The largest price increase was recorded for school clothing, the cost of which rose by 40%
Preparing a child for the first grade in Ukraine in 2026 will cost parents an average of 12,923 UAH. This is 30% more than last year and more than four times higher than the 2020 figures. This was reported by Socportal citing Codes.com.ua, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Analysts calculated the cost of a full set of items for a first-grader based on prices in retail chains and marketplaces, as well as data from the State Statistics Service. Clothing remains the largest expenditure item, accounting for about 65% of costs. These items showed the highest price increase, rising by 40% over the last year.
Despite the calculated amount of nearly 13,000 UAH, real expenses may be lower if parents use items left over from previous seasons or consciously choose budget-friendly options. In the case of a comprehensive approach to purchasing new gear, taking into account higher-quality items, the total budget can rise to 20,000–30,000 UAH. At the same time, the minimum threshold for preparing a child for school is estimated at approximately 5,000 UAH.
Regional distribution of the financial burden
The level of affordability of school supplies varies significantly depending on the region, calculated as a share of the average monthly salary. The most difficult situation is observed in the Kirovohrad region, where school kits consume over 61% of monthly income. High levels of burden are also recorded in the Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Poltava regions, where figures exceed 50%.
In contrast, in Kyiv, the financial pressure on family budgets is significantly lower, amounting to approximately 27% of the average salary. The average figure for Ukraine remains at 42.35%. Such disparities indicate uneven purchasing power of citizens in different parts of the country, which directly affects the ability to provide children with everything necessary for the start of the academic year.
Mechanisms for optimizing the school budget
State assistance in the amount of 5,000 UAH provided for first-graders covers about 39% of the total cost of the basket identified by analysts. The basic kit, which includes stationery, a backpack, and spare shoes, is estimated at 2,773 UAH, so targeted payments make it possible to fully provide the child with the necessary minimum for studies.
To further reduce expenses, experts advise using discount systems, conducting joint purchases of school supplies, and comparing prices on various platforms. Also, significant savings can be achieved by purchasing used items and accessories, which allows reducing the total preparation budget by a third or even half.
Illustrative photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0
