In July 2026, the average nominal salary for full-time employees reached 32,243 hryvnias
Ukraine is witnessing a steady upward trend in wages against the backdrop of a significant labour shortage. Businesses are being forced to compete for talent by offering better working conditions due to migration trends and mobilisation efforts. This was reported by Novyny.LIVE citing the National Bank of Ukraine, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
The main factor intensifying the competition for labour resources remains the shrinking supply of the workforce. Hostilities have led to population outflow and the recruitment of citizens into the Defence Forces, which has significantly altered the market structure.
To attract personnel, enterprises have to revise their payroll budgets. However, financial incentives do not always allow for immediate recruitment needs, as a mismatch between the current skills of candidates and employers’ requirements persists.
Wage Dynamics
According to official data, in July 2026, the average nominal wage reached 32,243 UAH. Compared to the same month last year, the pay level increased by 21.7%.
At the same time, there is a slight monthly decline in the indicator of 1.6% compared to June of the current year. This dynamic is due to seasonal factors and shifts in the structure of employment across various economic sectors.
Sectors with the Greatest Labour Shortage
The most critical situation is observed in the industrial sector, construction, logistics, and transport. Employers find it extremely difficult to attract specialists for positions that require long-term professional training or specialised experience.
Even high salary offers do not guarantee the rapid filling of vacancies in these fields. Companies are forced to optimise hiring processes, focusing on internal training for new staff without prior experience.
Looking ahead, experts predict continued wage growth as competition for scarce specialists remains high. Income increase rates will depend on the ability of enterprises to adapt to current challenges and market qualification requirements.
Illustrative photo: RBC-Україна
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