When global businesses look for top engineering talent, they aren’t just seeking technical expertise. Industry leaders need reliability, adaptability, and a team that can deliver results even in demanding situations. Over the last few years, developers from Ukraine have built a reputation not only for their deep technical skills but also for their resilience. Even amid the full-scale invasion, they have kept projects on track and maintained a high service delivery rate.
Therefore, businesses worldwide continue to hire developers in Ukraine not just for their skills but for their ability to tackle challenges head-on and deliver results. What else makes Ukraine a prime location for IT outsourcing, and why local talent stands out? Let’s dive in.
Why should you hire software developers in Ukraine?
There isn’t just one reason why leading global enterprises hire software developers in Ukraine. Let’s examine the key factors driving businesses that choose to look for tech talent in this location.
Large talent pool
In Ukraine, a career in IT is highly prestigious, attracting a steady stream of professionals drawn by competitive salaries, international experience, and strong career prospects. Therefore, Ukraine’s IT industry continues to attract a growing number of professionals, making it one of the strongest tech hubs in Central and Eastern Europe. With over 346,000 ICT specialists as of 2025, the country boasts one of the largest talent pools in the region. According to different sources, a significant portion—around 40%—of Ukrainian software engineers are engaged in IT outsourcing. In terms of numbers, Ukraine's tech talent pool surpasses many CEE outsourcing destinations, including Romania, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, which are home to 200K, 220K, and 180K tech specialists.
High availability of outsourcing talent
In terms of the availability of software developers, Ukraine is an appealing choice for businesses. The country has a strong pool of software engineers with extensive outsourcing experience. Unlike developers who have only worked in product companies, outsourcing specialists are used to handling diverse projects and adapting to different business needs. With 36.1% of Ukrainian engineers working in outsourcing (according to DOU), businesses can easily find skilled professionals ready to contribute from day one.
Keep reading: Software development outsourcing to Ukraine
A steady influx of skilled experts
Ukraine continues to produce a steady stream of qualified IT professionals, ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry and for businesses that want to hire developers. Ukraine has approximately 16,000 students who graduate in IT-related degrees annually, with Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Cybersecurity making it to the top 10 most popular courses. The country’s strong educational foundation also contributes to high qualification levels—according to DOU, a significant share of engineers have STEM backgrounds (61% of men and 41% of women in technical roles). Moreover, continuous learning is a key part of the local IT culture, with 79% of developers actively investing time in self-education through courses, professional literature, and industry events. This consistent influx of skilled specialists makes Ukraine a reliable choice for businesses looking to scale their development teams with a talent eager to learn and grow professionally.
Cultural compatibility
Another reason why Ukrainian developers are an optimal choice for North American and European businesses is cultural match and shared business values. According to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions study, Ukraine aligns closely with the UK and the US in terms of individualism, meaning local engineers are proactive, take ownership of their work, and excel in self-managed environments. This fosters effective collaboration, minimizes communication barriers, and enhances project outcomes. Additionally, Ukraine’s decades-long presence in the global IT outsourcing market has cultivated a strong work ethic and focus on efficiency, which resonates with Western business practices.
Strong tech community
Ukraine’s tech ecosystem is not just a collection of skilled engineers—it’s a community that fosters continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration. Across the country, developers actively engage in industry events, hackathons, and professional meetups, exchanging knowledge. Large-scale conferences like Lviv IT Arena, The Agile Eastern Europe Conference, and DEV_Challenge bring together top experts to discuss emerging trends, share best practices, and drive technological advancements.
Software developers in Ukraine: Talent pool breakdown
You already know that Ukraine is home to a vast and highly skilled tech workforce. Now, let’s take a closer look at its key characteristics, from specialization and experience to industry expertise, English proficiency, and more.
Specializations
According to DOU, the majority of IT professionals in Ukraine are software developers, who account for roughly 47% of the country’s tech workforce. QA specialists form the second-largest group, representing around 17% of industry experts. The remaining talent is distributed across specialized fields such as DevOps, Data Science, and cybersecurity, as well as non-technical roles in HR, digital marketing, and sales. This diverse expertise ensures that businesses can find not only engineers but also hire a software development team in Ukraine that will be able to handle various aspects of product delivery.
Professional experience
Developers in Ukraine bring a solid foundation of experience, making them a reliable choice for businesses seeking skilled talent. According to DOU, the majority of IT professionals in Ukraine—58%—have at least three years of industry experience. Among them, 36% have been working in tech for 3–5 years, while 23% have accumulated 6–9 years of expertise. Additionally, 7% of specialists boast over a decade of experience, often taking on senior and leadership roles. This depth of experience ensures that companies can easily hire developers in Ukraine who not only possess strong technical skills but also bring practical knowledge of real-world project challenges.
Technical capabilities
In terms of the tech capabilities of local developers, Ukraine boasts a well-balanced distribution of tech professionals for every need. When businesses choose to hire software developers in Ukraine, they gain access to a versatile talent pool proficient in a wide range of programming languages. JavaScript is the most commonly used language, with 15.4% of Ukrainian engineers using it for web and full-stack development. TypeScript, which is a strong choice for developing scalable front-end solutions, follows closely at 15.1%. Python, used by 14.7% of developers in Ukraine, is widely applied in web development, Data Science, and AI-driven projects. Java and C# developers in Ukraine each account for 12.7%.
Beyond these core technologies, Ukrainian developers bring expertise in PHP (7%), Kotlin (3.5%), C++ (3.1%), Swift (2.3%), Go (2.1%), Ruby (1.9%), and Dart (1.1%). This extensive skill set allows businesses to find specialists for everything from mobile app development to cloud solutions, ensuring that projects of any complexity can be executed with precision.
Domain expertise
With years of collaboration on international projects, software developers in Ukraine have built deep expertise across a variety of industries. Their ability to work with global enterprises has made them not just skilled coders but also strategic contributors who understand industry-specific challenges and opportunities. Companies that hire developers in Ukraine benefit from more than just technical skills since Ukrainian engineers can offer domain-driven insights that help drive business success beyond initial project requirements.
According to DOU, software developers in Ukraine have particularly strong expertise in ecommerce (19%), fintech and banking (14%), healthcare (9%), and gaming (7%) domains. They also specialize in mobile development (6%), education (5%), and gambling (5%) industries, while 35% work across other domains. This experience makes Ukrainian developers valuable partners for companies seeking both technical excellence and industry know-how. No wonder that global industry leaders such as Huawei, Ericsson, Samsung, IBM, Bosch, and Lebara have already chosen to hire software developers in Ukraine.
English proficiency
English proficiency among Ukrainian IT professionals has steadily improved, making communication with international clients more efficient. According to the EF English Proficiency Index, Ukraine ranks 40th out of 113 countries, demonstrating a moderate level of English.
However, within the tech industry, language skills are stronger. Over the past few years, the proportion of Ukrainian IT specialists with Upper-Intermediate or Advanced English proficiency has increased from 47% to 55%, according to DOU. This tendency is particularly evident among senior professionals with over a decade of experience who actively contribute to international projects and participate in stakeholder discussions.
Women in tech
The representation of women in Ukraine’s IT industry has been steadily increasing. In 2016, they made up just 16% of the sector, but by 2023, this figure had grown to 26%, reflecting a positive shift toward greater gender diversity. While software development remains a male-dominated field, female engineers now account for 17% of developers in Ukraine. As of 2025, QA engineering testing is the most common technical role among women. Additionally, female specialists play a key role in non-technical areas such as HR, technical writing, marketing, and sales, where they make up 67% of the workforce. This continuous growth in female participation highlights Ukraine’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem.
Main hubs of developers in Ukraine: Where top talent resides
The majority of software developers in Ukraine are concentrated in major urban centers, with 83% residing in key tech hubs such as Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, and, most recently, Ivano-Frankivsk. While 2022 saw significant relocations of tech talent due to the Russian invasion, the trend has begun to reverse. More IT professionals are returning, with 41% of developers who relocated abroad planning to move back to Ukraine. Let’s take a closer look at the key industry hubs that house the largest numbers of software developers in Ukraine.
Kyiv remains the heart of Ukraine’s tech industry, home to 36% of the country’s IT workforce and a major hub for software development. Despite the challenges of war and temporary relocations, the city continues to attract IT professionals, with its share of tech specialists rising from 33% to 36% in 2023. Kyiv also generates 36% of Ukraine’s total IT revenue and hosts the largest development centers of major companies, including N-iX, GlobalLogic, Ciklum, SoftServe, and EPAM.
More on the topic: Kyiv developers: exploring the biggest IT hub in Ukraine
Lviv is the second largest IT hub and a leading outsourcing destination, with 46% of local developers working for outsourcing or outstaffing vendors. The city has seen a 45% growth rate in IT companies, positioning it as a strong competitor to Kyiv in terms of tech talent. Lviv also hosts Lviv IT Arena, one of the most popular tech events in Ukraine, further solidifying its role as a key innovation center.
You might be interested in: 10 most reliable Lviv IT companies
Businesses looking to hire developers in Ukraine can also consider experts from Dnipro. The city’s tech sector has expanded significantly, driven by the relocation of businesses and specialists from eastern Ukraine. In 2022, the local tech workforce grew by 30%, and today, Dnipro is home to around 16,000 IT professionals.
Odesa is another growing Ukrainian IT hub. With a 30% increase in its tech workforce in 2023, the city now hosts 14,000 IT professionals and accounts for 5% of Ukraine’s total tech talent.
Despite facing heavy shelling and significant displacement of IT professionals, Kharkiv remains one of the local IT powerhouses. The city has shown remarkable resilience, continuing to operate and contribute to the national economy despite ongoing security risks. In 2022, Kharkiv accounted for 13.1% of the national IT industry turnover, ranking second in the sector. As of 2025, the city hosts 6.7% of Ukraine’s tech companies.
Over the recent years, Ivano-Frankivsk, a small city in western Ukraine, has experienced a rapid rise in its tech workforce. Since the start of the full-scale war, the local IT sector has grown by over 60%, largely due to the relocation of developers from other regions, and now the city is becoming a promising location for companies seeking to hire developers in Ukraine.
Get a complete overview of the 2025 software development market in Ukraine!
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9 key steps to hire developers in Ukraine
Finding the right tech workforce in Ukraine requires a structured approach to ensure you get the best talent and expertise for your project. Whether you're looking to hire software developers in Ukraine for a short-term engagement or a long-term collaboration, following these steps will help you navigate the process efficiently.
1. Define your project needs and team requirements
Before engaging with a tech vendor to hire developers from Ukraine, clearly define your project scope, technical requirements, and business objectives. Identify the core functionalities, preferred technology stack, and key milestones. Consider whether you need front-end, back-end, or full-stack developers, and assess whether specialized expertise in areas like AI, cloud solutions, or cybersecurity is required. Establishing a well-defined set of requirements from the outset will help you select a vendor that aligns with your strategic goals.
2. Research and shortlist vendors
The Ukrainian IT sector is home to hundreds of software development companies (more than 1,000, according to Clutch). To identify the right partner, leverage industry directories such as Clutch and GoodFirms, which provide verified client reviews, service ratings, and market rankings.
3. Assess technical expertise
As an optimal location to hire software developers, Ukraine has a wide range of companies with varying tech capabilities. Choosing the best for your needs and evaluating a vendor’s technical capabilities is critical to ensuring they can deliver the desired outcomes. Browse their technology stacks and check their proficiency in relevant programming languages, frameworks, and architectures. If your project involves advanced technologies such as Machine Learning, Generative AI, AIoT, etc., ensure the vendor has demonstrated expertise in those areas.
4. Review portfolios and client testimonials
A vendor’s portfolio is a direct reflection of their expertise, industry focus, and ability to execute complex projects. Research case studies to understand how they approach problem-solving and whether they have experience in your specific domain or a related one. Additionally, review client testimonials to gain insights into their reliability and service quality.
5. Conduct initial discussions
Once you have shortlisted vendors, it’s time to initiate discussions. Beyond technical capabilities, these conversations help determine whether a vendor’s values, communication style, and business approach align with your organization. During the calls, share details about your project, key challenges, and expectations while evaluating their responsiveness, transparency, and ability to offer strategic insights. A strong vendor should not only answer your questions but also ask the right ones, demonstrating a proactive approach and a genuine understanding of your needs.
6. Select the right cooperation model or service
Choosing the cooperation model or service determines how you collaborate, manage resources, and scale the team throughout the project lifecycle. Let’s explore the options:
- Staff Augmentation. The model is ideal for quickly scaling your engineering team with specialized experts while maintaining direct control over their tasks and workflows.
- Managed Team. This is when a self-sufficient unit is integrated into your delivery process, with a dedicated project manager handling daily operations and roadmap alignment.
- Custom Solution Development. We speak about full-cycle engagement, where an outsourcing partner handles the end-to-end development of complex solutions and acts as an R&D extension of your company.
- Tech Consulting. This service is best suited for businesses needing expert guidance to assess their existing technology, refine product strategies, or validate new ideas before development.
7. Discuss security, compliance, and legal aspects
When you decide to hire developers in Ukraine, security, and regulatory compliance should be a top priority. Ensure your potential vendor adheres to global data protection laws such as GDPR or PCI DSS, depending on your industry requirements. Discuss intellectual property protection, confidentiality agreements, and NDAs to secure your project’s sensitive data. Additionally, you can review their approach to infrastructure security and risk management to safeguard against potential threats.
8. Get preliminary estimates and finalize contract terms
Before proceeding with development, request a detailed project estimate that includes cost breakdowns, resource allocation, and expected timeframes. Clearly define service-level agreements (SLAs), payment structures, performance benchmarks, and escalation procedures to avoid future misunderstandings. The contract should also outline expectations regarding maintenance, post-launch support, and ownership of the final product to ensure transparency throughout the collaboration.
9. Kick off the project and establish communication frameworks
With contracts signed and teams assembled, it’s time to get to work. But even the best teams can struggle without clear communication and project governance. From day one, establish structured workflows, reporting cadences, and preferred tools—whether it’s Jira for sprint tracking, Slack for daily updates, or Confluence for documentation.
Partnering with developers from Ukraine: Key myths to debunk
Despite Ukraine’s strong reputation as a top IT outsourcing destination, several misconceptions still persist. Let’s break down the most common myths and highlight the reality of partnering with developers from Ukraine.
"Hiring developers in Ukraine puts my data at risk."
Leading Ukrainian IT vendors, including N-iX, adhere to international security standards such as ISO 27001 and GDPR. They implement strict security protocols, including NDA agreements, secure infrastructure, and advanced cybersecurity measures like penetration testing and vulnerability management.
"Time zone differences make collaboration with Ukrainian developers difficult."
Ukraine’s time zone (GMT+2) aligns well with European and UK business hours, and there is significant overlap with North America. Ukrainian developers are also accustomed to working with global teams using Agile methodologies and asynchronous communication tools, ensuring seamless collaboration.
"The full-scale Russian invasion has made IT outsourcing in Ukraine unreliable."
Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine’s IT industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Companies like N-iX have maintained 95% service delivery thanks to robust business continuity plans (BCP) that ensure uninterrupted work, even during network outages. Many teams operate from multiple locations across Ukraine and abroad, ensuring stability and reliability for international clients.
Related: N-iX’s resilience in the time of Russian invasion
Why should you choose N-iX to help you hire software developers in Ukraine?
With a vast number of IT outsourcing vendors in Ukraine, choosing the right partner is crucial to ensuring the success of your project. At N-iX, we have over 22 years of experience, more than 2,200 tech specialists on board, a proven track record of global partnerships, and deep technical expertise to help businesses scale efficiently and innovate with confidence. What else do we bring to the table?
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Extensive outsourcing experience
N-iX has been delivering software development outsourcing services for over two decades, working with enterprises of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies.
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Access to top global tech talent
Beyond Ukraine’s talent pool, N-iX has a strong presence across Europe and Latin America, giving our clients access to nearly 7M developers worldwide. Our ability to tap into global talent with the right expertise ensures fast team scaling and seamless integration into your development processes.
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Industry-specific expertise
With a portfolio spanning over 160 active partnerships, N-iX has built deep expertise in fintech, banking, manufacturing, telecom, retail, healthcare, and other domains. We have helped global enterprises such as Fluke Corporation, Lebara, TuneIn, and Currencycloud drive long-lasting business success through tailored technology solutions.
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Technical excellence
N-iX ensures that only the top 2.6% of global tech talent joins our teams, allowing us to deliver advanced solutions in AI and ML, cloud computing, data analytics, Generative AI, IoT, and more. Our rigorous recruitment and continuous upskilling programs ensure that our engineers stay ahead of industry trends.
FAQ
Can I hire Ukrainian developers for short-term projects?
Yes, businesses can engage developers for short-term, long-term, or project-based work, depending on their needs. The Time & Material model is best for flexible, short-term projects with evolving requirements.
How do Ukrainian IT companies handle knowledge transfer to ensure long-term project success?
Trusted vendors like N-iX follow structured knowledge transfer plans to ensure smooth onboarding, collaboration, and future scalability. This typically includes comprehensive documentation, code reviews, mentorship programs, and regular knowledge-sharing sessions.
How do Ukrainian developers ensure software quality and code maintainability?
To make sure that the quality of your deliverables won’t be compromised, partner with a Ukrainian IT company that follows best practices in automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and peer code reviews to maintain high-quality software.
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