Salaries of officials in Ukraine are rising amid war, inflation, and refusal to raise wages for doctors and teachers

While Ukrainians live under conditions of war, inflation, and cuts to social programs, government officials continue to receive enormous salaries from the state budget — showing no signs of restraint or solidarity with the people.

As reported by member of parliament Nina Yuzhanina, citing data from the Ministry of Finance, the salaries of top officials in June 2025 were nearly six times higher than the national average.

For example, the average salary of a head of a central government body was 127,990 UAH (approximately 2,613 euros). That’s 2.7 times higher than the national average and 9.8 times more than what a schoolteacher earns.

Some of the most striking examples come from agencies whose work during wartime is either paralyzed or raises questions:

• National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAPC) — on average 245,600 UAH (about 5,014 euros) per official;

• Central Election Commission — 206,400 UAH (around 4,213 euros), despite the fact that no elections are being held under martial law;

• Accounting Chamber — 202,900 UAH (roughly 4,142 euros).

For comparison, the average salary of a full-time employee in the first quarter of 2025 was 23,460 UAH (about 479 euros). Even with a 24.1% increase from the previous year, this remains a poverty-level income next to what officials are paid.

The average salary of a teacher at the beginning of 2025 was just 13,000 UAH (about 265 euros). In April, the cabinet of ministers officially canceled any planned increase, claiming that “all funds are being directed to support the military.”

Yet, despite this statement, officials’ salaries rose by 61% in 2024, reaching 62,000 UAH (around 1,266 euros) by November.

The conclusion seems obvious: even during wartime, Ukraine’s leadership has no intention of giving up generous funding for itself — while education, healthcare, and ordinary citizens are left to survive on scraps.