Ukraine Money.
How much do things cost in Ukraine ?

Ukraine Money. We often say: "Money likes to be counted." O.K., let's count. For example, an average cost to buy everything what necessary for your child to start a new school year in Ukraine is around 1000 Hryvnia (Ukrainian currency. Abbreviation: UAH). Is it too much or the sum is quite affordable for the family?

It depends... To answer this question we have to know not only how much you have to spend for your child, but also how much Ukraine money you brought home in your purse, what part of your salary has to be spent to buy food for family, to pay bills, to use public transportation, to buy clothes, and etc.

It looks like we need to make a research to answer this question. Most likely, you would prefer to compare the results to the currency of your home country to understand it better. Here is the tool "The Currency Converter". Let's start our research.

• According to the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine , an average wage in Ukraine in June, 2006 was 1063.59UAH / 211.765USD (22.97% increase since January, 2006). For the city of Kiev these numbers are: 1784.64UAH / 355.329USD (27.5%) accordingly.
• The minimum living standard established by law in Ukraine is 423UAH /84USD per month.
• Monthly average pension by age in Ukraine is 383 UAH / 76USD. Minimum monthly pension - 332 UAH / 65 USD.
• Debts in wages in Ukraine in June, 2006 is 1 101,003,000 UAH / 219,214,136 USD (4.5% increase since May, 2006).
• The results of research, conducted by the Swiss Bank "USB" among the 70 world's capitals, placed Kiev on the 62nd position according to its average level of wages. First five positions in this list belong to: Copenhagen, Oslo, Zurich, Geneva, and New-York.
• In order to by a "Big Mac" at McDonalds, one has to work: 55 minutes in Kiev, Ukraine; 15 minutes in Zurich, Swiss; 15 min. in Dublin, Ireland; 11 min. in Los-Angeles, USA; 17 min in Luxemburg, Luxemburg.

During the past five-seven years Ukraine currency has been stable and is tied to the dollar. Despite of this stability, many people prefer to exchange their Ukrainian money to dollars or euros and to stash them in hiding places in their apartments. They have a good reason for doing so. In early 90s Ukrainian's monetary system has been collapsed and everyone lost their savings.

Information about Ukraine currency and exchanging money in Ukraine you can find at Ukraine Currency page.

Now, when we have our hard-earned money in our purse, let's see how we can spend them. Below is the list of approximate prices (as of July 2006) of things in Ukraine which will give you an idea of the cost of living. Prices are the subject of change (for some reason they have been rising all the time).

To buy in Kiev (August,2006).

• Loaf of bread 1.4 - 1.7UAH
• Meal at McDonald's $2-4
• Home Internet connection - around 300UAH
• To rent a one-bedroom apartment (downtown is more expensive) $200-500/month
• Cigarettes 1 - 5UAH
• Decent umbrella $5-10
• Pair of house slippers $3-7
• Admission to concert of classical music $1-4

To visit places (Crimea, August, 2005).

• Livadia Palace 15UAH (Additional: to take pictures - 5UAH, Video - 15UAH)
• Vine tasting at "Massandra"- 20UAH
• Yalta's Zoo - 15UAH
• Genoa Fortress - 7UAH (Additional fee: Excursion: 2UAH, to take pictures - 5UAH, Video - 10UAH)
• Sevastopol's Aquarium - 20UAH (Additional fee: to take pictures - 5UAH, Video - 10UAH)

Prices for food (Crimea, August, 2005).

• Beef (1 kg) 18-25UAH
• Fish (1 kg) 5-35UAH
• Pork (1 kg) 25-45UAH
• Chicken homegrown (1-2 kg) (farmer market) 12-16UAH
• Chicken at the grocery store (1 kg) 14-15UAH
• Bread 1.0 - 1.5UAH
• Tea (box) 1.0-8.5UAH
• Bottle of vodka (0.5 liter) from 10UAH
• Bottle of juice (1 liter) 3.5 - 8UAH
• Bottle of mineral water (0.5 liter) 1.0 - 2.8UAH
• Milk (1 liter) 1.70UAH
• Cheese (1 kg) from 18UAH
• Eggs (10 pc.) 3.0 - 3.80UAH
• Sausage (1 kg) 12-27UAH
• Potatoes (1 kg) 1.0-1.3UAH
• Tomatoes (1 kg) 3.0 - 4.0 UAH
• Apples (1 kg) from 3.0UAH
• Cucumbers (1 kg) 3.0 - 5.0UAH
• Pepper (1 kg) 1.0 - 1.50UAH

Having these prices you can finish our small research on your own. You will be able to understand that Ukraine still has a long way to go to make Ukraine money work.

Today very many even relatively economically stable families are faced to dilemma. They have to choose whether to pay for apartment or to feed their children. Often they fail to do both.

Samples of Ukraine's currency, information about Ukraine money history, handling and exchanging money in Ukraine you can find at Ukraine Currency page.