Become a member of the UCCI
Weak Signs of Stabilization Amid Overall Pessimism: Business Barometer Results for April 2025
In April 2025, the overall Business Barometer Index showed a slight decline, settling at -11.6 points (⇩-1.9 points), and remained in the zone of negative expectations.
Negative sentiment continues to dominate across all sectors. However, the construction sector recorded a weakening of pessimistic forecasts (-3.8⇧+7.4).
A slight strengthening of negative expectations was observed in the manufacturing, services, and trade sectors (-13.7⇩-3.8, -5.0⇩-0.6, and -15.5⇩-0.8, respectively)
Regardless of business size, negative expectations prevail across all categories, with a tendency towards further deterioration among micro (-10.8⇩-2.7), small (-12.4⇩-6.1), and medium-sized (-13.2⇩-0.4) enterprises. Only large companies reported a weakening of negative expectations (-7.0⇧+6.7).
Exporters' outlook remains aligned with the general business trend and is characterized by a slight intensification of pessimistic expectations (-11.3⇩-2.2).
The survey results regarding the restoration and strengthening of market surveillance over products indicate that a relative majority of business representatives (44%) support this step from the standpoint of consumer protection and fair competition. Meanwhile, 30% consider it inappropriate under the current circumstances or perceive it as a risk of increased pressure on businesses. Only 16% of respondents do not expect significant impacts on their business.
Monthly, in addition to the regular survey, respondents can answer the “hot” question of the month and contact the hot line of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The survey is conducted in verified chatbots on Telegram and Viber and takes only 2 minutes.
Access to the April 2025 report is here.
About the “Business Barometer”
The Business Barometer from the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) reflects the views of enterprises and entrepreneurs who are members and partners of the UCCI. It shows expectations regarding changes in the business environment for the upcoming month compared to the previous one.
It is based on a survey that takes into account the status of indicators (“sub-indices”) of respondents’ activities in four sectors (manufacturing, construction, trade, services). The Business Barometer is adapted to the needs of members and partners of the UCCI. A unique feature of the
Business Barometer is the inclusion of specialized sectoral questions and an analysis of the state of exports, providing an additional perspective on market conditions.
The main goal of the Index is to provide enterprises and entrepreneurs who are members and partners of the UCCI with a simple and accessible tool for assessing changes in the business environment in Ukraine.
The Business Barometer value of 0 points indicates no change in expectations. A value above 0 suggests that businesses anticipate an improvement in economic trends compared to the previous month. A value below 0 reflects negative expectations regarding changes relative to the prior month.
This publication was created by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry within the framework of the project "Transformational Recovery for People's Security in Ukraine," funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.
The opinions, statements, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this document belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNDP, the United Nations, the Government of Japan, and/or other international partners.
