The Number of Sole Entrepreneurs in Ukraine Dropped Sharply.

Reduction in the Number of Sole Entrepreneurs in Ukraine

In the first months of 2025, 81,928 sole entrepreneurs (FOPs) were registered in Ukraine. This is 9% less than in the same period last year. However, there are more closures: 119,895 entrepreneurs ceased their activities, which is 44% more than in the same period of 2024, according to data from Opendatabot.

Overall, this year there are 37,967 more FOPs closed than opened. In the previous year, the situation was different: 7,166 more FOPs opened than closed. A quarter of all new FOPs are engaged in retail, with 20,763 entrepreneurs. Another 7,129 FOPs chose IT and programming consulting, while 6,216 enterprises are involved in wholesale trade.

Among the regions, the highest number of registered FOPs this year is in Kyiv – 11.6 thousand, which is 14.2%. The second place is taken by Dnipropetrovsk region with 7.8 thousand (9.6%), and the third is Lviv region with 6.1 thousand (7.6%). Interestingly, women have become more frequent initiators of business than men: 61% of new FOPs were registered by women, while men account for only 39%.

Analyzing the material, it can be noted that the unfavorable economic situation may be one of the reasons for the decrease in the number of new enterprises opening in Ukraine. It is also important to consider the factor that women are actively engaging in entrepreneurial activities and becoming stronger participants in the economic market.