Social changes in Ukraine for the last twenty years disclosed

Ilko Kucheriv Foundation Democratic Initiatives and Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine monitored social changes in Ukraine over the last twenty years.

On August 3, at a press conference organized by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Foundation Democratic Initiatives, many interesting results of the long-term project were revealed.

Each year, on average, 1,800 persons were questioned according to a representative selection representing the adult population of Ukraine (over 18).

The results show that the value priorities of Ukrainians in 2011 are nearly the same as in 1991: good health (4.85 points on the 5 point scale), good family (4.82), children’s well-being (4.73), material welfare (4.72).

The least significant values for Ukrainians include participation in the activity of political parties and public organizations (2.46) and participation in religious life (2.89).

In comparison to 1994, the significance of the following values have grown the most: good family (from 4.64 to 4.82), social recognition (from 3.97 to 4.17), interesting work (from 3.94 to 4.14), democratic development of the country (3.30 to 3.66), participation in the activity of political parties and public organizations (2.09 to 2.46).

The following values became less important for Ukrainians: a favorable moral and psychological climate in the society (from 4.49 down to 4.16), national-cultural revival (from 3.85 to 3.57), state independence of Ukraine (3.83 to 3.63), the possibility to criticize and control the decisions of the authorities (3.54 to 3.33).