Ukraine's population shrinks sharply as war drives millions abroad

Ukraine's population has been declining since 1993, and the Russian invasion has greatly accelerated the trend. In 2024 the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice recorded 495,090 deaths, nearly three times the number of births. The war has also caused a surge in mortality from chronic illnesses, stress and limited medical care, while birth rates have fallen as families postpone having children.

At the start of 2024, about 5.6 million Ukrainians were registered as refugees abroad, with roughly four million having crossed western borders. More than four million people remain internally displaced, meaning that over 10 million individuals – around 20% of the pre‑war population – have left their homes. Demographers warn that the pace of future decline will depend on the war’s duration and post‑conflict conditions.