Demo-economic situation in Southern Ukraine through the regional centers residents’ self-evaluation and attitudes prism

Анотація

The article presents the results of a questionnaire survey of the Southern Ukraine (Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson) regional centers’ residents — concerning self-esteem of their families welfare standards, their prospects about its improvement, and possible search for a better fate abroad. This research was carried out within the research project “Effective functioning and development of the regional socio-cultural environment in the context of decentralization as a pledge of Ukraine national security” (scientific project manager — Head of SociologySociological Cathedra of Petro Mohyla National University Iryna Meizys, timeframes for project implementation — 2017–2019). The survey revealed that a significant proportion of respondents assess their families' economic status and financial capabilities as critical, pointing to the limited ability or inability to sufficiently meet those needs that exceed current running costs. The results of the survey make it possible to evaluate the material status of regional centers residents (in a bigger or lesser extent) in the terminology of the scientific discourse of poverty by means of the categories “subjective poverty”, “relative poverty” and “deprivation” (restriction or complete deprivation). Moreover, for the most part, our respondents do not see any prospects for improving the economic situation in Ukraine in the near future: they don’t have confidence in the future, and therefore have a rather low estimate of the prospects for improving their own economic situation. The poll also showed the widespread emigration of the Southern Ukraine residents: more than half of respondents said that they were thinking about moving to a permanent place of residence in the “Western world”, that is associated in the mass consciousness of modern Ukrainians with wealth, high standards of pay, stability and prospects. In all cities of southern Ukraine, respondents' emigration / intentions still exceed the 50 percent limit. The results of the survey should also be used as indicators of social security for the functioning of the regional society. This is particularly relevant given the geopolitical challenges and threats that Ukraine is currently facing, including the Black Sea region, which is a region of strategic importance for Ukraine.

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