Ukraine

Ukraine, long one of Europe's poorer countries, has seen its economy devastated by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, which destroyed infrastructure, displaced millions, and slashed output, leaving the country heavily dependent on Western financial and military aid.

Before the war, Ukraine was a leading agricultural exporter and industrial producer. Reconstruction and eventual EU membership, for which it became a candidate in 2022, now frame its economic future.

Key Sectors

Despite the war, key sectors remain agriculture — Ukraine is among the world's top grain and sunflower-oil exporters, the 'breadbasket of Europe' — along with metals and steel, machinery, and a notable information-technology industry.