Over the past two years, the share of laid-off IT professionals has increased from 16% to 19%, while the number of specialists on the bench has halved compared to 2023. The current bench mostly includes technical professionals with extensive experience. DOU analyzed the responses of 844 IT specialists who were laid off over the past year. Here are the most notable findings from the study.

72% of those laid off are Middle and Senior specialists

• In the past year, 19% of IT professionals were laid off by their companies, both in Ukraine and abroad. Interestingly, the layoff rate abroad was slightly higher than in Ukraine: 22% compared to 18%.
• The layoffs affected professionals of all seniority levels. In Ukraine, the majority of those laid off were Middle and Senior specialists, making up 72% of all dismissals.
• Abroad, Middles and Seniors also constituted the majority (71%), with a higher share of Seniors and Leads compared to Ukraine (45% vs. 38% and 15% vs. 9%, respectively).

• Currently, only 2% of IT professionals are in reserve roles, down from 4% in spring 2023. In most cases, this period without work is unpaid — only 32% of those in such roles continue to receive full or partial salary. Meanwhile, 48% are actively looking for a new job.

Why are IT professionals being laid off?

• The most common reasons cited for layoffs are the company’s difficult financial situation (34%) and internal optimization or changes in business direction (33%).
• Among leads, 23% lost their jobs due to conflicts with management — the highest percentage across all roles. This was also the most common reason for dismissing newcomers (16%).
• Poor performance was more frequently cited as a reason for dismissing non-technical specialists (17% vs. 12% among technical staff), as well as interns and juniors (18%).

• 41% of laid-off professionals in Ukraine and 36% abroad were warned about upcoming layoffs — at least a few days in advance. However, for more than one-third, the dismissal came as a complete surprise.

• Most laid-off professionals did not receive any additional support from their companies after dismissal.
• Among the companies that did provide support, the most common form was severance pay — one or more additional monthly salaries. Professionals abroad received these payments more often than those in Ukraine: 32% vs. 22%.
• The second most common support measure was the opportunity to keep or buy back work equipment at a reduced price. This offer was received by 19% of laid-off professionals abroad and 14% in Ukraine.

As a reminder, 42% of IT professionals currently seeking work have lowered their salary expectations.