ANALYSIS OF LABOR MARKET TRENDS IN UKRAINE IN WAR CONDITIONS

Abstract

The labor market is a fundamental element of a country’s socio-economic system, reflecting the level of economic development, the state of human capital, and the effectiveness of public employment policy. For Ukraine, its functioning under current conditions has acquired particular significance, as the labor market serves as a sensitive indicator of economic resilience and the state’s capacity to preserve and reproduce labor potential amid military, demographic, and technological challenges. The purpose of the study is to analyze the contemporary transformations of Ukraine’s labor market under the impact of the full-scale war and economic digitalization, and to substantiate priority directions for human capital development in the context of post-war recovery. The paper reveals the essence and key trends in the development of Ukraine’s labor market and analyzes the impact of military actions, labor migration, and the demographic crisis on labor supply and demand. Particular attention is paid to the problems of a shrinking economically active population, the growing structural imbalances in employment, labor shortages in strategically important sectors, and regional labor-market asymmetries. The role of internally displaced persons as a labor force reserve is examined, and the main barriers to their integration into local labor markets are identified. It is substantiated that economic digitalization and the spread of remote and hybrid forms of employment, on the one hand, create new opportunities to maintain economic activity of the population, and on the other hand, increase requirements for digital competencies and exacerbate the problem of social exclusion for certain groups of workers. The study emphasizes the need to develop a new employment model that balances economic efficiency, social justice, and technological innovation. Key guidelines for public policy aimed at preserving and developing human capital, stimulating the return of labor migrants, developing reskilling systems, and ensuring the resilience of Ukraine’s labor market during post-war transformation are proposed.