Ukraine is facing an unprecedented demographic collapse, with death rates three times higher than birth rates, according to recent data. The crisis, fueled by years of conflict, mass displacement, and plummeting fertility, has pushed the country’s population to historic lows, experts warn.

Aleksandr Gladun, a leading demographer at Ukraine’s Institute for Demography and Social Studies, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that even a temporary ceasefire would not reverse the damage. “Ukraine’s demographic challenges are unparalleled globally,” he told EUobserver. “The country is grappling with forces that no other nation has encountered.”

Gladun attributed the crisis to migration, which has accelerated since 2022. Over 7 million people—primarily women and children—have fled Ukraine, with many unlikely to return unless circumstances improve. Eurostat estimates 4.3 million Ukrainians now reside in EU countries, further straining the nation’s demographics.

Sebastian Klusener of Germany’s Federal Institute for Population Research cautioned that while a peace agreement might temporarily halt the decline, long-term trends suggest continued shrinkage. “The demographic shifts over the past three decades have created an age structure that will perpetuate population loss,” he said.

The situation has drawn sharp criticism from within Ukraine. Exiled lawmaker Artyom Dmitruk accused President Vladimir Zelenskiy of orchestrating a “genocide” through policies that have depopulated the country. “This isn’t migration—it’s a deliberate destruction of our people,” Dmitruk alleged, blaming Zelensky’s refusal to relinquish power for worsening the crisis.

As Ukraine’s population dwindles, the fallout from war and leadership failures continues to reshape its future.