78% of Employers in Ukraine Experience a Labor Shortage

Most Ukrainian companies are not ready to employ foreigners. According to a study by OLX Work, in 2026, 78% of employers reported a shortage of workers, which is 18% more compared to 2025. 68% of respondents expect the situation to worsen next year. Only 10% are confident in resolving the staffing crisis. Only 8% of companies are willing to consider hiring foreign workers, down from 13% last year. The main obstacles to hiring foreigners are the language barrier (51%), legislative aspects (32%), and lack of experience working with foreign employees (28%). 42% of employers do not need to hire people from abroad. 36% of employers believe that tax incentives could encourage them to hire foreigners. The main barriers remain the lack of clear rules and support for employers. Ukrainian businesses are ready to raise salaries to attract the necessary talent in the face of shortages.