In any country there are people who earn more, but if you look in general, Ukrainians are rather poor than rich. The average monthly wage in September 2019 in Ukraine was 10,687 hryvnia (USD 441). The median wage in the country is even lower.

Why are Ukrainians poor?

While Ukraine is known for its wonderful productive rich productive soil, it doesn’t possess vast mineral resources (except the coal mines taken over by pro-Russia separatists in the East Ukraine).

The agricultural and farming sectors are hindered by the absence of free market of land, which doesn’t allow companies to develop properly on the basis of productivity.

The open market of sales of agricultural land was in lockdown for several years. It is set to be open in 2020. Experts evaluate the price of land at about USD 2,000 per hectare when sales are officially allowed.

Because of the low salaries, Ukrainians are eager to get jobs in nearby countries. Russia is the largest empower of labour migrants from Ukraine, with wages about double the size of what people can earn for the same job.

Poland is the second largest labour migration market for Ukrainians, with nearly close to one million of them working there full time or taking seasonal jobs.

Ukraine is striving to join the European Union by 2027, subject to meeting the guidance, including the size of minimum wages.

At the moment, the minimum monthly wage in Ukraine 4,173 hryvnia ($172). From 1 January 2020 it will be 4,723 hryvnia ($195).

It seems low, but only a few years ago it was only $50, so it’s a big progress.

Yes, there are some people who earn only the minimum wage: Shop assistants, nurses, teachers in small towns are among them.

Because of the low salaries, Ukrainians are eager to get jobs in nearby countries.

“Black” and “grey” wages in Ukraine

People earning low salaries are getting subsidies to pay for “communal services” (electricity, gas, water, repairs). This is the reason why at many private companies people are officially employed on the minimum salary but get a top-up as a “cash in envelope“.

It is estimated than 45% of people in Ukraine get wages as “cash in envelope”.

People who are self-employed, such as beauty therapists, permanent makeup and hair extension artists, also get a large part of their income in cash and don’t declare it. Such specialists may earn $2,000-3,000 monthly in large cities like Odessa or Kyiv (Kiev).

At the same time Ukrainian women who are officially employed and work for a government-funded company (public hospital, school, university, city administration) may be earning just the minimum wage of under USD 200 per month.

It’s best to ask the lady you are talking to on Elenasmodels.com about her income and whether all of it is official.

• If she earns high income officially, she may be able to get a visitor visa to countries like Australia or the USA, as she is viewed as “rich” and unlikely to wish to overstay.
• If her income is low or unofficial, she will be considered poor and it’s unlikely she would be granted a tourist (visitor) visa.

Ukrainians don’t need an entry visa for the countries of the European Union since June 2017. A lady can simply jump on the plane and come to you for a weekend!

If you live in another country where a visitor visa is required, then you may consider meeting in a tropical paradise like Thailand or Bali. They are easily accessible with cheap tours officered by many operators.

Read also:

• Ukraine: How Much Money Is Rich?
• People with degrees earn only 77% of the average wage in Ukraine
• 7 reasons why Ukrainian women love dating shy men
• How much do people spend on food in Ukraine as compared to Europe?