Expert on Pensions in 2026
Social policy specialist Andriy Pavlovskyi expressed his concern regarding pension provision in Ukraine for 2026. According to his calculations, the minimum pension at that time will be only 57 dollars, which will be insufficient to meet the basic needs of pensioners.
According to Pavlovskyi's analysis based on the draft State Budget for 2026, the minimum pension for Ukrainians will amount to 2595 hryvnias, which in dollar equivalent equals 57 dollars. For pensioners aged 65+ with full service, a slightly higher amount of 76 dollars is provided.
The total pension expenditure in the budget-2026 will amount to 1.027 trillion hryvnias, which is 1.6% less than in 2025.
Pavlovskyi noted that the promised pension indexation of 8% will not alleviate the situation, as the real inflation may range from 15-20%. He emphasized the significant gap between official standards and the needs of pensioners, proposing an increase in the pension amount for working individuals to up to 12 thousand hryvnias and for pensioners to 8 thousand hryvnias.
Social Protection and Risks
According to the expert, millions of Ukrainians currently face the risk of falling into poverty, especially in regions near the frontline. The World Bank predicts that the number of people living in poverty may increase from 25% to 35% of the population by 2026.
This situation is complicated by the fact that social expenditures in Ukraine are primarily covered by external funding from international partners. Domestic budget revenues only partially meet all expenditures, creating additional risks for the country's economy and social protection of the population.
The expert expressed serious justifications and proposals regarding pension provision in Ukraine for the coming year. According to him, the absence of minimum guarantees for an adequate standard of living for pensioners presents serious risks of social tension and increased poverty in the country.