Ukrainians’ debt has exceeded UAH 100 billion: what utilities people do not pay for most often
29 August 20:38
Ukrainians are increasingly unable to pay their utility bills. According to the State Statistics Service, in the second quarter of 2025, the total debt of the population for housing and communal services reached UAH 106.6 billion , a record figure since the beginning of the full-scale war, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
For comparison, as of the end of 2021, the debt amounted to UAH 81.3 billion. That is, in less than three years, the debt has grown by more than 30%, indicating a deep solvency crisis in Ukrainian households amid economic instability, rising tariffs, and constant price increases.
What services do debtors fail to pay for most often
Ukrainians have accumulated the most debts for heat and hot water – over UAH 35.2 billion. Natural gas is in second place with a debt of UAH 32.3 billion. Citizens did not pay UAH 17.1 billion for electricity, UAH 10.2 billion for cold water, UAH 8.8 billion for the maintenance of apartment buildings, and another UAH 3.1 billion for garbage collection.
This structure indicates a systemic underfunding not only of gas or electricity suppliers, but also of the entire housing maintenance infrastructure.
Payment discipline is deteriorating
In the second quarter of 2025, Ukrainians were charged UAH 64.3 billion for housing and communal services, but only UAH 51.5 billion was actually paid. This means that the coverage was about 80% of the required amount – and this is at best. In some regions, especially in the frontline and de-occupied territories, the level of payments is even lower.
Economic experts warn that if this trend continues, a number of utility companies may be on the verge of bankruptcy, and the provision of critical services may be at risk of disruption during the 2025-2026 heating season.
Why is the debt growing?
Experts name several key reasons:
1. Declining household incomes. Due to the war, relocation of businesses, unemployment and mobilization, many Ukrainian families have lost their sources of income or have minimal earnings.
2. Increase in tariffs. On June 1, 2024, the electricity tariff for households was increased to UAH 4.32/kWh, and the price of gas in the market segment increased by 15-20%. Heat prices are also expected to rise gradually before the start of the heating season.
3. Lack of an effective targeted assistance system. Despite the availability of subsidies, their amount does not cover actual costs, and the procedure for applying for them remains complicated and not always accessible.
4. Displacement and loss of housing. Some citizens who have lost their homes or are temporarily living in other regions are physically unable to pay for utilities at their old place of residence.
Read also: Utility debts in Kyiv are breaking records: two cases of over UAH 330 thousand
Utility debts and their consequences for the economy
The accumulation of utility debts is not only a social problem, but also an economic challenge:
- utility companies lose working capital, which threatens to disrupt preparations for the winter period;
- budget expenditures on subsidies and debt restructuring are growing;
- investors are losing confidence in the reforms in the housing and utilities sector, which slows down infrastructure modernization.
In addition, this is a factor that affects overall inflation: due to financial gaps, companies are forced to revise tariffs, and the government has to increase budget support.
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Is there a way out of this situation?
Experts advise introducing a more flexible system of debt restructuring, improving the transparency of charges, and expanding the range of subsidy recipients. In the long run, it is necessary to implement energy efficiency programs, invest in the modernization of the housing stock, and targeted support for the most vulnerable categories of the population.
However, the main condition is the stabilization of the economy, restoration of the solvency of citizens and predictable pricing in the utility market. Without this, debt reduction will remain an unattainable goal.
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