Ukrainian freelancers: Results of a study of popularity and specializations

More than 250,000 Ukrainians have chosen freelancing as a work format during the war, according to data from Freelancehunt, one of the largest freelance services in Ukraine.

According to Freelancehunt analysts, if users from well-known global freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr are taken into account, the total number of Ukrainians who have switched to freelancing could reach 500,000.

The greatest demand among new freelancers is observed in the following specializations:

Design and Art: 33.89% of new Freelancehunt users chose it.
Text work: 20,69%.
Programming: 18,43%.
Translations: 6,66%.
Services: 6,42%.

Some other specializations, such as Audio and Video (5.35%), Promotion (3.57%), Architecture and Engineering (2.38%), Outsourcing and Consulting (1.43%), and Administration (1.19%), have also found their supporters among freelancers.

Political events, such as the full-scale invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic, are contributing to the growing popularity of freelancing in Ukraine. Freelancing has become an attractive work format for those who have lost their jobs or are looking for additional income opportunities. It expands opportunities for cooperation between professionals and employers and opens up new prospects.

According to Valentin Zyuzin, CEO of Freelancehunt, more than 90% of Ukrainian customers say that freelancers help them develop their business.

According to the Freelancehunt service, Ukraine may become a leader in Europe in terms of the number of freelancers in the coming years, with the percentage of self-employed among the working population ranging from 15% to 20%. This demonstrates the growing popularity and importance of freelancing in the Ukrainian labor market.