Ukraine — Employment, Mobility and Labour Market Dynamics in Ukraine — November 2024

As of 15 October 2024, 3.7 million people remain internally displaced (IDPs), while 4.4 million people who had been displaced have since returned to their primary places of residence. According to the World Bank, more than 9 million people in Ukraine are estimated to be living in poverty, an increase of 1.8 million people since February 2022. The pace of recovery in Ukraine is also projected to slow to 3.2 per cent in 2024 from 4.8 per cent in 2023, due to a smaller harvest and persistent labour shortages. With millions seeking safety and stability, often while remaining in displacement, the challenges of maintaining livelihoods and accessing social protection are paramount, necessitating focused interventions to mitigate economic hardships.

This thematic brief provides an overview of livelihoods in Ukraine, focusing on access to employment and exploring its relationship with displacement, returns, and mobility intentions. It aims to shed light on how access to sustainable economic opportunities for displaced and conflict-affected populations may correlate with enhanced resilience, self-sufficiency, and autonomy.