65% of Ukrainians surveyed believe in a better life in the future, while their main emotions about it combine hope and anxiety. Ukrainians see victory as extending beyond the end of the war to include strengthening the state, developing business, modernising infrastructure and expanding international cooperation. These are the findings of a survey conducted by the research company Gradus ahead of Ukraine\u2019s 35th Independence Day.<\/p>\n
In the fifth year of the full-scale war, more than 90% of respondents describe contemporary Ukrainian society as anxious, unstable and complex. At the same time, almost half see it as active, diverse, interesting and progressive.<\/p>\n
Despite the difficulties of the present, two-thirds of Ukrainians surveyed believe in a better life in the future. Importantly, this belief does not mean an absence of fear or doubt. When thinking about their own future, respondents experience hope (47%) and anxiety (43%) at the same time. Optimism, confusion and fear are also among the key emotions. A similar pattern emerges when respondents think about the future of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Throughout the years of the full-scale war, resilience and courage have consistently dominated among the qualities people most strongly recognise in themselves and in society. In 2026, resilience remains the number one characteristic. Organisation, self-sacrifice and perseverance are also among the traits that respondents say have become most evident during the war.<\/p>\n
At the same time, this experience is about more than the ability to endure difficult circumstances. Alongside resilience, Ukrainians surveyed recognise in themselves a readiness to act, organise and take responsibility. In this way, the war is testing society while also changing how people perceive their own strengths.<\/p>\n
Public perceptions of the future are grounded primarily in the value of personal freedom: 79% of respondents consider guaranteeing the freedoms of every citizen an essential condition of a modern society.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Ukrainians do not interpret freedom as the state relinquishing responsibility. Most respondents agree that the state should be responsible for citizens\u2019 well-being and that social cohesion is important, while personal interests remain a priority. At the same time, 53% believe that people should be responsible for their own well-being.<\/p>\n
Demand for strict state control remains low: only 14% consider stronger state control and regulation acceptable for the sake of maintaining order.<\/p>\n
People\u2019s vision of the future goes beyond the prospect of the war ending. Victory is perceived as an opportunity to combine security, economic development and the modernisation of the country.<\/p>\n
Among the main opportunities Ukrainians see after the war are strengthening the country\u2019s defence capabilities, developing business and entrepreneurship, rebuilding and modernising infrastructure and cities, and expanding international cooperation. Overall, respondents expect the emergence of a more modern and capable state.<\/p>\n
At the same time, society takes a realistic view of the scale of the challenges the country will face. More than half of respondents identify the rebuilding of cities and infrastructure, economic recovery and improved living standards, ensuring security in territories that were occupied or affected by hostilities, and supporting veterans\u2019 adaptation to civilian life as key priorities.<\/p>\n
Addressing physical and mental health challenges, the demographic situation and the return of temporarily displaced Ukrainians from abroad will also require significant attention, funding and effort.<\/p>\n
Despite persistently high levels of uncertainty, Ukrainians view the country\u2019s current needs through a broader lens than the war alone. Security remains an undisputed priority, and demand for stronger defence capabilities has increased over the past year.<\/p>\n
At the same time, there is a growing demand for stronger economic capacity and for support of business and entrepreneurship to become priorities in public funding.<\/p>\n
Public expectations are therefore gradually shaping a framework in which the state must simultaneously provide security and create conditions for economic recovery and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe survey results show that Ukrainian society today is largely united by a shared threat. However, once the war ends, this will not be enough to sustain long-term unity. Society expects greater capacity and responsibility from the state, but is not prepared to give it greater control over people\u2019s lives. Ukraine needs a shared vision of the future that can unite people with different wartime experiences, financial circumstances and expectations. Such a vision can become the foundation of a new social contract and help answer the key question: what kind of Ukraine are we prepared to work together to build after the war?\u201d comments Evgeniya Blyznyuk<\/strong>, sociologist, founder and CEO of Gradus.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The survey was conducted by Gradus research company using a self-administered questionnaire in the Gradus mobile application. The sample reflects the population structure of cities with more than 50,000 residents among people aged 18\u201360, excluding temporarily occupied territories and areas of active hostilities. Fieldwork was conducted on 6\u20137 August 2026. Sample size: 1,000 respondents.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Belief in the Future and Demand for Development: What Sentiments Prevail Among Ukrainians Ahead of Ukraine\u2019s 35th Independence Day?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2835,"template":"","report_cat":[4],"class_list":["post-2830","report","type-report","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","report_cat-press-releases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradus.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/report\/2830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradus.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/report"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradus.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/report"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradus.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradus.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"report_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradus.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/report_cat?post=2830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}