Salaries of Ukrainian officials increased by 60%: who got the most
1 April 17:20
INFOGRAPHICS
Salaries of Ukrainian government officials increased significantly in 2024. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was the most expensive, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing an infographic by Slovo i Dilo media outlet.
Public scrutiny of high-ranking officials’ salaries has increased as Ukraine continues to receive significant international assistance. Donors and oversight bodies are increasingly calling for full transparency and fiscal discipline, especially in personnel policy.
The highest paid ministers in 2024
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov received the highest salary among the Cabinet members, earning 1.62 million hryvnias (approximately $42,000) for the year. His monthly income grew steadily throughout 2024, from UAH 89,865 in January to UAH 104,820 in December. Umerov’s position placed him at the center of military logistics, international arms procurement, and strategic defense planning.
He was followed by Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko, who received UAH 1.59 million, reflecting the crucial role of energy policy in the war, including efforts to stabilize the national power grid and coordinate international assistance in the energy sector. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko also received a comparable salary of UAH 1.56 million for overseeing internal security and managing law enforcement agencies during wartime mobilization.
What salaries were received by other high-ranking officials
Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko – UAH 1.53 million. He was in charge of the healthcare logistics during the war and recovery from the pandemic. He also donated 112,991 UAH of vacation pay to the UNITED24 platform, reflecting the growing expectation of symbolic gestures of solidarity from high-ranking officials.
Minister of Finance Sergiy Marchenko gained UAH 1.43 million. The official is responsible for balancing the defense-heavy state budget and managing foreign aid funding.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal earned UAH 1.16 million in 2024. His income consisted exclusively of his base salary and travel compensation, with no bonuses or one-time allowances. At the average exchange rate, this amounted to about $29,000 per year, which remains relatively modest for a prime minister by European standards.
Salary growth in the civil service
Outside of the Cabinet of Ministers , salaries of civil servants in central executive bodies have increased significantly: in 11 months of 2024, they increased by 61%, and the average monthly salary reached UAH 62,000. The highest-paid agencies include:
- Antimonopoly Committee (UAH 118,700 average monthly salary);
- Ministry of Justice (UAH 100,500);
- Ministry of Digital Transformation (about UAH 96,000).
This increase is explained by a combination of staff reductions, consolidation of roles, and prioritization of key strategic functions within the civil service.
Read also: Dynamics is “positive”: average salaries in government agencies increased in February
Despite the increase in salaries, internal surveys show that only 13% of civil servants are fully satisfied with their remuneration. 50% report partial satisfaction, and 37% express dissatisfaction, citing
- rising cost of living;
- lack of performance-based bonuses;
- delays in indexation;
- burnout due to staff shortages.
Experts warn that without a transparent and merit-based remuneration model, the government will continue to struggle to retain qualified professionals, especially in the face of competition from the private sector and international organizations.
Presidential salaries and transparency
In 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a fixed salary of UAH 336,000, on which he paid taxes of UAH 66,500. The president’s salary remained unchanged and largely symbolic, reflecting the wartime austerity policy.
The head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, earned UAH 582,000 during the same period . His earnings included only the official part of his salary; no additional bonuses or compensation were recorded.
Outlook for 2025
Going forward, the Ukrainian government plans to review the public administration remuneration system to ensure better alignment with performance indicators, market benchmarks, and international practices. Future reforms may include:
- introduction of transparent bonus systems;
- limiting tax-free compensation;
- linking bonuses to macroeconomic conditions and defense priorities.
Analysts suggest that the main challenge will be to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to build a capable and motivated state apparatus in the face of continued military and economic pressure. Wage transparency and accountability are likely to remain central topics in Ukraine’s domestic politics and in its dialogue with international partners.
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