Let's talk about the population of Ukraine.
Population of Ukraine: 2022-2023
As of 2023, the population of Ukraine stands at 36,744,634, reflecting a 7.45% decrease compared to the previous year's count of 39,701,739 in 2022. This follows a decline of 8.8% from 2021 to 2022 when the population was 39,701,739.
Population of Ukraine: density, growth rate, decline
Ukraine's population is experiencing an annual decline of -0.8%. The population density in the country is 63 per square kilometer (164 people per square mile). The demographic crisis in Ukraine has been significantly exacerbated by the Russian invasion, leading to a notable reduction in population.
Ukraine's population decline on Reddit
Dmitro from Kyiv says: "There is a possibility that the Ukrainian population will decline to 24 million by 2030, a trend also observed in Russia and several other Eastern European countries. The primary reason behind this decline is the failure to produce enough children to replace the previous generation, a trend dating back to the 1980s. Economic downturns, particularly in the 1990s, and continuous migration to urban areas have played a significant role. Another factor contributing to population decline is the brain drain to countries with a higher standard of living.
Traditionally, on farms, children are considered free labor, while in cities, they represent an additional financial burden. The shift from rural to urban living is evident in family size, as seen in personal examples spanning generations. War, such as the ongoing conflict, exacerbates the issue by disproportionately affecting young men in both Ukraine and Russia.
The war, initially anticipated to be swift by Putin, has turned into a disaster for both countries. However, it persists because Putin fears facing consequences similar to Moammar Qadhafi if he were to end the conflict abruptly, potentially leading to his removal from power."
Traditionally, on farms, children are considered free labor, while in cities, they represent an additional financial burden. The shift from rural to urban living is evident in family size, as seen in personal examples spanning generations. War, such as the ongoing conflict, exacerbates the issue by disproportionately affecting young men in both Ukraine and Russia.
The war, initially anticipated to be swift by Putin, has turned into a disaster for both countries. However, it persists because Putin fears facing consequences similar to Moammar Qadhafi if he were to end the conflict abruptly, potentially leading to his removal from power."
Ukraine's population by age and gender
- Male life expectancy has decreased to 66.69 years, reflecting a decline over recent years.
- Female life expectancy has increased to 76.72 years, indicating a positive trend in recent years.
- The population within the 0–14 years age group has experienced a notable increase of 15.4%.
- The 15–64 years age group has seen a substantial decrease of 68.4%.
- The 65 and over age group has witnessed a negative increase of 16.2%.
Population in Ukraine after war
A study conducted by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies in July 2023 highlighted that, irrespective of the war's duration and potential further military escalation, Ukraine is not anticipated to recover demographically from the war's consequences. Even by the year 2040, the country is projected to have approximately 35 million inhabitant. The study explores various scenarios, ranging from a "best case" scenario, where the war concludes in 2023 without significant escalation, to a "worst case" scenario, with the war ending in 2025 along with further escalation.
The flight from war is particularly impacting the southern and eastern regions, with a notable impact on educated women of child-bearing age and their children. With an estimated more than 20% of refugees not returning, the study's author, Maryna Tverdostup, concludes that this will result in long-term population shrinkage, significantly impeding conditions for reconstruction.
The flight from war is particularly impacting the southern and eastern regions, with a notable impact on educated women of child-bearing age and their children. With an estimated more than 20% of refugees not returning, the study's author, Maryna Tverdostup, concludes that this will result in long-term population shrinkage, significantly impeding conditions for reconstruction.
Ukraine's cities by population
- Kyiv: 2,797,553
- Kharkiv: 1,433,886
- Odesa: 1,015,826
- Dnipro: 968,502
- Donetsk: 901,645
- Lviv: 717,273
- Zaporizhzhya: 710,052
- Kryvyi Rih: 603,904
- Sebastopol: 547,820
- Mykolaiv: 470,011
Muslim population in Ukraine
Muslims constitute nearly 1 percent of Ukraine's overall population. In Crimea, particularly among the Crimean Tatars, who faced illegal annexation by Russia in 2014, the Muslim population is notably higher, reaching 12 percent. Additionally, eastern Ukraine has a substantial Muslim community, a consequence of economic migration during the region's industrialization, with many Muslims immigrating to the Donbas region to find employment in mines and factories.
Jewish population of Ukraine
The primary Jewish population in Ukraine is 40,000, while those with Jewish parents number 90,000, contributing to an enlarged Jewish population of 140,000.
Indian population in Ukraine
As of the commencement of the Russian invasion, India had approximately 20,000 nationals in Ukraine, with over 18,000 being students. By March 5, 2022, about 18,000 individuals had crossed the Ukrainian border, although emergency evacuation requests were made by students, particularly in Sumy. In response to the "Leave Kharkiv Immediately" advisory issued by the embassy on March 2, the Indian Ministry of Defence provided a survival advisory for those still in Ukraine, specifically in Kharkiv. By March 6, approximately 16,000 Indians had been evacuated to India through 76 flights. On March 8, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that all students in Sumy had been relocated, facilitated by humanitarian corridors.
Russian population in Ukraine
Between 1897 and 1939, the population of ethnic Russians in Ukraine witnessed an increase attributed to assimilation and in-migration, despite challenges such as famine, war, and revolution. However, since Ukraine gained independence in 1991, there has been a significant decline in the Russian population, both quantitatively and proportionally. Over the 10-year period from 1991 to 2001, Ukraine experienced a substantial loss of 3 million Russians, equivalent to just over one-quarter of the total Russian population in the country. This resulted in a decrease from over 22% of Ukraine's population to slightly above 17%. The decline in Russian numbers has persisted in the subsequent 22 years since 2001.
Various factors contributed to this decline. Many Russians, particularly those residing in urban centers during Soviet times, were severely affected by the economic hardships of the 1990s. Some chose to emigrate from Ukraine to Russia or Western countries, while others, previously counted as Russians in Soviet times, identified themselves as Ukrainian during the last census. The Russian population, like the general population of Ukraine, has also been impacted by a low birth rate and a high death rate.
The majority (59.6%) of Ukrainian Russians were born in Ukraine, comprising 22.4% of the urban population and 6.9% of the rural population in the country. Women constitute 55.1% of the Russian population, while men make up 44.9%. The average age of Russians in Ukraine is 41.9 years, with the imbalance in sexual and age structure more pronounced in western and central regions where Russians are concentrated in industrial centers, particularly oblast centers.
Various factors contributed to this decline. Many Russians, particularly those residing in urban centers during Soviet times, were severely affected by the economic hardships of the 1990s. Some chose to emigrate from Ukraine to Russia or Western countries, while others, previously counted as Russians in Soviet times, identified themselves as Ukrainian during the last census. The Russian population, like the general population of Ukraine, has also been impacted by a low birth rate and a high death rate.
The majority (59.6%) of Ukrainian Russians were born in Ukraine, comprising 22.4% of the urban population and 6.9% of the rural population in the country. Women constitute 55.1% of the Russian population, while men make up 44.9%. The average age of Russians in Ukraine is 41.9 years, with the imbalance in sexual and age structure more pronounced in western and central regions where Russians are concentrated in industrial centers, particularly oblast centers.
Black population in Ukraine
The Black population in Ukraine is approximately 5,000 people.
Ukraine's population vs Russia
Russia has a population of 144,237,000, with an inhabitants/km² ratio of 8.4. The average life expectancy for males is approximately 64 years, while females have an average life expectancy of around 75 years. The country's average age is approximately 40.3 years, with a birth rate of 9.60 ‰, a death rate of 16.70 ‰, and a migration rate of 2.22 ‰.
In contrast, Ukraine has a population of 36,744,634, with a significantly higher inhabitants/km² ratio of 63.0. The average life expectancy for males is approximately 65 years, while females have an average life expectancy of around 74 years. The country's average age is approximately 41.2 years, with a birth rate of 7.30 ‰, a death rate of 18.50 ‰, and a much lower migration rate of 0.02 ‰.
In contrast, Ukraine has a population of 36,744,634, with a significantly higher inhabitants/km² ratio of 63.0. The average life expectancy for males is approximately 65 years, while females have an average life expectancy of around 74 years. The country's average age is approximately 41.2 years, with a birth rate of 7.30 ‰, a death rate of 18.50 ‰, and a much lower migration rate of 0.02 ‰.
