Demographer estimates current population of Ukraine
Oleksandr Hladun, deputy director of the Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Problems of the National Academy of Sciences, says that about 34-35 million Ukrainians are currently living in the government-controlled areas
He said this on Espreso TV.
"The war has led to significant shifts in demographic processes and has particularly affected migration. In terms of migration, we can distinguish two categories of citizens: the first is forced refugees, our migrants who found themselves abroad, and the second is internally displaced persons. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is responsible for estimating the number of Ukrainians who have gone abroad, so according to their data, the figure is approximately 6.5 million of our citizens. As for internally displaced persons, the Ministry of Social Policy is in charge of this, and according to their estimates, there are just under 5 million citizens in the government-controlled territory," the demographer commented.
According to him, in total, this figure is more than 10 million people, which means that approximately 20-25% of the Ukrainian population has left their homes. This is a very large number, which also affects the birth rate. The war exacerbates social and economic processes, and also has a certain impact on mortality.
"As for the population estimate in Ukraine, we made this estimate at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The population on the territory of Ukraine within the 1991 borders was about 42 million people. If we now subtract 6 million people who are now abroad, there will be 36 million, and another 2-3 million, probably, in the uncontrolled territories, that is, in the territory controlled by Ukraine there will be about 34-35 million people," summarized Oleksandr Hladun.
- Earlier, demographer Ella Libanova said that, according to the most optimistic forecast, in 10 years, no more than 35 million people will live in Ukraine within the 1991 borders. In her opinion, Ukraine will still be a poor country in 10 years, and millions of men will leave for their wives if the borders are opened.
- In addition, Oleksandr Hladun, Deputy Director of the Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, noted that Ukraine's migration losses as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion are very high. The longer the war lasts, the fewer refugees will return home.
- News