What was before…

Prior to the war, the desired level of monthly income in Ukraine was between 25 and 35 thousand hryvnias (at the time’s conversion rate, $900–$1200). A comfortable existence required 30,000 hryvnias ($1,100) per month for a middle-aged Ukrainian. The younger population and the elderly often had enough to live on at a smaller sum of 20,000 hryvnias ($720).

According to the State Statistics Service, the average salary in Ukraine before the war was only 17,500 hryvnias ($625), which was not even the minimum amount that was sought in the country.

The war and the sharp decline of the hryvnia

According to the outcomes of 2022, the price of the dollar increased by 47.7% on the cash market in Ukraine in the face of a full-scale Russian attack. 

The National Bank lifted restrictions on the limit at which authorized institutions may offer their customers foreign money in cash. Prior to this, there shouldn’t have been a 10% or greater difference between the exchange rate offered by the bank and the official conversation rate.

This contributed to a sharp rise in prices across all areas along with other factors (complicated logistics, rising part costs, etc.). Living here is now nearly twice as expensive as it was previously. At the same time, salaries are continuously falling. 

What do people live on?

Wages in Ukraine fell by 30-40% on average during the conflict. Different professional areas are experiencing a decline at varying rates, but some workers are now receiving incredibly low pay with some as low as 10,000 hryvnias ($270) per month. Furthermore, we’re not just referring to employees and individuals without higher professional education. Even in the contemporary and in-demand field of digital marketing, this level is frequently encountered!

At the moment, the average pay across all openings on many job boards is 18,000 hryvnias ($490 a month at the current exchange rate). That is an average decrease of 5000 hryvnias ($135).

Better to avoid visiting the drugstore…

The cost of a typical Ukrainian family’s way of life is difficult to estimate because every family is unique in its requirements, opportunities, number of children and adults who work. 

The following are the major monthly expenses:

• Housing rents range from 7,000 to 10,000 hryvnias ($190-270). 
• Utilities cost an additional 4,000–6,000 hryvnias ($100; the amount is less during the summer). 
• A typical grocery basket for a household of three costs about 1,000 hryvnias , or about 4,000 hryvnias per month ($100). 
• A phone plan varies from 300 to 400 hryvnias (approximately $10) per individual.
• Transportation expenses vary by city and can range from 500 to 1000 hryvnias ($13 and up) if only taking the subway or bus.

Being sick right now is generally a worst-case scenario. In the most basic cases, a visit to a doctor in a private hospital including an examination and medication can cost between $100 and $150. This is an unheard-of luxury with an average income of $490. 

But there are also other basic needs such as clothing, home appliance maintenance, child schooling costs, pet food and vaccinations, etc.

As a result, the majority of Ukrainians are presently living on the verge of poverty, unable to meet even basic needs. The war not only caused a global economic downturn but also a crisis for each and every Ukrainian. Quality of living has declined, and many people have lost jobs and homes.

The war is not yet over. Just because the news is less frequent about it does not imply that Ukrainians no longer require assistance. On the contrary, they need more help than ever.

Snizhana Letyuk, journalist for the Restore Ukraine.