THE CURRENT STATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN UKRAINE, THE IMPACT OF COVID‑19

The article examines the current state of unemployment in Ukraine, the relevance of the study, identifies the main causes and consequences for both the population and the state, reveals the concept of «unemployment» and «unemployment rate». It is determined that unemployment is one of the important socio-economic categories, because, on the one hand, it hinders the production of gross national product — the basis of society, and on the other — does not allow a person to be realized through participation in socially useful work. Using graphical diagrams, the dynamics of the components of the economically active population during 2015–2020 was shown. Based on the analysis of statistical data, attention is focused on the risks of impact on the socio-economic state of society and increasing poverty in Ukraine. From the open data, a table was constructed and the unemployment rate in the modern economy was estimated. The need to reduce this level with the help of active state policy is substantiated. The main methods are proposed, the introduction of which will help reduce the number of disabled in Ukraine and reduce the negative socio — economic consequences. It is determined that a necessary condition for balancing the labor market is an active policy of economic development, namely: investment in the country's economy, promoting entrepreneurial activity among the population and regulating the development of existing businesses. Based on the study, the trends of unemployment and the impact on its level of the epidemic situation, in particular quarantine restrictions, were analyzed. It is determined that with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the world and in Ukraine, in particular, the situation on the labor market has significantly deteriorated. It is concluded that the issue of unemployment cannot be completely solved, so, despite the measures taken by the state, it is necessary to apply them more actively and implement new effective mechanisms of state regulation to reduce unemployment to a minimum and increase employment in Ukraine.