The Ninth nationwide poll: socio-economic problems during the war (April 26, 2022)

• Since the beginning of April, the share of those who plan to return home has slightly decreased (from 29% to 22%). Instead, the share of the respondents who would like to return, but a little later, has increased (from 24% to 31%). The share of those who intend to return home, but after the war is over, has not changed (43%).

 

• A gradual increase of the number of Ukrainians returning to work can be seen. Currently, 59% of those who had a job before the war continue to work (this share was 46% in March). In particular, the number of those who are working in the usual mode has increased (from 23% to 32%). 24% are working part-time or remotely, and 3% started at a new job. Most of those who are working now are the residents of the western and central regions (about 60%). The share of the residents of the South of Ukraine who are working is 52%, and the one of the residents of the East of Ukraine is about 40%. The gradual recovery of employment is observed in the Center, South and East of Ukraine. In the West of Ukraine, on the other hand, the situation with employment has stabilized since the beginning of April.

 

• At the same time, 39% of those who were employed before the war still do not have a job (this share was 53% in March and 41% in early April).

 

• Half of the respondents (54%) who lost their jobs during the war believe that they will be able to return to their previous jobs. 40% do not think so. The shares of the latter ones are the highest among the rural residents, the senior respondents and women. 

 

• An important finding is that two thirds of the respondents who lost their jobs as a result of the war are willing to change jobs. 58% of the respondents who lost their jobs do not mind retraining for another occupation, and 49% are ready to work in another region of Ukraine. Most of those who are ready to change their occupations and jobs are among the residents of the eastern regions of Ukraine.

• 70% of the respondents support the possible mobilization of conscripts of certain occupations to rebuilding the country instead of serving in the army. 6% do not support this. Older respondents are more often in favor of such an initiative, while young people are relatively less supportive.

 

• 55% heard about the “Gardens of Victory” initiative (28% heard a lot, 27% heard something). 45% don’t know anything about it. 82% assess this idea positively.

 

• 56% of the respondents said they have a plot of land and plan to plant a garden this year, while 9% do not have their own land, but also plan to plant with relatives or friends. Only 8% said they have a garden, but will not plant anything. Another quarter of the respondents don’t have land plots. Most of those who are going to plant gardens are the residents of the West and the Center of the country. The share of the respondents who are going to plant gardens is 83% among the rural residents, 65% among the residents of small towns, and 50% among the residents of regional centers.

 

• 33% said they attended church on Easter, while 67% did not. This is a higher share than during the first quarantine (in April 2020), but lower than before 2020. The highest shares of those who went to church on Easter are among the residents of the western regions of Ukraine and among the rural population.