According to him, poverty as a permanent source of social tension significantly hinders the development of Ukraine towards achieving European standards of living, thus reducing this phenomenon is a priority of state policy.
Yanukovych noted that for the last 20 years the major part of Ukrainian families has experienced poverty in its various ways of manifestation. "It was influenced by a number of factors, including sudden devaluation of deposits at the beginning of 1990ies and mass unemployment during the economic crisis," he added.
"But thanks to the measures taken, in particular within the framework of the Program of Economic Reforms 2010-2014 "Rich Society, Competitive Economy, Effective State," major advances are achieved in this field," the President's statement says.
According to him, the poverty rate in 2010 is reduced by 2.3%, the lowest since 2001. This was a consequence of an increase by nearly 25% of the cost of living, more than 12% - average pensions, 10% - real wages.
However, the head of state emphasized, high poverty remains among large families and people in rural areas, this problem is also acute for the working population. Every fourth family, which consists of children and working adults, belongs to the poor, he underscored.
"That's why I submitted the laws on improvement of the living standards of families with children. The parliament supported my initiatives, and thanks to mutual efforts parents get increased financial aid for newborns, and low-income families get financial support from the state," he added.
"Stabilization of the economy development, reduction of administrative load on business, establishment of transparent tax regulations will stimulate opening new working places, will increase people's income and as a result will increase state budget expenses for social payments to low-income persons," the statement says.
"As President of Ukraine I will support every program, which gives our citizens a possibility to increase the living standards," Yanukovych promised.
