The Ukrainian labor market has been undergoing constant changes and uncertainty for over a decade. Recent years have been marked by significant challenges for companies, including political, economic, and social upheavals. Despite this, businesses in Ukraine demonstrate an ability to quickly adapt to new realities, change strategies, and maintain resilience even in difficult circumstances.
This is reported by Finway
Key Business Strategies for 2026
Against the backdrop of ongoing war and economic instability, most companies by the end of 2025 are focusing not only on survival but also on development. Ukrainian businesses are adopting a conservative optimism approach, continuing to develop even in crisis conditions. The year 2026 is seen as an opportunity to strengthen positions by retaining key specialists, competitively increasing salaries, adapting business models, and diversifying activities.
The main strategic directions for companies remain the preservation of teams, support for the client base, and exploration of new markets. Only 2% of companies plan a complete relocation outside the country, while another 4.7% are considering opening offices abroad, indicating selective diversification. Some companies are preparing to expand their business both through geographical expansion and by launching new lines of activity.
Hiring and Salary Trends
The drive for development compels Ukrainian businesses to invest in team expansion and attracting qualified specialists. According to research, 44% of employers plan to hire new employees across all business areas, although this figure has decreased compared to last year (53%). At the same time, 35% of companies intend to strengthen only specific departments, while 20% will only hire new employees to replace those who have left.
The hiring strategy remains quite cautious: 53% of companies plan to expand their workforce by no more than 10%, another 25% expect growth within 11–20%, and only about 10% are ready for a more significant increase in the number of employees.
“The overwhelming majority of companies, namely 82.6% of employers, plan to increase salaries in 2026. This is more than last year when 74% of surveyed companies expressed similar intentions.”
Regarding salaries, 12.8% of companies intend to keep salaries at the current level. Half of the employers predict a salary increase of 11–20%. Another 27.9% plan to raise salaries by less than 10%. At the same time, 4.7% of companies are considering the possibility of salary reductions due to financial difficulties.
Thus, despite the challenging economic situation, most Ukrainian companies demonstrate a desire for stability and development, focusing on retaining personnel, enhancing competitiveness, and gradual growth.