Ukrainians are forced to save on products: the study shows growing difficulties with finances

According to the results of a survey conducted by the Razumkov Center in September 2024, more than 44% of Ukrainians are forced to save on food by choosing the cheapest products. Thus, 44.2% of respondents admitted that when buying food, they prefer cheaper products, even if they are inferior in quality. This indicates serious financial difficulties faced by the population while adapting to difficult economic conditions.

Along with this, 45% of Ukrainians continue to choose higher quality, albeit more expensive, products, putting quality above economy. However, 11% of respondents could not answer clearly, which indicates uncertainty in their financial situation. The survey also showed that 12.2% of citizens reported a lack of funds for basic food products, which is 3.2% more than in 2021.

Indicators of financial well-being of Ukrainians show mixed trends. A slight improvement is seen in the share of those who feel financially stable, although unable to make large purchases such as a home or a car. Their share increased from 6% to 9%, which may indicate a gradual, albeit slow, improvement in their financial situation.

A significant part of Ukrainians continues to rely on wages as the main source of income — from 38% in 2005 to 54% in 2024. At the same time, the share of those surviving thanks to pensions, social benefits or other forms of state assistance decreased from 38% to 29%. This shift indicates a gradual reduction in dependence on social benefits, however, for many Ukrainians, earnings remain insufficient for a comfortable life.

Views on the role of the state in social support have also changed. Today, only 38% of respondents believe that the state should first of all ensure a sufficient level of salaries for a decent life of working citizens. For comparison, in 2002, 55% of respondents held this opinion. The share of those who expect the state to create jobs for all able-bodied people also decreased from 19% to 16%.

Despite this, 30% of Ukrainians believe that the state should support the most vulnerable categories of the population, such as the unemployed, low-income families with children, which is somewhat less than in previous years, when this figure was 33%. On the other hand, 29% of respondents are convinced that the social security system should support only disabled citizens — the elderly, people with disabilities, and orphans.

Survey data indicate gradual changes in the economic behavior and social expectations of Ukrainians, who seek greater financial stability and less dependence on state aid, but are still forced to adapt to difficult conditions and limit their spending.