War has transformed the labor market: what jobs are now in demand

The number of job vacancies in Ukraine has almost returned to pre-war levels, but Russia's aggression has fundamentally changed the structure of the labor market. Demand for some specialties has increased manifold, while other professions have practically fallen out of circulation. The following Frontliner review details how the war has redrawn the map of vacancies and offers advice on how to remain relevant.

In 16 of the 28 professional categories, the number of vacancies now exceeds the figures from early 2022, while in 12 categories, the number of job offers has, conversely, decreased, according to data from a Work.ua study.

War dictates demand: from deminers to medics

Defense and security have taken first place in terms of demand growt. The Ukrainian army is actively recruiting through online platforms. While there were almost little to no military vacancies before the all-out war, now over 600 units have posted about 9,000 offers. Some positions grew literally from zero: there are now 377 vacancies for deminers compared to one in 2022; 735 for riflemen compared to three. Demand for drone specialists, engineers and operators, also soared rapidly, as the army actively employs the latest technologies on the battlefield.

A significant expansion of offers has also occurred in the medical field. The war has created new challenges for healthcare, increasing the risk of illnesses and severe conditions. At the same time, mobilization and migration have led to a staffing shortage in hospitals. As a result, employers are actively seeking doctors: demand for epidemiologists has increased by 200%, and for surgeons by 144% over three years. Furthermore, the need for psychological support among Ukrainians is growing. While 7% of respondents sought help from psychologists in 2022, this figure had reached 17% by early 2025. More than half of employers (53%) recognize the obligation to care for employees’ mental health. This explains the more than one-and-a-half-fold increase in vacancies for psychiatrists and psychologists (by 156% and 149% respectively).

The jurisprudence sector has also received a push from the realities of war. Businesses and citizens face unprecedented legal challenges (damage compensation, war crimes, relocation), which necessitates a need for qualified lawyers. In parallel, the civil sector is rapidly developing: charitable organizations are scaling up to help the army and internally displaced persons. The number of vacancies in non-profit organizations has increased tenfold. Hundreds of new offers have appeared for project managers, coordinators, and fundraisers: demand for directors of charitable foundations has risen by 500%, and for grant writers by 406%.

The war has indirectly influenced education. Millions of Ukrainians abroad need to learn foreign languages, causing a boom in demand for teachers. Vacancies for teachers, particularly of Polish language, are 195% higher than before the war. Conversely, there is less work for translators (-25% for Polish translators). This imbalance is explained by companies’ cost savings, the use of artificial intelligence, and a reduction in projects in the tourism and education sectors. Employers are now looking for universal specialists capable of combining several skills.

Jobs fading into the past

Entire professional directions have lost their former demand. The wartime labor market is ruthless towards sectors that proved to be non-essential.

The IT sector is experiencing the largest decline. While IT specialists were the elite of the market before 2022, the number of vacancies has decreased by more than a third over three years. This coincides with mass layoffs in global tech giants, which has intensified global competition. This has resulted in a significant drop in offers on Ukrainian-made platforms.

The war has made civilian air and sea navigation impossible in Ukraine, effectively eliminating the need for corresponding specialists. Airspace is closed, and attacks on ports have damaged infrastructure. Therefore, the need for civil aviation and seafaring workers has almost disappeared.

The tourism industry, hit first by COVID-19 and then by the war, has not recovered either. Outbound and inbound tourism have virtually stopped. For example, vacancies for tourism managers are down by 53%, and for guides by 70%. Hotel business professions have also “sagged”: offers for hotel administrators are down by 22%, and for housekeepers by 41%. Although isolated establishments are operating, the hospitality industry as a whole is experiencing a deep crisis.

A noticeable trend is the derussification of the market. Most employers have switched to Ukrainian or English, so the need for Russian language knowledge has significantly dropped. Vacancies related to the Russian language or software are disappearing. In particular, specialists in the Russian accounting program “1C” are now almost unneeded: 1C analysts are sought 57% less, and 1C programmers 58% less. Teachers of Russian language and literature are not sought at all (zero vacancies in 2025). The war accelerated linguistic and cultural changes in the labor market.

How to remain relevant: advice for specialists

Retrain and build relevant skills. Flexibility is key. If your field has lost demand, consider upskilling or learning a new profession. Use government and private training programs, from construction to IT.
Consider technical and trade jobs. The war has exposed major worker shortages in construction, transport and manufacturing. Skilled drivers, welders, mechanics and machinists are in high demand. It’s time to drop old stereotypes: a qualified tradesperson can earn 60,000-90,000 hryvnias a month, as much as an office worker.
Be ready for change and mobility. Wartime may require relocating to another region or switching industries. Internal migration is a lifeline. Don’t hesitate to start over in a new place or new role.
Track trends and learn new technologies. Growth in AI, automation and online services has accelerated. To stay competitive, strengthen digital skills and learn foreign languages. Hybrid roles are increasingly valued, so combine competencies.
Prioritize resilience and mental health. Psychological stability matters as much as professional skills. With constant stress, it’s important to manage burnout and seek support from mental-health professionals. Employers value workers who maintain balance.

New realities of the labor market

The wartime Ukrainian labor market demonstrates a crisis of opportunities. Some professions are dying out, while others are experiencing a revival. The disappearance of entire sectors is a painful process, but it is also a chance for those who can quickly retrain and fill the resulting niches. Adaptability is becoming the main trait of a successful employee. The war has changed the structure of the economy and accelerated a number of trends (digitalization, orientation toward the Western market, security) that will remain permanent. A specialist should be ready to learn throughout life and react quickly to changes to be needed in the post-war reconstruction.