The job market in Ukraine is facing a significant labor shortage. According to a survey by OLX Work and the European Business Association, 40% of employers expect the situation with personnel to deteriorate further, with 60% of large companies (over 250 employees) anticipating the same. This is reported by Finance.ua.
The most optimistic are representatives of small businesses - 39% of them hope for stability or improvement in the situation. In retail, the percentage of positive forecasts is 35%.
Who businesses are targeting during the labor shortage
To compensate for the labor shortage, companies plan to:
recruit youth who are not subject to mobilization (41%);
establish partnerships with universities and colleges (35%);
hire retirees (30%).
The sharpest deficit is observed among working professions - this was stated by 63% of those surveyed. Another 35% of companies lack middle-level specialists, 19% - highly qualified specialists, and 9% - managers.
What bonuses employers offer in 2025
Employers are trying to retain employees by improving conditions - 39% of companies in 2025 are betting on motivational packages. Common bonuses include:
health insurance;
free training or retraining;
free lunches;
corporate transportation;
the possibility of remote work;
availability of shelter on the company premises.
Other options that companies are considering include:
hiring youth under 25 (21%);
involving retirees (17%);
actively employing women (15%).
How many young people aged 18-22 will leave Ukraine
The staffing situation has also been influenced by the law on the departure of men aged 18-22. As a result, some young workers are leaving their jobs: 23% of Ukrainians in this age group plan to go abroad.
Despite the personnel shortage, only 13% of companies are ready to accept foreigners. The main barriers are the language issue (27%), the lack of demand for foreign specialists (41%), and a shortage of experience in collaborating with them (23%). Tax benefits, financial bonuses, and simplified legalization could attract employers.
What specialists do employers need
According to OLX Work, the number of vacancies in production, trade, education, and jobs abroad is increasing. There is particularly high demand for assemblers - the number of such vacancies has jumped by 331% since May, and the average salary has reached 25,000 UAH.
The State Employment Service confirms the trend: there is a shortage of electricians, teaching assistants, and specialists working with children with special educational needs in Ukraine. In these categories, demand exceeds supply by almost a thousand vacancies.
Earlier, we reported that Ukrainians aged 45 and older are massively taking vouchers for new professions from the employment service.