Half of Ukrainian citizens surveyed (50.5 percent) in August said events in the country are developing in the right direction, according to a survey conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation in conjunction with the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).
According to the study, 23.1 percent of respondents hold the opposite opinion and another 26.9 percent were uncertain.
For comparison, in December 2018, only 18.1 percent of Ukrainians identified the development of events in the country as correct, and 69.7 percent rated it as incorrect.
Some 47.7 percent of citizens believe that Ukraine is able to overcome existing problems and difficulties in the next few years, that it can do this in the longer term – 33.7 percent, that the country is not able to overcome current challenges – 7.6 percent. In December 2018, 20.2 percent were optimists, while 46.4 percent were moderate optimists, and 14.9 percent were pessimists.
The political situation in Ukraine is generally assessed as calm by 25.6 percent of respondents, as prosperous – by 5.5 percent, as tense – by 52.7 percent, and as critical and explosive – by 8.4 percent. In December 2018, the assessment of the situation as tense (63.6 percent) and critical (25.2 percent) prevailed.
Some 55.8 percent of Ukrainians said they are hopeful about the future of Ukraine, optimistic – 36.3 percent and anxious – 17.8 percent. In December 2018, 51.8 percent of respondents had hope, 28.1 percent – optimism, and 32.7 percent had anxiety.
The nationwide study of public opinion was carried out from August 8 to August 20. Some 2,040 respondents over 18 were interviewed. The survey was conducted in 103 settlements in all regions of Ukraine, except for Russia-occupied Crimea and Russia-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The margin of error does not exceed 2.3 percent.
The survey was financially supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. Some questions were included in it at the request of the Center of Policy and Law Reform.
