Trade wars in the world and their impact on corruption in the social sphere of Ukraine

The article presents a comprehensive study of the impact of global trade wars on the level of corruption in Ukraine’s social sector. It emphasises that the rising global economic tensions, triggered by trade confrontations between leading powers – particularly the United States, China, and the EU – lead to the destabilisation of international trade, changes in market access conditions, price fluctuations, and disruptions in global production and logistics chains. For countries like Ukraine, which are vulnerable to external shocks while being integrated into the global economy, these processes act as catalysts for internal economic and social changes. At the core of the study lies an analysis of how external economic shocks reshape the state’s budgetary policy priorities, especially regarding the financing of the social sector. Amid decreasing budget revenues, currency fluctuations, and rising debt burdens, the government is forced to cut expenditures on healthcare, education, and social welfare. This creates favourable conditions for shadow practices: procurement at inflated prices, distribution of social benefits “by arrangement,” and bribery in service provision systems. The situation is further complicated by the limited personnel and resource capacity of oversight bodies, which themselves often experience cuts or a decline in effectiveness. The social sector proves to be especially vulnerable during crises, as it serves as a litmus test for public trust in the state and its ability to guarantee citizens’ fundamental rights. The involvement of international donors, humanitarian aid, and procurement of medicines and equipment during emergencies is often carried out hastily and without proper oversight, which only increases the risks of corruption. The article underlines that corrupt practices in the social sphere have not only financial but also profound social consequences – loss of access to quality services, declining living standards, increased social inequality, and marginalisation of vulnerable population groups.