Staff shortage remains the main problem for Ukrainian businesses - research
The shortage of workers intensified again in August and remains the main obstacle for Ukrainian businesses. 69% of surveyed enterprises complained about the lack of workforce compared to 66% a month earlier.
These are the results of the 52nd monthly survey by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting, conducted among 465 Ukrainian enterprises of different sizes.
The problem of finding qualified workers became most acute. The share of enterprises that found it harder to find them increased during the month from 54.3% to 58.1%. For unqualified workers, the indicator rose from 34.4% to 36.4%.
IER notes that staff shortage has been the main problem for enterprises for about two years now.
At the same time, businesses do not yet expect active expansion of staff. In the next 3-4 months, only 2.6% of enterprises plan to increase the number of employees, while 8.2% expect staff reductions. Another 3.4% allow for forced leave for employees.
The second most common problem is the rise in prices for raw materials, materials and goods. In August, 50% of companies pointed to it, compared to 57% in July.
Instead, security risks for business continued to grow. The share of enterprises that called the danger of operation a significant obstacle increased from 44% to 48% - this is higher than the 42-46% range that had been maintained over the previous six months.
The IER links this to the intensification of Russian strikes on infrastructure, industrial and logistical facilities. The problem is perceived especially acutely by medium and large enterprises. In Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Rivne regions, dangerous conditions were named as an obstacle by more than 80% of surveyed companies.
At the same time, a number of other problems became less acute. The share of enterprises that complained about a drop in demand for products and services decreased from 33% to 27%, and those with difficulties in domestic transportation - from 29% to 26%.
Instead, the problem of supply chain disruptions intensified: it was named by 19% of enterprises versus 16% in July. Disruptions in electricity, water or heat supply worried 9% of respondents versus 11% a month earlier.
The assessment of the government's economic policy also worsened. The share of positive assessments in August decreased from 8% to 5%, neutral - from 65% to 60%. At the same time, negative assessments increased - 29% versus 23% in July.
The IER notes that the share of negative assessments returned to the April level, and the gap between positive and negative perception of economic policy remains significant since summer 2023.
The NRES monthly survey by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting has been conducted since May 2022. Up to 500 industrial enterprises from 21 regions of Ukraine participate.
Based on materials: Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting
