According to the Business Activity Expectations Index (BAEI), calculated monthly by the National Bank of Ukraine, businesses in April 2025 are assessing their current economic activities more cautiously. The index for this month stood at 49.4 points, a decrease from 51.8 in March 2025 and 52.3 in April 2024.
This is reported by Business • Media
Reasons and Positive Factors in the Business Sector
The main reasons for the decline in assessments were the worsening weather conditions, prolonged uncertainty regarding the development of hostilities, rising costs of raw materials and labor, accelerating inflationary processes, the weakening of the hryvnia against the euro, and a shortage of skilled workers. Despite this, business participants also noted positive factors: stable consumer demand, incoming international financial assistance, and a better-than-expected situation in the energy sector.
According to the BAEI, in April 2025, companies in the country maintained moderately optimistic assessments regarding their activities. Compared to March, the industrial sector remained the most optimistic – the index was 51.8, while in March it was 53.1.
Expectations Regarding Prices and Inflation
Surveyed enterprises in industry, trade, and services maintained high expectations regarding the increase in purchase prices and tariffs for their products and services. At the same time, construction companies are inclined towards a weakening of price indicators, indicating differing sentiments across various sectors of the economy.
“In April 2025, the Business Activity Expectations Index stood at 49.4 points, indicating a more cautious attitude from businesses towards future economic prospects.”