The war has pushed over seven million Ukrainians below the poverty line.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Ukraine increased from 5.5% to 24.2% in 2022, as a result of which 7.1 million people are below the poverty line. It is noted that there is a big gap between the urban and rural areas, and the most tangible consequences of impoverishment are in the countryside.

The institution predicts that more and more Ukrainians will find themselves below the poverty line because unofficial unemployment is 36%, and inflation reached 26.6% at the end of 2022. At the same time, the hryvnia depreciated against the dollar by 20%, while people’s salaries remained unchanged.

Because of the war, prices for food, fuel, and services have risen sharply. The cost for some items has increased by 50%. Without a package of financial support from the international community, the situation would have been even worse, the Security Council noted.