Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Kyiv, November 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Most Ukrainian citizens are concerned over price hikes and unemployment, as well as over low wages and pensions, according to the findings of a Ukrainian Sociological Service poll.

A total of 64.2% of those polled are anxious about the increases in prices, 52.4% about the low level of wages and pensions, and 42.6% over growing unemployment, Director General of the Ukrainian Sociological Service and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Mykola Mykhalchenko said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

Other spheres of Ukrainians' concern include health care services (39.4%), political instability (29.5%), corruption (28.1%), and housing and utilities services (23.4%).

The respondents also showed concern over problems in relations with Russia (19.8%) and with Ukraine's accession to the European Union and NATO (5.8%).

Evaluating the level of their family's income, only 5% of those polled said that they weren't suffering any material difficulties. At the same time, 18.6% of those polled are just making both ends meet. Most citizens said they have enough to live, but they lack funds when it goes about the purchase of clothes and footwear (38.4%), furniture and appliances (34.6%).

The poll was conducted October 23 through November 1 in 16 Ukrainian regions. A total of 2, 477 people participated in the poll. The poll's margin of error is up to 2%.