How Trump’s statements change the expectations and public attitudes of Ukrainians – research
20 January 17:15
According to the latest wave of the “Degree of Society in Time of War” survey conducted by Gradus Research on December 23-25, 2024, Ukrainians’ expectations for the end of the war in 2025 have increased significantly. Earlier, 26% of respondents believed that the war could end by the end of 2025, but now this share has increased to 37%. According to the researchers, such changes are related to the rhetoric of US President-elect Donald Trump, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
The situation on the labor market
The study shows a significant recovery in the Ukrainian labor market. While in March 2022, only 24% of Ukrainians were employed, this figure now exceeds 65%. The highest employment rate is observed among people aged 25-54 – about 70%. At the same time, 27% of respondents remain unemployed, mostly young people aged 18-24 and people of pre-retirement age.
More than half of the Ukrainians surveyed note a decrease in wages compared to the pre-war period, and only a quarter have maintained the same level of income. At the same time, there is an interesting trend: younger workers are more likely to report an increase in earnings, while the older generation is more likely to report a decrease.
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Migration and social attitudes
Despite the difficult situation, most Ukrainians do not plan to leave the country. According to the survey, 60% of respondents do not intend to leave the territory of Ukraine or move within the country even if the situation worsens.

The emotional state of society remains tense. The most common emotions among Ukrainians are fatigue (52%), tension (42%) and irritation (32%). Many also feel hopeful, powerless, and frustrated (31% each). Interestingly, fear, which one might expect to be at the top of the list, is only in seventh place (27%).

Belief in victory and a look to the future
Despite all the difficulties, 53% of respondents remain confident in Ukraine’s ability to repel a Russian attack. 42% of respondents believe that the country will become stronger after the war.
Opinions are divided as to the timing of the restoration of normal life: 38% believe that it will take more than 5 years, 19% predict a period of up to 5 years, 13% expect recovery within 1-2 years, and 15% hope it will happen within a year.
Compared to last year, the share of those who believe that the war will end by the end of 2025 has increased significantly. Last summer, 26% of respondents thought so, and now 37% of respondents think so.

At the same time, Ukrainians have different views on how long it will take to return to normal life after the war. The majority of respondents – 38% – believe that recovery will take more than five years. 19% of respondents are less pessimistic and predict a recovery period of up to five years. At the same time, 13% believe in a relatively quick recovery within one to two years, and 15% are the most optimistic, expecting a return to normal life within the first year after the war.
Trust in institutions and the language issue
The trend of switching to Ukrainian in everyday communication also continues: the share of citizens who use Ukrainian in everyday life has increased from 53% in April 2022 to 69% at the end of 2024.

The level of trust in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, volunteer organizations, and the President of Ukraine remains high.
According to Yevheniia Blyzniuk, founder and director of Gradus Research, Ukrainian society is showing signs of adaptation to the prolonged war, although it remains emotionally exhausted.
“The society has generally accepted the realities of the marathon of a long war, but reacts sensitively and hopefully to any hints of its possible end,”
– said the sociologist.
The survey was conducted by self-administered questionnaires in the Gradus mobile application among 1,100 respondents aged 18-60 in cities with a population of more than 50,000, excluding the temporarily occupied territories and active combat zones.