Mulska O., PhD in Economics, a Research Fellow at the Department of Social and Humanitarian Development of the Regions of the State Institution Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1666-3971
e-mail: oliochka.mulska@gmail.com

Ivaniuk U., PhD in Economics, Assistant Professor of Management Organizations Lviv Institute of Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Lviv, Ukraine

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8845-9120
e-mail: ivaniuk.ulana@gmail.com

Children’s Welfare in Ukraine’s Economy: Analysis and Modelling

Abstract. Introduction. In the current global crisis, the problem of social policy is not only for children but also for all other categories of the population, especially over time. In Ukraine identifying these problems acts as a barometer of the maturity of the welfare state and of building a civil society. Particular attention is drawn to the analysis and evaluation of status indicators, the factors of formation and welfare of our citizens, taking into account their age qualification. It is the basis for creating the conditions for the proper development of the younger generation and for ensuring positive change. Without the formation of effective mechanisms for the implementation of social policy, it is unthinkable to argue for the effectiveness of socio-economic reforms and the implementation of a course of gradual entry into the international economic space. In this regard, the idea of presenting a model of children’s welfare formation in the form of an integral index, the arguments and mechanisms of implementation of which are outlined in this scientific work, deserves attention.

Purpose. The aim of the research is to justify scientific and methodological foundations and to develop practical recommendations for the formation of children’s welfare model in Ukraine. To achieve this aim, it has to be solved the following tasks: to highlight modern methods of assessing children’s welfare; to determine indicators of the living standard of households with children as an environment for the formation of children’s welfare, as well as to define indicators of social, cultural and spiritual children’s development; to present a methodology for calculating children’s welfare index; to carry out the methodology approbation and predict children’s welfare index (by time lag of 5 years).

Results. The scientific results obtained are to develop an innovative approach to modelling the children’s welfare in Ukraine based on the method of weighing indices of multidimensional averages over a specific period (2002-2017). The method of calculation of the integral index of the children’s welfare is offered, which allows carrying out a quantitative and qualitative estimation of this trait, based on the dynamics of determinant indicators (stimulants and stimulators). They contribute to the definition of a system of indicators of living standards, socio-cultural and spiritual development of children (medical-demographic, infrastructural, socio-economic and socio-cultural).

Conclusions. Much of the work is devoted to modelling the welfare of children in Ukraine with three scenarios (realistic, optimistic and pessimistic). The effectiveness of social protection programs for children and households with children has been evaluated based on the methodology developed and the integral index, taking into account the objective laws and features of the search for reserves that contribute to their development.

Keywords: children’s welfare, socio-economic situation, welfare modelling, population quality of life, social protection programs.

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