*The full research report is available for download using the form below.

What do Ukrainians think about quality of life in 2025? Assessments by the business community and the general public — results of the EBA and Gradus Research survey

Despite war, economic uncertainty, and high levels of anxiety, Ukrainians show moderate resilience in how they perceive life in the country. For the third year in a row, satisfaction with work receives the highest rating among all areas — both from the business community and the general population.

These are the results of the new wave of the 2025 Quality of Life Barometer conducted by the European Business Association in partnership with Gradus Research. The survey includes two audiences — the general population across the country and the business audience represented by employees of EBA member companies.

Work: a stable pillar in times of turbulence

In 2025, 65% of the business audience report being satisfied with their current job, level of self-realization, and the protection of workers’ rights. This figure remains steady compared to 2024. The share of those dissatisfied also holds at 10%.

Among the general population, satisfaction is much lower: only 31% of respondents have a positive view of their work, while one-third express dissatisfaction.

Income: rising expectations

Financial satisfaction shows mixed dynamics. Among the business audience, 42% consider their income sufficient for a good quality of life, and another 9% see it as more than sufficient — similar to last year’s results.

Key factors that keep EBA member company employees in their current roles include the ability to work remotely (59%), a friendly team atmosphere (40%), safe and comfortable working conditions (36%), and good relations with management (34%).

Among the general population, only 15% consider their income acceptable for a decent life, while 85% say their income is insufficient — including one-third who call it critically low. Notably, 68% of respondents earn less than UAH 20,000 per month.

Social life: weak but positive dynamics

Social life is one of the few areas showing improved satisfaction across both groups. Among the business audience: 54% are satisfied (vs. 48% in 2024), and 24% are dissatisfied. In the general population: 33% are satisfied, while 42% are dissatisfied.

This may reflect some adaptation to wartime conditions and a strengthening of horizontal social ties.

Security: the biggest barrier to improved quality of life

The most critical issue remains personal safety. Among the business audience, only 5% are satisfied with their sense of security, while 82% are dissatisfied. In the general population: 10% are satisfied, 68% dissatisfied.

The lowest ratings come from the southern and eastern regions; the highest — from Kyiv, western Ukraine, and younger respondents. The lack of positive dynamics here underscores that security is the key limiting factor to improving quality of life.

Healthcare and education: gradual rebuilding of trust

The healthcare system is the only area with a significant improvement in ratings, especially among the business audience. Half of EBA member company employees (50%) are satisfied with the healthcare system (vs. 40% last year), and 21% are dissatisfied (down from 27% in 2024). Among the general population: 26% are satisfied, and 38% dissatisfied.

The education system, particularly access to and quality of services, remains relatively unchanged among the business audience: 34% are satisfied vs. 31% dissatisfied (a slight improvement from 2024).

The general population shows a more visible positive trend: 31% are satisfied (up from 20% in 2024), and 36% are dissatisfied (down from 44% last year).

Legal environment and environment: some progress, but systemic challenges remain

The legal system shows clearer progress. Among the business audience, the share of dissatisfied respondents dropped from 61% to 48%, while satisfaction increased from 15% to 22%.

In the general population, satisfaction grew from 12% to 19%, and dissatisfaction fell from 59% to 48%.

Perceptions of the environmental situation remain consistently poor. Only 9% of the business audience positively assess the state of the environment, while 67% are dissatisfied. Among the general population, the figures are similar: 10% satisfied and 63% dissatisfied.

Overall quality of life: youth and western Ukraine are drivers of optimism

A quarter of the business audience (25%) are mostly or completely satisfied with life in Ukraine overall. Another 38% view it neutrally, and 37% are mostly or completely dissatisfied. In 2024, 27% were satisfied, and 37% dissatisfied. In 2023, the situation was different: 44% satisfied and 21% dissatisfied.

General population ratings are traditionally lower than those of the business audience. Only 17% of respondents are satisfied with their overall life experience in Ukraine, 35% are neutral, and 48% are dissatisfied. The most positive results are observed among younger respondents (16–25 years old): 29% satisfied vs. 36% dissatisfied, and residents of western Ukraine: 23% satisfied vs. 43% dissatisfied.

“Despite the challenging security situation and the fourth year of full-scale war, we observe stable assessments of life experience in the country. It is also encouraging to see improvements in healthcare, education, and social life. The business community will continue working to improve conditions for its employees and partner with the government to support the development of the social sphere,” — Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association.

“The fact that satisfaction with work and self-realization remains the most stable foundation during a time of deep turbulence is an important signal for both business and government. People clearly separate the areas they can influence — and invest in them. This demonstrates a mature mindset and a high level of adaptability. In our other research, we also see that stable, fairly paid employment is a key factor — especially as it's most frequently mentioned as a condition for Ukrainian migrants to return from abroad,” — Evgeniya Blyznyuk, sociologist, founder and CEO of Gradus Research.

The full research report is available for download using the form below.

Background:
The Quality of Life Barometer (formerly the Happiness Barometer until 2022) is an annual survey conducted by the European Business Association since 2018. The research partner in 2025 is Gradus Research.

Survey audience:General population: Men and women aged 16+, residing in Ukrainian cities with populations of 50,000 or more (excluding temporarily occupied territories and areas of active hostilities). Sample size: 1,000 people.

• Business audience: Employees of EBA member companies, regardless of location. Sample size: 523 people.
  
• Fieldwork period: May 2025.