Ukraine's government forecasts 20% rise in pensions in 2019

According to Shambir, the main priority of the pension reform is an increase in pension benefits.

Read alsoUkraine to raise pensions for military"A system that introduces an automatic increase in pensions every year has been created. There will be a common approach to raising pensions, which envisages 50% from a rise in the average salary plus 50% from inflation growth. This will allow raising pensions, completely covering inflation, and even more. Preliminary estimates show that such growth in 2019 will account for 20% of pensions," the official said.

Shambir also said the ministry lobbied an increase in military pensions.

"Since 2008, the pensions of servicemen have not changed, and this is the biggest problem. Today, an appropriate bill has been drafted, which is being considered jointly with the central executive authorities and will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada as soon as possible. The key position of the Social Policy Ministry is to increase military pensions from January 1, 2018," he added.

The government forecasts that the average pension in Ukraine in 2019 will grow by UAH 900, to UAH 2,787 (nearly US$100).