The World Bank in Ukraine Country Snapshot An overview of the World Bank’s work in Ukraine October 2017 UKRAINE 2016 Country Context Population, million 44.9 Ukraine has experienced acute political, security, GDP, current US$ billion 94.2 and economic challenges during the past three GDP per capita, current US$ 2,097 years. Since the “Maidan” uprising in February 2014 Life Expectancy at birth, years (2015) 71.2 that led to the ousting of the previous president, the country has witnessed several momentous events, including the outbreak of conflict in At a Glance eastern Ukraine and presidential, parliamentary, and local elections. • The economy grew modestly by 2.4% in the first half of 2017, and poverty remains The Government, which took office in April 2016, higher than pre-crisis levels. Boosting has committed to continuing previous reform economic growth to 4% or more in the next efforts, and a government program and action two years is critical to reducing poverty plan covering a wide-ranging reform agenda were and improving living standards, which will issued in May. also require progress on ambitious reforms in land markets, the financial sector, anti- Key reforms undertaken since 2014 include: corruption, and privatization, to stimulate carrying out significant fiscal consolidation, investment and productivity. moving to a flexible exchange rate, reforming energy tariffs and social assistance, making public • Despite higher revenues, the fiscal deficit procurement more transparent, simplifying may exceed the target of 3% of GDP in business regulations, stabilizing and restructuring 2017 due to higher public sector wages and the banking sector, adopting a health reform spending on social programs. Reducing the package, and establishing anti-corruption agencies fiscal deficit in 2018 and beyond will require and asset disclosures for public officials, all the adopting responsible pension reform and while contending with powerful vested interests implementing education and health reform that continue to oppose reforms. that improves the quality of services while optimizing the school and hospital network. Although all of these are important steps, more needs to be done, including in other areas. Going • Moderate poverty in 2016 is estimated at forward, Ukraine will need to advance reforms on 26.5%, down slightly from 27.5% in 2015, multiple fronts to achieve sustainable recovery and but up sharply from 14.1% in 2013. The shared prosperity. poverty rate in 2016 is estimated at 7%, up sharply from 3.3% in 2013. UKRAINE COUNTRY SNAPSHOT > www.worldbank.org/ukraine The World Bank and Ukraine WORLD BANK PORTFOLIO Ukraine joined the World Bank in 1992. Over the No. of Projects: 8 IBRD investment operations, plus 25 years of cooperation, the Bank’s commitments to the country have totaled close to US$12 billion one guarantee in about 70 projects and programs. Total Lending: $2.5 billion, including $148 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) In March 2014, after receiving a request from the Ukrainian Government, the World Bank Group immediately announced its support for a reform (MSDPL-1, US$750 million approved in 2014, and agenda aiming to put the Ukrainian economy on MSDPL-2, US$500 million approved in 2015) and a path to sustainability. The current International the Financial Sector (FS) DPL series (FSDPL-1, Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) US$500 million approved in 2014, and FSDPL-2, portfolio consists of eight investment operations US$500 million approved in 2015). of roughly US$2.5 billion and one guarantee of US$500 million. Reform measures supported by these four budget support operations promote good The World Bank recently endorsed a 2017–21 governance, transparency, and accountability Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Ukraine in the public sector, as well as stability in the that supports the country’s efforts to achieve banking sector; a reduction in the cost of doing a lasting economic recovery to benefits all the business; and the effective use of scarce public entire population. The new CPF focuses on resources to provide quality public services at a ensuring that markets work more effectively, crucial time. These operations also support the establishing the necessary conditions for fiscal authorities in continuing to reform an inefficient and financial stability, and improving service and inequitable housing subsidy system while delivery for all Ukrainians. protecting the poor from tariff increases by strengthening social assistance. Key Engagement World Bank investment projects have focused Responding to the crisis in Ukraine, in March and will continue to focus on improving basic 2014 the World Bank Group announced that it public services, such as district heating, water would provide additional financial and technical and sanitation, health, and social protection, as support to the country. Since 2014, the World well as public infrastructure, such as the power Bank Group has supported the people of Ukraine transmission networks and roads. The Bank is through two series of development policy loans also supporting Ukraine through policy advice (DPLs), seven new investment operations, and a and technical assistance in formulating and guarantee amounting to approximately US$5.5 implementing comprehensive structural reforms. billion aimed at improving critical public services, supporting reforms, and bolstering the private In addition to financing several ongoing private sector. sector projects, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is implementing a large The World Bank has supported high-priority advisory program in the country, working to reform measures to address the key structural simplify regulations, improve the investment roots of the current economic crisis in Ukraine climate and energy efficiency, boost the and to lay the foundation for inclusive and completeness of local food producers, help open sustainable growth through two series of budget new markets, and increase access to finance. support operations: the multi-sector DPL series UKRAINE COUNTRY SNAPSHOT > www.worldbank.org/ukraine Recent Economic Developments However, the supplementary budget adopted in July 2017 adds to expenditure pressures for the Economic growth remains modest due to rest of the year, including higher spending on the the unfinished structural reform agenda and military, social programs, and capital investment, headwinds from the conflict in eastern Ukraine. leading to a fiscal deficit in 2017 that may exceed Real GDP grew by 2.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) the target of 3% of GDP. At the same time, the in the first half of 2017, following growth of public debt level continued to grow, reaching 2.3% in 2016. Although the resumption of 85% of GDP as of July 2017 due to the high cost growth is a positive development, it represents of bank recapitalization. a weak recovery since it follows a cumulative 16% contraction in 2014 and 2015. Even key Economic Outlook sectors exhibiting relative strength, such as manufacturing, trade services, and transport, The growth projection for 2017 remains modest continued to grow at a modest pace—3.7, 3.5, at 2%, but progress on the ambitious package and 4.4%, respectively—in the first half of 2017, of reforms under consideration could accelerate which is insufficient to drive stronger growth in growth to 4% or more going forward. The the overall economy. growth outlook is affected by two key factors. First, Ukraine faces continued headwinds from The mining and utility sectors contracted by 6.6 the conflict in the Donbas region as evidenced and 5.5%, respectively, due to the trade blockade by the coal and trade blockade with the against uncontrolled areas of the Donbas uncontrolled areas. Second, the authorities region, which affected coal, steel, and electricity have been working on an ambitious package production. On the other hand, construction and of reforms to address structural bottlenecks and fixed investment continued to exhibit strong advance growth prospects. The next few months growth in the first half of 2017—at 26 and 22%, are a critical window of opportunity within which respectively—pointing to strengthening investor to lock in these important reforms. confidence in some areas, although both remain down sharply from pre-crisis levels. Merchandise Establishing a transparent market for land exports grew by 23% in the first half of 2017. transactions would enable Ukraine to tap its vast potential for agricultural exports. Strengthening Fiscal expenditures and revenues grew strongly the governance of state-owned banks and in the first half of 2017, with the supplementary introducing measures to streamline the budget adding to expenditure pressures for the resolution of nonperforming loans (NPLs) would rest of the year. In the first half of 2017, both enable a gradual resumption of lending to the expenditures and revenues exhibited strong private sector. growth. Expenditures were up by 13.5% in real terms due to the increase in the minimum wage Deeper anti-corruption reforms, further (and resulting higher wages for teachers, doctors, improvements to the business environment, and civil servants), as well as higher spending on and progress on privatization would strengthen social programs. Revenues also grew strongly by investor confidence and attract foreign 22.8% in real terms in the first half of 2017, driven investment. Locking in these reforms in the next by higher revenues across the board, including few months could raise growth to 4% or more in personal, corporate, and value added tax, as the next two years, an outlook subject to serious well as social security contributions and non-tax risks, however, related to progress on reforms in revenues. As a result, the fiscal balance in the first a complex political environment and a possible half of 2017 amounted to a surplus of 0.9% of escalation of the conflict or deterioration in the full-year GDP. external environment. UKRAINE COUNTRY SNAPSHOT > www.worldbank.org/ukraine Project Spotlight Anti-Corruption Reform CONTACTS Kyiv, Anti-corruption reform in (380 44) 490-6671 Ukraine, supported by the 1, Dniprovskiy Uzviz, 2nd Floor, DPL, means that officials Kyiv 01010, Ukraine. must now declare their wealth online. During the first wave of e-declarations, over 100,000 officials revealed their wealth, and overall, around US$1 billion in the form of cash and bank accounts was declared— the equivalent of nearly one IMF During the first wave of e-declarations, over 100,000 officials revealed their wealth. If this money were declared in 100 hryvnia tranche to Ukraine. bills, the cash would cover 684 square acres, reach 16 miles in If this money were declared height, and weigh 259 tons. More about the in 100 hryvnia bills, the cash would cover 684 square acres, reach 16 miles in World Bank in Ukraine height, and weigh 259 tons. E-declarations have exposed a vast difference between the fortunes of politicians Data: http://data.worldbank. and those of the citizens they represent. Some officials have declared millions org/country/ukraine of dollars in cash, while others have declared ownership of fleets of luxury cars, expensive Swiss watches, diamond jewelry, and large plots of land, despite the Projects: fact that the average salary in Ukraine is just over US$200 per month. Declarations http://www.worldbank. org/en/country/ukraine/ have been made not only by senior authorities in Ukraine but also by regular projects officials across the country. Research: http://www.worldbank. Over 70 criminal proceedings are currently ongoing, related to the illicit org/en/country/ukraine enrichment of the declarants or the lies in their e-declarations. E-declarations are /research the first step on the road to the full transparency of the political elite. The next step News: is accountability. E-declarations were established with World Bank support and http://www.worldbank. became a key instrument in helping create a comprehensive system of corruption org/en/country/ukraine prevention in Ukraine. /news Corruption in Ukraine is a threat to national security and undermines the well- being of citizens. Although public access can raise valid concerns, the benefits outweigh the costs and any interference with privacy rights in the declaration is proportionate to the public interest. Online disclosure of public declarations has been introduced in many countries and is essential if public servants are to be Follow us on Facebook held accountable. World Bank Ukraine The “Country Snapshot” is a bi-annual update, highlighting the country’s recent developments, economic outlook and major overview of the World Bank’s partnership with the country. You can find the latest updates at http://www.worldbank.org/ukraine UKRAINE COUNTRY SNAPSHOT > www.worldbank.org/ukraine