For the fourth year in a row, Ukrzaliznytsia remains the largest employer in Ukraine with 178,616 employees. However, over the last year the number of employees has decreased by almost 5%, which is equivalent to more than 9 thousand people. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale war, the company has lost about 54 thousand employees.
This is evidenced by data Opendatabot.
It is noted that the second place in the number of staff is the supermarket chain ATB-Market - 46 084 employees. Over the past year the staff of the company increased by almost 2 thousand people. Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine, which employs 37,714 people, closes the top three. Over the past year, it was able to increase its staff by 4.2 thousand employees.
It is reported that ATB emphasizes that only for the past year, despite the difficult conditions, about 2000 new jobs were created. This became possible due to the strategy of rapid development, including the planned opening of new stores, expansion of logistics infrastructure and modernization of production facilities. This approach has not only contributed to economic growth in certain regions, but also provided sustainable income for thousands of Ukrainian families. The company notes that the personnel policy is aimed at the development of human capital, which ATB traditionally considers the main factor of success.
In addition, the top ten largest employers in the country also included both private and public companies. Among them - "Ukrposhta" (31 739 employees), retail chain "Sylpo" (31 366), "Nova Post" (27 509), "Energoatom" (27 352), "Forests of Ukraine" (23 717), "Ukrnafta" (18 926) and "Ukrgazvydobuvannya" (17 731).
At the same time, the companies Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine and Forests of Ukraine entered the top 10 for the first time.
It is also noted that only four companies reduced the number of employees last year. The most significant reduction occurred in "Ukrzaliznytsya", which lost more than 9 thousand employees. Also reduced staff "Ukrposhta" (minus 3 thousand employees), "Energoatom" (by 1.8 thousand) and "Forests of Ukraine", where the number of employees decreased by 20%, that is, more than 6 thousand.
At the same time, many companies demonstrate a steady growth in the number of employees. The most significant rates were shown by the company "Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine", having increased its staff by 12.5%. Also actively expanding were Sylpo (+4.9%), ATB and Nova Post (+4.5% each), Ukrnafta (+3.2%) and Ukrgazdobycha (+2.9%).
However, some companies, despite the fact that they are not yet on the list of the largest employers, are showing impressive growth. For example, the Aurora chain of stores has quadrupled its staff from 3,000 to 12,000 employees during the full-scale war. The growth continues annually. Aurora emphasizes that their key asset is their team. There is no traditional HR department here, but instead a Human Capital Department. The company emphasizes respectful treatment of employees, viewing them as a value, not just a workforce. This approach promotes staff engagement, as everyone feels the importance of their role and can participate in decision-making.
NovaPay, a member of the Nova Post group, is also showing positive dynamics, with staff growth of 7.5% in 2024. EVA store chain increased the number of employees by 2%.
At the same time, McDonald's, despite all efforts, has not yet returned to pre-war employment levels. The growth amounted to only 0.2%. Nevertheless, the company emphasizes: "McDonald's is a business where people come first, and it is thanks to this approach that we continue to develop in Ukraine, despite any difficulties". About 10,000 employees remain on the payroll. The company regularly indexes salaries, provides health insurance, provides material assistance to war victims and continues to pay salaries to mobilized workers.
