Ukraine is confronting a deep population crisis that could reshape the country for generations. In the western town of Hoshcha, a maternity ward that once welcomed hundreds of babies each year is now almost empty. Doctors report only 139 births so far this year, compared to more than 400 a decade ago. Local medical staff say many young men who would have become fathers have died in the war, creating a painful gap in the population.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine had a population of around 42 million. Today, it has fallen below 36 million, and experts fear the decline will accelerate. Millions of Ukrainians have fled to European countries, while hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded in battle. Official data shows that for every birth there are around three deaths, and life expectancy has dropped sharply, especially among men.
The crisis is visible in daily life. In the village of Sadove, a school that once taught more than 200 students was closed because only nine children remained. Portraits of fallen soldiers line the streets outside Hoshcha’s town hall, where people regularly stop, lay flowers, and mourn their loved ones. Local officials say 141 people from the district have been killed since 2022, and many more have moved abroad for safety and stability.
The Ukrainian government has developed a demographic strategy to reverse this trend. The plan aims to bring Ukrainians home by improving housing, building new infrastructure, expanding education, and encouraging investment. Authorities warn the country may face a shortage of 4.5 million workers over the next decade in construction, technology, and administrative services. Even with new policies, population forecasts for 2040 range between 29 and 34 million, well below pre-war numbers.
For young families in Hoshcha, decisions about having children are filled with uncertainty. Many women have husbands serving on the front lines, unsure if they will return. Some see children as a source of hope and strength, while others say the unstable situation makes it impossible to plan for the future. Rising rents, higher costs of living, and the fear of renewed attacks make parenthood a difficult choice.
Across Ukraine, abandoned homes, shuttered schools, and empty villages show a country struggling against more than military aggression. The challenge now goes beyond wartime survival: Ukraine must find a way to rebuild its population, protect its communities, and preserve its future once the fighting stops.