CONSEQUENCES OF DEMOGRAPHIC COLLAPSE IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Zinaida Smutchak 
 E-mail: smutchakzv@gmail.com 
 Doctor of economic sciences, professor, Educational and Scientific Institute of Management and Psychology of State Higher Educational Institution «University of Educational Management», 
 Kyiv, Ukraine
 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6079-9227
 
 Abstract: The article analyzes the demographic situation in Ukraine, which testified to the existence of a deep demographic crisis in Ukraine along with socio-economic problems. The low standard of living, political instability and difficult state conditions caused a dramatic shift in the country's demographic balance. Attention is paid to the problem of migratory activity of the population, in particular forced migration, as a factor influencing the indicators of the demographic situation in the country. Due to the full-scale war caused by russia, millions of women and children were forced to leave the country. It is worth noting, that many years, Ukraine was the main labour donor country for neighboring Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. The consequences for the economy of Ukraine are determined, as well as the main problems relevant for the labour market based on the results of a general analysis of demographic, statistical and analytical information. In any case, depopulation awaits Ukraine - regardless of whether the forced migrants return or not. This means that there will be a shortage of labour in Ukraine, and human capital will be lost. If nothing is changed, in a few years' time, there will be twice as many pensioners in Ukraine as there are working people. That is why the issue of demography should be a priority today and requires urgent measures. The strategy for overcoming the demographic crisis in Ukraine should primarily include two directions: the returning of Ukrainians home from forced emigration; maximum wide-scale work to restore the reproductive potential of the nation.