Ukraine is facing an unprecedented labor shortage — due to mobilization and migration abroad, the workforce has decreased by over 25%. This directly affects the pace of recovery in the country’s critical economic sectors, according to analysts from IREX in Ukraine and EasyBusiness.

In their new study, experts analyzed the key sectors essential for Ukraine’s reconstruction:

• Construction operates at only 60% of pre-war capacity, with more than two vacancies per job seeker.

• Logistics is recovering: freight volumes are growing, with more vacancies in central and western regions, while the east faces a surplus of specialists.

• Energy has lost over 10 GW of capacity and is in critical need of electricians, dispatchers, and IT specialists.

• Manufacturing shows uneven dynamics: while metallurgy has downsized, the light industry is adapting and relocating.

• The IT sector has a reserve of young professionals, but demand for experienced specialists is rising.

These five sectors — construction, logistics, energy, manufacturing, and IT — are strategically important for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and modernization. At the same time, each faces significant challenges, including a shortage of skilled professionals, regional imbalances, and the need for new approaches to employment.