Labor market shortage in Ukraine: which jobs are most in demand and where is it easier to find work

There is a growing shortage of workers in Ukraine: there are two jobs for every applicant. Find out which professions are most in demand, why there is a shortage of workers, how the situation differs across regions, and what the forecasts are for the labor market until 2027

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

In August 2025, the Ukrainian labor market experienced a shortage of personnel. According to data from the Unified Job Portal, which combines offers from the State Employment Service and leading commercial websites, there were 241,000 vacancies available, while only 132,000 people were actively looking for new jobs. On average, there were two vacancies per applicant.

The most sought-after professions in Ukraine

An analysis of the offers shows that the following specialties are currently in the highest demand:

● salesperson;

● driver;

● cook;

● engineer;

● accountant;

● doctor;

● specialist (office and administrative positions);

● administrator;

● mechanic;

● electrician;

● loader.

These professions cover both the service and trade sectors, as well as technical specialties, without which industry and infrastructure cannot function.

Read also: What is the hourly wage in EU countries and how does it differ from Ukraine?

Why is there a labor shortage in Ukraine?

Specialists from the State Employment Service explain the personnel shortage by two key reasons:

1. Military action. Mobilization makes it difficult to fill jobs that were predominantly held by men. The greatest shortage of personnel is observed among builders, electric and gas welders, mechanics, electricians, and drivers.

2. Structural changes in the economy. Often, applicants do not have the necessary qualifications or skills for the most scarce vacancies. This applies primarily to technical specialties, engineering professions, and the healthcare sector.

Thus, the labor market is facing both a quantitative and qualitative shortage of personnel.

Read also: How many foreigners work in Ukraine and how has their number changed since the start of the war?

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Regional differences in the labor market

The ratio of vacancies to applicants varies significantly depending on the region:

● In Kyiv, there are 24 vacancies per applicant, making the capital the leader in terms of opportunities.

● In the Lviv region, there are 4 vacancies per applicant.

● In the Kyiv region, there are 3.

● In the Mykolaiv region, on the contrary, the number of applicants is twice as high as the number of job offers.

This unevenness indicates an imbalance between regions, which is caused by economic activity, migration processes, and different levels of development of local enterprises.

Read also: How much do people earn in Ukraine — updated salary data

Forecasts for the labor market in Ukraine

According to Roman Konoval, director of the labor market analysis and employment program effectiveness monitoring department, disparities in the labor market will continue. They are caused by military actions, migration, and structural changes in the economy.

However, gradual stabilization is expected. According to forecasts by the National Bank of Ukraine, the unemployment rate in the country will decline and stabilize below 10% in 2027. This means that supply and demand in the labor market will gradually balance out.

We remind you! Currently, most European Union countries have simplified rules for the employment of Ukrainians, but not all cities offer good conditions. Read about which countries are the easiest to find a good job in and which, on the contrary, have difficulties with employment in our previous article.

Photo: Getty Images

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.