From November 2023 to October 2024, tariffs for communal services in Ukraine increased by a total of 18.7%, which was a tangible blow to citizens' pockets. At the same time, not all services have become more expensive - some have remained at the previous level.
According to the State Statistics Service, the price of electricity rose by 63.6%, which became the main factor in the general increase in tariffs. Prices also increased:
- apartment building management services – by 11.4%;
- garbage cleaning - by 6.8%;
- housing maintenance and repair - by 3.9%.
However, not all utilities have experienced an increase. The cost of water supply, sewage, natural gas, hot water and heating remained stable.
At the same time, Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center, noted that in the near future, Ukrainians will be transitioning to market tariffs for electricity. "We have a choice: either there will be no electricity, or there will be market prices," the expert explained, confirming that market tariffs will probably be introduced within 1-1.5 years.
Such a decision will become necessary, since the country will not be able to ensure a stable energy supply at current tariffs. However, for some consumers, this may mean a reduction in the cost of electricity. Kharchenko emphasized that targeted assistance should be introduced for those who will not be able to cope with the price increase, which will reduce the burden on the budget.
"It will be cheaper to compensate the difference for veterans and pensioners than to keep the tariffs low," the expert summarized.
