Self-assessment of happiness of Ukrainians during the war: survey data
Photo: about 70% of Ukrainians consider themselves happy (RBC-Ukraine, Vitaliy Nosach)
As of May 2023, 70% of Ukrainians consider themselves happy despite over a year of full-scale war, while 15% do not, according to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).
Thus, the figures have remained almost unchanged. In December 2021, on the eve of the invasion, 71% of Ukrainians considered themselves happy, while 15% did not.
KIIS сomments
As Deputy Director of KIIS, Anton Hrushetskyi noted, self-assessment of happiness is an important social indicator of the population's well-being and an indirect measure of "resilience" during a problematic wartime period.
Other surveys by KIIS show a number of negative consequences for average Ukrainians due to the Russian invasion: 78% report injuries or deaths of relatives or friends, 64% mention income reduction, and 29% experienced job loss. Additionally, 64% note a deterioration in mental health, and 55% mention physical health deterioration.
"Therefore, it is crucial that the happiness indicator has remained almost unchanged overall and among specific population groups. Despite the hardships and challenges, Ukrainians find ways to adapt to the difficult reality and move forward," he added.
The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology surveyed from May 26 to June 5, 2023, among 984 respondents. The survey did not include the territories of Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbas territories or citizens who left the country after February 24, 2022.
According to KIIS data, self-assessment of well-being by the population has remained largely stable after the Russian invasion.
At the same time, objectively, the financial situation of Ukrainians has significantly worsened since the start of the war. A recent KIIS survey shows that 64% of Ukrainians experience income reduction, and 27% have lost their jobs due to the invasion, with a significant number also experiencing property and housing losses.
