Ukraine today faces the most serious challenge of its existence. For more than three years of war, the country has suffered significant losses - soldiers and civilians killed, cities and infrastructure destroyed, temporarily occupied territories, and the lives of millions of citizens ruined. However, the deepest problem that threatens the very existence of the state is the unprecedented demographic crisis.

People are the fundamental basis of statehood. The loss of population means the loss of the future. Since independence, the number of Ukrainians has decreased dramatically, and the war has only accelerated this process. Territories can be returned, cities rebuilt, and the economy revived, but all of this is meaningless if Ukrainians - the bearers of the nation's culture, traditions, and unique worldview - do not remain to live, work, and give birth to children on their ancestral land.

The available statistics show an alarming picture. Mortality rate in 2024 amounted to 18.6 per 1000 people, while the birth rate is only 6 per 1000 people. The death rate is three times higher than the birth rate. The fertility rate has fallen to a catastrophic 0.7, when a simple reproduction of the population requires a rate of 2.1. The average age of the population is 44.9 years: 41.4 for men and 49.2 for women. The age structure of the population of Ukraine has the following distribution: 0-14 years old - 12.3%; 15-64 years old - 67.8%; 65 years old and older - 19.9%. One third of the population stayed in Ukraine are pensioners (10.3 million people).

If we compare Ukrainian data with other developed countries, it can be concluded that few countries have managed to systematically ensure the required level of fertility. The total fertility rate in the EU in 2021 was 1.53. This figure was highest in France (1.84), the Czech Republic (1.83), Romania (1.81), and Ireland (1.78), and lowest in Malta (1.13), Spain (1.19), and Italy (1.25). But European countries are overcoming this crisis with the help of migration, primarily from Ukraine.

As of December 2024 in other countries of the world is 6.9 million Ukrainian citizens, of which 6.3 million are in Europe and another 560 thousand are outside the European continent. Internally displaced persons steel 4.6 million citizens. Among those who moved out, the population of Ukraine is dominated by women and children, 83% have higher or incomplete higher education, 30% are highly skilled professionals, and 14% are entrepreneurs. The country is losing the most valuable part of its human capital.

It is necessary not just to stop the demographic crisis, but to fundamentally change public policy. The key goal is to gradually increase the fertility rate to a level where Ukrainians will begin to reproduce their population again. It is important to achieve a positive migration balance and create a strong family support system.

To achieve this goal, a phased strategy of demographic revival should be implemented.

At the first stage it is important to focus on stopping negative demographic trends. A nationwide census should be conducted to obtain realistic data on the size of Ukraine's population. It is important to introduce a comprehensive birthrate support program that includes a significant increase in financial assistance at birth, monthly payments to families with children, and tax benefits for families with two or more children.

At the same time, the reform of the medical system should focus on the development of perinatal medicine and children's health care, ensuring access to quality medical services for all citizens. Particular attention should be paid to social adaptation and support for war veterans and their families, realizing that this group will become a significant part of society in the near future. It is also necessary to create a national program for the return of Ukrainians from abroad, which would include a register of specialists, adaptation programs, housing, and employment assistance. At the same time, programs for the integration of internally displaced persons in new communities should be implemented.

At the second stage it is necessary to strive to stop the natural population decline. To increase the fertility rate, it is necessary to create a network of affordable kindergartens and nurseries, introduce flexible working conditions for parents of young children, and implement affordable housing programs for young families.

It is important to create powerful incentives for Ukrainians to return from abroad by ensuring competitive wages, creating special economic zones for entrepreneurship, and reintegration programs for those who return. In parallel, the pension system needs to be reformed with the introduction of a multi-pillar model and the development of private pensions.

At the third stage positive demographic trends should be consolidated and sustainable development should be ensured. It is advisable to introduce comprehensive support for families with three or more children, and to develop a network of preschool and school education institutions. To ensure a positive migration balance, it is necessary to develop programs to attract qualified specialists and create conditions for the return of Ukrainian scientists and researchers.

Particular attention should be paid to the development of regions with negative demographic dynamics through regional development programs, the creation of new economic clusters, and the development of infrastructure in rural areas.

Demographic revival is impossible without rapid economic growth. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the tax burden on entrepreneurs and stimulate the creation of new jobs. It is necessary to ensure a competitive level of wages to stop labor migration. It is advisable to introduce the principle that the number of entrepreneurs in the country should exceed the number of officials and pensioners. It is important to create favorable conditions for the development of small and medium-sized businesses and to introduce transparent and fair rules for all participants in the economic process.

The fertility rate should be recognized as a key indicator of the success of public policy along with GDP. Increasing the birth rate should become a national priority that will guide economic and social policy. The life and well-being of Ukrainians is the highest value of the state.

The Ukrainian nation has repeatedly proved its ability to revive even in the most difficult conditions. The demographic crisis can be transformed into a demographic revival by relying on the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative potential of citizens. It is worth building a country where every family has the opportunity to grow and prosper, and every child has a safe and happy future.