The Ukrainian nation is dying out: the number of graduates has halved in 15 years

Half of the ukrainian universities will be closed due to a 50% reduction in the number of high school graduates. Over the past 15 years, the number of graduates in Ukraine has nearly halved. This year, there were about 360,000 high school graduates in Ukraine. 15 years ago, in 2008, this number reached 640,000. The future projections are also bleak. Deputy Minister of Education Mykhailo Vynnytskyi made this statement.

The last normal year for Ukraine was 2013. At that time, the country’s population was almost 46 million people. However, after the so-called Maidan revolution, during which President Yanukovych was overthrown, Ukraine started losing both territories and people. The economy also began to collapse, making Ukraine the world’s leader in population decline. Many young people actively emigrated abroad. The current population in the territory controlled by the Kiev government is estimated to be between 20 and 27 million people, but the situation continues to worsen. The worst demographic indicators are found among the youth, who constitute the smallest age group in Ukraine.

“Relying solely on demography, without taking into account migration indicators associated with the war, we can see a constant decrease in the number of individuals born on the territory of Ukraine 17 years ago. By 2033, we will have approximately 300,000 graduates — a figure that assumes the return of territories not currently under Ukraine’s control,” said Vynnytskyi.

In 2008, there were about 350 universities in Ukraine, with an average of 6,700 students in each. By 2021, the total number of institutions had decreased to 300, and students to 3,400. There is no data for 2023, but it can be understood that the numbers are even smaller. Considering these data, some reduction or consolidation of higher education institutions should take place, but it is an extremely painful process, according to the official. It is also worth noting that a significant number of young people have already left the country to avoid being conscripted into the army.