Expert comments on Ukraine’s current population stats

That’s according to Ella Libanova, the facility chief, who spoke at a round table on the changing demographics, outlooks, and challenges for the country, reports Ukrinform.

"We tried to estimate the population as of January 1, 2023 within the country’s borders as of January 1, 2022. We saw a variation from 28 to 34 million. The lion's share of this variation is due to the fact that we don’t understand what’s happening with migration," Libanova said.

She emphasized that more accurate data can be obtained only if proper accounting of Ukrainians crossing the western borders and the border with Moldova is set up.

"I don't know how to count the alleged 3 million Ukrainians who crossed out to Russia," the expert noted, adding that the main source of information about the population of any country is the census, which Ukraine ran only once, back in 2001.

As for the outlook, Institute of Demography and Social Research assumes that Ukraine’s population by 2030 will stand between 24 and 32 million.

"24-32 million is our population outlook as of January 1, 2030 within the borders as of January 1, 2022. Unfortunately, there will be no better figures unless there is a crazy migration influx," Libanova emphasized.

As reported earlier, referring to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), up to 8 million Ukrainians have left for European countries since the start of the full-scale war.