In Ukraine, a record level of poverty has been recorded, - expert

In Ukraine, a record level of poverty has been recorded, - expert

The level of extreme poverty in Ukraine has increased sevenfold, and overall poverty has almost doubled in the two years of war. The worst situation is in the northern regions, while Kyiv and western areas have the lowest rates.

This was reported by Lyudmyla Cherenko, Doctor of Economics, Head of the Department for Living Standards Research at the Institute of Demography and Social Studies, in a comment to the media. According to her, the war has doubled the overall poverty level in the country.

Before the full-scale invasion, most Ukrainians had the opportunity to meet their basic needs, but now more and more people are facing serious financial constraints. The situation is particularly critical in the northern regions of Chernihiv and Sumy, where poverty has increased the most. In these regions, the war has brought not only destruction but also significant losses of economic opportunities.

Which regions suffered the least

There are regions where poverty indicators remain relatively low, including:

• Kyiv – the capital shows the smallest increase in poverty, partly due to its developed infrastructure and economic opportunities;
• Zakarpattia and Chernivtsi regions – thanks to their geographical location near the border, these regions have been able to partially maintain their economic activity;
• in regions like Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhya, the increase in poverty has also been less significant compared to other regions.

Reasons for the sharp rise in poverty

• decrease in employment: about 20% of the adult population who worked before the war lost their jobs. Hostilities, occupation, and destruction of enterprises have led to a loss of economic activity in many regions;
• mass displacement: millions of people were forced to leave their homes due to the war, affecting their income levels and access to social support;

• destruction of infrastructure: the war destroyed economic infrastructure in many regions, significantly complicating the recovery of production and employment;
• rising prices: inflation and increased costs of basic needs exacerbate economic pressure on the population, especially the most vulnerable groups.

The economic challenges remain extremely serious. According to the World Bank, the number of Ukrainians living below the poverty line increased by 1.8 million people compared to 2020 due to the full-scale war. Further growth in poverty will depend on the situation at the front, the level of international assistance, and the pace of economic recovery.