24.10.2019
Assessment of the situation in Ukraine (19-22 October, 2019)
- According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during October 19–22, 2019, 18% of respondents believe that over the past 12 months the economic situation in the country has improved, 47% say it has not changed, and 29% state that it has worsened. Similar assessments apply to household financial conditions: 17% believe the situation has improved, 53% saw no change, and 30% reported deterioration. Compared to the beginning of the year, the share of those who negatively assessed the economic situation both in the country and in their families has halved.
- Against the backdrop of growing optimism after the presidential elections, positive expectations for the future have also increased. Currently, 45% of respondents believe that over the next 12 months the economic situation in Ukraine will improve, 26% expect no change, and only 15% hold negative expectations. Another 15% were unable to answer.
- In most areas assessed in the survey, respondents either observed positive changes or no change. In year-on-year dynamics, positive trends are visible across all areas. The largest share of positive change was noted in the condition of roads (almost 40% reported improvement). 31% observed positive changes in the exchange rate of the national currency, and 23% noted improvements in freedom of speech and democracy.
- Regarding Ukraine’s international image, 21% observed improvement; 19% noted improvement in relations with the West. Improvements were also seen in job-finding opportunities (18%), anti-corruption efforts (17%), political stability (14%), and progress toward resolving the war in Donbas (13%).
- Despite the overall positive dynamics, respondents more often reported deterioration in several areas. In particular, negative changes were more frequently noted in healthcare quality (45% reported deterioration, 12% improvement, 30% no change), road safety (46% deterioration, 12% improvement, 34% no change), utility tariffs (52% deterioration, 8% improvement, 3% no change), and prices for basic goods and services (73% deterioration, 18% no change, only 3% improvement).
- 71% stated that what Ukraine lacks most today is peace. 43% believe Ukraine needs order, 40%—stability, 37%—unity, 36%—prosperity, 30%—development and justice, and 8%—greater global influence. Demand for all listed categories has increased over the past three months, most notably for peace and order.
- The largest threat to Ukraine today, according to respondents, is the mass emigration of Ukrainians abroad (56%). About 45% consider economic decline and impoverishment of the population to be threats. Between 30% and 40% identify threats such as deterioration of public health, environmental disasters, full-scale war with Russia, rising crime, and population degradation and decline. Between 20% and 30% cite state collapse, hryvnia devaluation, power vacuum, and mass unrest. Between 13% and 17% consider dictatorship, famine, international isolation, and terrorism as threats. Over the past three months, concern about public health, environmental disasters, and war with Russia has increased, while concern about hryvnia devaluation and inflation has decreased.
- Amid positive expectations and a generally optimistic post-election mood, trust in most institutions has increased. The largest positive changes were recorded for central government institutions: the President, the Government, and Parliament.
- Currently, Ukrainians trust volunteers (69%), ATO veterans (67%), the President of Ukraine (66%), and the Army (65%) the most. The Church also enjoys a high level of trust (56%).
- Civil society organizations are trusted by 48%, city/village mayors by 47%, the National Guard by 46%, the Government by 45%, the Verkhovna Rada by 44%, local media by 43%, national media by 42%, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) by 38%, and regional state administrations by 32%.
- Other institutions are more often distrusted than trusted. In particular, Police are distrusted by 49% (trusted by 31%), the Border Guard Service (41% / 23%), the State Bureau of Investigations (41% / 23%), tax authorities (50% / 20%), customs authorities (51% / 19%), NABU (49% / 17%), and the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (48% / 15%).
- The lowest levels of trust are recorded for the prosecutor’s office (62% distrust) and the courts (66% distrust). Only 14–15% trust these institutions.
Methodology
- Audience: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, region, and settlement type.
- Total sample: 2500 respondents.
- Personal formalized interview (face-to-face).
- The margin of error does not exceed 2.0%.
- Fieldwork dates: 19-22 October, 2019.
.webp)
