Which Professions Will Be in Highest Demand in Ukraine by 2036: The Government Releases Its Labor Market Forecast
Ukraine is preparing for major changes in the labor market, and the government has already identified the professions that will be in highest demand over the next decade. Find out which specialists will be most in demand by 2036, how the state-funded enrollment system at universities will change, and which workers the economy will need most
By 2036, the Ukrainian economy will need more than 2.6 million new workers, with the greatest demand projected for engineers, technical specialists, and skilled workers. At the same time, the government is changing its approach to workforce training: state-funded enrollment quotas at institutions of higher education will be determined not by the universities’ preferences, but according to the actual needs of the labor market.
This was announced by Serhiy Babak, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation.
How will the system for training specialists in Ukraine change?
According to Serhiy Babak, the government is finalizing the reform of the specialist training system. The new approach is based on economic modeling, which will help forecast the economy’s need for specialists in various fields.
The corresponding concept was developed over nearly two years and is incorporated into draft law No. 10399 on grants, which has already been finalized and is awaiting its second reading.
In addition, the government has already launched a pilot resolution under which state enrollment quotas at higher education institutions will be determined based on economic growth forecasts. This is expected to help prevent a shortage of specialists in critically important sectors while also avoiding an oversupply of workers in professions with low demand.
How many workers will Ukraine’s economy need by 2036?
According to economic modeling, the number of employed people will gradually increase:
● 2025 — 12.9 million people (including informal employment);
● 2030 — 13.6 million people;
● 2036 — 14.6 million people.
Thus, by 2036, the Ukrainian economy will need approximately 1.7 million more workers than in 2025.
The construction industry will become the main employer during Ukraine’s reconstruction
The construction sector will be one of the key drivers of new job creation. Due to large-scale post-war reconstruction, the demand for workers could more than double—from approximately 520,000 people in 2025 to 1.24 million in 2036.
The greatest demand is projected for:
● engineers;
● architects;
● designers;
● technical supervision specialists;
● infrastructure project managers;
● construction tradespeople.
What other professions will be in demand by 2036?
Significant growth is also expected in the manufacturing industry. By 2036, the sector will need more than 1.7 million workers—approximately 400,000 more than today. Companies will need:
● process engineers;
● production equipment operators;
● quality control specialists.
At the same time, demand in the field of professional, scientific, and technical activities will grow by nearly 75%.
According to the forecast, the number of people employed in this sector will increase:
● from 500,000 in 2025;
● to 750,000 in 2030;
● to nearly 880,000 in 2036.
This includes engineering services, technical design, scientific research, consulting, and professional business services.
By the way, it is important for Ukrainians planning to work in Ukraine or abroad to familiarize themselves in advance with legal requirements, employment conditions, and the paperwork involved. In such cases, Visit Ukraine’s employment lawyers can be of assistance, providing advice on legal employment, employment contracts, and the protection of workers’ rights, particularly abroad.
What will happen to IT, the agricultural sector, and education?
Not all sectors will show the same growth trends. In the agricultural sector, a gradual decline in the number of employed people is projected—from 1.8 million in 2025 to 1.57 million in 2036.
At the same time, the IT and telecommunications sector will remain relatively stable. By 2036, the sector is projected to have approximately 263,000 specialists, with no sharp increase in headcount.
In the education sector, the main focus will be not on the number of employees but on the quality of training. The number of employees will remain nearly unchanged:
● 1.24 million people in 2025;
● 1.23 million in 2030;
● 1.23 million in 2036.
It is the education system that must ensure the Ukrainian economy adapts to the new needs of the labor market.
Demand for medical professionals and social workers will remain high
The healthcare and social assistance sector will continue to be one of the largest in terms of the number of employees. By 2036, it will require nearly 945,000 specialists. The greatest demand is projected for doctors of various specialties, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, and social workers.
Where will Ukraine find new workers?
According to Serhiy Babak, university graduates alone will not be enough to meet future labor market needs. Therefore, the government is counting on the return of Ukrainian migrants, as well as on more actively engaging the economically inactive population.
The greatest demand is projected for:
● skilled tradespeople—about 516,000 new workers;
● specialists in various fields—427,000 people.
In addition to technical specialists, businesses will continue to need accountants, auditors, and lawyers in virtually all sectors of the economy.
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