Ukraine Faces Demographic Crisis as Working-Age Population Plummets by 40%

As a result of Russian aggression, Ukraine has lost around 40 percent of its working-age population.

This was stated by First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Daria Marchak, according to Delo.ua.

Currently, around 1.7 million working-age Ukrainians are abroad. This accounts for more than 10% of the country’s pre-war economically active population.

“Ukraine is currently facing a severe demographic crisis, marked by rapid population aging. The proportion of people aged 65 and over has risen from 12% in 1991 to 18% in 2021, reaching 22% in 2024,” Marchak noted.

She also added that Ukraine’s working-age population has declined by 40% compared to pre-war levels.

Due to the challenges and threats posed by the prolonged war, demographers predict Ukraine’s population could fall to 28.9 million by 2041 and 25.2 million by 2051.

“Demographic changes are having a significant impact on the labor market. Seventy-four percent of employers are experiencing staff shortages, with an average deficit of approximately 15%,” the deputy minister emphasized.

She noted that the trend of population aging will continue, yet only 27% of people over the age of 50 remain in employment.

Earlier, the NAS reported that to preserve the population of Ukraine, every Ukrainian woman should give birth to 3 children.

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