VoxEU Column
Estimating the short-term impact of war on economic activity in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has severely limited the ability to gather statistical information and assess the impact on the country’s economy. This column uses high-frequency data from night lights, online search behaviour, and social media activity to estimate the economic impact on Ukrainian regions. It suggests that economic activity decreased by 45% at the beginning of the war, but recovered to around 85% of pre-war levels in April. Timely assessments of human and capital losses will be crucial in the discussion of optimal post-war redevelopment strategies.
