MinCult: War reduced the number of young people in Ukraine by 2.4 million

Tetiana Berezhna. Photo: Facebook (Tetiana Berezhna)

On February 2, 2026, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy – Minister of Culture, Tetiana Berezhna, said that the number of young people in the country has decreased by 2.4 million because of the war. She published the corresponding statement on Facebook following a discussion of the priorities of the state youth policy with international partners and representatives of the Ukrainian authorities.

“Before the full-scale invasion, about 10 million young people lived in Ukraine, and now – about 7.6 million. These are colossal losses,” Berezhna said. She emphasized that what is happening is one of the gravest demographic consequences of the war.

The minister noted that during the years of war Ukrainian youth have endured severe trials, including combat, the loss of loved ones, forced displacement within the country and abroad, constant air-raid alerts and missile strikes, as well as limited access to education and a full learning process. At the same time, she said, it is precisely young people who are demonstrating a high level of responsibility and resilience – in volunteering, defending the country, civic engagement, and building international support for Ukraine.

In conclusion, Berezhna stated that protecting Ukraine’s youth must become a shared priority for the entire international community, because it is this generation that will shape Ukraine’s future after the war ends.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ministry of Culture had criticized feminine and masculine traits as “gender stereotypes.”

Read also