The Future Index: Professional Expectations and Development of Adolescents in Ukraine is conducted by KSE Institute in cooperation with UNICEF and supported by the Olena Zelenska Foundation and People in Need. It offers a comprehensive look at the attitudes of Ukrainian youth aged 13-16 about their future. In March 2025, more than 5,000 adolescents and the same number of their parents were surveyed online across Ukraine (excluding the temporarily occupied territories), as well as 20 interviews with experts. The results show general optimism among adolescents, although at the same time they face a number of serious difficulties in the process of professional self-determination.
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Views on the future and aspirations for migration
Most adolescents are positive about their future and the country’s prospects: 82% are confident in their own success, and 60% believe in the development of Ukraine. At the same time, a quarter of respondents are seriously considering moving abroad. The main reasons are the desire for new opportunities and the desire to see the world. Only 39% consider education to be a key factor in these plans, while security plays a less important role. Family communication experience, parents’ education level, and confidence in English significantly increase the likelihood that a teenager will stay in Ukraine.
Views on the future and migration
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Self-assessment of skills as a component of human capital
The study participants assessed their soft and academic skills. Empathy (75%) and motivation (68%) have the highest self-esteem, while analytical thinking (37%), adaptability (55%) and leadership (47%) are lower. In the area of academic knowledge, adolescents are confident in reading comprehension, demonstrate an average level of English language proficiency, and have significantly weaker results in mathematics. This indicates the need to strengthen the development of analytical and technical skills in school education.
Self-assessment of skills (%)
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Extracurricular activities and the psycho-emotional environment
About 90 per cent of respondents participate in extracurricular activities, with higher activity in regions far from the hostilities. Participation in clubs and hobby groups has a positive impact on the awareness of professional interests. At the same time, security, transport and financial issues remain significant barriers, especially for rural areas and internally displaced families. Group forms of training contribute to a better psycho-emotional state, and their regularity significantly enhances the positive effect.
Extracurricular activities of adolescents
90% Participate in clubs and sections
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The state of career guidance: problems and challenges
Інтерв’ю з фахівцями та учасниками засвідчили, що професійна орієнтація в школах здебільшого фрагментарна, концентрується в 8–9 класах і рідко охоплює учнів інших рівнів. Відсутність підготовлених спеціалістів, слабка мотивація залучати підлітків та надмірна участь батьків призводять до того, що молодь частіше отримує інформацію вдома, а не з перших рук — від роботодавців чи профконсультантів. Особливу увагу потребують діти з інвалідністю та вихованці інституцій — їм заважають недоступна інфраструктура, упередження та нестача підтримки для професійної інтеграції.
Problems of career guidance (%)
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