Work remains Ukrainians’ main anchor — 2026 Quality of Life Barometer findings

03/ 08/ 2026

In the fifth year of the full-scale war, Ukrainians continue to demonstrate a relatively stable perception of the quality of life in the country. Among the factors shaping overall life satisfaction in Ukraine, respondents rate job satisfaction the highest, while security and the environment continue to receive the lowest scores. These are the findings of the 2026 Quality of Life Barometer, conducted by the European Business Association in partnership with the research company Gradus. The study covers two audiences: the general public and the business audience, represented by employees of EBA member companies. In 2026, 68% of respondents from the business audience are satisfied with their current job, including opportunities for self-fulfilment, work-life balance, and the protection of labour rights. Only 10% report being dissatisfied. Among the general public, 29% positively assess their job, while 33% express dissatisfaction. At the same time, 61% of employees at EBA member companies say their employers continue to provide additional support in response to the war. Among the general public, this figure stands at 41%. The key factors helping employers retain staff within the business audience remain: the opportunity to work remotely — 61%; a friendly working atmosphere — 44%; strong relationships with managers — 36%; comfortable and safe working conditions — 33%. 47% of business respondents consider their income sufficient for a good quality of life, while 7% describe it as more than sufficient. By contrast, among the general public, only 14% consider their income sufficient, while 86% believe it is insufficient. 52% of business respondents are satisfied with the quality of their social life, including communication with others, volunteering, and leisure activities. The share of dissatisfied respondents is 26%. Among the general public, 30% are satisfied with their social life, while 37% are dissatisfied.The sense of security remains the most critical area. Among EBA respondents, 77% are dissatisfied with the current level of security, while only 8% are satisfied. Among the general public, 71% are dissatisfied and 8% are satisfied. Compared to 2025, no significant improvement in perceptions of security has been recorded.The healthcare system receives the highest ratings among the social indicators: 52% of the business audience are satisfied with the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, compared with 20% who are dissatisfied; among the general public, 21% positively assess the healthcare system, while 40% rate it negatively. The education system received the following assessments: 33% of EBA respondents are satisfied; 26% of the general public are satisfied. 24% of business respondents positively assess the countrys legal and regulatory environment, while 52% remain dissatisfied. Among the general public, 14% are satisfied with the legal environment, while 54% are dissatisfied. Assessments of the environmental situation remain critically low: only 14% of EBA respondents and 9% of the general public assess the environmental situation positively; meanwhile, 69% of the business audience and 63% of the general public are dissatisfied with the state of the environment. Overall, taking all factors into account, 29% of business respondents are satisfied with their overall quality of life in Ukraine, 36% give a neutral assessment, and 35% are dissatisfied. Among the general public, 17% are satisfied, 38% assess their quality of life as neutral, and 45% remain dissatisfied. The highest levels of life satisfaction are observed among young people aged 16–24, with 24% satisfied compared to 28% dissatisfied. Anna Derevyanko. Executive Director of the European Business Association. For many years now, Ukrainian business has played a much broader role than simply being an employer. Companies support their employees, assist local communities, implement social initiatives, invest in security, and contribute to the country′s economic resilience even under exceptionally challenging circumstances. The findings of this study confirm that a high-quality working environment remains one of the key drivers of life satisfaction. At the same time, we see that perceptions of security in the context of the full-scale war continue to be the greatest challenge facing society. Yevheniia Blyzniuk. Sociologist, Founder, and СЕО of Gradus Research. This year′s findings confirm that work remains one of the few areas where people still experience stability, a sense of control, and the ability to influence their own lives. At the same time, the considerable gap between the assessments of the business audience and the general public demonstrates how strongly the quality of the working environment, employer support, and sufficient income shape people′s overall sense of well-being. In a situation where security, the environment, and the legal framework continue to receive predominantly critical assessments, a responsible employer effectively becomes an important source of resilience for individuals. However, business cannot fully compensate for systemic risks — meaningful improvements in quality of life require changes at the level of public institutions and the broader social environment. The full research report is available via the link. For reference: The Quality of Life Barometer (known as the Happiness Barometer of Ukraine until 2022) is an annual survey conducted by the European Business Association since 2018. The research partner is the research company Gradus. The general public sample comprised 1,000 respondents aged 16 and over living in Ukrainian cities with populations exceeding 50,000 (excluding temporarily occupied territories and areas of active hostilities), while the business audience included 417 representatives of EBA member companies. Fieldwork was conducted in June 2026.

These are the findings of the 2026 Quality of Life Barometer, conducted by the European Business Association in partnership with the research company Gradus. The study covers two audiences: the general public and the business audience, represented by employees of EBA member companies.

In 2026, 68% of respondents from the business audience are satisfied with their current job, including opportunities for self-fulfilment, work-life balance, and the protection of labour rights. Only 10% report being dissatisfied.

Among the general public, 29% positively assess their job, while 33% express dissatisfaction.

At the same time, 61% of employees at EBA member companies say their employers continue to provide additional support in response to the war. Among the general public, this figure stands at 41%.

The key factors helping employers retain staff within the business audience remain:

the opportunity to work remotely — 61%;
a friendly working atmosphere — 44%;
strong relationships with managers — 36%;
comfortable and safe working conditions — 33%.

47% of business respondents consider their income sufficient for a good quality of life, while 7% describe it as more than sufficient.

By contrast, among the general public, only 14% consider their income sufficient, while 86% believe it is insufficient.

52% of business respondents are satisfied with the quality of their social life, including communication with others, volunteering, and leisure activities. The share of dissatisfied respondents is 26%.

Among the general public, 30% are satisfied with their social life, while 37% are dissatisfied.The sense of security remains the most critical area.

Among EBA respondents, 77% are dissatisfied with the current level of security, while only 8% are satisfied.
Among the general public, 71% are dissatisfied and 8% are satisfied.

Compared to 2025, no significant improvement in perceptions of security has been recorded.The healthcare system receives the highest ratings among the social indicators:

52% of the business audience are satisfied with the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, compared with 20% who are dissatisfied;
among the general public, 21% positively assess the healthcare system, while 40% rate it negatively.

The education system received the following assessments:

33% of EBA respondents are satisfied;
26% of the general public are satisfied.

24% of business respondents positively assess the country’s legal and regulatory environment, while 52% remain dissatisfied.

Among the general public, 14% are satisfied with the legal environment, while 54% are dissatisfied.

Assessments of the environmental situation remain critically low:

only 14% of EBA respondents and 9% of the general public assess the environmental situation positively;
meanwhile, 69% of the business audience and 63% of the general public are dissatisfied with the state of the environment.

Overall, taking all factors into account, 29% of business respondents are satisfied with their overall quality of life in Ukraine, 36% give a neutral assessment, and 35% are dissatisfied.

Among the general public, 17% are satisfied, 38% assess their quality of life as neutral, and 45% remain dissatisfied.

The highest levels of life satisfaction are observed among young people aged 16–24, with 24% satisfied compared to 28% dissatisfied.

Anna Derevyanko Executive Director of the European Business Association

For many years now, Ukrainian business has played a much broader role than simply being an employer. Companies support their employees, assist local communities, implement social initiatives, invest in security, and contribute to the country′s economic resilience even under exceptionally challenging circumstances. The findings of this study confirm that a high-quality working environment remains one of the key drivers of life satisfaction. At the same time, we see that perceptions of security in the context of the full-scale war continue to be the greatest challenge facing society.

Yevheniia Blyzniuk Sociologist, Founder, and СЕО of Gradus Research

This year′s findings confirm that work remains one of the few areas where people still experience stability, a sense of control, and the ability to influence their own lives. At the same time, the considerable gap between the assessments of the business audience and the general public demonstrates how strongly the quality of the working environment, employer support, and sufficient income shape people′s overall sense of well-being. In a situation where security, the environment, and the legal framework continue to receive predominantly critical assessments, a responsible employer effectively becomes an important source of resilience for individuals. However, business cannot fully compensate for systemic risks — meaningful improvements in quality of life require changes at the level of public institutions and the broader social environment.

The full research report is available via the link.

For reference:

The Quality of Life Barometer (known as the Happiness Barometer of Ukraine until 2022) is an annual survey conducted by the European Business Association since 2018. The research partner is the research company Gradus.

The general public sample comprised 1,000 respondents aged 16 and over living in Ukrainian cities with populations exceeding 50,000 (excluding temporarily occupied territories and areas of active hostilities), while the business audience included 417 representatives of EBA member companies. Fieldwork was conducted in June 2026.