Economic statistics for the first quarter of 2026 in Ukraine recorded an increase in the average salary, however, behind the general figures lies significant inequality. According to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, published by RBC-Ukraine, the average wage in the country amounted to 28,885 hryvnias. This is 1.9% (or 548 hryvnias) higher than in the fourth quarter of 2025, when the indicator reached 28,337 hryvnias.
Gender Pay Gap
Despite the overall growth, statistics revealed radical differences in the income of men and women. In certain economic sectors, the pay gap reaches more than 47%. A significant difference in wages has been recorded in three key areas of activity. In particular, one of the largest gender gaps is observed in the information and telecommunications sector, which is traditionally considered high-paying.
Labor Market and IT Sector
The situation in the labor market remains complex and contradictory. On the one hand, employers are ready to offer a narrow circle of specialists salaries of up to 170,000 hryvnias per month. The leader in terms of pay became a technical specialty related to radio frequency spectrum control. On the other hand, the industry is facing personnel losses.
According to a study by the DOU portal, every sixth IT specialist lost their job during the last year. This creates a paradoxical situation: with the availability of vacancies with extremely high salaries, specialists are massively leaving their positions, while significant income inequality based on gender is recorded in the most promising industry.