Only 22–25 million in territory controlled by Ukraine — Ministry of Social Policy

Approximately 22–25 million people currently live in territories under Ukraine’s control, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Denys Ulyutin reported, an estimate quoted by “Novyny LIVE” with reference to TSN.

He emphasized that the actual demographic figures are significantly lower than the previous forecasts and estimates voiced earlier.

“I believe it is less. This is a catastrophe. 22-25 million,” — said Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Denys Ulyutin.

At the same time, the director of the Institute of Demography and Social Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ella Libanova, operates with a higher estimate: according to her calculations, about 29 million people live in Ukraine, whereas last year the likely number was approximately 30 million.

Specialists link the population decline not only to large-scale migration but also to high mortality and the overall demographic crisis continuing in the country.

Experts also predict a new wave of departures abroad after the lifting of martial law: this concerns repeated family migration, when women and children are already in EU countries, and after restrictions are eased men may join them.

As of February 2026, about 4.4 million Ukrainians are in European Union countries, and this number is growing, while, by estimates, less than 1 million people have returned to Ukraine.

Previously we wrote:

• In 25 years Ukraine has lost a third of its population — the largest decline in Europe
• 5.6 million Ukrainians are abroad, less than half want to return
• Almost 5 million Ukrainians fled the war to the EU – there they plan to “roll back” refugee protections
• Europe is outraged: tension is rising in Poland and Germany over Ukrainians of conscription age
• Ukraine is in a demographic catastrophe: the number of deaths is twice the number of births