Head of Demography Institute: Ukraine lost one million people in a year
Ella Libanova, Director of the M. Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies. Photo: LB
On April 29, 2026, Ella Libanova, director of the M. V. Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, said that Ukraine’s population declined by around one million people in 2025, LB.ua reported.
According to her, as of February 2026, around 29 million people live in territory controlled by Ukraine. The main cause of the decline remains natural population loss, worsened by the war and migration. “The population is aging – there are people to die, but no one to give birth,” Libanova stressed.
Emigration is also having a major impact on the demographic situation. “The majority left in the first half of 2022. Very few have returned – fewer than one million,” she said, adding that with every month of war, the likelihood of return decreases.
The expert also warned of the risk of a second wave of emigration after martial law is lifted. “If a family has not broken apart and the woman has settled abroad, there is a strong chance that she will not return – rather, the man will go to her,” the demographer explained.
According to Libanova, Ukraine is losing not only population but also skilled professionals. “We are losing educated, professional people. More than 70% of women over 25 have higher education,” she noted.
These processes may lead to a labor shortage, meaning the country will likely have to attract migrant workers in the future. “Builders will have to be brought in. From where will depend on possibilities: the upper tier can be attracted from Europe, while the lower tier will likely come from Bangladesh,” she said.
Libanova also stressed that Ukraine loses around 300,000 people annually because deaths exceed births, a trend that has persisted for more than a decade.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Ukrainian authorities plan to address labor shortages in business by bringing in migrants from African countries.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.