UNFPA project “Research on Demographic Factors of Social Transformations”

29-05-2009, 11:49

The project "Research on Demographic Factors of Social Transformations" planned for 1 January 2007 — 31 December 2010 is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine and "Ukrainian Centre of Social Reforms" (UCSR) NGO. The project is a part of UNFPA Country Programme for Ukraine for 2006-2010.

It is prospected by the project to undertake the following researches:

• 2007 — Mortality Analysis in Working Age Population, Socio-demographic Problems of Ukrainian Rural Areas;
• 2008-2009 — Demographic Factors of Poverty;
• 2009 — Family Transition;
• 2010 — Demographic Aspects of the Youth Policy.

The research of Demographic Factors of Poverty is to be completed in 2009. It is common knowledge that not only in Ukraine but in all countries of transition economy there are close linkages between demographic characteristics of population and risks of poverty arising. A great drop in standard of living of overwhelming majority during early 1990^th had a significant influence not only in poverty scale up in Ukraine, but also in determinant factors of poverty changes. The inherited from soviet times social security system could not meet the condition of new economic circumstances. An attempt to approach it to the modern requirements by pulling up of profits of population separate categories did not have complex character and yield temporary results only, multiplying the same ungrounded pressure of social charges on a budget. As a result of this policy, socially impressionable groups of population being unable to adapt themselves to the transitional processes turned to be in reduced circumstances. Presently, in spite of considerable increase of indexes of standard of living and improvement of poverty situation, there is still close dependence between the level of family financial welfare and its socially demographic descriptions. The project work plan also includes the analysis of reverse effect — the influence of demographic factors of poverty on demographic situation in country. This detailed research is conducted with the aim of state poverty policy development. In conclusion of the research it is planned that analytical report is to be published in June 2009, that develops a methodology to project the demographic patterns and poverty maps onto the time periods between population censuses and provides recommendations on how to consider the population and poverty linkages in the national development programming. The results of the study will be presented to the press and decision makers from the Government and Parliament.

The project annual work plan for 2009 also supports the research on the transition of the institution of family in Ukraine, changes in family features, patterns, values, and functions, as well as fertility, marginalization of families, social support to families. As usual, the findings of the study will be publicized and made available to the Government and the Ministry of Ukraine for Family, Youth and Sports with the aim of providing recommendations regarding the improvement of the state family policy.

We are on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) which was held under the auspices of the United Nations with the participation of 179 countries in Cairo on September 5-13, 1994. The conference resulted in adoption of the Program of Action; its main provisions became the basis for development of social and population policy of majority of countries for 20-year period (till 2015). The implementation progress analysis of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development in Ukraine which is also taken in the project frame will be made public for a World Population Day, observed yearly on July 11. It will become apparent, what main tendencies of demographic situation are out an improvement and which areas of demographic policy are in need of reorientation and thorough enhancement.

For detailed information regarding these researches, please contact Tetyana Pinska, UNFPA Project Manager at phone +380 (44) 332-81-16 or by e-mail: pinska@unfpa.org