According to recent studies, 21% of Ukrainians express a desire to work in a freelance format. At the same time, the actual number of those who have already chosen this flexible style of employment is only about 5%. Thus, the potential audience for freelancing in Ukraine is nearly four times greater than the actual number of specialists who have already transitioned to this work format.
This is reported by Finway
Who is a Ukrainian Freelancer: Education and Experience
Analysts from the Freelancehunt research center conducted a survey among freelancers to determine their typical profile. It turned out that the majority of respondents have a high level of education: 50.2% have already obtained a higher degree, 9.6% have multiple higher education qualifications, and 1.4% hold a scientific degree. Additionally, 11.8% are currently studying at universities. Overall, more than 70% of freelancers either already have a higher education or are in the process of obtaining it.
Regarding professional experience, over 47% of respondents have been working in their primary specialization for more than five years. Among them, 28.9% have experience ranging from 5 to 10 years, while 18.3% have over 10 years. Only 8% of freelancers lack experience in their field, indicating a high level of qualification among most remote workers.
Income, Workload, and Main Challenges
The most desired salary level among freelancers is 20,000 to 30,000 hryvnias per month. About 30% of survey participants aim for an income within the range of 30,000 to 50,000, while nearly one-fifth aspire to earn over 50,000 hryvnias. A moderate income of 10,000 to 20,000 hryvnias is acceptable for 17% of respondents, while only 4% are willing to work for payment below 10,000 hryvnias per month.
In terms of workload, 46.8% of freelancers work up to 20 hours a week, 19% work 20 to 30 hours, and 13.5% work 30 to 40 hours. This distribution indicates the popularity of part-time work and flexible employment formats. At the same time, nearly half of the respondents (47.9%) noted that freelancing has become their only source of income, and this share continues to grow compared to the previous year.
“The challenges include finding clients (88%), financial instability (72.2%), selling their services (61%), time management (48%), and communication with clients (42.2%).”
The main challenges faced by Ukrainian freelancers are not technical issues but market barriers, competition, and the need for self-organization. For many who are accustomed to stable salaries and clear corporate processes, transitioning to freelancing seems difficult due to the necessity of independently generating a client base and managing their own risks.
The most popular sector among freelancers remains trade and sales, chosen by 37% of respondents. The freelance format itself attracts 21% of Ukrainians; however, the actual employment structure significantly differs from the desired one.