The Verkhovna Rada is continuing to adopt Ukraine’s state budget for 2027. According to reports on the vote on 28 October, parliament has completed the first stage of consideration of the country’s main financial document. The largest share of funding in the draft budget is earmarked for defence and security — 4.885 trillion hryvnias, or 43.8% of projected GDP. The day before, MPs endorsed the budget conclusions in principle by 232 votes. At the time of writing, the final result of today’s vote on the budget at first reading had not yet been confirmed by an official protocol of the Verkhovna Rada.
Briefly about the main points
- The Verkhovna Rada is considering Ukraine’s national budget for 2027.
- The draft budget allocates 4.885 trillion hryvnias to defence and security.
- 540.3 billion hryvnias have been earmarked for social benefits and pensions.
- Funding for education will amount to 328.5 billion hryvnias, and for healthcare — 292.5 billion hryvnias.
Almost 4.9 trillion hryvnias have been allocated for defence and security
Funding for the security and defence sector remains the largest item in the draft state budget for 2027. The total allocation amounts to 4 trillion 885 billion hryvnias. This is 517.9 billion hryvnias more than provided for in the 2026 plan, taking into account amendments.
Of this amount, 1.79 trillion hryvnias are earmarked for wages and related payments, and 2.3 trillion hryvnias for armaments and military equipment. A further 264.9 billion hryvnias is earmarked as a reserve for the security and defence sector.
Whilst preparing the budgetary conclusions, MPs also proposed that the government look into the issue of increasing pay for military personnel.
How much funding has been allocated to pensions, education and healthcare?
The draft budget allocates 540.3 billion hryvnias for social benefits and pensions.
The plan is to allocate 328.5 billion hryvnias to education and 292.5 billion hryvnias to healthcare.
A separate allocation of 83.2 billion hryvnias has been set aside to support internally displaced persons, and 133.6 billion hryvnias for regional and community development.
20.5 billion hryvnias have been earmarked for veterans’ policy, and 96 billion hryvnias for supporting business and the economy.
These figures may change during the finalisation of the budget ahead of the second reading.
What amendments did the Verkhovna Rada consider?
The Budget Committee has considered 5,236 amendments tabled by MPs to the government’s draft bill and drawn up 90 final proposals.
Among them are — a review of military pay, an increase in state guarantees for enterprises in the defence industry, and additional funding for education and healthcare.
The committee also recommended reviewing the use of budget funds under the «National Cashback» programme.
According to preliminary estimates, implementing all the amendments tabled by MPs would require an additional 13.5 trillion hryvnias, which far exceeds the state’s financial capacity.
When the 2027 national budget will be finally approved
Following the completion of the first reading, the Cabinet of Ministers must finalise the draft budget, taking into account the conclusions adopted by the Verkhovna Rada. The Government must determine the funding for the proposed amendments and submit the updated document for the second reading.
Parliament plans to resume its consideration of the budget in the second half of November. The final figures for public expenditure and revenue will be determined once the bill has been passed in its entirety.
