PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS OF UKRAINE

The demographics that exists today, employment of the rural population and the level of agricultural production on the example of Chernivtsi region are analyzed. It was established that the population of Chernivtsi region, including rural population, characterized by a tendency to decrease; availability of basic life-supporting factors in the rural areas of Chernivtsi region (educational, health, welfare, public utilities institutions) is much less than the demand and achieved level in the cities; the pace and level of agricultural development and the efficiency of agricultural production are insufficient; agricultural production among the last two decades was declining both in general and in per capita. The main aspects of agricultural policy of rural areas development in the EU are considered. The measures to ensure the sustainable development of rural areas based on EU guidelines are proposed, which should include: the implementation of multi-role of agriculture in society through special programs, grounding on the program SAPARD, used by EU countries; certification of rural settlements; introduction of urban standards of quality of life for rural settlements; reorganization of system of public administration in agriculture at all levels of rural self-government; development and implementation of programs for supporting development of agricultural credit cooperation; development and implementation of programs of social and engineering infrastructure in rural areas, integrated compact building in and improvement of rural settlements; design and implementation of programs for environmental safety and environment protection.