The business activity index in the micro, small, and medium-sized business sector dropped to 36.1 points out of 100 in July, showing one of the worst results since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. This data is based on a survey of 512 business representatives, among whom 41.8% described their companies’ financial condition as poor or satisfactory. Another 31.4% noted that their business is at an average level, and only 16.8% reported a good or excellent state of their enterprises.
This is reported by Business • Media
Staff Shortages and Workforce Reductions
Almost half of the surveyed companies (44.9%) reported a decrease in the number of employees, while 16.4% noted an increase in staff. In 38.7% of the study participants, the number of personnel remained unchanged. Entrepreneurs feel the staff shortage acutely: 73% of respondents reported a significant or critical lack of personnel, which complicates maintaining stable operations, expanding production, and adapting to economic challenges.
Main Challenges for Business
Among the main barriers to entrepreneurial development, businesses cite the unpredictability of government policy (55.5%), lack of solvent demand (53.5%), overall uncertainty regarding the future situation in the country (52.7%), shortage of qualified personnel (51.6%), and limited access to financial resources (39.8%).
“73% reported a noticeable or critical shortage of workers, which significantly limits their ability to ensure uninterrupted operational activities, scale production, and effectively respond to economic challenges.”