36.9 applications per job vacancy: where candidates compete for work in Ukraine, and employers compete for talent

The Ukrainian labor market in July 2026 shows a pronounced structural imbalance: in some industries, candidates are forced to compete with one another for a limited number of vacancies, while in others employers cannot fill positions for months. According to a joint study by OLX Work and EBA, the highest competition among job seekers was recorded in the "Advertising/Design/PR" sector — an average of 36.9 applications per vacancy, which is only slightly higher than the figure for July 2025 (36.6). Meanwhile, in medicine and pharmaceuticals there are only 2.6 applications per vacancy, indicating a chronic shortage of staff in the industry.

Where candidates compete for jobs

In addition to creative professions, a high density of applications is observed in the "Call Centers/Telecommunications" segment — 30.3 applications per vacancy, compared with 26 a year earlier. In third place is the "Career Start/Students" category, with 21 applications per listing, whereas in July 2025 competition here was significantly higher — 28.5. A notable decline in competition was recorded in the IT sector: the figure fell from 16.1 to 11.5 applications per vacancy. Among administrative staff, HR and secretarial roles, the number dropped from 12 to 10.8, and in the "Culture/Arts/Entertainment" category — from 14.2 to 10.

Where employers are looking for workers

The largest number of vacancies in July 2026 was published in the "Production/Blue-Collar Jobs" sector — 19,974 listings. In second place was "Retail/Sales/Purchasing" with 19,205 vacancies, followed by "Logistics/Staffing/Delivery" (17,640 listings). Employers also posted 10,445 positions in construction and finishing work, and 8,741 vacancies were opened in the hotel, restaurant and tourism business. According to the study, nearly 80% of employers face a staff shortage: 30% of positions are filled only after three or more months, while fewer than 6% of vacancies are filled in less than a month.

Dynamics of median salaries

Against the backdrop of a staff shortage, employers continue to raise wages. In production and blue-collar jobs, the median salary rose from 22,750 to 28,750 hryvnias over the year. In retail, the figure increased from 18,000 to 20,850 hryvnias, and in logistics — from 27,700 to 30,875 hryvnias. The most notable growth was recorded in construction: the median salary rose from 31,125 to 38,125 hryvnias. In the hotel, restaurant and tourism business, wages grew from 17,750 to 21,000 hryvnias.

What matters most to job seekers

The OLX Work and EBA study shows that for candidates, factors such as the proximity of the workplace to home, a flexible schedule and official employment are at least as important as salary and career prospects. At the same time, 38% of workers plan to change their job — compared with 15% a year earlier. The main reason for the intention to switch employers remains the need for a higher income, and among the key problems in searching for a new position, job seekers cite low salaries, a lack of suitable vacancies and employers' inflated requirements.

Structural gap in the market

The combined data paints a picture of a market in which labor demand and supply are out of sync along industry lines. The creative and administrative sectors show an oversaturation of candidates, while production, logistics, construction and medicine face an acute shortage of specialists. Employers respond to the staff shortage by raising salaries, introducing bonuses, training and flexible working conditions; however, according to experts, these measures are often insufficient to close the talent gap. The market continues to adapt: some candidates are redirected from overheated segments into industries with a staff shortage, while employers are forced to compete not only on money but also on the quality of working conditions.