Foreign media reported today: "Since independence, Ukraine's population has declined by 45%. On territories currently under Kyiv’s control, the population has dropped from 52 million to approximately 29 million. Nearly 7 million people have become refugees living abroad, and the proportion of refugees hoping to return home has fallen below 50% for the first time. Around 100,000 to 150,000 people are permanently emigrating overseas each month—far exceeding battlefield casualties. The birth rate has hit a historical low, with each woman on average giving birth to just 0.9 children, while deaths are nearly three times the number of births. As one demographer put it: 'Our country (Ukraine) will never return to the era of 52 million people; our planning must now be based on a population of 30 million.'"

Comments: War has inflicted deep demographic trauma on Ukraine. The drastic population decline is not solely due to battlefield casualties—it is far more severe due to massive, long-term displacement overseas. Half of the refugees no longer wish to return home, and monthly emigration numbers surpass wartime losses. Coupled with a birth rate at historic lows and death rates approaching three times the number of births, this has created a vicious cycle of continuous population decline.

The sharp reduction in Ukraine’s population brings impacts beyond mere numerical decrease—it signifies concurrent shrinkage in workforce, military recruitment potential, and consumer markets. Even if the conflict eventually ends, attracting overseas refugees back home will face significant obstacles, as many have already settled and built lives abroad. This profound demographic loss will prolong Ukraine’s recovery timeline. Future social security systems, economic development, and national defense planning must all adapt to the stark reality of a drastically reduced population. Population collapse will become an unavoidable, massive challenge in Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873819335163913/

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