Share of Ukrainians willing to endure war has dropped to 57%

Radio Svoboda reported the information.

The researchers note an increase from 12% to 18% in those who find it "hard to say" how long they are willing to endure the war. The proportion favoring a shorter period of several months to half a year changed insignificantly, from 18% in October to 21% in December. 

According to Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), between October and December, the resilience of Ukrainians did not significantly decline; rather, uncertainty grew, reflecting a combination of external factors, such as the U.S. elections, and internal circumstances.

KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetskyi commented on the survey results, stating: “The decline in those willing to endure wartime hardships as long as necessary is undoubtedly a worrying trend that requires attention from both authorities and society. Moreover, resilience is not solely tied to socio-economic conditions; other factors play a more significant role in determining the population's endurance.”

At the same time, he noted that despite the "negative (and at times almost apocalyptic) forecasts" predicted for Ukraine and its people throughout 2024, Ukrainians as of December show remarkable resilience and a "strong will" to continue the fight.

At the end of December, KIIS released another survey showing a decline in optimism about Ukraine's future. In December 2024, 57% of respondents believed Ukraine would be a prosperous EU country in 10 years, 28% expected it to face economic ruin and population decline, while 15% were undecided.

Sociologists noted that while the share of optimists decreased by 16 percentage points over the past year, not all shifted to pessimism, as many Ukrainians now emphasize "high uncertainty."