In 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine announced a reduction in the number of civil servants to 64000 as part of the civil service reform. Considering this, the purpose of the article was to determine the optimal number of civil servants in Ukraine. For this, it was studied to investigate the change in the number of the population and civil servants in Ukraine from 2015 to 2022 inclusive, and compared these data with similar indicators of Germany and Great Britain as the most successful European countries. After all, the principles of the civil service of these countries were taken as a basis for the reform of the civil service of Ukraine. It was established that during this period the population in Great Britain increased by 3 million 846 thousand people, in Germany by 2 million 124 thousand people, and in Ukraine, on the contrary, it decreased by 3 million 792 thousand people. Accordingly, the number of civil servants in Ukraine decreased by 104618 people, in Great Britain it increased by 73,677 people, and in Germany it increased by 247720 people. In addition, the change in GDP from public administration from 2015 to 2022 for these countries was analyzed. It was established that the period from 2015 to 2022 increased by UAH 18900 million. in Ukraine, by UAH 5879055 million in Great Britain, and by UAH 1676658 million. in Germany. That is, compared to 2015, in 2022, GDP from the public administration of countries increased by 2.4 years; in 2.1 years; in 1.3 years, respectively. At the same time, the average monthly salary of a civil servant in Great Britain in 2022 was UAH 114160, in Germany -UAH 180006, and in Ukraine -UAH 22744. Accordingly, the cost of a working hour for a 40-hour working week in Great Britain is UAH 713, in Germany -UAH 1125, and in Ukraine -UAH 142.Using the Musgrave formula, the optimal number of civil servants in Ukraine was calculated, which as of 2022 was 69515 people. This number is 97237 people lower than the actual number of civil servants in 2022. Thus, it is shown that as part of the civil service reform, the total number of civil servants in Ukraine should be reduced to 64000 in 2023.