Page 50 - UKRRptDec23

Dnipropetrovsk region to Kyiv, chosen by 300 companies. The third is the Kyiv-Kharkiv region, which has 289 businesses. Almost half of the companies that changed their region of registration work in wholesale trade, with 44%. In second place are construction companies (6%). Real estate businesses round out the top three categories of internally displaced enterprises.
4.5 Labour and income
4.5.1 Labour market, unemployment dynamics
How will the Ukrainian income and employment situation change over the next two years? According to the NBU, unemployment will continue to decline but remain higher than pre-invasion levels. It is expected to decrease to almost 19% this year, to 16.5% next year, and below 15% in 2025. The bank also reports that individual income has resumed growth. According to the results of 2023, incomes in nominal terms will increase by almost 18% and in real terms (excluding inflation) by approximately 4%. In 2024-2025, the real income of Ukrainians will also grow by more than 6% per year. In turn, the government improved its growth forecast for actual Ukrainian salaries in its revised draft of the 2024 state budget. In 2023, the nominal salary will be ₴18,527($506), and adjusted for inflation will increase by 10.1% (previously by 5.2%). In 2024, the salary will be ₴21,809 ($595), and adjusted for inflation, it will increase by 8.5% (previously by 6%).
Ukraine needs to attract an additional 4.5 million people for reconstruction. Due to the war and forced migration abroad, the reconstruction of Ukraine will require the involvement of at least 4.5 million additional people. The government plans to solve the problem by encouraging Ukrainians to return home, said Economy Minister Yulia Svyridenko. She clarified that it is not only about reconstruction but also about restructuring the Ukrainian economy. "If we manage to attract this many people, we can significantly speed up the pace of recovery," she believes. At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers is currently not considering options involving labor from other countries and prefers projects that will motivate Ukrainians to return. "Polls say that the majority of people want to return. Three conditions are needed for this: security, housing, and work," the minister explained. According to the state, about six million Ukrainians are still abroad due to the Russian invasion. From 1.3 million to 3.3 million people most likely will not return.
Another country is accelerating the integration of Ukrainians, and Germany will increase payments for refugees. Swiss authorities intend to simplify the employment procedure for Ukrainian refugees by abolishing the mandatory work permit issued by local authorities. Removing bureaucratic obstacles is expected to double the share of employed Ukrainians. The Federal Council intends to double the share of Ukrainian refugees who have permanent jobs to 40% by 2024. The government's goal is also to make refugees less of a burden on the social security system. Next year, Germany will increase payments to refugees by 12%, and the amount of assistance to Ukrainian refugees is expected to equal the amount of social assistance to Germans. In 2024, Ukrainians in Germany will receive payments from €357 (for children under 5 years old) up to €563 (for some categories of adults).
50 UKRAINE Country Report December 2023 www.intellinews.com