privatization s effects on social welfare in ukraine the sigmableyzer experience michael bleyzer edilberto segura neal sigda diana smachtina and victor gekker 325 when declared independence august 1991 it became europe second largest country terms of land mass its fourth pop ulation with 50 million people owing to rich agricultural soil is breadbasket former soviet union providing must agri cultural needs noted for mineral resources particularly iron ore coal has an adequate infrastructure a well educated skilled labor force significant foundation engineering science these have made possible supply much heavy industry economic challenge overview despite such favorable conditions since faced one most difficult challenges eastern including eight year recession from 1999 gdp declined every cumulative decline about 60 percent this was protracted because unfavorable immediately following major structural weaknesses economy highly dependent other republics
