War pushes Ukraine into population crisis as deaths far outstrip births Divorce rates have also risen and thousands of young mothers have fled with their children before winter to escape the prospect of further Russian attacks

Ukraine faces a severe demographic crisis as wartime fatalities and emigration far outstrip births, driven by ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and living conditions. Population Drop: The population in government-controlled territory has fallen to an estimated 28.5 million, down from over 41–42 million before the 2022 full-scale invasion. Deaths vs. Births: Deaths outnumber births by more than three-to-one (and up to four-to-one by some regional estimates) in the first half of 2026. Plunging Fertility: Ukraine's total fertility rate has dropped to 0.8–0.9 children per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement level needed for population stability.