U.N. report predicts further decline (01/04/98)

U.N. report predicts further decline

Eastern Economist

KYIV - The United Nations Development Program's annual Human Development Report on Ukraine predicts that quality of life in Ukraine will continue to decline in the near future.

"The report is a U.N. publication, but it is a Ukrainian document, prepared by Ukrainians and to be used by Ukrainians," said the head of the United Nations Office in Ukraine, Pedro Pablo Villanueva. The report, prepared jointly by the UNDP and a team of national experts and policy-makers, analyzes living standards, the labor market and welfare provision.

The so-called Human Development Index, consisting of factors such as mortality rates, life expectancy, education and economic indicators, places Ukraine 95th among 175 countries. The Ukrainian HDI is likely to decrease even further because of falling life expectancy, worsening education and public health standards, as well as the decline in the gross domestic product.

The population numbers 50.9 million in Ukraine, 72.7 percent of whom are ethnic Ukrainians. "The demographic situation is very serious," Prof. Valentyna Steshenko reported. "Since 1970, average life expectancy has fallen 4.5 years for men and 2.5 years for women," reaching 62 and 73 years, respectively.

Migration trends continue to be negative, with about 50,000 highly educated specialists emigrating each year. "With the situation continuing to deteriorate, people are going elsewhere to find a better place to live," noted Mr. Villanueva. The Human Development Report was released in Kyiv on December 10, 1997.