Against the backdrop of a labor shortage and the transformation of the labor market in Ukraine, the state has launched a large-scale youth support program. Employers willing to hire young specialists are reimbursed for a significant portion of their labor costs. This initiative aims to help graduates and young people after military service find their first job.

Scale of State Support

According to the State Employment Service, support measures already cover tens of thousands of citizens. From March 2022 to the end of June 2026, almost 717,000 Ukrainians under the age of 35 have used the agency's services. Only in the current year, 88,000 young people received assistance in finding employment.

Special emphasis is placed on citizens entering the labor market for the first time. The law provides additional guarantees for graduates of educational institutions, as well as for those who have left active military or alternative service. For the latter, it is important to find a job within six months after completing service or studies.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, with the assistance of the employment service, 5,300 unemployed individuals from these categories have received their first job. In 2026 alone, 196 people belonging to this group have already been employed.

Financial Incentives for Business

The key tool of the program is expense reimbursement for employers. If a company hires a young specialist via a referral from the employment service, the state covers 50% of the minimum wage.

In 2026, the amount of such a payment is 4,324 hryvnias. Payments are made not monthly, but every two months of the new employee's work — in the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh months. Thus, compensation is provided for six months.

However, the program has its conditions. The employer must retain the job position for at least twice as long as the compensation period. That is, if support was provided for six months, the employee must work at the enterprise for at least a year.

The effectiveness of the program is confirmed by statistics: since the beginning of the war, thanks to reimbursements, 6,300 young people have been employed. Only since the beginning of 2026, 1,300 people have utilized this measure.

Situation in the Labor Market

The youth support program operates against the backdrop of a complex staffing situation. As of the end of June 2026, there were about 235,000 open vacancies in Ukraine against 93,000 officially registered unemployed individuals. This indicates a serious imbalance: employers are looking for employees but cannot find suitable candidates.

The highest concentration of offers is observed in Kyiv and large regional centers. At the same time, the sharpest labor shortage has been recorded among skilled workers: electricians, fitters, welders, and drivers.

Wage Dynamics

Parallel to the search for employees, there is a rise in labor costs. Over the last year, the average salary in vacancies on the "Unified Vacancy Portal" has increased from 24,000 to 30,000 hryvnias. Leaders in terms of remuneration remain managers, international transport drivers, programmers, and other highly qualified specialists. At the same time, the income of workers in unskilled professions remains at a minimum level.