Ukrainian employers report growing labor shortages, especially in construction, services, retail and technical jobs. Despite the demand, businesses often avoid hiring people aged 55+, even though this group could partially close the staffing gap.
Experts note that millions of older Ukrainians remain outside active employment and could become a stabilizing resource for the labor market. The situation reflects a mismatch between employer expectations and available workforce.
Research cited in the debate shows divergent estimates: some surveys report that up to 74% of companies face staff deficits, while other measurements suggest vacancies are only about 4-5% of total employment. The difference is linked to methodology and how shortages are defined.
The topic highlights the need to rethink hiring practices and reduce bias against older workers in order to ease pressure on the labor market.
