Behind the stark statistics of a shrinking population and a deepening demographic crisis lies the resilient heart of Ukraine, a nation whose story of endurance and identity is written in its cities, its fields, and the unbreakable spirit of its people.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine's population as of January 1, 2023, excluding Crimea and Sevastopol, was 37,781,592 persons according to official estimates
- The median age in Ukraine in 2023 was 44.8 years, making it one of the oldest populations in Europe
- Ukraine's total fertility rate in 2022 was 1.16 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1
- Ukraine's GDP nominal in 2023 was $178.76 billion USD, reflecting a 5.3% contraction from 2022
- GDP per capita (nominal) in Ukraine reached $4,656 USD in 2023
- GDP growth rate was -29.1% in 2022 due to Russian invasion
- Ukraine's total land area is 603,550 square kilometers, making it the largest country entirely in Europe
- Arable land constitutes 56.1% of Ukraine's total land area (338,100 sq km)
- Forest cover is 16.6% of land area (about 100,000 sq km) as of 2020
- Ukraine's parliament is the Verkhovna Rada with 450 seats, unicameral since 1996
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy elected in 2019 with 73.22% in runoff
- Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal appointed in March 2020
- Ukraine's literacy rate is 99.8% (UNESCO 2020)
- Tertiary enrollment rate 83.9% gross in 2021
- Number of universities: 665 higher education institutions in 2022
War and low birth rate make Ukraine's population decline and rapidly age.
Demographics and Population
- Ukraine's population as of January 1, 2023, excluding Crimea and Sevastopol, was 37,781,592 persons according to official estimates
- The median age in Ukraine in 2023 was 44.8 years, making it one of the oldest populations in Europe
- Ukraine's total fertility rate in 2022 was 1.16 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1
- As of 2021, 69.1% of Ukraine's population lived in urban areas
- Ukraine's net migration rate in 2023 was -7.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population due to ongoing conflicts
- Ethnic Ukrainians comprise 77.8% of the population according to the 2001 census
- Russians make up 17.3% of Ukraine's population per the 2001 census data
- Life expectancy at birth for males in Ukraine was 68.1 years in 2022
- Life expectancy at birth for females in Ukraine was 77.5 years in 2022
- Ukraine's population density is 72 people per square kilometer as of 2023 estimates
- The number of births in Ukraine in 2022 was 276,081, a historic low
- Deaths in Ukraine in 2022 totaled 744,495, leading to a natural population decrease of 468,414
- Ukraine has 24 oblasts, 2 cities with special status (Kyiv and Sevastopol), and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea administratively
- Kyiv city's population was 2,952,301 as of 2022 estimates excluding annexed areas
- Kharkiv oblast population was approximately 2.6 million in 2023 pre-war estimates adjusted
- Lviv oblast saw a population influx with 1.1 million residents in 2023 due to internal migration
- Ukraine's youth population (0-14 years) is 15.5% of total as of 2023
- Elderly population (65+ years) constitutes 17.5% in Ukraine 2023
- Working-age population (15-64) is 67% in 2023 estimates
- Internal displacement due to war reached 3.6 million by mid-2023
- Ukrainian refugees abroad numbered 6.5 million as of 2023 UN data
- Literacy rate in Ukraine is 99.8% for adults over 15 years
- Language: 67.5% speak Ukrainian as native per 2001 census
- Religion: 78% Orthodox Christian per 2018 Razumkov poll
- Unemployment rate among youth (15-24) was 19.5% in 2022
- Sex ratio at birth is 105.5 males per 100 females in Ukraine
- Infant mortality rate is 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births in 2023 est.
- Maternal mortality ratio is 43 deaths/100,000 live births (2020)
- HIV prevalence is 0.9% among adults 15-49 in 2022
- Population growth rate was -8.5% annually in 2022 due to war and emigration
Demographics and Population Interpretation
The statistics paint a portrait of a nation under siege not just by war but by time itself, as it bleeds people abroad, fails to replace them at home, and watches its median citizen age into resilience while its future literally departs.
Economy and Finance
- Ukraine's GDP nominal in 2023 was $178.76 billion USD, reflecting a 5.3% contraction from 2022
- GDP per capita (nominal) in Ukraine reached $4,656 USD in 2023
- GDP growth rate was -29.1% in 2022 due to Russian invasion
- Inflation rate (CPI) averaged 26.6% in 2022
- Public debt to GDP ratio was 87.2% in 2023
- Unemployment rate was 21.0% in 2023 (ILO estimates)
- Agriculture sector contributes 9.5% to GDP and employs 17.5% of workforce in 2022
- Industry sector accounts for 24.2% of GDP in 2022
- Services sector is 66.3% of GDP in 2022
- Exports of goods in 2023 totaled $43.1 billion, mainly grains and iron ore
- Imports of goods in 2023 were $56.1 billion, primarily energy and machinery
- Foreign direct investment inflow was $6.5 billion in 2022 despite war
- Ukraine's foreign exchange reserves were $39.5 billion USD as of end-2023
- National Bank of Ukraine key interest rate was 13.5% in late 2023
- Grain exports in 2022/23 marketing year reached 45.5 million tons
- Steel production in 2023 was 6.2 million metric tons, down 70% from pre-war levels
- IT sector exports amounted to $7.3 billion in 2023
- Remittances received were $14.4 billion in 2022
- Corporate tax rate is 18% in Ukraine
- VAT standard rate is 20% as of 2023
- Minimum wage is 7,100 UAH per month (about $173 USD) in 2023
- Average monthly wage was 17,100 UAH ($420 USD) in Q1 2023
- Poverty rate (national line) was 5.4% in 2021 pre-war
- Energy imports cost $10.2 billion in 2022 despite diversification
- Tourism revenue pre-war was $2.3 billion in 2019
- Current account deficit was 7.2% of GDP in 2022
Economy and Finance Interpretation
Ukraine's economy, like a valiant but wounded boxer, is still on its feet: after taking a brutal GDP knockout punch of -29% in 2022, it showed a defiant 5.3% contraction in 2023, managing to finance a war while its heroic grain and IT exports spar against the heavyweights of energy imports and public debt.
Geography and Environment
- Ukraine's total land area is 603,550 square kilometers, making it the largest country entirely in Europe
- Arable land constitutes 56.1% of Ukraine's total land area (338,100 sq km)
- Forest cover is 16.6% of land area (about 100,000 sq km) as of 2020
- Ukraine's coastline along the Black Sea is 2,782 km long
- Highest point is Hora Hoverla at 2,061 meters in the Carpathian Mountains
- Lowest point is the Black Sea coast at 0 meters
- Major rivers include the Dnieper (2,290 km through Ukraine), Dniester, Southern Bug
- Dnipro Reservoir is the largest artificial lake at 410 sq km
- Ukraine has 22,000 rivers totaling 245,000 km in length
- Annual precipitation averages 650 mm nationwide, higher in west (1,000 mm+)
- Average annual temperature is 9°C, ranging from 0°C in north to 13°C in south
- Protected areas cover 6.4% of territory (3.9 million ha)
- Chernobyl Exclusion Zone spans 2,600 sq km
- Renewable energy share in electricity was 8.5% in 2022 (hydro, wind, solar)
- Installed solar capacity reached 7.6 GW by end-2023
- Wind power capacity is 1.8 GW as of 2023
- Hydropower generates 5.5 GW, mainly from Dnieper cascade
- Natural gas reserves are 1.1 trillion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- Coal reserves estimated at 33.9 billion tons
- Air pollution PM2.5 concentration averaged 18.5 µg/m³ in 2022
- Deforestation rate was -0.1% annually (2010-2020)
- Biodiversity: 457 mammal species, 750 bird species recorded
- Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol (disputed)
Geography and Environment Interpretation
Ukraine is a geographic giant with a fertile heart and an industrial spine, blessed with vast resources but bearing the deep scars of both human conflict and environmental ambition.
Politics and Government
- Ukraine's parliament is the Verkhovna Rada with 450 seats, unicameral since 1996
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy elected in 2019 with 73.22% in runoff
- Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal appointed in March 2020
- Ukraine gained independence from USSR on August 24, 1991
- Constitution adopted June 28, 1996
- Administrative divisions: 24 oblasts, 2 republics (Crimea), 2 cities (Kyiv, Sevastopol)
- Suffrage age is 18, universal
- Next presidential election due in 2024, postponed due to martial law
- Parliamentary elections last held 2019, Servant of the People won 254 seats
- Judicial system: Supreme Court with 100 judges, Constitutional Court 15 judges
- Corruption Perceptions Index score 36/100 in 2023 (rank 104/180)
- Ukraine joined NATO Partnership for Peace in 1994, Enhanced OPP in 2020
- EU Association Agreement signed 2014, entered force 2017
- Martial law declared February 24, 2022, extended multiple times
- Defense budget 2023 was 1.5 trillion UAH (about $37 billion USD)
- Freedom House score: 50/100 Partly Free in 2023
- Press Freedom Index rank 79/180 in 2023 (score 51.32)
- Political parties: 400+ registered, major ones Servant of the People, OPFL banned
- Human Rights Watch reports ongoing issues with media freedom post-2022
- Ukraine ratified Rome Statute of ICC in 2000
- Decentralization reform since 2014 merged 12,000+ local councils to 1,469 hromadas
- Gender representation in parliament: 20.5% women in 2019 election
- Anti-corruption bodies: NABU established 2015, 250+ cases
- Local elections last held 2020, next postponed due to war
Politics and Government Interpretation
From a vibrant democracy forged in 1991 to a nation now defending its very existence, Ukraine’s political journey—marked by high hopes, staggering corruption challenges, and a brutal war—is a testament to the relentless struggle for sovereignty both on the battlefield and within its own institutions.
Society, Health, and Education
- Ukraine's literacy rate is 99.8% (UNESCO 2020)
- Tertiary enrollment rate 83.9% gross in 2021
- Number of universities: 665 higher education institutions in 2022
- PISA 2018 scores: Reading 466, Math 463, Science 462 (above average)
- Healthcare expenditure 7.1% of GDP in 2021
- Physicians density 3.6 per 1,000 people (2022)
- Hospital beds 6.3 per 1,000 people (2020)
- Immunization measles 82% (2021)
- Cultural heritage: 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites (e.g., Kyiv historic center)
- Internet penetration 87.5% of population (2023)
- Mobile subscriptions 130 per 100 people (2023)
- Homicide rate 3.8 per 100,000 in 2021 pre-war
- Divorce rate 62% of marriages (2021)
- Sports: Ukraine won 35 Olympic medals in Tokyo 2020 (incl. 5 gold)
- Traditional cuisine: Borscht recognized UNESCO intangible heritage 2022
- Literature: Taras Shevchenko national poet
- Music: 2 Eurovision wins (2004 Ruslana, 2016 Jamala)
- Cinema: Ukraine hosted Eurovision 2017, film industry growing
- Social media users: 28.5 million (2023)
- Gender equality: Women 53.7% of population, labor participation 47% (2022)
Society, Health, and Education Interpretation
Despite facing immense challenges, Ukraine maintains a remarkably vibrant and educated society, where a near-universal literacy rate fuels everything from a robust digital life and rich cultural heritage to Olympic medalists and Eurovision winners, all while navigating significant social and healthcare realities.
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