Rising Social Inequality Due to COVID-19

Assessment of the first consequences of COVID-19 for the extent of inequality in Ukraine leads to contradictory conclusions. On the one hand, for the first two years since of the coronavirus crisis monetary inequality was decreasing; at the same time, the contribution to inequality from employment income increased, which indicated generally positive socio-economic results. On the other hand, there were showed signs of deepening inequality in the access of certain population groups to social services, caused by various factors. Traditionally, the financial situation of the household is a determining factor in the possibility of obtaining the necessary goods and services, and in crisis periods it is the least well-off who bear the main burden due to the increase in the price of essential goods and services, a decrease in purchasing power, and the lack of savings in case of unforeseen circumstances. The coronavirus crisis was no exception in this context. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine restrictions caused an unequal position for the certain social groups, regardless of their income level. This concerns the residents of rural areas, who suffered serious deprivation due to limited access to social services, primarily medical, and limited access to the Internet, which had the greatest negative impact on children’s education. As a result of the active transition to the online mode, both in terms of work and study, and in private life, people of older age groups and those with a low level of education and qualifications found themselves in a particularly vulnerable position.