"Dramatic figure": Ukraine's population has decreased by 10 million over the past decade.

The Minister of National Unity, Alexey Chernyshov, claims that the Ukrainian nation consists of 60 million people in total; however, as of 2024, only 32 million remain in Ukraine.

https://focus.ua/ukraine/693105-demograficheskiy-krizis-v-ukraine-naselenie-sokratilos-do-32-mln-poslednie-novosti2025-02-12 07:54:23

Data indicating the acceleration of the demographic crisis in Ukraine was presented by Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov. Since 2015, the country’s population has decreased from 42 million to 32 million people, the official stated in an interview with Die Welt.

Chernyshov reminded that on the day of declaring independence in 1991, Ukraine's population was 52 million. Over the next decade, it fell to 48 million, and before Russia's first invasion in 2014, it was 45 million. After the annexation of Crimea in 2015, the population in Ukraine dropped to 42 million.

"In 2024, we will be a country with 32 million people — this is a dramatic figure," — noted the Deputy Prime Minister.

According to him, the overall Ukrainian nation counts 60 million people when including war refugees, diasporas in various countries, and others who have left for different reasons.

"Every war results in the loss of very valuable parts of society. But when I talk to Ukrainians abroad, I become increasingly convinced that most of them want to return home," — said Chernyshov.

He pointed out that the conditions for the return of these people may vary: the end of the war, economic and democratic development, integration into the European Union, and so on.

"And we are very grateful to the countries that have welcomed and supported Ukrainians in this special situation — even if this may encourage some Ukrainians to stay. But, of course, we need Ukrainians to build a new Ukraine," — said the minister.

It is worth noting that on January 24, media reported on the forecast from analysts at McKinsey Global Institute regarding what the population of Ukraine will be by 2040. Demographers assess Ukraine as one of the worst areas in terms of birth rates.

On January 20, Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov stated that the government will provide reservations for refugees returning to Ukraine if they work in critically important enterprises.