A worrying trend has been recorded in Ukraine: more than 60,000 elderly citizens receive monthly pension payments that do not even cover the subsistence minimum. These figures, provided in response to a request from RBC-Ukraine, were announced by the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU).
Scale of the Problem: Figures and Facts
As of April 1, 2026, a pension below the established threshold of 2,595 hryvnias is paid to 60,598 citizens. At first glance, this figure may seem insignificant against the backdrop of the total number of pensioners. The PFU clarifies that this represents only 0.6% of the total number of pension recipients.
However, considering the overall context, even this small percentage represents a serious social problem. The country has a total of about 10.2 million pensioners. Over the last decade, the number of elderly people receiving state support has decreased by approximately two million people.
Demographic Decline and Consequences of the War
The decline in the number of pensioners is explained by a combination of severe factors. Experts and fund representatives point to three main reasons: mass emigration, a prolonged demographic crisis, and the direct consequences of armed aggression. The war has not only reduced the population but also changed the structure of the pension system, creating new categories of benefit recipients.
Special attention in the PFU is paid to participants in combat operations. A special procedure for calculating service record applies to them: one year of service in the combat zone is equated to three years of general work experience. This provision is intended to compensate for the risks and difficult conditions of service, ensuring veterans receive more decent payments in the future.
Work Experience Abroad and Minimum Payments
Questions regarding work experience remain relevant for those forced to leave the country. It was previously reported that the period legally worked abroad could be counted towards the work record for Ukrainians. However, the possibility of such crediting is limited by the existence of international agreements: it is available only in countries with which Ukraine has signed relevant treaties.
The situation with minimum payments also requires attention. There is still a category of citizens in the country whose pension is less than 300 hryvnias. These minimum amounts, paid to a portion of pensioners, remain one of the most pressing issues on the social agenda, highlighting inequality in the pension system.