Current State of the Labor Market in Ukraine: Trends for 2025
Over the past three years, Ukraine has seen a significant decrease in the number of officially employed individuals — nearly by one million. This trend is particularly linked to mobilization processes and population migration. In this context, many companies are forced to raise salaries to retain the staff that is lacking in the labor market.
This is reported by AgroReview
Employment and Salary Data for 2024
According to the “Monitoring of Key Events in the Economy of Ukraine” prepared by the Ministry of Economy, the number of hired workers in 2024 did not reach the pre-war level of 2021 and remained lower by 968 thousand. This has negatively impacted labor market indicators, the ministry notes.
At the same time, official statistics record an increase in salaries. According to the State Statistics Service, the average monthly salary of employees in 2024 was 21,473 UAH, which is 23.1% higher than in 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, this figure reached 24,153 UAH. The Ministry of Economy cites several factors affecting wage levels:
- stimulating — an increase in economic activity, a significant number of working-age citizens abroad and in the Armed Forces, creating structural imbalances and a shortage of personnel;
- restraining — high production costs due to the destruction of enterprises and energy infrastructure.
Prominent Industries and Staffing Challenges
The highest salary growth in 2024 was observed in the “Information and Telecommunications” (38.2%) and “Construction” (34%) sectors. At the same time, industries with high wage levels remain “Information and Telecommunications” with an average salary of 52,457 UAH and “Financial and Insurance Activities” — 41,384 UAH.
According to the State Employment Center, there is a shortage of skilled workers in the country — specifically seamstresses, machinists, electricians, drivers, and welders, as well as doctors of various specialties. In the trade and service sector, there is an active search for salespeople, baristas, waiters, administrators, cooks, and security guards.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy has recorded a decrease in the number of officially registered unemployed individuals. “Despite the limited economic activity of enterprises under martial law, a decrease in the number of registered unemployed was observed in January-February 2025 compared to the same period last year,” the report states.