In 2025, getting a child ready for school will cost parents at least 10,000 hryvnia, but the final amount depends on the age of the student, the format of education, and the items already available. These figures come from a study by the analytical company Inweb, published by The Page.
The highest expenses are in primary school — stationery, basic clothing and footwear cost an average of 4,000 to 12,000 hryvnia. Families spend less in secondary school, as children reuse some of their items, so the amounts range from 3,000 to 7,000 hryvnia. High school students usually limit themselves to updating their stationery, spending about 1,500 to 3,000 hryvnias.
Parents’ budgets are affected not only by inflation and seasonal demand, but also by the gradual increase in energy prices. According to OLX, in 2024 alone, school supplies rose in price by an average of 14%.
The war also had an additional impact on spending. According to the World Bank, as of 2025, more than 3,000 schools in Ukraine have been damaged and 385 have been completely destroyed. As a result, some children have switched to online learning, and families have begun to actively invest in technology. The demand for inexpensive tablets costing from 1,500 hryvnia and mid-range laptops (6,000–10,000 hryvnia) has grown significantly.
Even with the transition to online learning, school supplies remain a necessity. A basic set costs between 1,000 and 1,600 hryvnia, and on top of that, there are costs for backpacks with orthopaedic backs (around 999 hryvnia), sports bags (around 200 hryvnia) and pencil cases (around 195 hryvnia).
The peak of school preparation is in July. Most chain stores and marketplaces start their sales early: for example, at Kasta, the season started in early July, and in other chains — in the middle of the month. In 2024, two-thirds of all school purchases were made by the end of July. Online shopping through platforms such as OLX or foreign websites also remains a popular way to save money, as parents are increasingly considering the practicality and durability of items.
In July 2025, the government provided additional support to families of first-graders by introducing the ‘Schoolchild’s Package’ programme. Parents of children entering first grade will receive a one-time allowance of 5,000 hryvnia, which will partially cover the initial expenses.
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