COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE POPULATION INCOME LEVELS IN THE REGIONS OF THE POLISH-UKRAINIAN BORDERLAND

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines the problem of income inequality in the Polish-Ukrainian border regions under conditions of increasing global economic interaction. The relevance of the study is determined by significant differences in wages and pensions between neighboring regions of Ukraine and Poland, which directly affect the welfare of the population, labor migration intensity, and socio-economic stability of territories.

Objective. The aim of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of income levels in the Polish-Ukrainian border regions and to identify the main factors shaping socio-economic disparities between them.

Materials and Methods. The research employs comparative analysis, statistical generalization, and a systemic approach to evaluating socio-economic indicators. The empirical basis includes official statistical data on wages and pensions in the Volyn and Lviv regions of Ukraine and the Lublin and Subcarpathian voivodeships of Poland, including indicators calculated in international dollars based on purchasing power parity.

Results. The study reveals that wage levels in Polish border regions are on average nearly four times higher than in Ukrainian regions, while pensions exceed Ukrainian levels by more than six times. The share of pensions relative to wages is significantly lower in Ukraine than in Poland, indicating differences in social security models. The key determinants of income disparities include economic factors (labor productivity, economic structure, investment levels), institutional and demographic factors (quality of governance, pension systems, employment rates), and external economic factors (integration into the European market, international cooperation). Labor migration plays a crucial role, acting both as a consequence of disparities and as a factor reinforcing them.

Prospects. Further research should focus on evaluating the impact of cross-border cooperation, educational integration, and institutional reforms on reducing income disparities in border regions. Practical implications include recommendations for increasing labor productivity, improving social policy, and facilitating economic convergence between Ukraine and Poland.