Incomes of 69% of Ukrainians have been affected by COVID-19: UNICEF survey

Sixty-nine per cent of Ukrainians have experienced the economic impact of COVID-19, according to a survey commissioned by UNICEF. Almost a third of respondents reported losing their jobs, whie over half spent their savings and cut their expenses on food. People from rural areas, industrial workers, and households with unemployed members suffered the most.

During quarantine, access to the Internet and computers was critical for efficient learning and the work of all family members. According to the survey, 16 per cent of Ukrainians lack Internet-enabled devices. Meanwhile, 73 per cent used the Internet every day during quarantine. Residents of small towns and settlements are the least equipped with devices, and West Ukraine’s population uses Internet services the least.

According to the respondents, during the economic crisis the state should first of all help people with disabilities, pensioners and families with children under 6 years of age. Ukrainians would consider increases in living wages, salaries and pensions to be evidence of improved life after the quarantine.

The study was conducted in the framework of the nationwide Ukrainian survey "Thoughts and views of the population of Ukraine" (Omnibus) in May-June 2020. A total of 2,000 interviews were conducted.