Poverty in Ukraine may rise to 35%: why social standards are not saving.

According to inkorr.com: The threat of a social crisis is increasing in Ukraine due to low social standards

According to data from social policy expert Andriy Pavlovsky, Ukraine may witness even greater problems in the area of poverty. A quarter of the population is already below the poverty line, but next year this figure could rise to 35%. The reason is the incorrectly set social standards, which do not correspond to the real living costs of citizens.

Insufficient minimum subsistence level

The official minimum subsistence level proposed by the government for 2026 is four times lower than the real needs of the population. As Pavlovsky points out, for working-age individuals and pensioners, real expenditures amount to at least 12,000 UAH and 8,000 UAH respectively. Meanwhile, the proposed 9% increase in the minimum subsistence level is insufficient to cope even with the projected inflation of 10.4%.

World Bank warnings

According to the World Bank, a quarter of the Ukrainian population is already living in poverty, and this figure may rise to 35%. The situation is especially difficult in regions that have been most affected by the war, where prices are 20-30% higher, putting the lives of elderly people at risk.

Illusory growth of social standards

According to Pavlovsky's analysis, a 9% increase in social standards may result in a real decrease due to the expected inflation of 15-20%. Paradoxically, the planned increase in the minimum subsistence level may only worsen the financial situation of Ukrainians, especially in regions that have experienced the war.

The country is facing a serious threat of a social crisis due to undervalued social standards that do not correspond to the real expenses of citizens. The government's minimum subsistence level is unacceptably low, four times compared to the actual needs of the population. This may lead to an even greater rise in poverty and a deterioration of people's financial conditions, especially in regions affected by the war. If the situation does not change, Ukrainians may witness significant social upheaval in the near future.