ASSESSMENT OF KEY DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE WESTERN REGION OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim of the article is to conduct a rapid assessment of the key determinants of sustainable development of the Western region of Ukraine in the economic, social and environmental spheres based on the index method. To assess the progress towards the implementation of the principles of sustainable development, three key determinants or indicators (indices) have been identified: in the economic sphere - the index of the physical volume of the gross regional product, in the social sphere - the index of real disposable income, in the environmental sphere - the index of capital investments in environmental protection. For a generalised assessment of the indices by spheres in the Western region of Ukraine as a whole, it is proposed to determine them using the geometric mean formula. The results of the assessment showed that in the economic and environmental spheres, the regions of Western Ukraine demonstrated relatively higher progress, while in the social sphere, progress was at the level of the national level. An analysis of the dynamics of the integrated sustainable development index in 2013-2021 showed that the regions of Western Ukraine showed relatively higher positive rates of progress than Ukraine as a whole. The greatest progress towards sustainable development has been made by Lviv region, while Ternopil, Rivne and Zakarpattia regions have made relatively less progress. Using the proposed methodological approach, it will be possible to identify key areas and priorities for further decisions to improve the situation in the economic, social and environmental spheres of the regions.