Experts calculated how many migrants Ukraine needs per year

Ukraine is gradually approaching a situation where the issue of immigration will become a practical tool for supporting the economy. To stabilize the population and labor market, the country may need about 300,000 foreign workers annually. This is reported by the All-Ukrainian Association of Companies for International Employment.

How many migrants does Ukraine need for the economy

The president of the All-Ukrainian Association of Companies for International Employment and head of the Office of Migration Policy, Vasyl Voskoboynyk, stated this need. According to him, the main problem lies not only in the shortage of labor but also in the readiness of the state and society to accept foreigners.

The expert notes that in Ukraine, there is still a dominant demand for the return of citizens who left abroad. Attitudes toward foreign workers are significantly more restrained.

«Society is not yet ready for mass migration. There is a demand for the return of Ukrainians from abroad, but attitudes toward foreigners are much more restrained,» — explained Vasyl Voskoboynyk.

An additional barrier is the economic factor. Hiring a foreign worker often costs more than employing a Ukrainian.

Employers must cover additional expenses:

• providing accommodation;

• language adaptation;

• document processing;

• safety briefings.

Moreover, potential migrants have a wide choice of countries for work, including Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and France. Due to lower wage levels, Ukraine is not a priority destination for them.

Immigration to Ukraine remains low

Statistics indicate a slow increase in the number of foreign workers. Even before the full-scale war, indicators remained relatively low.

According to experts:

• in 2021, about 20,000 permits for foreign employment were issued or extended;

• in 2023, approximately 6,000;

• in 2024, about 6,000;

• by the end of 2025, about 9-10 thousand permits are expected.

Voskoboynyk emphasizes that these figures do not meet the actual needs of the economy.

«This is a drop in the ocean when talking about the needs of the economy,» — the expert stressed.

Against the backdrop of a staffing shortage, businesses may face a choice: reduce production, close enterprises, or attract foreign workers. In many cases, companies may choose the latter option.

Experts predict that immigration to Ukraine will gradually increase. However, without state policy, infrastructure development, and public dialogue, a mass influx of foreigners is not expected in the near future.

Previously, we wrote about why labor migrants will be a salvation for the Ukrainian economy.