Facing a generation gap, Ukraine needs a national initiative to encourage Ukrainians to return

Ukraine requires a nationwide state-level initiative to attract back those who left during the war, as a demographic gap has emerged in the working-age population, says Monobank co-founder Oleh Gorokhovsky.

"Ukraine's most painful challenge now is to encourage people to return," said Gorokhovsky.

Ukraine faces a demographic gap in the 25 to 24 age group, a crucial cohort to the generation of Ukraine’s GDP. The state needs a strategy to motivate their return, including subsidies, government-backed return initiatives, effective reintegration, job opportunities, and ensuring proper education for their children. Restructuring the education system remains a complex process.

Transparency in conducting business remains a concern. Well-defined rules for entrepreneurs are essential. Only under such circumstances can businesses rejuvenate and new enterprises emerge. The lack of security and comprehension of violations (which are inevitable, due to imperfect legislation) hinder the growth of new small- and medium-sized enterprises. They are sensitive to the simplicity of doing business and security perceptions.

Read also: Interview with sociology professor on how the war will impact Ukraine’s demographics

Digitization poses another substantial challenge for the nation. The successes made under Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov are a source of great optimism. Nevertheless, it's imperative to recognize that we are still at the early stages in the digital interaction between citizens, businesses, and the state, though the advancements are well received and contribute to Ukraine's significant progress.

There are numerous crucial sectors that still need to be digitized, including customs, tax authorities, and electronic excise taxes. We need to keep the digital momentum and ensure that the nation’s digital transformation becomes an important issue. This will directly address systematic corruption stemming from legislative clashes, complex legal understandings, and the inability to comply with all legal provisions due to outdated laws. Undoubtedly, with continued effort, this challenge will be overcome.

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