--- title: "A 55,000 UAH Gap: Where Ukraine Pays the Most, Where the Least, and Why Food Prices Are Dropping" description: "πŸ“Š The wage gap between IT and medicine in Ukraine has exceeded 55,000 UAH! πŸ“‰ At the same time, food is getting cheaper: the seasonal harvest and falling egg prices are surprising economists. Read the full statistics by region and industry. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸ₯¦" date: 2026-07-01T18:38:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/wage-gap-in-ukraine-may-2026-statistics-industry-disparity-en tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # A 55,000 UAH Gap: Where Ukraine Pays the Most, Where the Least, and Why Food Prices Are Dropping ### Record Wage Gap and an Unexpected Trend on the Shelves The economic situation in Ukraine is demonstrating a contradictory but interesting dynamic. On the one hand, statistics record a growth in wages; on the other, they reveal colossal inequality between regions and industries. Meanwhile, the consumer market is witnessing a phenomenon that contradicts the established belief in a direct link between income growth and inflation. According to fresh data from the State Statistics Service, the average wage in the country in May reached 30,961 UAH. This is 1.5% higher than the previous month. However, behind this average figure lies the real picture, where the "average temperature in the hospital" does not reflect the income of a specific citizen. ### Geography of Income: From the Capital to the Regions The level of citizens' well-being depends directly on their place of residence. The capital remains the leader in labor remuneration. In Kyiv, the average wage reached an impressive 47,115 UAH. In second place is the Kyiv region, where the average worker's check is 32,374 UAH. These figures significantly exceed the national average, demonstrating economic concentration in the capital region. ### From IT to Medicine: A Gap of 55,000 An even more dramatic picture emerges when analyzing the industry structure. The gap between the highest-paid and lowest-paid sectors of activity has reached critical levels. The absolute leader became the information and telecommunications sector. Workers in the IT sector and telecommunications receive an average of 76,997 UAH. At the opposite pole is the healthcare and social assistance sector, where the average wage is only 21,554 UAH. Thus, the difference between these sectors exceeds 55,000 UAH. ### The Shadow Side of Statistics: Wage Arrears Despite the growth of official indicators, systemic problems remain in the economy. According to State Statistics Service data as of June 1, 2026, the total arrears for wage payments in Ukraine reached 3.8 billion UAH. This indicates that for a portion of workers, the statistical growth of income remains only on paper. ### Market Paradox: Wages Are Rising, Food Is Cheaper Contrary to the common belief that wage growth inevitably pulls up food prices, the opposite trend is being recorded in Ukraine. A decrease in the cost of certain goods is observed on store shelves. The main driver of this process is the arrival of the new harvest. Seasonal vegetables and fruits have become more affordable: over the last week, cucumbers, zucchini, as well as cherries and apricots, have become cheaper the most. Changes have also affected basic food products. A decrease in egg prices has been recorded in supermarkets. At the same time, the cost of buckwheat, milk, and sunflower oil has remained predominantly stable, which helps stabilize the consumer basket in the current conditions of economic uncertainty.