Within the framework of the twenty-fourth wave of the “Ukraine in times of war” project, the Sociological Group “Rating” conducted another survey of public sentiments and economic situation of the population from September 5 to 7, 2023. 

Assessment of the situation

• According to the research results, 61% of the respondents believe that Ukraine is heading in the right direction, while 23% hold the opposite opinion, and an additional 16% were unable to provide an assessment. Currently, there is a decrease in the number of people who view the country’s development direction as correct. Across all regions and among all age groups, the prevailing sentiments remains in favor of viewing the direction as the right one.  

Economic situation  

• 60% of respondents have reported a decline in their personal economic situation over the past six month, with 35% experiencing no change, and only 5% noting an improvement.  Assessments of the economic conditions in Ukraine as a whole are more negative, with 73% perceiving a deterioration, 13% reporting no changes, and 9% indicating improvement. In general, respondents view the state of the economy somewhat more favorably than in previous surveys, but there is an increase in negative outlooks for the future. Indeed, when it comes to the country’s economy in the future, 29% of respondents anticipate improvement, 26% believe that nothing will change, and 32% are hopeful that their personal economic circumstances will improve next year, 41% think it will remain unchanged, and 21% have a more pessimistic outlook.   

Residents of the western and central regions, younger respondents, those currently employed and especially those, who have secured new employment, tend to provide more positive assessments of their own economic situation. These trends also extend to their outlook on the future. Additionally, residents of the Southern region tend to have a relatively more positive view of Ukraine’s economic prospects. 

Internal migration

• The number of respondents who were forces to leave their permanent place of residence has remained almost unchanged, standing at 18% today. The largest group of internal migrants is from the eastern macro-region, where about 60% of them changed their place of residence, followed by the southern macro-region, where 25% of respondents have experienced internal migration.

Job

• Currently, 44% of individuals who were employed before the war are working at their regular workplaces, 14% are working partially or remotely, and 15% have found new jobs. Nevertheless, a quarter of these respondents are still unemployed. However, there has been a reduction in the overall unemployment rate. The employment situation is relatively better for residents of the Center and West regions, men, young people, and middle-aged individuals, as well as those who are more financially stable. Among the internally displaced persons, the number of those who have settled into new jobs and are working under their usual conditions has increased in comparison to the beginning of 2023, with the percentage of unemployed individuals among them decreasing from half to 40%.