Ukraine recorded 39,214 more sole proprietors opening than closing during the first two quarters of 2026. A total of 141,472 entrepreneurs started operations, while 102,258 closed their businesses.
Fewer closures drive the improvement
The number of new registrations changed little from the comparable period, but closures fell by 36 percent year on year. The positive balance therefore reflects improved business survival as well as continued willingness to launch small enterprises during the war.
Fastest-growing activities
Education led with a net increase of 3,902 businesses, followed by retail with 3,596. Postal and courier activity added 2,558, real-estate services 2,504 and wholesale trade 2,391. Computer and equipment repair recorded the largest decline at 365 businesses.
Regional differences remain sharp
Kyiv added 5,058 sole proprietors, Dnipropetrovsk region 4,284, Lviv region 4,254, Kyiv region 3,756 and Odesa region 2,955. Declines remained concentrated in Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk regions, where occupation and frontline risk continue to limit enterprise activity.
What the figures mean
Growth in education, commerce, delivery and property services shows how entrepreneurship adapts to demand with relatively low entry costs. For economic policy, the next challenge is helping these businesses move from registration to stable employment, financing, digital sales and longer-term investment.
