Find Out How to Get a Job and Work in Ukraine

Employment in Ukraine

Economic Overview

Industry is a big part of the Ukrainian economy, and formed 26% of GDP in 2012. Among the key industries are the generation of power (using some of the country’s rich natural resources including coal and wind power), chemical and gas industry, metallurgy, machine-building and metal-working, wood-working and paper production, as well as construction.

There is a booming high-tech end including electronics and aerospace. Mining is a massive sector, too, including coal and iron ore. Automobile manufacturing is well established, with 12 top producers in Ukraine including the Lviv Bus Factory.

Shipbuilding has made a comeback after the fall of the Soviet Union, with 49 companies producing powerboats, bulk carriers, tankers and more. Due to its prodigious grain harvests, Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of agricultural goods. Agriculture accounted for over 10% of GDP in 2012 and the country is one of the largest exporter of corn in the world. Ukraine is recognized for having a fast developing IT sector, one of the largest in the world, which was worth up to 3.6 billion US dollars in 2013.

Job Hunting in Ukraine

If you want to work in Ukraine, there are several job sites where you can search for your perfect role. Among the best are Work.ua, jooble, Jobs.ua, Rabota.ria.ua and CareerJet.ua.

Of course, teaching English as a foreign language is always a natural option for English speakers hoping to start working in Ukraine and you can explore such opportunities at Learn 4 Good, ESL Employment, Total ESL, ESL café, and TESall.

Lastly, several local newspapers include job ads such as the Kyiv Post (in English and online), Den, Interfax-Ukraina, and Zerkalo Nedeli.

Taxation in Ukraine

If you have a permanent home in Ukraine, you are considered a resident for tax purposes. Income tax rates are variable depending on the source and height of the income (1%, 5%, 10%, 15%,  20%, 30% and 34%). Mine workers, for example, pay a standard 10% income tax. As an employee, if your taxable monthly income is greater than the value of 10 minimum wages, you’ll pay 20% (if not, then it’s 15%).

There’s a 5% rate on any dividends, royalties, and income derived from savings, and 0%, 5% or 15% on gifts and inheritances (depending on the residency status of the giver and receiver and their relationship). If you should happen to win the Lottery, you’ll pay 30% or 34% tax.

The responsible agency for taxation in Ukraine is the Ministry of Finance which was set up in 1991 after Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union.