Will Ukrainian teachers receive significant salary increases? An in-depth analysis and realistic prospects
Amid recent political and economic developments in Ukraine, the issue of increasing teachers’ salaries has once again come to the forefront of public attention and remains largely in the realm of promises.
The Verkhovna Rada recently approved amendments to the 2026 budget project, which include substantial funding increases for the education sector, especially for teachers’ wages.
According to Serhiy Babak, head of the parliamentary Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, 53 billion hryvnias were reallocated within the budget from a separate program to an educational subsidy, enabling a significant rise in teachers’ remuneration.
He assured that ‘wages will definitely increase,’ emphasizing that the government is working on securing the necessary funds.
Despite many educators already skeptical based on past unfulfilled promises, experts remain cautious about the actual implementation.
Moreover, discussions are ongoing in parliament regarding various scenarios: a 30% raise starting January, up to 50% increase next year, or increasing wages to three minimum wages starting September.
The question remains open and depends on negotiations between the government and the Ministry of Finance.
Although campaign promises aim at raising the average teacher salary by 50%, social policy analysts warn that simply increasing pay does not solve the core problems.
Data indicates that over the past two years of full-scale war, more than 40,000 teachers have left the profession, and by 2030, another 40% are expected to depart in search of better opportunities.
This casts doubt on the nation’s ability to swiftly and fully address educational funding issues, even amid political promises.