Ukraine will lack 4.5 million workers after the war

Ukraine will lack 4.5 million workers after the war.

That is how many additional people are needed in order for Ukraine to reach pre-war economic growth rates (data from the Ministry of Economy).

At the same time, as of the beginning of 2023, approximately 5 million Ukrainians were abroad. According to various estimates, the annual losses of the Ukrainian economy in case of their non-return to Ukraine will amount to 2.6% to 7.7% of the pre-war GDP.

According to a study by Info Sapiens, 50% of Ukrainians definitely plan to return to Ukraine, 24% are likely to return. However, the longer the war lasts, the more Ukrainians will adapt and stay abroad.

The main factors influencing the decision to return or not are expected to be the definitive end of the war, the absence of hostilities and airstrikes.

However, it is also important for Ukrainians abroad whether they will be able to have a decent standard of living and a decent salary in Ukraine. And this cannot be achieved if Ukraine remains on the list of economically unfree states and does not carry out the necessary economic reforms.