Are Ukrainians Getting Richer?

In March, the average monthly income in Ukraine reached UAH 354.81, which is a 7.9% increase over February, Interfax-Ukraine cites Ukraine’s Ministry for the Economy and Integration with Europe. Among the regions, the highest average income of UAH 599.9 (+7.2%) was registered in Kyiv, with Donetsk region coming next with UAH 441.61 (+10.1%). Ternopil and Volyn regions posted the lowest average monthly incomes of UAH 219.83 (+10%) and UAH 235.16 (+9.9%) respectively. In the Crimea the average income in March was up 9.8% over February and reached UAH 331.24. Across the economy the highest average incomes were registered in the financial sector at UAH 902 (+5.4%), oil processing with UAH 757.62 (+5.5%), and the mining industry with UAH 594.62 (+8.3%). The lowest wages were in the agriculture and hunting with UAH 153.53 (+15.2%), in the culture and sports sector with UAH 217.62 (+9.8%) as well as garment workers with UAH 229.58 (+2.1%). In March, the average incomes in the industry and public administration were UAH 462.3 (+8.6%) and UAH 462.11 (+11.2%) respectively. As of April 1, wage arrears across the economy were down 4.7% to UAH 2.5111 billion. Across the economy, industry accounts for UAH 1.395 billion (-5.2%) in unpaid wages, with back pay in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts totaling UAH 670.9 million (-4.7%) and UAH 309.5 million (- 4.6%) respectively. Wage arrears in the public sector totaled UAH 31.9 million (-42.1%).