Ukrainians spend 66% of their budget on food and mandatory payments, which is 2.5 times more than the global average. According to a Deloitte study, Ukraine is the only country among the studied countries where spending on this category exceeds 50%.
It is not surprising – even in peacetime, the standard of living in Ukraine was one of the lowest in Europe. The average salary was low, and the prices of many goods and services were relatively high. This meant that many people no longer had any free money after paying for basic expenses. However, the military conflict led to a significant increase in the prices of food and essential goods. Many people lost their jobs or income during this time, which reduced their purchasing power.
At the same time, the social protection system in Ukraine leaves much to be desired. The level of social benefits is low, and many needy people are deprived of the right to receive them. Thus, for people with low incomes, life has effectively become a matter of survival.
