country of origin shape transnational practices, acknowledging that international migration affects men and women differently, yet systematic knowledge of gendered differences is still scarce.

Empirically, the study focuses on refugees in Germany, a country that has experienced a sharp increase in refugee numbers over the last decade. Specifically, we examine the transnational practices of refugees from Ukraine, Syria, and Eritrea—key countries of origin in recent forced migration flows to Germany. We draw on two original data sources: the BiB/FReDA Survey of Ukrainian Refugees (2023) and the TransFAR study of Eritrean and Syrian refugees in Germany (2020). Both datasets include several items on the whereabouts of nuclear and extended family members, as well as their mutual transnational support and activities. By focusing on transnational domains such as family ties, emotional support, and instrumental and practical support, we provide descriptive insights into the prevalence and forms of cross-border support across groups. Furthermore, we apply multivariate regression techniques to estimate variations by country of origin and gender.

Preliminary results indicate that most Syrian and Eritrean refugees—more men than women—sent goods or provided financial support to their families, while receiving support from family members abroad was rare. In contrast, Ukrainian refugees report mutual support in both directions. These differences highlight the importance of the conditions surrounding forced migration in shaping the types of transnational activities and ties that can be sustained across borders.