The International Labour Organization continued its support to Ukraine’s labour and social protection reforms through a mission led by Helmut Schwarzer from the ILO Social Protection Department in Geneva. During his visit to Kyiv, Schwarzer met with national institutions, social partners, and international organizations to advance ongoing analytical work aimed at informing the government’s pension reform efforts. Discussions included an in-depth exchange with Denys Ulutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, who outlined the government’s vision for a resilient and forward-looking social protection system that strengthens both people and the wider economy.
The ILO presented its preliminary analysis of the financial sustainability of Ukraine’s solidarity pension system, highlighting significant long-term challenges driven by demographic decline and a shrinking contributor base—trends exacerbated by the full-scale invasion. Despite these pressures, the analysis indicates that systemic reforms could help stabilize the pension system and bring it closer to international standards and expectations associated with EU integration.
As Ukraine progresses toward EU membership, the ILO is prioritizing support that aligns the country’s pension reforms with the standards outlined in ILO Convention No. 102 on Minimum Standards in Social Security. This includes efforts to expand coverage, enhance adequacy, ensure financial sustainability, and promote the transition to formal employment. Schwarzer emphasized that pension reform must balance sustainability, coverage, and adequacy to build a fair system capable of supporting future generations as well as today’s retirees.
