The revolution appears not to be playing out too well in favor of ordinary Ukrainians. Many are complaining that 17 years later, that corrupt tycoons and officials remain at liberty while ordinary citizens are continuing to struggle and are forced to pay endless bribes demanded by policemen, doctors, and even teachers. Still a corrupt educational system so many years after the revolution
Ukraine still has a lot of catching up to do. It still remains one of Europe's poorest countries, with an average income of just $3,000 which is about half of the Russian Federation's income level and only 8% of Britain's!!!
Still walking around in Kyiv what stands out? A show room for the new wealth among the few must be Arena Citi, the upscale shopping and entertainment complex since 2005 in Kyiv. More than 60 boutiques that carry French and Italian designer labels, furniture, and jewelry. Car dealerships for Porsche, Bentley, and Mercedes. The newly rich are displaying expensive taste. The Porsche store in the complex reported in 2007 that they expected to sell 350 cars at an average price of $140,000, that is one each day!!! In 2005 they sold only 100
For someone making the average $3,000 per year it would take 47 years of saving to afford such a car, no wait more.... 94 years if saving 50% which is too high of a savings rate even for most. Ordinary Ukrainians will not be able to drive a new Porsche with such a mismatch. Perhaps at age 120
Still there are signs of economic progress to for the ordinary man and woman. Since 2003 consumption has been growing fast and it is estimated that 70% of Ukrainians can now afford new cars, furniture, flat screens and and other expensiv good. That is an improvement from 40% in 2003 per the market researcher, the GfK Group. Still saving for 94 years for that Porsche .. hmmm.... a Lada Niva could do too
