Socio-geographical features and structural transformations of labour markets in the European Union countries and Ukraine
Abstract
Relevance of the topic is determined by the growing spatial disparities in employment, demographic changes, intensification of migration processes, as well as significant transformations of the Ukrainian labor market under martial law and the need for post-war economic recovery. The aim of the study is to conduct a comprehensive spatial analysis of the current state of labor markets in Ukraine and the countries of the European Union, to identify regional disparities in their functioning, and to determine the main development trends.
The paper analyzes contemporary demographic processes affecting the formation of labor potential, particularly population aging, changes in the age structure, and the reduction in the share of the working-age population. It is established that the labor market of the European Union is characterized by pronounced spatial differentiation, manifested in the concentration of economic activity and labor resources in capital and highly developed urbanized regions, while peripheral territories face depopulation, labor migration, and limited employment opportunities.
Special attention is paid to the analysis of changes in the qualification structure of the workforce associated with the transition to a knowledge economy, the spread of tertiarization processes, and digitalization. It is determined that the current transformations of the European labor market are accompanied by the emergence of new challenges, including a growing shortage of qualified personnel in high-technology sectors and the appearance of the phenomenon of overqualification.
The specifics of the functioning of the Ukrainian labor market are analyzed, which has undergone significant changes due to military actions, large-scale labor migration, internal displacement of the population, and the relocation of enterprises. It is established that Ukraine is experiencing a redistribution of economic activity and labor resources between regions, which is accompanied by an intensification of structural employment disparities.
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