In 2025, the Ukrainian labor market will be focused on attracting young people, women, veterans, and people with disabilities. In this regard, employers will look for candidates with flexible skills, ready to learn and adapt to new conditions. It is expected that the labor market will undergo significant changes that can both deepen the crisis and become the beginning of economic recovery.
According to Maria Abdullina, head of the Work direction at one of the personnel portals, the main challenges for the Ukrainian labor market in 2025 are the personnel shortage, the need to adapt the market to new realities, as well as the growing role of inclusion and retraining of employees.
65% of employers predict a worsening of the staffing crisis, as 71% of companies will experience a shortage of qualified specialists by 2024. This means that businesses must be ready to adapt to new challenges, including expanding inclusivity, retraining employees, and using flexible employment models.
Diversity and equal opportunities in the labor market are becoming important demands of the time. An important part of this process is the involvement of:
- young people under 25 years old (46% of companies);
- women (34% of companies);
- students (33% of companies);
- veterans returning to civilian life.
Given the growing number of people with disabilities, their employment rate is also projected to increase. This business will require adapted infrastructure and training programs.
In response to the needs of the labor market, more and more companies plan to invest in the development of their employees. 56% of companies have already announced their intention to invest in retraining and upskilling programs for their employees. The government is also actively supporting initiatives aimed at reducing structural imbalances in the labor market through grants and tax breaks for educational initiatives.
Special attention should be paid to veterans. Studies have shown that veterans prefer to work in teams where other veterans work, and the greatest demand is for retraining programs.
A significant change in the employment policy for people with disabilities is also expected in 2025. The President of Ukraine signed draft law No. 5344-d, which obliges government agencies and private enterprises to create jobs for people with disabilities or pay a targeted contribution. The law comes into force on January 1, 2026 and provides for:
- mandatory creation of jobs for people with disabilities (from 1 job in companies with 8-25 employees to 4% of the total number of jobs in larger companies);
- the possibility of paying a targeted contribution instead of creating jobs;
- financial support for workplace adaptation;
- social support and professional adaptation of employees.
