At the end of the second half of 2025, Ukraine ranked 111th out of 147 economies in the AI diffusion ranking prepared by Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute. According to the report, Ukraine’s AI Diffusion index for the second half of 2025 was 9.0%, compared to 9.1% in the first half of the year (a change of -0.1 p.p.).
For comparison, the index is significantly higher in a number of countries in the region: Poland – 28.5%, Romania – 16.2%, Moldova – 17.0% (H2 2025). At the bottom of the list, next to Ukraine, are Belarus (8.4%) and Russia (8.0%, 119th place).
The research methodology describes the indicator as an estimate of the share of the working-age population actively using AI tools, based on anonymized Microsoft telemetry and adjustments for device access; the authors also note a strong link between the spread of AI and the level of economic development.
The top ten in the ranking include the UAE (64.0%), Singapore (60.9%), Norway (46.4%), Ireland (44.6%), France (44.0%), Spain (41.8%), New Zealand (40.5%), the Netherlands (38.9%), the United Kingdom (38.9%), and Qatar (38.3%).
The bottom ten include Laos (6.7%), Armenia (6.6%), Sri Lanka (6.6%), Uzbekistan (6.3%), Rwanda (6.3%), Cuba (6.1%), Afghanistan (5.6%), Tajikistan (5.6%), Turkmenistan (5.6%), and Cambodia (5.1%).
On January 20, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection (SSSPZZI) announced its intention to conclude a contract of compulsory civil liability insurance of owners of land vehicles (MTPL) with IC “VUSO” (Kiev)
As reported in the system of electronic procurement Prozorro, the company’s price offer amounted to UAH 289.5 thousand against UAH 850.7 thousand of the expected cost of purchasing services.
The tender was also attended by the insurance company “Guardian” with a proposal of UAH 381.2 thousand, “Arsenal Insurance” with a proposal for a hryvnia more than that of ‘Guardian’, and IC “Unica” – UAH 666.6 thousand.
Gospetsvyaz, IC VUSO, INSURANCE, Motor transport, MTPL, TENDER
Ensuring the security and maintenance of the army in Ukraine’s current composition over the next 10 years could cost up to $700 billion if Russia’s aggression continues, said Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.
“If the situation does not change, that is, if Russia’s aggressive behavior towards Europe and the world continues, it could cost up to $700 billion over the next 10 years to maintain the Ukrainian army in its current size and provide it with military personnel,” Kachka said during a panel discussion entitled “Ukraine: On the Front Lines of the Future” at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As noted by the head of the Ministry of Economy, Ecology and Agriculture, Alexei Sobolev, the $700 billion mentioned is off-budget defense spending. In addition, according to him, more than $500 billion over the next decade should be allocated directly from Ukraine’s state budget for defense needs.
Sobolev stressed that to this end, Ukraine will fight corruption, reduce the share of the shadow economy, and try to collect more taxes.
“We must develop the economy so that it can support security, which, in turn, will allow the economy to grow,” Sobolev said, emphasizing the interdependence of economic prosperity and defense capabilities.
Government representatives also added that, despite significant defense spending, Ukraine continues to implement the reforms necessary for EU accession and is working to create tools to reduce risks for private investors.
China’s population in 2025 decreased by 3.39 million people to 1 billion 404.89 million, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The population has declined for the fourth consecutive year.
This included 716.85 million men and 688.04 million women. These figures do not include the populations of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as foreigners living in China.
Last year, 7.92 million children were born in the country, compared to 9.54 million a year earlier. This is the lowest level in the history of calculations (since 1949). The birth rate was 5.63 per 1,000 people, compared to 6.77 in 2024.
The sharp decline may be partly due to the increase in 2024, most of which occurred during the Year of the Dragon, which is considered auspicious for marriage and childbirth in Chinese culture, experts note.
The number of deaths in China in 2025 increased to 11.31 million from 10.93 million a year earlier, according to the NBS. The mortality rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000 people from 7.76.
People aged 16 to 59 accounted for 60.6% of the total population, while those aged 60 and older accounted for 23%.
Cities were home to 953.8 million people, which is 10.3 million more than at the end of 2024. The number of permanent residents in rural areas decreased by 13.69 million to 451.09 million people. As a result, the share of the urban population increased by 89 basis points to 67.89%.
The average number of years of schooling among the population aged 16 to 59 reached 11.3 years, which is 0.1 years more than in 2024.
At the end of 2025, China’s GDP increased by 5% to 140.2 trillion yuan. The growth rate coincided with the government’s target and the pace of economic growth in 2024.
The dispute over Greenland has overshadowed plans to use the Davos week to reach agreements between the US, Ukraine, and European countries on security guarantees and reconstruction of Ukraine, Axios reports.
“A Ukrainian official said that the plan for leaders to sign the ‘prosperity plan’ had been canceled. An American official denied that any date had been set and said that the plan still needed to be finalized,” the report said.
It is noted that Trump still plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, but the US official said that no breakthroughs should be expected.
Imports of lead and lead products to Ukraine in 2025 increased 3.3 times to $7.801 million.
In contrast, lead exports decreased by 17.8% to $9.377 million.
In December, imports amounted to $478,000, while exports amounted to $466,000.
Imports have been growing for the second year in a row: in 2024, they increased 2.4 times.
Lead is currently mainly used in the production of lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry.
In addition, lead is used in the manufacture of bullets and certain alloys.
