Society

Ukraine has seen a significant depopulation after more than two years of conflict with Russia, losing over 10 million inhabitants.

Between the mass exodus of people and heavy battlefield casualties, the country, which had 38 million inhabitants according to 2022 data, has lost nearly a quarter of its population.

The UN also reports that the current situation in the country has led to a decline in fertility rates.

"Overall, we see that Ukraine’s population has decreased by more than 10 million people since the start of the war," said Florence Bauer, Regional Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), during a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland.

Florence Bauer explained that the country was already facing demographic challenges before Russia's invasion in February 2022.

"The country had one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. Many people had already left to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The population was aging, and the overall numbers were shrinking," she elaborated.

"But with Russia’s large-scale invasion that began in 2022, the situation has worsened significantly," she added.

(QG - Source : Le Point / Picture: © Unsplash)