Ukraine is experiencing a severe shortage of the working population, which significantly impacts the labor market and the staffing policies of enterprises. According to official estimates, due to the war, the country has lost about 40% of its working citizens. As of mid-2025, approximately 1.7 million Ukrainians who previously worked in their homeland remain abroad.
This is reported by Business • Media
Demographic Crisis and Its Impact on the Labor Market
According to Deputy Minister of Social Policy Daria Marchak, the country is undergoing a serious demographic crisis. The main feature of this process is the rapid aging of the population: in 1991, 12% of Ukrainians were aged 65 and older, while in 2024, this figure will rise to 22%. Experts’ forecasts are grim: by 2041, the population may decrease to 28.9 million, and by 2051, to 25.2 million people.
“Demographics are significantly changing the labor market. 74% of employers feel a shortage of staff, and the average deficit in companies is about 15% of the workforce,” Marchak emphasized.
Demand for Specialists and New Hiring Trends
Labor market specialists note a significant shortage of workers with practical specialized skills. There is a particular need for locksmiths, welders, electricians, drivers, mechanics, tailors, as well as sales managers. The low interest of young people in these professions has led to a lack of new personnel, forcing businesses and the government to compete for such specialists by raising salary levels.
In response to the staffing crisis, employers have become more open to candidates aged 45 and older, pensioners (the number of vacancies for them has increased by 33% compared to 2023), as well as women in traditionally “male” positions. Inclusivity is also on the rise: more and more vacancies are available for people with disabilities, veterans, and individuals without experience.