Investment attractiveness of the Odesa region in the context of economic recovery of the Southern region of Ukraine

doi:10.26565/2076-1333-2025-39-11

Kyrylo Iran I.I. Mechnykov Odesa National University, Shampanskyi Lane, 2, Odesa, 65058, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7449-7908

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2076-1333-2025-39-11

Keywords: investment attractiveness, socio-geographical factors, territorial structure, spatial analysis, economic recovery, Odesa region, Southern region of Ukraine

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive socio-geographical analysis of the factors shaping the investment attractiveness of the Odesa region within the system of post-war recovery of Ukraine’s Southern macro-region. Based on official statistical data and regional development programs, it examines the dynamics of capital investments during 2021–2024, highlighting a marked decline in 2022 followed by gradual recovery, which reflects the adaptation of the regional economy to changing security and logistical conditions. The sectoral and territorial structure of the investment space is revealed, with leading positions occupied by the transport and logistics complex, construction, agro-industrial production, and processing industries, along with a growing role of municipal infrastructure and recreational projects. The study demonstrates the determining influence of the region’s transport-geographical position, the functioning of the seaports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi, the revitalization of the Danube ports of Izmail and Reni, cross-border communications with EU countries, and the internal urban dynamics of the Odesa agglomeration on the formation of the regional investment profile.

Spatial patterns of investment polarization are identified, with capital concentrated in the coastal urbanized core and relatively low investment activity in the northern and southwestern peripheries. This configuration forms a monocentric development model showing signs of transition toward a polycentric structure driven by the growth of the southern investment district. The study identifies geo-economic centers of growth, determines barriers to capital attraction in peripheral territories, and proposes directions for spatial optimization of regional investment policy - including the development of multimodal corridors and dry ports, strengthening of public-private partnerships in rebuilding critical infrastructure, and establishment of local investment monitoring systems. The results specify the geographical determinants of Odesa region’s investment attractiveness and outline key priorities for balanced economic recovery.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Kyrylo Iran, I.I. Mechnykov Odesa National University, Shampanskyi Lane, 2, Odesa, 65058, Ukraine

PhD Student, Department of Economic and Social Geography and Tourism

References

Agayeva, L.K., & Anisimova, V.Yu. (2018). Investment attractiveness of the region: a study guide. Sumy: Sumy State University Publishing House, 72 p. [in Ukrainian].

Analysis of capital investments in the Odesa region for January-September 2021. Analytical report. Retrieved from https://eko.od.gov.ua [in Ukrainian].

Atamas, O. (2023). Investment attractiveness of Ukrainian regions. Critical assessment and search for solutions to problematic aspects. Economic Development and the State, 2(47), 11-15. https://doi.org/10.32782/2308-1988/2023-47-1 [in Ukrainian].

Babanov, A.V. (2012). Classification of factors that shape the investment attractiveness of a region. Economic Journal, 4, 88-95 [in Ukrainian].

Vengurenko, T.G., & Plakhotnyuk, V.V. (2020). Analysis of Ukraine's investment attractiveness. Business Inform, 4, 103-111. https://doi.org/10.32983/2222-4459-2020-4-103-111 [in Ukrainian].

Haidutsky, P.I. (2002). Investment climate in Ukraine: monograph. Kyiv: Nora-Druk, 246 p. [in Ukrainian].

Main Department of Statistics in Odessa Region. Capital investments by type of activity (quarterly reports). Retrieved from https://od.ukrstat.gov.ua/ [in Ukrainian].

Gunko, V.I. (2013). Factors and indicators of investment attractiveness. Financial Space, 1(9), 21-25 [in Ukrainian].

State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Capital investments by type of economic activity in 2024. Retrieved from https://ukrstat.gov.ua/operativ/menu/menu_u/ioz.htm [in Ukrainian].

State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine. Analytical review of investments in recreation and tourism (2024). Retrieved from https://www.tourism.gov.ua/ [in Ukrainian].

Investments in the agricultural sector of Ukraine: report on support for agriculture in frontline regions. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/ukraine [in Ukrainian].

Kozyar, N.O. (2018). Theoretical approaches to interpreting the essence of the category of ‘investment attractiveness’ in agriculture. Agrosvit, 23, 66-72 [in Ukrainian].

Kostyrko, L., Serebryak, K., Sereda, O., & Zaitseva, L. (2022). Investment attractiveness of Ukraine as a dominant factor in attracting foreign direct investment from Europe: analysis and assessment. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 2(43), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.2.43.2022.3700 [in Ukrainian].

Leshchuk, G.V. (2020). Systematisation of approaches to assessing the investment attractiveness of a region. Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod National University, 29, 93-97. https://doi.org/10.32782/2413-9971/2020-29-18 [in Ukrainian].

National Bank of Ukraine. Transactions with direct investment instruments by region, country and type of economic activity. 2024. Retrieved from https://bank.gov.ua/ua/statistic/sector-external#5 [in Ukrainian].

Programme for the socio-economic development of the Odesa region for 2025. Retrieved from https://digital.od.gov.ua [in Ukrainian].

Foreign direct investment in the regions of Ukraine during the full-scale invasion. Investment Analytics Agency (IAA). Retrieved from https://iaa.org.ua/portfolio/foreign-direct-investment-in-the-regions-of-ukraine-during-the-full-scale-invasion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [in Ukrainian].

Smesova, V.L., & Bondarenko, L.S. (2024). Competitiveness as the basis for socio-economic development and economic security of regions. Investments: practice and experience, 1, 5-11. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2024-64-66 [in Ukrainian].

Topchiev, O.G. (2005). Socio-geographical research: methodology, methods, techniques: Textbook. Odesa: Astroprint, 632 p. [in Ukrainian].

Chaplyak, N.I. (2022). Investment attractiveness of Ukraine. Problems and solutions in modern realities. Economy and society, 40. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2022-40-80 [in Ukrainian].

Yakushko, I.V. (2019). Rating approaches to assessing the investment attractiveness of the national economy. Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod National University. Series: International Economic Relations and World Economy. 2019, 23, part 2, 152-159. Retrieved from http://www.visnyk-econom.uzhnu.uz.ua/archive/23_2_2019ua/31.pdf [in Ukrainian].