Ukraine. Demography and sociodemography.
Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe, situated strategically at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The country is bordered by Belarus in the north-west, the Russian Federation in the north-east, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Hungary in the south-west, and Slovakia and Poland in the west (see Fig. 1.1). It is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov in the south. The climate is predominantly moderatecontinental; however, subtropical conditions are found in the southern shores of the Crimean peninsula.
Ukraine is divided administratively into 27 regions: the Crimean Autonomous Republic (Crimea AR), 24 oblasts (regions) and two city authorities (Kyiv and Sevastopol); 67% of the population live in urban areas. The eastern regions are the most urbanized. Heavy industry and manufacturing are concentrated east and south of the country, whereas the west is more agricultural.
The 2001 census recorded more than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups in Uk raine. The main ethn ic g roups a re Uk rainians (78%) and Russians (17%). Since the census, the number of Ukrainians has increased by 0.3% and their proportion among all the groups in Ukraine has increased by 5.1%.
Ukraine is divided administratively into 27 regions: the Crimean Autonomous Republic (Crimea AR), 24 oblasts (regions) and two city authorities (Kyiv and Sevastopol); 67% of the population live in urban areas. The eastern regions are the most urbanized. Heavy industry and manufacturing are concentrated east and south of the country, whereas the west is more agricultural.
The 2001 census recorded more than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups in Uk raine. The main ethn ic g roups a re Uk rainians (78%) and Russians (17%). Since the census, the number of Ukrainians has increased by 0.3% and their proportion among all the groups in Ukraine has increased by 5.1%.
Many different religions are also present in Ukraine. Freedom of religion and relative tolerance allow for the coexistence of various religions and atheism. Christianity predominates: Ukrainian Orthodox in the north, east and central parts (Moscow and Kyiv Patriarchates, Autocephalous Church) and Ukrainian Catholic in the west (Greek Catholic and Uniate). Ukrainian is the official state language; Russian, Romanian, Polish and Hungarian are also spoken.
The current demographic situation in Ukraine is very complicated (see table below). The population stands at 46 million, but has been falling since the mid 1990s. It fell drastically between 1995 and 2000 (-0.9% annually). Recently, the annual decrease has been 0.6%. Since independence, Ukraine’s population has fallen by 5.8 million or 11%. Population density has decreased by 12% since 1990 and now is 76 people per km2.
The population is also ageing dramatically. The birth rate is low and in 2008 was 11 per 1000 population. The rate dropped by 38% between 1990 and 1999, and reached its nadir in 2000 (7.8 per 1000 population). Between 2000 and 2008, it increased slightly, thus increasing the fertility rate from 1.1 to 1.5 births per woman, but this does not offset the high mortality rate (see below). Demographers explain this birth rate increase by the fact that the last numerous group of women born in the 1980s have reached active reproductive age.
The current demographic situation in Ukraine is very complicated (see table below). The population stands at 46 million, but has been falling since the mid 1990s. It fell drastically between 1995 and 2000 (-0.9% annually). Recently, the annual decrease has been 0.6%. Since independence, Ukraine’s population has fallen by 5.8 million or 11%. Population density has decreased by 12% since 1990 and now is 76 people per km2.
The population is also ageing dramatically. The birth rate is low and in 2008 was 11 per 1000 population. The rate dropped by 38% between 1990 and 1999, and reached its nadir in 2000 (7.8 per 1000 population). Between 2000 and 2008, it increased slightly, thus increasing the fertility rate from 1.1 to 1.5 births per woman, but this does not offset the high mortality rate (see below). Demographers explain this birth rate increase by the fact that the last numerous group of women born in the 1980s have reached active reproductive age.
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