У статті розглядаються суспільно-географічні погляди на розвиток середнього класу в Україні. Розкрито суть понять "бідність" та "середній клас". Визначено суспільно-географічні аспекти дослідження середнього класу та напрямки державної політики щодо скорочення масштабів бідності в Україні. Обгрунтовується необхідність здійснення державою заходів для створення відповідної нормативно-правової бази з питань подолання бідності. Формування майбутнього середнього класу необхідно пов"язувати з перспективами впровадження програм подолання бідності в Україні.
Analysis of social and geographic aspects of the study of the middle class in Ukraine and government policy on poverty reduction is very important at current stage of social development. Although the problem of poverty in Ukraine gained official recognition after the approval of the Poverty Reduction Strategy by the Decree of President of Ukraine dated 15 August 2001 р. # 637/2001, significant results could not be reached. The heterogeneity of poverty and problems of the middle class depends on a number of factors resulting from regional conditions. Poverty as a socio-economic phenomenon is directly related to both the level of economic development and inequality in access to tangible and intangible& benefits. Like poverty, the middle class is present in every modern society, but the difference lies in the degree of its uniformity, stability, scale, and role in society. The main features of the middle class are: the level of material wealth and &consumption, education and professional qualification status, economic and social motivation, method and way of life, the ability to self-organize. The study bases on statistical information by Ukrainian regions related to assessment of relative pove&rty and poverty depth. Strong middle class cannot form while poverty increases. Therefore, the state policy targeting poverty in Ukraine should imply a certain system of measures aimed on the increase of GDP per capita and considered regional policy &to eradicate regional poverty and to develop mechanisms of encouragement new jobs creating etc. Therefore, the problem of poverty reduction and formation of the middle class needs to be addressed by implementing strategic directions and improving reg&ional policy. The formation of future strong middle class should associate with the prospects of poverty reduction programs in Ukraine. TO develop a powerful middle class in Ukraine, this process should be considered as an important component of the &state social and economic policy.
