Quality of Life of the Population of Ukraine Under Crisis Challenges: A Comparative Analysis with EU Countries

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality of life of the population of Ukraine under crisis challenges by assessing key socio-economic indicators in comparison with European Union countries and identifying structural imbalances that hinder the formation of a sustainable model of human development under wartime risks. The methodological framework of the study is based on general scientific and special methods of economic analysis, including the systemic approach, comparative analysis, indicator-based approach, statistical comparison method, graphical method, methods of generalization, and analytical interpretation of results. To assess the quality of life, internationally recognized indicators were employed, including the Human Development Index (HDI), life expectancy at birth, gross national income per capita at purchasing power parity (GNI per capita, PPP), as well as the Legatum Prosperity Index as a comprehensive measure of well-being and socio-economic resilience. The study substantiates the expediency of considering quality of life not only as a social indicator of population well-being, but also as an integral criterion for assessing the resilience of the state's socio-economic system under crisis transformations. A comparative analysis of Ukraine and selected EU countries, namely Poland, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, was conducted, as these countries represent different social policy models, levels of economic development, and institutional capacity. It has been established that the full-scale war has caused a significant deterioration in the key parameters of quality of life in Ukraine, manifested in a decline in the Human Development Index, reduced life expectancy, declining household incomes, and a worsening investment environment. At the same time, certain areas of relative resilience have been identified, including education, healthcare, social capital, and living conditions, indicating the adaptive potential of the national socio-economic system. It has been proven that the main structural constraints to ensuring an adequate quality of life in Ukraine remain institutional weakness, low economic resilience, insufficient investment attractiveness, and a high level of external risks. The findings provide an analytical basis for substantiating state policy priorities in the areas of post-war recovery, human development, and strengthening the socio-economic resilience of Ukraine in the context of European integration.