Socio-economic inequality of the population in Ukraine: Challenges and prospects for ensuring resilience

Socio-economic inequality in Ukraine, in the face of new challenges, particularly military aggression, has become especially pressing, as these factors significantly exacerbate existing imbalances in income and access to basic resources. These challenges not only increase poverty levels but also create additional barriers to equal access to education, healthcare services, and other essential goods. Research on this issue is crucial for shaping a resilience-focused development strategy and achieving social justice, which is fundamental to the harmonious development of society. The aim of this study was to examine socio-economic inequality in Ukraine within the context of contemporary global and domestic challenges, as well as to substantiate promising approaches to enhancing resilience by reducing this inequality. To achieve this objective, a wide range of methods was employed, including analysis and synthesis, statistical analysis, a comparative approach, as well as generalisation and forecasting techniques. According to research by the National Institute for Strategic Studies (NISS), the level of socio-economic inequality in Ukraine is relatively lower than in most European Union countries. High levels of unreported income may distort the true picture of inequality. Key contributing factors include income disparities, unequal access to education, healthcare, and housing. Military aggression has significantly worsened the situation, leading to rising poverty and declining economic activity. Addressing socio-economic inequality requires comprehensive social policy reforms, particularly the strengthening of targeted assistance and the promotion of economic recovery, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens. The practical significance of this study lies in its potential to support the formulation of effective policy decisions and the development of programmes aimed at reducing socio- economic inequality, particularly in the context of military aggression