The labor market in Ukraine is actively recovering after the shocks caused by the war. According to job portals, the number of vacancies has stabilized, and there are jobs available for almost everyone. However, the main problem remains the shortage of qualified specialists. Let’s take a closer look at why this has happened, which professions are currently in high demand, and how salaries are changing.
Labor Market Situation: Staff Shortage Despite Recovery
According to recent studies, the labor market in Ukraine has recovered by over 90%. Employers are actively seeking specialists, especially in technical fields, construction, agriculture, and telecommunications. However, due to the lack of qualified workers, companies are forced to offer higher salaries to attract employees.
Salaries are Increasing, but Not in All Sectors
The average salary in Ukraine currently stands at 23.5 thousand UAH, while in Kyiv it reaches 26.5 thousand UAH. Salaries are growing fastest in the following sectors:
- Telecommunications and Communication – 30 thousand UAH (+9%)
- Insurance – 27.7 thousand UAH (+7%)
- Media, Publishing, and Printing – 24 thousand UAH (+7%)
Official statistics record a significant increase in salaries in sectors where there is the highest shortage of workers:
- Aviation Transport – 54.6 thousand UAH (+50.6%)
- Information and Telecommunications – 57.5 thousand UAH (+39.2%)
- Agriculture – 20.2 thousand UAH (+33.9%)
- Construction – 19.4 thousand UAH (+30.3%)
Most Competitive Professions and Demand for IT Specialists
Despite labor shortages in many sectors, competition for jobs in the IT industry remains high. The highest number of candidates apply for vacancies such as:
- Front-end developer
- Web designer
- Copywriter
- Graphic designer
- Video editor
These specialties have high competition as demand for remote work continues to grow.
Reintegration of veterans into the job market
The end of the war will bring a new challenge – the return of hundreds of thousands of veterans to civilian life. Many of them do not plan to return to their old jobs. Instead, they are considering:
- Starting their own business (50% of veterans have such plans)
- Professional training and requalification
- Working in companies with veteran support programs
The state already offers grants for veterans who want to start their own business:
- 250,000 UAH – with the condition of creating 1 job
- 500,000 UAH – with the condition of creating 2 jobs
- 1 million UAH – when creating 4 jobs or having an individual entrepreneur experience of over 12 months
Conclusions: what to expect in the future?
The Ukrainian job market continues to evolve. Key trends:
✅ The shortage of qualified personnel remains a key issue.
✅ Salaries are rising in sectors where there is a sharp labor shortage.
✅ Competition in the IT and digital professions is increasing.
✅ The return of veterans may alter the structure of the job market.
For employers, this means the need to invest more money in training and retaining personnel, while for employees, it presents the opportunity to receive better conditions and wages. The development of the labor market in 2024 will be shown by time, but already now the main trends shaping its future are visible.
