In June 2025, the unemployment rate in Ukraine fell to 12%, the lowest rate since the beginning of the full-scale war. Such data stated in a study by the Center for Economic Strategy.
Despite this, the level of poverty in the country has increased – every fourth Ukrainian is forced to save even on food. After the deep shock caused by the invasion of Russia in 2022, the Ukrainian labor market shows a gradual recovery.
However, there is still a structural imbalance between supply and demand: the volume of new vacancies reaches 85-90% of the level of 2021, and the activity of job seekers is only 80-90% of the pre-war level. The reasons remain mass migration abroad and mobilization for the army. Although business is gradually resuming recruitment, overall market dynamics remain weaker than before the war.
Due to the martial law, the State Statistics Service does not publish official unemployment figures, so researchers use the results of surveys and expert assessments. Against the background of positive changes in the employment sector, the economic vulnerability of the population is increasing. In June, 25.2% of respondents reported that they were forced to save on food — this is the highest figure in recent months and evidence of the deterioration of the financial situation of many families.
Analysts warn that the reduction of unemployment in itself does not guarantee an improvement in the quality of life. Some of the employed Ukrainians still receive too low incomes, which do not provide even basic needs.
