Ukraine Gains Nearly 39,000 New Individual Entrepreneurs in Just Six Months

Entrepreneurship Trends: Openings vs. Closures in Ukraine

According to Главком: During the first two quarters of 2026, Ukraine saw a net increase of 39,214 individual entrepreneurs (known locally as FOPs), as more people launched businesses than shut them down. According to data from Opendatabot, 141,472 entrepreneurs started operations, while 102,258 FOPs ceased activities. Notably, the number of closures dropped by 36% compared to the same period in 2025.

Top-Growing Sectors and Regional Shifts

The sectors with the strongest growth in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) include:

• education
• retail trade
• postal and courier services
• real estate operations
• wholesale trade

The largest net increase in FOPs occurred in education (+3,902), followed by retail trade (+3,596) and postal and courier services (+2,558). In contrast, the repair of computers and equipment saw the steepest decline, losing 365 FOPs.

Regional trends also varied significantly. Kyiv led the country with a net gain of +5,058 FOPs. Other strong performers included Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (+4,284), Lviv Oblast (+4,254), Kyiv Oblast (+3,756), and Odesa Oblast (+2,955). However, some regions experienced contractions, including Donetsk Oblast (-569), Kherson Oblast (-293), and Luhansk Oblast (-93).

Overall, last year 302,260 individual entrepreneurs employed over 817,000 Ukrainians, averaging three hired workers per business owner. These figures point to a resurgence in entrepreneurial activity across Ukraine and positive shifts in the economic climate.

The steady rise in the number of individual entrepreneurs in Ukraine may reflect a recovery in business activity following the country's severe economic challenges. A 36% reduction in business closures is an encouraging sign, potentially indicating improved operating conditions and greater confidence among entrepreneurs.

It is also worth noting that regional differences in these trends highlight the uneven pace of economic development across the country.