Demographic Challenges and Their Impact on Pension Provision in Ukraine and Poland

Demographic tendencies in European countries, including Ukraine and Poland, are impacting the state of their pension systems. They require adaptation to changing demographic conditions, particularly through reforms of the retirement age, insurance period, and the level of minimum pension. The aim of the study is to assess the key demographic challenges in Ukraine and Poland, conduct a comparative analysis of their impact on the sustainability and efficiency of pension provision in both countries, and identify possible paths for adapting the pension system to new socio-demographic realities. The article examines contemporary demographic challenges in Ukraine and Poland and their impact on the pension systems of both countries. Demographic studies show that Ukraine is facing a significant reduction in its total population and a substantial share of pension-aged individuals within its structure. In Poland, on the contrary, there is a noticeable increase in the number of pensioners and their share in the overall demographic picture. The analysis conducted in the scientific article indicates an intense aging of the population in both countries. In Ukraine, however, the socio-demographic situation has become even more complicated due to the full-scale war, which has significantly exacerbated the existing demographic problems. It has been determined that the pension model in Ukraine, which is predominantly based on a solidarity pension system, is becoming increasingly ineffective: the deficit of the Pension Fund is growing, and the dependency ratio (the number of pensioners per contributor) is gradually approaching critical levels. In Poland, deeper structural reforms have been carried out, which included the introduction of a multi-tier pension system with elements of mandatory and voluntary accumulation. Special attention is paid to the comparative analysis of pension payments to citizens of Ukraine and Poland, the ability of their pension systems to adapt to demographic changes, and the implemented reforms in the context of ensuring financial stability. Based on the research, recommendations are proposed for improving pension policy in light of demographic trends. The results may be useful for government institutions, analytical centers, and specialists in the field of social policy.