Kyiv earned over one billion dollars from services: the IT sector became the main driver
In the first quarter of 2026, Kyiv maintained its status as the main center of service exports in Ukraine, however, the structure of foreign trade has noticeably changed. The capital's businesses actively purchased services abroad, while export volumes slightly declined.
Kyiv traditionally earns the most money from IT, telecommunications, and information services, but some sectors showed a sharp decline.
According to the results of January–March 2026, service exports from Kyiv amounted to 1 billion 54.8 million US dollars. This is 1.3% less than in the same period of 2025. At the same time, service imports increased by 9.7% — to 784.8 million US dollars.
What Kyiv earns the most from
New statistical data indicate that the basis of the capital's service exports continues to be formed by telecommunications, computer, and information services. Their share was 52.4% of total exports.
In second place are business services with a share of 23%. Transport services accounted for 11.1%. Services related to financial activities made up 6.5%, other types of services — 4.9%, and tourism and travel-related services — 2.1%.
Among individual directions, the greatest growth was shown by other business services — plus 63.5%, to 34.2 million US dollars.
At the same time, several sectors demonstrated a significant reduction:
- construction abroad — minus 64.1%;
- other auxiliary and additional transport services — minus 60%;
- financial services paid directly — minus 41.5%.
What Kyiv buys abroad
In the structure of service imports, business services also occupy the largest share — 22.9%.
Next are:
- telecommunications, computer, and information services — 20%;
- other types of services — 15.6%;
- services related to financial activities — 14.8%;
- royalties and services related to the use of intellectual property — 14.5%;
- transport services — 12.2%.
The greatest growth in imports was recorded in the field of automotive transport — plus 76.9%, to 34.2 million US dollars.
Also significantly increased:
- research and development services — plus 63.2%;
- franchise and trademark usage services — plus 47.3%.
Meanwhile, imports of other business services decreased by 35.7%.
Despite a slight decline in exports, Kyiv remains the main Ukrainian center for IT and digital service exports. It is the technology sector that continues to maintain the capital's foreign currency inflows even amid changes in the structure of international trade.
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