Unemployment among IDPs: why are 800 thousand IDPs unemployed?
18 March 20:52
As of March 2025, about 860,000 able-bodied internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine remain unemployed, which poses a significant challenge to the economy and social stability. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to information from the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine.
Despite this, in 2024, only 63 thousand IDPs applied to employment centers, which may indicate both low awareness of government support programs and distrust of their effectiveness.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the employment rate of IDPs is 56%, which is significantly lower than the overall employment rate in Ukraine (67%).
This means that many IDPs face difficulties in finding work, especially in the regions that have received the largest number of displaced persons. Challenges include competition in the local labor market, mismatch of qualifications with employers’ needs, and lack of financial resources for retraining or starting their own business.
In total, the number of IDPs in Ukraine exceeds 5 million people, and ensuring their employment is an important aspect of integration into new communities. To this end, the government is implementing a number of programs, including compensation to employers for hiring IDPs and microgrants for business development. In 2023, these initiatives helped 14,000 IDPs find jobs, and nearly 10,000 more received financial support to start their own businesses.
However, despite these measures, unemployment among IDPs remains high. Many are unable to return to their pre-war professions due to the changing economic situation, the destruction of businesses, or the inability to work in their specialty in new regions. In addition, some IDPs need psychological support for adaptation, as forced displacement is accompanied by significant stress and emotional difficulties.
IDPs in Ukraine face a number of challenges in the labor market that hinder their full integration and economic stability. The main difficulties include:
1. High competition in the local market.
In regions that have received a large number of IDPs (internally displaced persons), the number of job seekers has increased significantly, making it difficult to find a job.
2. Mismatch of qualifications with employers’ requirements.
Many IDPs cannot find a job in their specialty due to differences in the economic structure of the regions or qualification requirements.
3. Lack of documents and confirmation of qualifications.
Some IDPs have lost their diplomas, employment records and other documents required for employment. Restoration can take a long time.
4. Problems with housing and social adaptation.
Without stable housing and financial resources, it is difficult to focus on finding a job, and stress and psychological pressure worsen motivation.
5. Low level of awareness of government support programs.
Many IDPs are unaware of employment opportunities through employment centers or retraining programs and grants for starting a business.
6. Discrimination by employers.
Some companies are wary of hiring IDPs, fearing their precarious situation and possible departure.
7. Limited opportunities for self-employment and business.
Starting your own business requires start-up capital, knowledge and time, and IDPs often do not have these resources.
8. Psychological and emotional difficulties.
IDPs have experienced stress, loss of housing and loved ones, which can negatively affect their ability to find and keep a job.
Solving these problems requires a comprehensive approach: improving the conditions for retraining, expanding business support programs, encouraging employers to hire IDPs, and providing psychological assistance for adaptation.
Experts emphasize the need to improve support mechanisms: increase the number of retraining programs, create conditions for expanding entrepreneurship among IDPs, and raise awareness of employment opportunities. Developing small businesses and attracting investment to regions with a high concentration of IDPs can help improve the labor market and reduce social tensions.
