Between Hope and Despair: The Values and Beliefs of Young Ukrainians Today

The results suggest that respondents largely aspire to an independent and democratic Ukraine, expressing strong condemnation of corruption and identifying themselves as integral members of the nation. However, they exhibit significant dissatisfaction with the current economic situation and a pervasive skepticism regarding the ability of Ukrainian politicians to improve it. As a consequence, there is a pronounced lack of trust in others and relatively low levels of perceived safety among this group. Overall, while Ukrainian youth continue to support democratic ideals, they are deeply disillusioned with the current political and economic conditions, revealing a disconnect between their aspirations and their perceptions of the current socio-political climate.

Young people constitute a distinct demographic group characterized by heightened optimism, increased susceptibility to external influences, and a higher adaptability in response to changes or shocks. They also tend to be more mobile, less demanding in the labor market and are often motivated to seek opportunities abroad in pursuit of a better future. At the same time, this group holds significant potential and represents a key source of hope for the reconstruction of Ukraine following the current war. Therefore, understanding the aspirations and values of the youth is important for predicting the trajectory of Ukraine’s future development.

This study presents results from a survey conducted among young people (mostly students) across Ukraine in October and November 2024. The primary objective was to explore the formation of political values and opinions in Ukraine, with particular emphasis on youth. The questionnaire included a wide array of general attitudinal variables, offering a comprehensive view of the perspectives held by young people in Ukraine. 

The data collection methodology was designed to minimize self-selection bias, as recommended by previous research, by administering the majority of the survey to entire student groups during class sessions at six universities in different regions of Ukraine. Additionally, the questionnaire was distributed via major media platforms to reach a broader audience. In total, 269 respondents aged 18 to 28 (with a mean age of 19 years) participated in the survey. 60% of them were female and roughly one-third reported a monthly household income of less than 20,000 hryvnias. 65% were enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs, while the remaining respondents were either enrolled in master’s programs or had completed their formal education. 

The collected data suggests that young people in Ukraine exhibit strong aspirations for the country to remain an independent and unified state (Figure 1). Over 90% of respondents agreed (ratings 5, 6, and 7) that living in an independent state is important to them. A similarly high proportion (87.7%) emphasized the importance of protecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, while 90.4% affirmed the significance of having Ukrainian as the country’s official language.

Furthermore, Ukrainian youth demonstrate a strong commitment to democratic values. As Figure 2 suggests, 91.4% of respondents indicated that living in a democratic country is important to them (ratings 5, 6, and 7). Similarly, 84.4% agreed that citizens should have the right to use their voice to influence decision-making at both national and local levels. However, this group expresses substantial dissatisfaction with the current state of democracy in Ukraine, with only 27.1% of respondents indicating satisfaction (answers 5 to 7) with the current democratic system.

This dissatisfaction is likely linked to the high levels of corruption perceived by youth in Ukraine. Figure 3 shows that 87.3% of respondents agreed with the statement that corruption is widespread in the country (ratings 1, 2, and 3). Despite this, young people hold a strong normative belief that corruption is unjustifiable and should not be tolerated, with nearly 90% of respondents agreeing with this statement. However, their expectations regarding the effectiveness of Ukrainian politicians in reducing corruption are notably pessimistic. A large majority (88.8%) expressed disbelief that corruption can be effectively combated in Ukraine (see Figure 5).

Young people express significant dissatisfaction with the current economic situation in Ukraine. 78% of respondents reported dissatisfaction with how the economy is functioning (they selected responses 1, 2, or 3 on the survey question on overall satisfaction with the economic situation not illustrated in a figure). As presented in Figure 4, this dissatisfaction is particularly pronounced on the main economic issues: 81% of respondents were dissatisfied with government policies to reduce income inequality in the country, 84.3% were dissatisfied with poverty reduction measures, and 73.5% expressed dissatisfaction with the efforts to ensure stable or secure employment. Expectedly, these sub-questions are interrelated, as they reflect the poor overall functioning of the economy.

The situation is exacerbated by a lack of belief that meaningful change can occur in Ukraine in the near future (Figure 5). About two-thirds of respondents do not trust in the ability of Ukrainian authorities and politicians to address key issues: 76.2% stated that they do not believe income inequality can be reduced, 78.4% were skeptical about the possibility to lower poverty levels, and 63.8% of respondents felt that Ukrainian authorities would not be able to promote stable employment in the country.

Despite this pessimism and skepticism, young Ukrainians exhibit a strong sense of national identity. 85.9% of respondents declared their affiliation with the Ukrainian nation (Figure 6). 78.4% expressed a sense of obligation to help their fellow citizens, suggesting that a robust civic component is a defining characteristic of Ukrainian society. However, trust in others remains relatively low, with only 29% of respondents agreeing with the statement that one can trust other individuals (ratings 5, 6, and 7 on a seven-point scale). 

Young people report significant negative effects of the ongoing war on various aspects of their lives. Specifically, one-third of respondents indicated that they have changed their place of residence since February 2022 either by relocating to another region within Ukraine (23.6%) or by leaving the country altogether (11.2%). The vast majority of students acknowledged the war's detrimental impact on their psychological well-being. Notably, 42.8% reported experiencing severe or very severe deterioration in their psychological stance due to the conflict, while 32% described the impact as moderate (see Figure 7). 

These psychological challenges appear to be closely linked to the precarious safety situation in students' current places of residence, a common characteristic of conflict zones (see Figure 6). Only 56.1% of respondents feel more or less safe where they are (ratings 5, 6, and 7).

The ongoing war has had profound negative effects on various aspects of young people's lives, including political, economic, social, and psychological dimensions. These impacts have led to widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs across multiple domains. However, despite these feelings of dissatisfaction and pessimism, young Ukrainians remain deeply committed to the preservation of democracy and territorial integrity of Ukraine. They continue to place high value on national independence and the use of the Ukrainian language. This commitment is further supported by a strong sense of national identity and a desire to assist fellow citizens. Yet, these political and altruistic aspirations have not translated into a cohesive social fabric: young people display low levels of trust in others which undermines social cohesion in Ukraine.

These findings suggest that at this stage of the war hope and optimism that characterized the early months of the conflict are diminishing, replaced by increasing feelings of dissatisfaction among the youth. If this trend persists over the long term, there is a risk that many young people may choose to leave the country altogether, endangering the whole idea of a successful after-war reconstruction. 

At the same time, this widespread dissatisfaction could serve as a catalyst for action, particularly among young people who believe that they have the potential to bring about change. When individuals perceive that they can influence the current situation, their dissatisfaction with economic conditions may translate into heightened civic engagement or demands for reform. Therefore, it is important to foster a sense of agency among younger generations, as their belief in the possibility of change could drive meaningful progress in addressing systemic issues in Ukraine.

Possible measures may include comprehensive civic education programs in schools and universities teaching young people the importance of active citizenship and equipping them with the skills needed to participate in democratic processes. Practical initiatives, such as school self-government, community projects, and debates, can further enhance their engagement and understanding of societal change. Youth leadership initiatives can identify and mentor emerging leaders, providing them with resources, networks, and funding to implement community-driven solutions. Programs like entrepreneurship training, internships, and apprenticeships tied to public service or economic development can further help the youth play a direct role in addressing systemic issues.

Inclusive platforms that amplify young voices and foster transparency are also necessary. Establishing youth councils or advisory boards at local and national levels can ensure young people are part of decision-making processes, while digital tools and campaigns can encourage active participation in policy discussions. Furthermore, anti-corruption education campaigns and the creation of technology and innovation hubs can further empower young people to tackle systemic problems head-on. 

With these measures, policymakers can nurture a sense of agency among younger generations, enabling them to lead transformative change within their communities and beyond.