Between 2014 and 2018, reforms remained consistently on the agenda. While informed foreigners are impressed by Ukraine’s progress, most Ukrainians are dissatisfied with the pace of reform. This discontent could lead to the electoral success of revanchist forces and the rollback of achievements — since no reform is irreversible. Reforms require protection, particularly by citizens. But to prevent a rollback, citizens need to understand the essence of the reforms and their expected outcomes.

The White Book of Reforms 2018 informs Ukrainians about major reform successes — most notably in the banking sector, energy, decentralization, and public procurement. At the same time, new challenges have emerged, including labor shortage in Ukraine and rising global protectionism. The book was prepared by the Kyiv School of Economics. We are publishing it on the Vox Ukraine website, as many of its co-authors are members of the Vox Ukraine editorial board and experts with the Reform Index project.

Introduction

Part I. Most Prominent Reforms in Selected Areas
Monetary Policy and the Banking Sector
Pension System
Education
Healthcare
Energy
Agriculture and Land Market
Law Enforcement and Judiciary
Decentralization
Public Procurement
Impact of Reforms

Part II. Risks, Challenges, and Opportunities
Likely Challenge: A Full-Scale Trade War
Current Challenge: Labor Shortage

We sincerely thank Kseniia Alekankina, Svitlana Denysenko, and Pavlo Tsaruk for their significant contribution to the creation of this book.

Editor: Ilona Sologoub
Book Design: Olha Kram

The White Book of Reforms 2018 is part of a broader ongoing initiative aimed at providing a comprehensive review of reforms in Ukraine. All previous editions of the White Book, dating back to 2017, are available here.