The number of residents of Ukraine has decreased significantly in recent years. The impact of war, emigration, economic difficulties and natural decline led to the fact that at the end of 2024, only 32 million people lived in the country. For comparison, in 2014 this figure reached 42 million. At the same time, about 60 million Ukrainians are located around the world, some of whom left even before the full-scale war. IZ writes about this with reference to the TSN material.
The Russian occupation and destruction of cities have caused a humanitarian crisis, as a result of which many internally displaced persons cannot return home. However, according to demographer Oleksandr Gladun, after the war ends, it is worth conducting a population census and developing mechanisms for the return of citizens. He emphasizes the need to stimulate migration to the regions that suffered the most, because the country cannot afford vast uninhabited territories.
The Ukrainian diaspora in the world is one of the largest in Europe, but there is no accurate data on its size. The UN gives a figure of 6.9 million internally displaced persons, but demographers note that the real number may be 2 million less due to double counting in different countries. In addition, some Ukrainians who worked in Europe before the war took the opportunity to legalize themselves in new countries.
The problem of population decline remains relevant even after the end of hostilities. Director of the Institute of Demography Ella Libanova believes that the only way to prevent a demographic crisis is to attract migrants, since the natural population growth in Ukraine has already exhausted its potential.
We remind you that we previously wrote: what benefits and payments are provided for large families in 2025
