TRANSFORMATION OF THE LABOR MARKET IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OF UKRAINE UNDER CONDITIONS OF WAR AND POST-WAR RECOVERY

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the transformation of the labor market in the construction sector of Ukraine under the conditions of war and post-war recovery. The relevance of the research is caused by significant structural changes resulting from the full-scale military invasion, which have affected employment, labor mobility, and the functioning of key sectors of the economy.

The paper analyzes the dynamics of employment, wage levels, and demand for labor in the construction industry during 2020–2025. Particular attention is paid to the impact of demographic, economic, and war-related factors on the formation of labor supply and demand. It is determined that migration processes, mobilization of the working-age population, and a decrease in the overall labor potential have led to a significant shortage of qualified personnel.

The study systematizes the main problems of the labor market in the construction sector, including a persistent labor shortage, mismatch between workers’ qualifications and employers’ requirements, deterioration of working conditions, and increasing psychological pressure on employees. It is emphasized that despite the growth of nominal wages caused by labor shortages, real incomes of workers are negatively affected by inflationary processes.

The article substantiates that the construction sector plays a crucial role in the post-war recovery of Ukraine, as it ensures the restoration of destroyed infrastructure, supports economic growth, and creates new jobs. The growing demand for construction services leads to increased competition among employers for skilled workers and raises the importance of effective human resource management.

The prospects for the development of the labor market in the construction sector are associated with the implementation of a comprehensive approach, including the modernization of vocational education, development of retraining programs, stimulation of labor migration return, and improvement of state employment policy. Special attention should be paid to the introduction of innovative technologies and digital tools, which increase the requirements for professional competencies of workers.

Thus, the transformation of the labor market in the construction sector of Ukraine is characterized by complex and multifactorial changes that require systematic solutions to ensure sustainable development in the post-war period.