U.N. "Ukra Declines Population By 8 Million Through War"

Ukraine's population has fallen by about a fifth since it was invaded by Russia in 2022.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, the local population has declined by about 8 million since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Those who fled to other countries to escape the war seem to have made up the majority of the population decline.

The population decline is one-fifth of Ukraine's estimated population of 41 million.

After the outbreak of the war, Ukraine's fertility rate fell to one per woman, falling to Europe's lowest level, the UNFPA noted.

"Ukraine's population decline can be seen as an important resource loss for national recovery and future development as it ages," the UNFPA said. "A strategy focused solely on increasing fertility rates cannot solve socioeconomic factors that hinder Ukraine's development."

Ukraine will also have to overcome the low birth rate by introducing comprehensive policies to promote a family-friendly working environment, such as parental leave for fathers, he said. "Building peace will be the most important, but measures to restore the population are also needed."