The Problem of Depopulation
Currently, Ukraine has the highest
depopulation rate in Europe and it is expected to shrink by about 43 percent
between 2005 and 2050 (according to a World Bank Study of 2009). This cannot be
largely attributed to low fertility rates, as theirs are relatively equal to
the rest of Europe- 1.2 children per woman in Ukraine to 1.4 in the rest of
Europe (Rowland 2007).
Life Expectancy and Death Rate
Average life expectancy in Ukraine is about 10 years below
that of other European countries. The male demographic is dying prematurely because of alcohol abuse and smoking, which lead to heart
disease and cancer-related deaths. As it can be observed from the diagrams below, males are much more prone to succumb to alcoholism and smoking than women, with the largest amount of those affected in the 26 to 34 age group. These men face problems with finding a profitable job and supporting their families because of the struggling national economy, and tend to turn to sustances for relief (WHO 2011).
Another reason for the decreasing average life expectancy is the rising levels of disease and the poor health care services provided by the nation. Chronic conditions and communicable diseases (such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis) have reached epidemic levels in the country and threaten the able-bodied working population. A lack of education and awareness of the gravity of these diseases and how to prevent and live with them is quite apparent, which helps in the development of the problem. As it is evident from the diagrams below, the number of cases of mortality from tuberculosis and HIV victims is on the rise and greatly contributes to the decline of the Ukrainian population. With the young, working demographic being affected the most by both substance abuse and communicable diseases, there is a smaller population of those that have children and help restore the natural decline of the senior citizen cohort (WHO 2011).
Alcoholism By Gender and Age Group in Ukraine
Smokers By Age Group (Females)
Smokers By Age Group (Males)
Death Rate from Tuberculosis
Emigration
Labour emigration is on the
rise due to low salaries, high unemployment, and poor health care in Ukraine-
about two to three million Ukrainian citizens are currently working abroad. As you can observe from the map below, most emigrants move to Russia, Italy, Germany, Kazakhstan, and the United States. They are in search of a better life for themselves and increased opportunities for their children and families. The second figure below shows the rise of the emigration rate of tertiary educated citizens. In a phenomenon commonly known as "brain drain", Ukraine is losing its most qualified individuals to foreign nations, making it even more unable to provide the necessary basic services (such as quality health care) to its population. This has also led to the wasting of precious resources that it uses to educate and raise these people, who then choose to leave the country and apply their knowledge and skills elsewhere. Emigration has become another source for the declining population crisis as it is usually the younger individual (those that have just hit the ripe age of reproduction) that choose to leave the country (The Economist 2006).
A potential benefit of the increased emigration is the economic gain that Ukraine receives. When young Ukrainians leave the country, they tend to leave behind older family members or spouses and regularily send back earnings, which has proven to a large portion of the Gross Domestic Product.
Net Migration in Ukraine
Emigration of the Most Educated from Ukraine
Where are Ukrainians living outside the country?
