Challenges of social development in the Carpathian region of Ukraine under the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the problem-oriented analysis of the challenges and risks of social development in the Carpathian region of Ukraine under the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The volumes and dynamics of changes in the structural and qualitative characteristics of forced migration of the population of Ukraine in the Carpathian region across the districts for the period 2022-2023 are assessed. The mountain districts of the Carpathian region of Ukraine (Rakhiv, Uzhhorod, Drohobych, Khust, Nadvirna, Stryi, and Kosiv) were the main centers of attraction of forced migrants in 2022, where the number of forced migrants was more than 1,100 per 10,000 of the local population. In 2023, the territorial distribution of forced migrants changed significantly. There was a concentration of forced migrants in the regional centers of the Carpathian region of Ukraine, whose labor market is more attractive. Problematic aspects of the socialization of forced migrants in the host environment are identified, including limited awareness of rights and opportunities, lack of own housing, financial inability to rent temporary housing, unsatisfactory material condition and social protection of the needs of displaced persons, and illegal employment of forced migrants. The article summarizes that socio-economic disparities, social uncertainty, and war in general have led to a critical weakening of demographic and socio-economic stability and security, a decrease in business activity, a decrease in real incomes, and, as a result, an increase in the poverty level of the population of the regions of the Carpathian region. Thus, in Ukraine, there is a need to build a modern model of social sphere development based on digitalization, equal access to social services and benefits, a high level of social protection, and unhindered participation of all members of society in community life.