According to an analysis by the Ministry of Economy, from 2025 to 2030, Ukraine is expected to see a significant increase in the demand for labor, which will exceed the growth of supply in the labor market. This will lead to a situation where the number of applicants for a single job will decrease, and in sectors such as agriculture and industry, the labor shortage will reach 30-40% annually starting from 2026.
This is reported by Business • Media
Causes and Consequences of the Projected Labor Shortage
The sources of the forecast indicate that the main factors will be the return of at least 33% of war refugees to Ukraine and the increase in labor productivity across various sectors of the economy. If the level of citizen return does not increase dramatically, the economy may face a serious problem of a shortage of qualified personnel, which will require deep reforms in policies aimed at improving labor productivity and activating the involvement of those segments of the population that are currently outside the labor market.
Ways to Minimize the Problem and Recommendations
To reduce the negative impact of labor shortages, it is necessary to develop state policy focused on improving working conditions and creating new jobs, stimulating the modernization of enterprises, and combating discriminatory practices, including ageism. It is also important to implement measures that will promote a more active participation of the population in the labor market and increase their engagement in economic activities to ensure sustainable development of sectors and stable economic growth.