STATE REGULATION OF POVERTY AS A PRIORITY OF MODERN SOCIAL POLICY

Abstract

The article substantiates the need for state regulation of poverty as a priority of modern social policy. Today, overcoming poverty is one of the most important global problems of mankind, despite significant positive changes in the economic sphere of national economies. The main purpose of the article is to analyze the current state of poverty in Ukraine and the impact of the pandemic on the level of extreme poverty in the world and in Ukraine, as well as to study trends in key social indicators affecting poverty in Ukraine. In Ukraine, the poverty rate is 47.2% and this figure is much higher than previous years, which indicates a significant negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on the welfare of the Ukrainian population. The ratio of the actual and legally established subsistence level as a key indicator of poverty is studied. Thus, the actual subsistence level is almost 2 times higher than the statutory one, which has a negative impact on the establishment of the real need of the population for social assistance. The legally established permissible living parameters were analyzed and it was determined that the minimum pension is lower than the subsistence level, which provokes an increase in poverty among the population of retired age. Today, this figure among the population over 60 is 50.6%, which means that more than half of the population of retirement age is below the poverty line and cannot afford the minimum standard of living. The main directions of the state social policy on poverty reduction in Ukraine are identified, among which the most important are: the targeting of the social support system for vulnerable groups, effective regional policy to eradicate regional poverty, inclusive development of the national economy, family assistance in combating child poverty, social protection, improving access to quality services in social spheres, removing barriers to access to basic education, etc. It can be realized through cooperation with international organizations and member states of the European Union.