There are only three industries in Ukraine where the average salary exceeds a thousand dollars
3 March 08:49
In 2024, the average salary in Ukraine amounted to UAH 21,473. Compared to 2023, the average salary increased by 23.1%. These data were cited by Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy, according to the State Statistics Service, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to him, if calculated in dollar terms, last year’s salary exceeded the level reached in the last year before the outbreak of full-scale war: in 2021 it was $513.5, in 2024 – $534.8.
Where the highest salaries are paid
Last year, the highest salaries were recorded in the IT and telecommunications sector (almost UAH 52.5 thousand), air transport (UAH 43.9 thousand), and the financial and insurance sector (UAH 41.4 thousand).
According to the deputy, these are, in fact, all the industries where the average salary exceeded the equivalent of $1 thousand.
Where the situation with salaries is not so optimistic
The lowest salaries are in the cultural sector: employees of theaters, museums, and libraries received an average of only 13.1 thousand UAH.
Working conditions are not better for those employed in education (14.6 thousand UAH), healthcare and social assistance (less than 16.9 thousand UAH).
The same sectors also have the lowest salary growth rates: for example, medical workers – plus 14.3%, cultural workers – plus 15.8%, and educators – plus 17.3%.
Salaries in the hotel and restaurant industry do not reach UAH 15.9 thousand, and in the postal sector they barely exceed UAH 16.1 thousand.
The average salary of construction workers is slightly more than UAH 16.9 thousand, and the average salary of workers in the leading export industry – agriculture – is UAH 17.6 thousand.
According to Danylo Hetmantsev, poverty of the working population remains one of the most serious challenges for the state, which will not only deter the return of refugees to the country even after the appropriate security conditions have been established, but will also intensify the reverse processes, stimulating further outflow of people to countries with better wage conditions.
What will happen to real wages?
Employment and wages will gradually increase amid a shortage of workers and economic recovery. This conclusion is contained in the NBU’s January inflation report.
According to the NBU, under the influence of strong labor demand, unemployment will decline, but will remain higher than before the full-scale invasion (about 10-11% in 2025-2027) due to the persistence of significant imbalances between the needs of employers and the knowledge and capabilities of potential workers. At the same time, wages will continue to grow given the high competition for skilled workers among businesses.
According to the State Statistics Service, in 2024, real wages have already exceeded the level before the full-scale invasion in most sectors of the economy. Wages are expected to continue to grow, although as the labor market gradually improves, the annual rate of increase in real terms will slow to 3-4% in 2025-2027.
