Ukraine’s population has decreased by ten mln since start of full-scale war – UN

The United Nations reports that Ukraine's population has dropped by 10 million, which amounts to approximately 25%, since the start of the full-scale Russian war. This decline can be attributed to the emigration of refugees, declining birth rates, and increased deaths resulting from the war.

Reuters reports this.

Florence Bauer, head of the UN Population Fund for Eastern Europe, said the invasion in February 2022 worsened an already difficult demographic situation.

"The fertility rate has fallen dramatically and is now around one child per woman, one of the lowest rates in the world," she said.

According to her, a birth rate of 2.1 children per woman is necessary to maintain a stable population.

According to Bauer, the effects were felt immediately in regions nearly emptied by the war, with only older individuals or single people who could not start families remaining in the villages.

Refugees account for the largest share of Ukraine's population decline – 6.7 million Ukrainians now live abroad, mainly in Europe. Deaths caused by hostilities are also a factor in the reduction.

Bauer stated that a precise estimation of the war's effect on Ukraine's population can only be determined once the war has concluded and a comprehensive census can be conducted.

For reference:

A forecast by the Institute of Demography and Social Research named after Ptukha predicts a significant decline in the birth rate for 2023, leading to a potential decrease in Ukraine's population to a minimum of 35 million by 2030. This poses a significant risk to the country's population growth.

Earlier, Rubryka reported that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Demographic Development Strategy of Ukraine until 2040, developed by the Ministry of Social Policy. The document identifies demographic threats to Ukraine's development and ways to overcome them.