Ukraine is funneling 81% of all tax income to defense in 2024, still counting on $29 bn in aid from partners as Russia boosts military spending
From: Euromaiden Press BY BOHDAN BEN
Ukraine’s parliament adopted its 2024 budget on 9 November. Like last year, 50% of state expenditures and 95% of all of Ukraine’s state budget revenues will be spent on defense.
Under public pressure, frugality has increased: a part of local taxes will now be also allocated to the national budget instead of being spent on e.g. road repairs, and social spending was cut. In total, nearly 81% of all tax income (both local and national) will go for defense.
At the same time, Ukraine is reliant on loans and grants from its western partners to cover the other half of state expenditures — all of those unrelated to defense, including healthcare, education, and support for vulnerable populations. With its economy taking a massive toll from Russian occupation and blockade of its southern ports, Ukraine finds itself in a precarious situation as frictions emerge in the EU and US over providing this support.
Voice of Ukraine 