In Ukraine, the number of pensioners and workers is almost equal
This is reported by the KSE Institute.
In 2025, there were 10.2 million pensioners for every 10.7 million workers in Ukraine.
The KSE Institute's analysis notes that this ratio indicates a serious burden on the social security system.
In addition to pensioners, the state support system covers 1.7 million veterans, 3.6 million people with disabilities, and 4.6 million internally displaced persons.
At the same time, the number of veterans has increased 2.4 times compared to 2021.
At the same time, the number of people who contribute to the budget through taxes has decreased by 1.3 million compared to the pre-war period.
Social funds are currently partially supported by revenues from the single social contribution from the salaries of military personnel.
Thanks to this, $28.2 billion was accumulated for social protection in 2025.
At the same time, experts warn that after the war ends, salaries in the defence sector may decrease.
This, in turn, could lead to a reduction in revenues to social funds.
Despite the reduction in the number of pensioners, total pension expenditure in 2025 remained almost unchanged.
This was due to indexation and an increase in the average size of payments.
At the same time, the gap between social standards and the real cost of living remains significant.
The actual subsistence minimum is $228, while the legally established subsistence minimum is $70.
The minimum wage in Ukraine is $192.
The average pension is estimated at $104, and the minimum pension at $57.
As a result, 27.6% of pensioners, or about 2.8 million people, are forced to continue working.
The labour market in Ukraine is experiencing two contradictory trends at the same time: a reduction in the number of employees and, at the same time, a relatively high level of unemployment.
While unemployment stood at 20.6% in 2022, it fell to around 10-11% in 2025.
The main problem identified in the analysis is the mismatch between employers' needs and the qualifications or place of residence of candidates.
Experts also draw attention to the problem of employment for veterans.
In 2025, only 21.8% of veterans who applied to the State Employment Service were able to find work.
According to experts, a mass return of Ukrainians from abroad is unlikely in the near future.
In 2025, there are approximately 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees outside the country.
Of these, 90% live in European Union countries.
At the same time, 75% of refugees are women and children, which poses long-term demographic challenges for the labour market.
This means that the state needs to develop long-term programmes to return citizens, support their integration and interact with Ukrainians abroad.
The education system is also suffering the consequences of the war.
In 2025, education funding was 17.4% lower than in 2021.
The number of students has decreased by 12.2%.
In addition, young people's interest in natural and technical disciplines is declining.
In the long term, this could create a shortage of STEM specialists, who will be critically needed for the country's reconstruction.
The government plans to implement a package of structural reforms in 2026 to address these challenges.
Key initiatives include labour market reform and the adoption of a new Labour Code.
A pension reform is also being prepared, which should increase the adequacy of payments.
Separately, the government plans to introduce a new methodology for calculating the subsistence minimum, which will better reflect the real cost of living.
These changes are expected to help reduce the risk of poverty and increase the effectiveness of social support for the population.
