In Ukraine, people will stay on the labor market longer, and the actual pension age may rise to 70 years and beyond. Such trends were stated by the director of the Institute of Demography and Social Studies of the NAS of Ukraine, Ella Libanova, in an interview with CES.
According to her, changes are already happening and are related to the demographic situation and the transformation of the economy.
Will the Pension Age in Ukraine be Officially Increased?
According to Libanova, there may not be a direct increase in the pension age. Instead, the state may change other parameters of the system.
Among the possible mechanisms:
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increasing the required insurance period
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gradually complicating the retirement process
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encouraging longer employment.
«Absolutely everything is heading towards people working longer. I don't know if it will be until 70, perhaps until 90 — we will see», — she noted.
Thus, even without a formal increase in the retirement age, Ukrainians will effectively remain working longer.
Why Will Ukrainians Work Longer and How is it Related to Europe?
The expert explains that several factors influence the situation:
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aging population and decreasing youth
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changes in the economy, where knowledge and experience become more important
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demand for skilled workers.
According to her, the modern labor market is increasingly oriented towards intellectual work, where older people can remain competitive.
Libanova also drew attention to the experiences of European countries, where the so-called «silver economy» is actively developing — involving older people in economic activity.
In Ukraine, the demographic structure has already changed: the proportion of older people is rising, while the number of young people is decreasing. The situation is complicated by high premature mortality, especially among men, which has increased during the full-scale war.
Recall that starting from January 1, 2026, the requirements for retirement in Ukraine will be increased. To retire at 60, one will need 33 years of insurance experience.