INSTITUTIONAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF STATE YOUTH POLICY IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article presents a comparative analysis of the works of modern scholars regarding the interpretation of youth as a socio-economic category and a driving force behind political innovations in the context of achieving state objectives. The youth of Ukraine is analyzed as a socio-demographic group under the conditions of modern transformation processes and martial law. The demographic situation in the country from 2019 to 2024 is examined. The main socio-demographic characteristics of youth, including population trends, age structure, employment, and social activity, are considered. Special attention is paid to the institutional principles of state youth policy, its multi-level execution, and the role of youth as a strategic resource for socio-economic development. The dynamics of forming and implementing institutional mechanisms to support youth were identified, and their impact on the younger generation's socio-economic situation was assessed. The Youth Progress Index levels in Ukraine and globally (2019–2024) are analyzed, identifying key factors influencing this indicator. The importance of studying the three main dimensions of social progress–the basic needs of youth, opportunities for advancement, and the realization of their potential–is substantiated. Furthermore, the role of socio-demographic indicators as a foundation for effective youth policy is determined. Ultimately, the need to adapt youth policy to modern demographic and social challenges is substantiated, and specific directions for its improvement are proposed.