How can the Ukrainian economy reduce its personnel shortage without attracting migrants?

The Ukrainian economy urgently requires an additional 4.5 million workers. Currently, out of 31 million Ukrainians living in the country, 13.3 million are employed, and around one million are unemployed. However, there are another 12.5 million individuals categorized as being outside the labor market. This group includes 7.5 million pensioners, two million students, one million women on maternity leave, and 400,000 people with disabilities, as well as 0.5 million engaged in maintaining their households. There are also a number of people who do not work for other reasons.

“Among the listed millions, a potential personnel reserve for the national economy is hidden,” the State Employment Service explained.

For instance, out of 4.6 million Ukrainians who currently are classified as internally displaced persons, there are 860,000 who are unemployed but capable of working. The country also has two other sources of personnel: refugees abroad and military personnel who will eventually return to civilian life.

At the same time, attracting foreigners will only increase internal social tension or even raise concerns among Western partners about whether Ukraine will become a hub through which migrants will move further to Europe.