Human development in the informational economy: challenges to social policy

Abstract

The scientific hypothesis about the influence of the components of the informational environment on the expansion of human development is tested. The trends in the Ukrainian information space on the level of implementation of informational technology in human life are revealed. The sample survey about living conditions of households in Ukraine in general and the oblasts of the Carpathian region, in particular, is conducted. The ways of use of Internet services by households for involvement of the population in various spheres of public activity and their influence on human development of the oblasts of the Carpathian region are analyzed. The analysis showed a significant reduction in the share of households by objectives: education and training (formal education in school and higher education, distance education, including online activities); software download. The search for information related to health issues and interaction with public authorities has great potential for human development. The paper concludes that the population of the Carpathian region is insufficiently involved in the use of Internet services. Based on the analysis of indicators of the Global Competitiveness Index, the problems in the field of expanding human development opportunities in Ukraine are described. There is mainly a downward trend in the development of areas involved in expanding human development opportunities in the transition to the information economy - education, health, labor, science and innovation. Relevant guidelines for the implementation of state social policy in this area are identified. Social policy as a direction of state regulation of the economy requires a transition from mostly passive to active and effective state social policy. It is necessary to update the mechanisms for conducting active social policy at the level of the state, various administrative, public organizations, and enterprises. Social policy must be closely linked with the implementation of internal reforms in the country (education, health, pensions, taxes and wages, etc.). Social policy measures should be coordinated with measures of other types of state policy - migration, the formation and development of the middle class, the policy of investing in human capital.