In brief
According to a Rakuten Viber survey cited by LIGA.net, 48% of Ukrainians contact relatives and friends abroad via chats and video calls. This is not just a number — it signals a shift in communication patterns with practical implications for security, aid coordination and business services.
What the survey showed
The distribution of communication channels looks like this: 48% — chats and video calls, 11% — phone calls, 8% — rare contacts, 6% — social networks, and 5% — do not communicate at all. Another 22% of respondents reported that they do not have close relatives abroad. The survey also recorded changes in social circles: the majority experienced a reduction, 24% — no change, 17% — have made new acquaintances.
Why people choose messengers
There are several logical reasons: first, messengers save on communication costs and perform better under unstable coverage. Second, they offer asynchrony — important when the interlocutor is in a different time zone. Third, modern features (file sharing, group chats, video calls, built-in translation) make messengers a universal tool for emotional support, volunteer coordination and business communication.
"Messengers have become the main channel of communication with relatives and friends abroad"
— The Rakuten Viber team
Technical innovations are driving the trend
Viber not only notes the changes but also rolls out tools that strengthen them: AI for editing and translating messages and a marketplace for finding services. This reduces language barriers and increases the platform’s usefulness for those supporting relatives or conducting business from abroad.
Consequences — for the state, businesses and volunteers
The dominance of messengers means: state services and volunteer networks should invest in official channels within messengers, ensure the security and accessibility of information, and businesses should adapt services (translation, customer support, marketplaces) to these platforms. For every family, it’s a faster and cheaper way to stay in touch — a reality that matters during a crisis.
Conclusion
The survey results are not just another statistic. The predominance of chats and video calls is changing the logic of communication with the diaspora and requires appropriate solutions in the areas of security, social support and business services. Now the question is for partners: will they turn these digital connections into reliable services for Ukrainians — at home and abroad?
Data: Rakuten Viber, information — LIGA.net
