Four years into Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is grappling with a challenge that goes beyond the battlefield: a crippling shortage of workers across multiple sectors of its economy. As millions of Ukrainians are conscripted, flee the country, or seek to evade mobilization, factories, farms, schools, and transport services are increasingly understaffed, creating ripple effects on productivity, commerce, and local livelihoods.
According to official figures, between 6 and 7 million Ukrainians have left the country since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Many of them are working-age adults, particularly women, with about 1.6 million counted by the International Labour Organization. Simultaneously, men of conscription age—now legally restricted from leaving the country—are being called to the front, while others attempt desertion or delay reporting for military duty. The result is a dramatic shrinkage of the domestic workforce.
“This is a labor crisis like no other,” says Kostyantyn Batozskiy, a political analyst based in Kyiv. “Cities and towns are often devoid of conscription-age men. While defense and strategic sectors like railways remain relatively insulated, most businesses are struggling to maintain operations.”
The sectors hardest hit include education, ground transport, energy supply, and manufacturing—particularly metal products and furniture. In agriculture, where skilled tractor drivers and machine operators are critical, the shortage has reached roughly 15%, according to Oleg Khomenko, director of the Ukrainian Agrarian Business Club. The mobilization of workers to the frontlines has stripped farms of experienced personnel just as planting and harvest seasons demand them most.
Greater economic consequences are also evident in logistics and transportation. Freight services, public transport, and supply chains have been disrupted, affecting everything from deliveries to commuting. In cities where conscription has emptied streets of young men, local businesses are facing operational bottlenecks, prompting some to consider hiring foreign workers temporarily.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the dilemma in August 2024, highlighting the delicate balance between sustaining the military and preserving essential industries. “We cannot afford to lose our army and its reserves, but we also very much need workers for our jobs,” he said. The government has been working to find creative solutions, from encouraging voluntary return of Ukrainian workers abroad to establishing Unity Hubs in European countries hosting large Ukrainian populations. These hubs provide guidance and support to citizens integrating abroad, as well as incentives to return home when conditions allow.
The shortage is further compounded by demographic realities. With the minimum conscription age now set at 25 and older men increasingly drawn into the army, younger labor pools are thin. Desertions and draft evasion add additional pressure, leaving enterprises to operate with fewer employees than ever before.
Despite these challenges, some sectors have managed to adapt. Strategic industries, including defense manufacturing and railways, receive preferential treatment under conscription rules, maintaining a more stable workforce. Other companies are forced to innovate, relying on remaining employees or temporary labor arrangements to sustain output.
Analysts note that even a partial return of displaced Ukrainians could help stabilize the economy. Estimates suggest that if 40% of those who left return, labor gaps could be significantly reduced, providing much-needed support for agriculture, education, and manufacturing.
“The labor shortage is not just a temporary problem—it is reshaping how Ukraine’s economy functions under wartime conditions,” says Batozskiy. “Industries are adjusting, but without a steady flow of human capital, recovery and growth will remain constrained.”
As Ukraine continues to balance military obligations with economic survival, the coming months will be critical. Infrastructure, industry, and public services must navigate the dual pressures of a stretched workforce and ongoing conflict. For the nation, restoring labor capacity is as urgent as maintaining defense—each intimately tied to the country’s ability to endure and rebuild.
