Sooner or later the war will end. Ukrainians will return to their cities and villages, try to rebuild their lives, find work, restore businesses, return to their usual rhythm. But this process will not be easy. A country that has survived a long war will change, and with it the labor market, economy, and social sphere will change. Those who have been abroad or at the front for years will have to adapt to new realities, and this process will be full of difficulties.
One of the biggest problems Ukrainians will face after their return will be unemployment. As notes Yulia Zhovtyak, director of the State Employment Service, after the end of the war, a significant increase in labor supply is expected, which will automatically create a surplus of workers. People who have been abroad or in the military will face the fact that the labor market will not be able to immediately absorb such a large number of job seekers. Ukraine already has a high level of unemployment, and after the demobilization and return of hundreds of thousands of people, the competition will only increase.
A separate problem is a long professional break. During the war, many Ukrainians did not work in their specialty, lost their skills, or changed their field of activity altogether. Some worked in low-skilled sectors in Europe, some volunteered or served in the army. When they return, they will need to either adapt their skills to the new market or retrain completely. This will require time, resources and support programs from the state.
Another challenge is the uneven development of regions. The war greatly changed the economic map of Ukraine: some regions remained relatively stable, while others suffered significant destruction. For example, for many Ukrainians, returning to their hometown will mean a meeting with reality, where there are no former infrastructure, businesses, hospitals, schools, and most importantly, jobs. Many will have to either look for opportunities in reconstruction or move to more economically active regions, which will create even greater social pressure.
Do not forget about psychological difficulties. People who have been abroad for a long time have adapted to a different standard of living, social support, and working conditions. When they return, they may face disappointment and the feeling that Ukraine cannot provide them with the same conditions they are used to. At the same time, after demobilization, the military will go through a difficult process of reintegration into a peaceful society. For them, returning to civilian life is not just about finding a job, but coping with trauma, social isolation, and changes in outlook.
Despite all the difficulties, state institutions are already preparing for the future. The Employment Service is working on programs for retraining, adaptation of the military and support for returning Ukrainians. However, the main question is how quickly the economy can recover to absorb such a large number of workers. The return will be difficult, but it will also be a chance for Ukraine to renew itself, to get a new push in development, to use the experience of its citizens who studied, worked and fought abroad. Therefore, the most important thing now is not to wait for everything to happen by itself, but to prepare today for the challenges that society will face after the end of the war.
