Ukraine has faced severe disruption to basic services and human capital due to the ongoing conflict, putting its prospects for economic growth and job creation at risk. Between February 2022 and December 2025, 55,600 civilian casualties were recorded, with 5.9 million refugees and 3.3 million internally displaced by January 2026. The conflict, coupled with deteriorating economic conditions, rising poverty, and mass displacement, has placed immense pressure on social protection systems, resulting in unprecedented demand for support.
The humanitarian impact includes a major health crisis, with vaccine-preventable diseases resurfacing and chronic illnesses increasing sharply among working-age populations. Mental health issues affect over 80 percent of adults, and war-related trauma has caused significant learning losses, with Ukraine’s PISA scores dropping by 38 points between 2018 and 2022. Poverty has risen from 20 percent in 2021 to nearly 37 percent in 2025, leaving around 9 million people in urgent need of assistance.
The Government of Ukraine, supported by the World Bank, has worked to sustain essential services and implement reforms in health, education, and social protection despite the conflict. Through $3.2 billion in financing, the World Bank has supported infrastructure investments, modernization of service delivery, and reforms to improve efficiency and coverage in education, health, and social assistance. Programs include the New Ukrainian School reform, modernization of medical guarantees, and structural reforms in social assistance.
Between 2022 and 2025, these initiatives benefited millions of Ukrainians: hundreds of thousands of students received new textbooks and teacher training, millions accessed primary healthcare, subsidized medicines, rehabilitation, mental health services, and social assistance payments. These interventions have preserved human capital, strengthened system resilience, and laid the foundation for recovery, directly contributing to the World Bank’s global targets in health, education, and social protection.
The Bank’s approach emphasizes sustaining essential government services during conflict as a cost-effective strategy to prevent long-term losses. Co-financing with other international financial institutions and donor coordination through platforms like SPIRIT has enhanced resource mobilization and technical assistance. Solar power installations, like at the Myrotske Family Medicine Clinic, have ensured uninterrupted healthcare services during electricity disruptions, demonstrating innovative solutions in crisis settings.
Looking ahead, the World Bank continues to support Ukraine in developing a comprehensive recovery plan focused on private-sector-led growth and job creation. Strengthening human capital through high-quality health, education, and social safety nets remains central to Ukraine’s post-conflict economic recovery and resilience.
