Ukraine's Labor Migration Challenge
Every year, Ukraine sees a net loss of roughly 320,000 individuals, posing a significant demographic and economic threat. Even under the most optimistic projections for refugee returns, no more than 1.6 million people are expected to come back. In response, expert Ulyana Kostenko advocates for a managed labor migration system to address critical workforce shortages.
“Managed migration is the only model that allows Ukraine to gain the labor needed for reconstruction, preserve social cohesion, and avoid ghettoization,” says Ulyana Kostenko.
She stresses that a migrant who lacks language skills and cannot verify their qualifications is not an asset but a liability. Therefore, it is essential to identify high-demand occupations and build a system that attracts qualified professionals.
Four Steps to Tackle Labor Migration
Kostenko proposes a four-step plan to resolve the labor migration issue:
- Introduce a transparent, digital points-based selection system with a minimum passing score for migrants.
- Develop and regularly update a list of professions in shortage, with the Ministry of Economy responsible for this task.
- Reform the State Migration Service (SMS) by eliminating discretionary powers of officials and digitizing all procedures.
- Launch an integration program modeled on Swedish and Czech approaches, including language courses, diploma verification, regional placement, and employer partnerships.
Ukraine's construction sector faces a 40% labor deficit, and the number of officially registered construction workers has dropped by 25.4% over two years, now totaling about 300,000. This underscores the urgency of addressing labor migration and attracting new specialists across various economic sectors.
Notably, the average post-tax monthly salary in Ukraine is $484, which is competitive compared to the Philippines ($345), Bangladesh ($234), and Sri Lanka ($220), making the country appealing to potential labor migrants. However, successful integration requires learning from other nations. For instance, Australia's 2025–2026 migration program allocates 185,000 spots, with 71% reserved for skilled migrants. Canada's Express Entry system also serves as a useful model.
Given these realities, Ukraine must find effective ways to attract skilled professionals and mitigate the negative impacts of labor migration. As Ulyana Kostenko notes, fear of outsiders is fueled not by the number of arrivals but by the perception that the state has lost control.
Amid current challenges, including the loss of a substantial portion of the workforce, Ukraine needs to strike a balance between attracting migrants and ensuring their integration into society. The proposed steps could form the foundation of a new migration policy tailored to labor market needs and social demands. This approach would not only aid economic recovery but also enhance social cohesion by creating fair conditions for all stakeholders. Drawing on the successful experiences of other countries with labor migration programs will be key to Ukraine's stable development in the future.
As Ukraine grapples with a significant labor shortage, it's crucial to understand the challenges in attracting migrants. Recent assessments highlight that the ambitious goal of bringing in 300,000 immigrants annually may not be feasible. To delve deeper into these realities and the implications for Ukraine's migration strategy, read more about the unrealistic targets set by the Migration Office.