In 2025, the Ukrainian labor market will be focused on attracting young people, women, veterans and disabled persons. In this regard, employers will look for candidates with flexible skills ready to study and adapt to new conditions. Labor market is expected to undergo significant changes that can both deepen the crisis and be the beginning of economic recovery.
According to Maria Abdullina, the head of the direction of work on one of the personnel portals, the main challenges for the Ukrainian labor market in 2025 are the personnel deficit, 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 the deterioration of the personnel crisis, since in 2024 71% of companies felt a lack of skilled specialists. This means that businesses should be ready to adapt to new challenges, including enlargement of inclusivity, retraining workers and using flexible employment models.
The variety and equality of opportunities in the labor market become important requirements of time. An important part of this process is involvement:
- young people under 25 (46% of companies);
- women (34% of companies);
- students (33% of companies);
- veterans who return to a peaceful life.
Due to the increasing number of people with disabilities, it is also projected to increase their employment. 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 declared their intention to invest in the retraining and training programs of their employees. The government also actively supports initiatives aimed at reducing structural imbalances in the labor market, through grants and tax benefits for educational initiatives.
Particular attention should be paid to veterans. Studies have shown that veterans prefer work in teams where other veterans work, and the most request is retraining programs.
In 2025, a significant change in the employment policy of persons with disabilities was also expected. The President of Ukraine has signed the bill No. 5344-d, which obliges the authorities and private enterprises to create jobs for persons with disabilities or pay the targeted contribution. The law enters into force on January 1, 2026 and provides for:
- compulsory creation of jobs for persons with disabilities (from 1 place in companies with 8-25 employees to 4% of the total number of jobs in larger companies);
- the ability to pay the target contribution instead of creating jobs;
- financial support for jobs;
- Social support and professional adaptation of employees.
