Wage Debt Crisis in Ukraine: Record Highs and the Worst Offenders in 2026

Record Wage Arrears in Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: According to the analytical platform 'Opendatabot', Ukraine began 2026 with a record number of active enforcement proceedings for wage arrears. The number of open cases in the Unified Register of Debtors has surpassed 36.6 thousand, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This situation highlights the severe financial pressures on businesses and workers alike. The year 2025 saw 9,174 new cases opened, an absolute five-year high and a 30% jump from the 2024 figure. As of early 2026, 56% of the cases initiated in 2025 remain unresolved, with the oldest ongoing proceeding dating back to 2017 involving the state-owned enterprise 'Polisheodezkartohrafiia'.

Who Bears the Responsibility?

Private businesses are responsible for the majority of wage debt, accounting for 62% of all cases. Municipal enterprises are liable for 25%, while state-owned enterprises are responsible for 13%. The leading sectors by number of proceedings are:

• Chemical industry enterprises - 29% of all proceedings
• Energy and gas supply sector - 27% of proceedings

The highest concentration of debt is registered in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, with 3.2 thousand proceedings. Other regions with significant problems include:

• Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast - 1.1 thousand
• Sumy Oblast - 897
• Lviv Oblast - 770

The top five largest debtors are:

• Oleksandriiske 'Teplokomunenerho' - 1,446 cases
• 'Karpatnaftokhim' - 1,059 cases
• 'Dniproazot' - 630 cases
• 'Svitlovodskpobut' - 491 cases
• 'Odesa Pryportovyi Zavod' - 469 cases

Several major companies, including 'Ukrzaliznytsia', 'Ukrnafta', and DTEK 'Pavlogradvuhillia', also had wage arrears, though most managed to close their cases by the end of the year. Employers who delay salary payments by more than one month face a fine equivalent to three minimum wages, which as of January 1, 2026, amounts to 25,941 hryvnias.

The rising number of wage arrears proceedings in Ukraine points to serious economic challenges faced by both private enterprises and state institutions.

Source: Opendatabot

The high proportion of debt in the chemical and energy sectors suggests systemic issues within these industries that require urgent attention. Given the implemented fines for payment delays, it is crucial for companies to take measures to settle their debts to avoid further financial sanctions and maintain labor market stability.