New Monthly Enterprises Survey №49, May 2026

The Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER) has released the 49-th monthly enterprise survey “Ukrainian business in wartime” for May 2026. The survey reflects the views of Ukrainian business executives on the current state of their businesses, key challenges, and expectations for the coming months.

Main results of the 49-th monthly enterprise survey:

 

  • Signs of a moderation in the pace of economic recovery have become increasingly evident. Nevertheless, business sentiment remains resilient, while key expectations have broadly stabilized despite the persistent impact of labor market constraints and security-related risks.
  • In May 2026, long-term uncertainty increased marginally following a decline in the previous month. At the same time, businesses’ long-term expectations remained broadly unchanged after a modest improvement recorded in April.
  • Medium-term uncertainty interrupted its gradual upward trend, with no material changes observed in assessments of either the overall economic environment or enterprises’ business activity. Likewise, six-month business expectations remained broadly stable following the significant deterioration reported in the previous month.
  • The year-on-year pace of economic recovery weakened for the second consecutive month.
  • Month-on-month enterprise performance indicators interrupted a two-month upward trend, while short-term business expectations deteriorated for the second month in succession.
  • Businesses anticipate a further deceleration in price growth over the next three to four months. At the same time, the perceived importance of rising prices as a constraint on business activity has continued to decline.
  • No significant changes are expected in the number of workers levels or in the number of workers on forced leave over the next three to four months. However, difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel remain elevated, underscoring the persistence of labor market shortages.
  • Labor shortages, rising prices, and security-related risks associated with operating under wartime conditions continue to represent the principal constraints on business activity, although their relative importance has shifted moderately compared with previous survey rounds.

The survey was conducted among more than 500 enterprises across 21 regions of Ukraine. The report provides an analysis of the current economic situation at the enterprise level, key business trends, and development forecasts amid the full-scale war.

IED Project

Business Surveys

IER Business Surveys monitor, forecast, and analyze economic activity in Ukraine using first-hand information collected directly from business leaders and company representatives

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