The Ministry of Finance Revealed How More Than 2.2 Trillion Hryvnia from the Budget Was Spent Over the Past Six Months

In the first half of 2026, expenditures from the General Fund of Ukraine’s state budget totaled 2.23 trillion UAH, which is 354.1 billion UAH (or nearly 19%) more than in the same period last year. 

Traditionally, the largest share of funding was allocated to the security and defense sector—1.4 trillion UAH, accounting for 63% of all General Fund expenditures. Specifically, in June alone, the government allocated 263.5 billion UAH for defense needs.

Among other major budget expenditure items for the six-month period, the following figures were recorded:

• Salaries for public sector employees: 851 billion UAH (38.2% of expenditures), which is 15.9% more than last year.

• Subsidies and current transfers to enterprises and institutions: 384.9 billion UAH (17.3% of expenditures)—funding under this category increased by 61%, partly due to procurement for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• Social security: 352.1 billion UAH (payment of pensions, scholarships, benefits, etc.), representing a 12.3% increase.

• Payments for goods and services: 262.4 billion UAH (an increase of 2.3%).

• Public debt service: 184.5 billion UAH (2.6% more than last year).

• Transfers to local budgets: 142.7 billion UAH (a 39.8% increase compared to the first half of 2025).

Source: Ministry of Finance of Ukraine

In May 2026, Ukraine’s real GDP grew by 0.9% year-over-year, continuing the recovery trend. This positive momentum has been recorded for the third consecutive month following a decline at the beginning of the year.