The Psychological Long-Term Effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

Since the reactor accident of Chernobyl 5-7% of the Ukraine’s annual GDP has been spent on securing the destroyed nuclear power plant and its environment, decontamination and on damages for the victims. The actual follow-up costs of the disaster, however, are far higher. The reactor accident has been responsible for lower levels of satisfaction with life and poorer mental health among vast swathes of the Ukrainian population.