The population of Ukraine as of mid-2026 was estimated at 28.5 million people. This is half a million less than the demographers' previous estimate. The main reason for the decline was the departure of Ukrainians abroad.
This was announced on October 22 by the director of the Institute for Demography and Quality of Life Studies named after Mykhailo Ptukha of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ella Libanova, during the 10th Ukrainian Women's Congress in Kyiv.
According to the scientist, the institute's specialists completed calculations of the population as of mid-2026 a few days ago. The new estimate was 28.5 million people compared to about 29 million previously.
Libanova emphasized that the population decline is primarily due to migration, not to deaths as a result of the war. However, Ukrainians who have left retain the opportunity to return to their homeland.
The demographer also warned of the risk of a new wave of emigration after the lifting of martial law. In her opinion, a significant portion of men may go abroad to reunite with their families if Ukraine does not have enough attractive jobs and decent salaries.
The expert believes that one of the determining factors will be the decision of Ukrainian families about which country they will live in after the war. This will directly affect the size of the labor force and the prospects for economic recovery.
Previously, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reported that demographers' calculations are based on data from mobile operators and state registries. The exact population remains unknown, as the last full census was conducted in 2001, and during the war it is impossible to conduct a new one.
