Ukraine has presented the results of a large-scale sociological monitoring project on religiosity that has been conducted for 25 years. Research by the Razumkov Centre shows that the share of Ukrainians who identify themselves as believers has grown from 58% in 2000 to around 70% today, while trust in the Church remains consistently high at about 60%. At the same time, the war, social transformations, and changes within the confessional landscape have significantly influenced the country’s religious life.
Source: DESC
25 Years of Systematic Monitoring of Religiosity
In 2000, the Razumkov Centre launched the first large-scale study in independent Ukraine dedicated to religiosity and the relationship between the state, the Church, and society. Since then, surveys have been conducted regularly and have become a long-term monitoring project of the country’s religious situation.
The Centre’s president Yurii Yakymenko, who moderated the presentation of the results, emphasized that the continuity of these studies allows researchers to analyze not only individual indicators but also broader social processes — including shifts in religiosity, trust in religious institutions, and interfaith relations.
Ukrainian Religiosity in a European Context
The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelenskyi noted that Ukrainian religiosity generally corresponds to the European model.
According to him, Ukraine is not among the most religious countries in Europe, such as Malta or Poland, but it also does not demonstrate the deep secularization characteristic of some northern European states. By most indicators — religious self-identification, religious practices, and trust in churches — Ukrainian society sits roughly in the middle of the European spectrum.
More Ukrainians Identify as Believers
According to Mykhailo Mishchenko, deputy director of the Razumkov Centre’s sociological service, one of the key trends over the past 25 years is the gradual increase in the number of people who identify as believers.
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58% of Ukrainians identified themselves as believers in 2000
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around 70% did so in 2025
Religious self-identification tends to grow during periods of social crisis, particularly after 2014 and at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Additionally, about 25% of respondents said they became more religious after the start of the full-scale war, with this trend particularly noticeable among combat veterans.
Not All Believers Belong to Religious Communities
Despite high levels of religious self-identification, active participation in church life remains significantly lower.
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only 29% of Ukrainians consider themselves members of a specific religious community
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about 50% attend church at least occasionally
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roughly 25% do so regularly
Most of those who identify with specific church communities belong to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine or the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Changes in the Confessional Landscape
Significant shifts have occurred in Ukraine’s confessional structure in recent years.
For example:
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42% of Orthodox Ukrainians now identify with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine
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the share of those identifying with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) has declined from 13% in 2021 to around 5% in 2025
The number of people who describe themselves simply as “Orthodox” without specifying a denomination is also decreasing.
Trust in the Church Remains High
Despite social changes, trust in the Church remains one of the highest among public institutions.
Today, around 60% of citizens trust the Church. This is slightly lower than the peak levels recorded in 2010 but still higher than trust in most other institutions.
Experts note that attitudes toward the Church have become more conscious and nuanced. In the 1990s, it was often perceived as a moral authority in contrast to a weak state, whereas today Ukrainians evaluate its role more critically and thoughtfully.
Expectations from Churches During the War
A separate section of the research examined the role of religious organizations during wartime.
Most Ukrainians expect churches to provide:
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psychological support for people
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assistance to the military
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humanitarian and volunteer work
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participation in strengthening social solidarity
Since 2022, the number of church communities actively involved in volunteer efforts and assistance to war victims has increased significantly.
Religiosity and Social Solidarity
The First Deputy Head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Voynalovych highlighted a notable paradox: a high level of declared religiosity coexists with relatively weak institutional affiliation with churches.
“Many people identify themselves as believers but do not associate themselves with a specific church community,” he said.
In his view, it is important to discuss not only the number of believers but also the quality of religiosity — its capacity to shape social solidarity and support.
Need to Explain Ukraine’s Religious Situation Internationally
Religious scholar Liudmyla Fylypovych emphasized the importance of sharing the study’s results more widely abroad.
According to her, sociological data can help counter widespread international myths about alleged “restrictions on religious freedom” or claims about the “decline of Christianity” in Ukraine.
Support from International Partners
The long-term monitoring project is supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The foundation’s deputy director in Ukraine, Jan‑Philipp Woelbern, stated that cooperation with the Razumkov Centre will continue.
“A strong state always relies on values shaped by society. Christian faith can be one of the important foundations for the development of an independent state,” he said.
Conclusion
The monitoring results present a complex but dynamic picture of Ukraine’s religious life. Despite war and major social transformations, Ukrainians maintain a high level of religious self-identification and trust in the Church.
Long-term studies make it possible to see these developments as part of the broader evolution of Ukrainian society — its values, identity, and the role of religion during historic trials.
