In Ukraine, 80% of unemployed people are ready to work for less than 20 thousand hryvnias per month
Only 20% of Ukrainians who are currently looking for work aspire to earn more than UAH 20,000 per month, while 80% agree to lower wages. About this testify data from the study “Evaluation of the labor market of Ukraine 2024–2025”, which was conducted by the State Employment Service.
Among those interviewed who accept a salary of less than UAH 20,000, about half are not interested in a full-time job. Salary remains a key factor in choosing a job for the unemployed.
As the head of the branch council of the Federation of Metallurgists of Ukraine, Olena Kolesnikova, said, in September 2024, the average salary, from which contributions to the Pension Fund are paid, amounted to UAH 18,021, and in April 2025 – already UAH 19,856. Meanwhile, the average salary offered in vacancies reaches UAH 22,500. And, according to the results of the survey, 35% of employers plan to increase salaries in 2025. However, despite such conditions, it is difficult to find employees. The main problem, according to the survey, was the work schedule.
“Only 56% of the unemployed expressed willingness to work full-time, while 94% of employers needed full-time workers.” – stressed Kolesnikova.
She also noted that the demand for remote employment among job seekers is insignificant — only 22% are interested in this form. Only 15% of employers have such.
In addition, the study revealed an acute shortage of personnel in a number of industries. The biggest shortage of workers is in the field of transportation — more than 8,000 vacancies for drivers, as well as in light industry — about 3,000 vacancies for seamstresses.
Kolesnikova drew special attention to the situation with light industry specialists:
“After a year and a half of training, they graduate with the qualifications of a designer, designer, etc. And they no longer want to work as an ordinary seamstress. That’s why we need to review the system of qualifications.”
