Ukraine's GDP fell by 1.2% in the first two months of 2026

Ukraine’s real gross domestic product fell by 1.2% in January–February 2026 due to the effects of enemy attacks and unusually cold weather. 

Oleksiy Sobolev, head of the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, noted during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada that the energy sector, the extractive industry, metallurgy, and the transportation sector suffered the greatest losses, Interfax-Ukraine reports. Energy restrictions forced some enterprises to suspend production processes, which directly affected overall economic activity indicators.

Despite the negative trends in certain sectors, the government reports a 13% increase in domestic trade, a 3% rise in construction, and an uptick in the manufacturing sector. Goods exports also continue to grow, rising by 1.7% in January and 3.6% in February. The minister emphasized that improved business expectations and a warming trend will allow for a return to positive growth in the near future. Currently, the main challenges for the economy remain labor shortages, high energy prices, and logistical disruptions caused by Russia’s actions.

In 2025, domestic consumer demand remained the main driver of economic growth in Ukraine, despite a decline in exports and electricity supply issues at the end of the year. Real GDP grew primarily due to household spending and government expenditures.