Ukraine‘s Population in 2024: Estimates, Decline from Historical High, and War Impact
Ukraine’s population in 2024 is estimated to be around 34 million, a significant drop from the historical high of 52.2 million in 1993, according to a recent interview given byAlexander Glaдуn, Deputy Director of the Institute of Demography and Quality of Life.
Glaдуn noted the challenges in providing an accurate figure, citing the disruption of normal statistical accounting. "We don’t receive data from the State Statistics Service because they deem it unreliable and incomplete," he explained. The institute now relies on data from the State Border Service and the Ministry of Justice, which register births and deaths within controlled territories.
The demographer pointed out that if Ukraine’s borders were considered as they were in 1991, the current population would be around 28-29 million. However, if the uncontrolled territories are included, the estimate rises to over 34 million.
Prior to the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine’s population was estimated at 42 million in 2021, underscoring a significant decline over the past three decades. Since February 2022, the United Nations has officially recorded over 12,300 civilian deaths and more than 27,800 injured due to Russia’s aggression.
The ongoing conflict has exacerbated demographic trends already underway, including an aging population and low birth rates. Additionally, more than 7.1 million people have been internally displaced, and an estimated 6.4 million Ukrainians have fled the country due to the war.
