Ukraine cuts more than 4,000 vacant government posts and trims deputy ministers by about 20% in the first stage of civil service reform

Ukraine is reducing its government workforce by more than 4,000 vacant positions in a bid to streamline the civil service, according to Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi. Deputy ministers' numbers will decrease by approximately 20%, while deputy heads of central bodies will see a nearly 18% reduction. The primary objective of this civil service reform is to establish a professional state apparatus capable of swiftly and effectively fulfilling tasks, as stated by Koretskyi.

This is a crucial step to address Ukraine's economic challenges, as the country grapples with an economic crunch and about $20 billion in EU aid is presently on hold due to incomplete reforms. The cuts are merely the initial phase, and the final headcount remains undetermined. Koretskyi emphasizes that the number of deputies will be contingent on the workload of each office.

The reform also entails a comprehensive assessment of the state apparatus's functionality, determining if the bodies' functions align with the state's realities and priorities before finalizing the structure and headcount. Concurrently, training for officials will be tailored to the tasks of each specific position, incorporating outreach and internships for young individuals and a separate program for veterans.

This reform unfolds amidst a tight budget, as the ongoing war incurs an annual cost of around $155 billion for Ukraine. With Western aid delayed, Kyiv has frozen various expenditures, including a veterans' gym subsidy that had cost $13 million and attracted over 800,000 users.