World Happiness Report for Ukraine 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Ukraine: 105
- Happiness Score Ukraine:4.873
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Ukraine. UA.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic political structure. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional folk art, music, and dance. Ukraine is also a significant agricultural and industrial country, with a diverse economy.
- Ukraine is the largest country in Europe by land area.
- The capital city of Ukraine is Kiev, which is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe.
- Ukraine is home to the world’s deepest subway station, Arsenalna, which is 105.5 meters deep.
Ukraine – A Comprehensive Overview
History
Early History: The territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since ancient times, with the first major civilization being the Trypillian culture that flourished around 5000-2700 BC. Later, the region was home to various nomadic groups, including the Scythians, Sarmatians, and Goths.
Kingdoms and Empires: In the 9th century, the Kyivan Rus’ state emerged, with its capital in Kyiv, and was one of the most powerful medieval states in Europe. The Kyivan Rus’ later fragmented, and parts of modern Ukraine came under the control of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Kingdom of Poland, and the Ottoman Empire.
Colonial Period: In the 17th and 18th centuries, much of modern Ukraine was incorporated into the Russian Empire, with the western regions becoming part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Independence and Modern Era: After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Ukraine briefly gained independence before being absorbed into the Soviet Union. During World War II, Ukraine suffered immense losses and destruction. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine regained its independence and has since been working to establish itself as a democratic, market-oriented state, despite challenges such as the Crimean crisis and ongoing conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region.
Current Political Situation: Ukraine is a semi-presidential republic with a democratically elected president and parliament. The current president is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took office in 2019. Ukraine has been working towards closer integration with the European Union and NATO, but faces ongoing tensions with Russia.
International Relations: Ukraine has close ties with the European Union and the United States, but its relationship with Russia has been strained since the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine is also a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Human Development and Economy: Ukraine has a diverse economy, with major industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. However, the country faces challenges such as corruption, economic instability, and the need for structural reforms. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has made progress in human development indicators, such as education and healthcare.
Cultural Highlights: Ukraine has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from both East and West. The country is known for its traditional folk arts, such as embroidery and pottery, as well as its contributions to literature, music, and architecture. The Ukrainian language and Eastern Orthodox Christianity are important elements of the country’s cultural identity.
Ukraine faces ongoing challenges related to the war with Russia since 2022, economic instability, and the need for further democratic and economic reforms. However, the country also has opportunities for growth and development, particularly through closer integration with the European Union and efforts to attract foreign investment and foster innovation.
Main facts
Location
Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the east and northeast, Belarus to the northwest, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south.
Map References
Ukraine is located in the region of Eastern Europe.
Area – Comparative
With an area of 603,550 square kilometers, Ukraine is slightly smaller than the state of Texas in the United States.
Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Ukraine has a total of 4,663 kilometers of land borders with the following countries:
- Russia – 1,576 km
- Belarus – 891 km
- Poland – 535 km
- Romania – 608 km
- Moldova – 939 km
- Hungary – 103 km
- Slovakia – 97 km
Coastline (if applicable)
Ukraine has a total coastline of 2,782 kilometers, which includes the coastlines of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Maritime Claims
Ukraine claims the following maritime zones:
- Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
- Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
- Continental shelf: 200 meters or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
Ukraine has a predominantly continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The southern regions have a more temperate climate due to their proximity to the Black Sea.
Terrain
Ukraine has a diverse landscape featuring flat plains in the central and eastern regions, the Carpathian Mountains in the west, and the Crimean Mountains in the south. The Dnieper River, one of the major rivers in Europe, flows through the country.
Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Ukraine is Hoverla Hill at 2,061 meters, located in the Carpathian Mountains. The lowest point is the Black Sea at 0 meters.
Natural Resources
Ukraine’s major natural resources include coal, iron ore, natural gas, manganese, salt, oil, graphite, titanium, and nickel.
Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Ukraine include:
- Black Sea (shared with Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, and Russia)
- Sea of Azov (shared with Russia)
- Dnieper River
- Dniester River (shared with Moldova)
- Desna River
- Donets River
Natural Hazards
The primary natural hazards in Ukraine include:
- Flooding (especially in the Dnieper River basin)
- Earthquakes (in the Crimean Peninsula and the Carpathian Mountains)
- Landslides
- Droughts (in the southern and eastern regions)
Geography – Notes
Ukraine’s strategic location between Europe and Russia, as well as its access to the Black Sea, has played a significant role in shaping its history and geopolitical significance. The country’s diverse landscape and natural resources have also influenced its economic development.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 16.70%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 202,25. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 71.70%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 48.37943331.16558.
- Capital: The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv
- Major Cities:
- Kyiv – Population: 2,950,819
- Kharkiv – Population: 1,433,424
- Odessa – Population: 1,003,705
- Dnipro – Population: 980,378
- Donetsk – Population: 933,914
- Population: 44,385,155
- Area(Km2): 603550
- Population Density( P/Km²):75. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:380
- Official Language(s):Ukraine is Ukrainian (67.5%).
- Currency: UAH
Main Economic Indicators
Ukraine has a market economy with limited government intervention and significant potential for future growth. Its GDP per capita was $3,693 in 2021, ranking 128th globally. The economy relies heavily on agriculture, with major industries including coal, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, food processing, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, and construction materials. Key economic challenges include corruption, lack of economic and judicial reforms, an aging infrastructure, and ongoing conflict with Russia in the Donbas region.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
- 2021: 9.4% (Source: State Statistics Service of Ukraine)
- 2020: 2.7% (Source: State Statistics Service of Ukraine)
Credit Ratings
- Fitch: B- (Stable)
- Moody’s: B3 (Stable)
- Standard & Poor’s: B (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 10.8%
Industry: 23.6%
Services: 51.4%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Grains, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables, beef, milk
Industrial Products: Coal, electric power, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing
Labor Force
Labor Force (2021): 16.59 million (Ranked 34th globally)
Current Account Balance
Current Account Balance (2021): -$3.29 billion (Ranked 146th globally)
Exports and Imports
Exports (2021): $68.25 billion
Key Partners: China, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Italy
Main Exports: Iron, steel, mining products, agricultural products, machinery
Imports (2021): $89.64 billion
Key Partners: China, Germany, Russia, Poland, Belarus
Main Imports: Mineral products, machinery, chemicals, transportation equipment, plastics
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold (April 2022): $27.04 billion
- GDP (Current US$):$153,781,069,118. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 20.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 45.20%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.83. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.84. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 8.88%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
National Identity
Nationality (noun): Ukrainian (plural: Ukrainians)
Nationality (adjective): Ukrainian
Ethnic Groups
• Ukrainians: 77.8%
• Russians: 17.3%
• Others (including Belarusians, Moldovans, Crimean Tatars, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Romanians, Poles, Jews, Armenians, Greeks): 4.9%
Religions
• Orthodox Christian: 67.3%
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate): 12.8%
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate): 19.1%
• Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church: 1.7%
• Protestant: 2.2%
• Roman Catholic: 0.8%
• Muslim: 0.6%
• Jewish: 0.5%
• Other: 2.7%
• Unaffiliated: 23.1%
Age Structure
• 0-14 years: 15.85%
• 15-64 years: 68.76%
• 65 years and over: 15.39%
Dependency Ratios
• Total dependency ratio: 45.5
• Youth dependency ratio: 21.8
• Elderly dependency ratio: 23.7
Median Age
• Total: 40.9 years
• Male: 38 years
• Female: 43.8 years
Lifestyle Indicators
• Obesity rate (% of adult population): 24.1%
• Alcohol consumption (liters of pure alcohol per capita): 8.6
• Smoking prevalence (% of adults): 22.8%
• Life expectancy at birth: 71.8 years
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 71.6. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 99.7%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:8.7. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:19. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.2. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 65.6%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 30,835,699. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):47.80%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Ukraine’s military consists of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces. The Army is the largest branch, while the Navy operates ships in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The Air Force operates a range of aircraft, including fighter jets and transport planes.
Internal security is maintained by the National Police of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine, a gendarmerie force that can support the military in times of crisis.
Military Expenditures
Ukraine’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2017: 3.8%
- 2018: 3.6%
- 2019: 3.2%
- 2020: 4.1%
- 2021: 4.2%
In 2021, Ukraine ranked 32nd globally in military spending.
Personnel Strengths
As of 2022, Ukraine has approximately 196,600 active-duty military personnel, broken down as follows:
- Army: 145,000
- Navy: 10,000
- Air Force: 35,000
- Special Operations Forces: 6,600
The National Guard of Ukraine has an additional 60,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Ukraine’s military equipment includes:
- Main Battle Tanks: T-64, T-72, T-80
- Armored Personnel Carriers: BTR-60, BTR-70, BTR-80
- Artillery: 2S1 Gvozdika, 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S19 Msta-S
- Fighter Aircraft: Su-27, MiG-29
- Transport Aircraft: An-26, An-30, Il-76
- Naval Ships: Frigates, Patrol Boats, Landing Craft
Ukraine is seeking to modernize its military through domestic production and imports, including Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and Western missile defense systems.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service in Ukraine is compulsory for males between 18 and 27 years of age, with a service period of 12 to 18 months. However, conscription has been suspended since 2013, and the military relies on contract servicemembers.
Military Deployments
Ukraine currently has military personnel deployed in several United Nations peacekeeping missions, including:
- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
- United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
- United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
Additionally, Ukrainian forces are engaged in ongoing combat operations against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
Strategic Military Notes
Ukraine’s defense strategy prioritizes territorial defense and deterring potential aggression, particularly from Russia. The military plays a crucial role in maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukraine is a partner country of NATO and cooperates with the alliance on security issues. It has also strengthened military ties with Western nations, including the United States and European Union members, in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
- Armed Forces Size: 900000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.99
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 54.20%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.