Ukraine 2035: what Ukrainians are proud of and how they see their country's role in the future — a new study by Gradus

The full-scale war has significantly changed how Ukrainians view their country, its achievements, strengths, and future path. A new study by Gradus shows which areas currently shape national pride and how Ukrainians see the role of the state in the world until 2035. Learn more about the key findings of the study and the public mood in Ukraine

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Despite years of full-scale war and unprecedented challenges, Ukrainian society demonstrates high resilience and clear development goals. A new study by Gradus, ‘Ukraine 2035: The Country's Strength, Vulnerability, and Potential,’ shows how citizens' attitudes toward national achievements have changed and what exactly shapes their sense of pride. It also provides insight into how Ukrainians envision their country in the future.

In this article, we discuss what society is most proud of today, which areas it considers key to development, and how citizens' expectations of the state have changed.

About the Gradus study and its methodology

This article is based on the results of the Gradus study ‘Ukraine 2035: the country's strength, vulnerability and potential,’ conducted in November 2025. The survey was conducted using a self-completion questionnaire in the Gradus mobile app. The sample reflects the structure of the population of cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants aged 18–60 (excluding temporarily occupied territories and areas of active hostilities). The field stage lasted from 7 to 10 November 2025, with a total sample size of 1,000 respondents.

The study shows how Ukrainians assess national achievements, which areas they consider key to development, and how they see Ukraine's role in the world by 2035.

New markers of national pride: the Armed Forces, volunteers, and digital technologies

According to the survey results, the military, the volunteer movement, and IT have become the main symbols of Ukraine's strength in 2025.

More than three-quarters of citizens (75%) named the Armed Forces as their greatest source of pride. Volunteer and community initiatives ranked second (55%), while digitalisation and technological solutions ranked third (42%).

Compared to pre-war 2021, the general approach to assessing the state's successes has also changed: the proportion of people who saw no achievements decreased from 27% to 10%. This indicates a deeper reassessment of the significance of Ukrainian statehood against the backdrop of war.

What has been driving the country forward since the declaration of independence and to this day: the view of Ukrainians

Respondents named the areas that, in their opinion, have had the greatest impact on Ukraine's development since independence.

The leaders were: the armed forces — 80%, volunteer initiatives — 76%, IT and digitalisation — 71%.

The contribution of the agricultural sector (62%), social cohesion (57%) and the defence industry (54%) was also highly rated.

Citizens trust the law enforcement and judicial systems the least and consider their contribution to be minimal — 63% gave this response.

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How perceptions of achievements have changed: war as a point of rethinking

The survey confirms that it was the war that reformatted the collective understanding of values.

In 2025, Ukrainians are much more likely to name specific achievements of the country. Among the most significant, they highlight the visa-free regime with the EU (12%) and the preservation of independence (11%).

Ukraine 2035: where do citizens see the greatest potential?

A look into the future shows confidence. Ukrainians believe in strategic areas that can change the country in the coming decade.

In first place in terms of potential are once again the Armed Forces and defence technologies (80%). IT and digital services are in second place (75%). Third place is shared by the agricultural sector and food security, the volunteer movement and the defence industry — 69% each.

In open-ended responses, the most frequently mentioned areas were the defence industry, digitalisation, the agricultural sector, the army, construction and energy.

Ukrainians also form an idea of the international role of the state: the most typical definition is ‘the shield of Europe.’ Citizens believe that Ukraine will become an area of active investment, but with partially limited subjectivity due to the security context.

Optimism prevails: how do Ukrainians describe the future of their country?

When asked what Ukraine will be like in 10 years, citizens responded mostly positively.

47% describe the future with words such as peaceful, prosperous, bright, optimistic, free.

Only 16% gave negative predictions — difficult, in decline, or a country ‘with no future’.

Paternalism versus individualism: society between two poles

The study also revealed an interesting transformation in public expectations.

Compared to 2021, more and more Ukrainians believe that it is the state that should ensure welfare and security. At the same time, when it comes to personal freedoms, privacy, and the balance between the interests of the state and the citizen, people remain individualists.

As Yevheniia Blyzniuk, CEO and founder of Gradus, points out, it is this balance between the expectation of support and the value of freedom that will be the determining factor in the social contract until 2035.

Ukraine continues to struggle, change and shape its own model of development even in extremely difficult conditions. Gradus research shows that despite losses and exhaustion, a sense of responsibility, pride and faith in the future is growing within society. Ukrainians clearly understand what our strengths are, which industries to rely on and what place the country can occupy in the world.

In the minds of its citizens, Ukraine in 2035 is a state that has survived, modernised and preserved freedom as its core value. It is a country capable of being a shield for Europe, a growth point for investment, a space for innovation and an example of resilience.

And most importantly, it is a country whose future is being shaped by Ukrainians themselves.

Let's remember! Ukraine is going through a period of rethinking itself — a country that defends freedom while opening up its culture, nature, and history to the world as a source of inspiration and strength. From art to sustainable tourism, every direction is becoming part of the global conversation about contemporary identity and development. How Ukraine is transforming its resources into a tool for revival and international recognition — we tell you here.

Photo: generated using Gemini

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