THREATS OF LABOUR POTENTIAL LOSS IN UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMY DIGITALIZATION

Abstract

The labour potential of the society ensures the development of economy and determines its innovation and competitiveness. Ukraine is faced with a difficult challenge. It is the loss of labour potential due to demographic processes, which are exacerbated by the digitalization of economy. The purpose of this study is to identify the risks of losing country’s labor potential in the context of economy digitalization and work out recommendations for their reduction. Methods. The article uses statistical and analytical methods, methods of forecasting and expert survey conducted by the authors. The information basis of the study is represented by the official statistical materials of the State Statistics Service and the International Labour Organization. Results. The dynamics of changes in the labor potential of Ukraine is studied and a projected estimate of its quantitative indicators until 2030 is made. Based on the results of the author’s expert survey, the factors of negative impact on quantitative and qualitative indicators of the country’s labour potential are determined. The threats of external labour migration and its component – digital labour migration as a factor in reducing the labour potential of the country are substantiated. The shortcomings of employees’ social welfare, including those employed through digital platforms, are identified and the areas that should be the subject of social protection for this category of workforceare pointed out. An expert assessment of the importance of potential social protection of those employed through digital platforms is made. The shortcomings of the educational and qualification sphere are outlined, which is the basis for the formation of qualitative characteristics of labour potential in the context of the development of digital technologies. The directions for reducing the risks of losing the country's labor potential have been formulated.