"Yasla": Payments of 8 thousand UAH were only received by approximately 3% of potential recipients
During the first half of 2026 year, the "єЯсла" program, which provides 8 thousand UAH per month to mothers of children under three years old, was used by only about 10 thousand people – approximately 3% of potential beneficiaries. Only 13% of mothers of children under three years old have re-entered the workforce. Reasons cited include the requirement to work full-time, the inaccessibility of the program for self-employed individuals, and limited use of funds.
In Ukraine, the state pays 8 thousand UAH per month under the "єЯсла" program until a child reaches three years of age, to help mothers with young children return to the workforce. Only about 10 thousand people have used the program in the first 2026 months.
According to data from the Pension Fund as of July, there were only 255 men among the recipients – likely, this is mainly due to cases where a father raises a child on his own.
Only a 13% of mothers of children under three years of age are involved in the labor market. There are approximately 350 thousand children aged one to three years in Ukraine, so about 3% of potential recipients received the payment. The overall labor shortage in Ukraine is estimated to be around 4 million people.
After a child reaches one year old, payments under the general assistance program cease. The mother may take parental leave for up to three years, but to receive "Ясла," she must officially return to work. The program does not apply to self-employed individuals, and 8 thousand UAH can only be used for childcare services, educational services, or daycare.
Among the reasons for low coverage are the requirement to work a full work day, which is difficult to combine with childcare, especially in the current war situation. A private nanny in Kyiv costs an average of 33 thousand UAH per month, while kindergartens, nurseries, and playgroups in many cities cannot operate fully due to the security situation. In Ukraine, only 11–12% of women work part-time, compared to about one-third in the EU.
The authors of the analysis propose to allow payments for part-time work, to extend the program to self-employed individuals, and to expand the list of services for which funds can be used.