Ukraine is experiencing a severe labor shortage that has been increasing with each year of full-scale war. The problem is exacerbated by desertion, attempts to avoid mobilization, and the minimum conscription age limit set at 25 years. This seriously impacts both the country’s defense capabilities and the overall economic situation.
This is reported by Finway
Sectors Most Affected by the Lack of Workers
The issue of labor shortages is particularly acute in industrial sectors. According to the State Employment Center, the greatest shortage of personnel has been recorded in education, ground transportation, the production of metal products, furniture, and the energy sector. In some cities, the situation is complicated by the fact that there are almost no men of conscription age left.
“The lack of people with technical skills and education is catastrophic,” noted Ukrainian economist Oleg Pendzin.
Impact of Mobilization on the Labor Market
Political analyst Kostiantyn Batozkyi emphasizes that strategic enterprises, such as the defense industry and railway transport, are mostly exempt from mobilization. However, the rest of the Ukrainian companies are facing difficulties in finding qualified personnel, especially men. This is most noticeable in the agricultural sector, where due to conscription, a significant number of tractor drivers and machine operators have changed their profession to military service.
Oleg Khomenko, director of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, reported that the current shortage of qualified personnel in agriculture is around 15%.
Amid the general mobilization, many men and women are serving in the army, and about 6-7 million Ukrainians have left the country since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia. According to the International Labour Organization, around 1.6 million working-age adults have left Ukraine, the majority of whom are women.
Experts believe that even a partial return of these citizens to Ukraine could provide significant support for the economy.