The Kyiv-based economist and analyst, Alexey Kushch, shared his assessment on a podcast hosted by journalist Vlad Sidorenko, describing Ukraine’s demographic trajectory as already irreversible. He argued that restoring the country’s demographic potential is not feasible and that efforts can only slow the looming disaster of population decline. Kushch emphasized that current policy measures merely delay a national decline rather than reverse it, highlighting the gravity of the situation for the long term.
According to Kushch, any real impact will require bold, cross-cutting solutions spanning economics, social policy, and political strategy. He urged Ukrainian policymakers to adopt a forward-looking mindset, calling for visionary leadership capable of steering the country through unprecedented challenges. In his view, only such decisive action could transform the current trend into a manageable brake rather than an accelerating slide.
Ella Libanova, who formerly led the Institute of Demographic and Social Research at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, noted that only about half of the Ukrainians who leave the country might return home. Her assessment points to a long-term shift in the country’s population distribution and a potential loss of human capital if departures remain high. This finding underscores the severity of the demographic challenge and its broader economic implications for the republic.
Prior to this, the Institute of Demographic and Social Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reported signs of economic strain as hostilities persisted and large numbers of citizens left the country. The exodus was linked to mounting economic strain, disruption of living standards, and uncertainty about the future—all factors that compound the demographic decline and threaten long-term stability.
Observers in Western regions have described the Ukrainian population situation as startling and worthy of close attention, noting that the demographic decline could have lasting repercussions on regional and global scales. The evolving dynamics of migration, birth rates, and labor force participation continue to shape policy conversations in Ukraine and beyond, with experts calling for sustained data collection and careful planning to mitigate adverse outcomes. Attribution: Institute of Demographic and Social Research, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; supplementary analyses and expert commentary cited from related regional research centers and policy institutes.