Ukraine will need more than 2.6 million new workers by 2036
Over the next decade, the Ukrainian economy will need approximately 2.62 million new workers. The greatest demand is projected to be for skilled workers, technical specialists, and engineers.
“We are laying a new foundation. We are finally beginning to plan the training of specialists based on the country’s actual needs, rather than solely on the number of specialists that higher education institutions want to train. We’ve been developing this concept for nearly two years. It’s laid out in draft law No. 10399 on grants, which has already been finalized and is awaiting its second reading,” he noted.
The committee chair recalled that the government has launched a pilot resolution, and now the state will determine how many professionals to train based on the actual needs of the labor market, rather than just the numbers universities wish to train.
Babak explained that an assessment of future demand for professionals and skilled workers had been conducted, which makes it possible to identify long-term trends in the labor market and serves as one of the foundations for determining the state order. The assessment is based on economic modeling and data analysis and reflects long-term trends. As a result, the state quota for higher education institutions will be determined based on the results of this assessment.
“According to the modeling results, the economy’s total demand for workers will grow: from 12.9 million people in 2025—including informal employment—to 13.6 million people in 2030 and to 14.6 million people in 2036. Thus, by 2036, the Ukrainian economy will need approximately 1.7 million more workers than in 2025,” the committee chair reported.
According to him, the economy will increasingly require technical, engineering, manufacturing, construction, medical, scientific, and other applied knowledge and skills.
At the same time, reconstruction will be the biggest driver of job creation, and the demand for workers involved in the country’s recovery and modernization, manufacturing, and infrastructure will grow.
“In the construction sector, the demand for workers could more than double: from approximately 520,000 employed in 2025 to 1.24 million workers in 2036,” he emphasized.
Babak noted that demand will grow for construction trades, engineers, architects, designers, technical supervision specialists, and infrastructure project managers.
The role of the manufacturing industry will also grow: from approximately 1.3 million people in 2025 to 1.6 million people in 2030, and to over 1.7 million people in 2036. Overall, the demand for workers in the manufacturing sector will increase by nearly 400,000 people. In particular, there will be a growing need for process engineers, production engineers, equipment operators, quality control specialists, production process specialists, and workers in modern industrial occupations.
“Demand for professional, scientific, and technical activities will grow. The demand for workers in this sector could rise by nearly 75%: from 500,000 people in 2025 to 750,000 in 2030, and to nearly 880,000 in 2036. This segment covers a wide range of professions and activities: engineering services, consulting, scientific research, technical design, and professional business services,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that the agricultural sector will retain its strategic importance. In the long term, the total number of people employed in agriculture will gradually decline: from 1.8 million in 2025 to 1.57 million in 2036. At the same time, a temporary increase in demand is projected for 2027–2030—reaching 1.81 million people by 2030.
In the information and telecommunications sector, demand will remain relatively stable, without significant quantitative growth: 290,000 people in 2025, 280,000 in 2030, and 263,000 in 2036, he added.
“When it comes to education, the key challenge is not quantity but quality. The demand for workers in the education sector will remain nearly stable: 1.24 million people in 2025; 1.23 million in 2030; 1.23 million in 2036. The modeling does not show a sharp increase in the number of people employed in the education sector. However, it is education that is becoming the key mechanism for the country’s adaptation to new economic needs,” the lawmaker emphasized.
The projections also show a steady increase in the demand for workers in the health care and social assistance sectors: approximately 860,000 people in 2025, 930,000 in 2030, and nearly 945,000 workers in 2036.
According to Babak, there will continue to be demand for doctors of various specialties, nursing staff, physical and psychological rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and specialists in care and support services for the population.
“Health care and social assistance will remain one of the largest sectors of employment in Ukraine, and the need for personnel in this sector will be long-term,” he said.
He noted that the assessment results indicate that, in addition to industry-specific specialists, the economy will require a greater number of professionals who ensure the smooth operation of businesses across all sectors. This includes economists, accountants, financiers, auditors, lawyers, and other specialists in business, administration, and law.
The politician noted that, by occupational group, the greatest growth in overall demand through 2036 is expected among skilled tool-using workers—from 1.24 million in 2026 to 1.79 million in 2036; professionals—from 2.66 million to 3.02 million; specialists—from 1.82 million to 2.14 million; workers in metallurgy and machine-building professions—from 678,000 to 982,000; workers maintaining process equipment and machinery—from 989,000 to 1.19 million; technical staff—from 1.16 million to 1.33 million.
A separate assessment was conducted to determine the need for new personnel. The demand for new personnel will not be met solely by graduates of educational institutions. Meeting this demand will also require the gradual return of the economically inactive population to the workforce and the return of some migrants.
According to the assessment, the Ukrainian economy will need approximately 2.62 million new workers between 2032 and 2036.
The greatest demand is projected in the following occupational groups: skilled tradespeople—approximately 516,000 people; specialists—about 427,000 people; workers in the trade and services sectors—about 333,000 people; workers in metallurgy and machine-building professions—about 282,000 people; and technical staff—about 266,000 people.
“Future demand will be shaped by several trends. First, a significant portion of the new demand will be driven by the development of sectors that will ensure the country’s reconstruction and modernization. That is why skilled workers, engineers, and technical specialists are among the top categories in terms of demand for new personnel,” added the committee chair.
This was reported by Serhiy Babak, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, on Telegram.
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