Ukraine's population declined by 10 million after Russia's invasion

Ukraine's population has shrunk by 10 million people, or about a quarter, since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion due to the outflow of refugees, falling birth rates, and war deaths.

This was stated by Florence Bauer, head of the UN Population Fund's Eastern European office, RBC-Ukraine reports citing Reuters.

At a press conference in Geneva, Bauer said that the invasion in February 2022 turned an already difficult demographic situation into something more serious.

“The birth rate has plummeted and now stands at about one child per woman, one of the lowest in the world,” she said. A fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman is needed to maintain a stable population.

Bauer said that an accurate accounting of the war's impact on Ukraine's population will have to be postponed until after the conflict, when a full census can finally be conducted.

According to her, the direct impact has been felt in regions that have been virtually depopulated, villages where only the elderly remain, and couples unable to start families.

The largest part of Ukraine's population decline is due to the 6.7 million refugees now living abroad, mostly in Europe. Military deaths have also been a factor.

“It is difficult to give exact figures, but it is estimated that the number of victims is in the tens of thousands,” she said.

Author - Olena Madiak, 22/10/2024