Page 25 - UKRRptOct23

change their place of residence are satisfaction with their current place of residence (44%), family and friends (40%), sufficient financial security (20%), and patriotism (15%).
61% of the Ukrainian young people aged 16-35 who currently live in Poland have not been back to Ukraine since moving to Poland.
The sample in Ukraine consists of 1,417 young people aged 16-35, 502 children aged 10-12, and 525 children aged 13-15. These selections are representative of the Ukrainian population of the respective ages.
The sample in Poland consists of 100 respondents aged 10-12, 100 respondents aged 13-15, and 300 respondents aged 16-35.
Ukraine is bound to experience depopulation, labour shortages, and declining population density, particularly in certain regions, according to Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies.
As of the beginning of this year, Ukraine's population in areas controlled by Ukrainian authorities stood at 31.6mn, with a slight increase since then. However, the Ptoukha Institute projections for 2033 estimate Ukraine's population within its 1991 borders to range between 26mn and 35mn.
The Ptoukha Institute emphasised that Ukraine's demographic growth potential has been exhausted, and this trend is common in developed countries where such declines are compensated by migration. Health statistics in Ukraine highlight challenges, with 42% of 20-year-old men not reaching the age of 65, compared to Poland's 27%. Additionally, Ukraine's population over 65 is 20% higher than those aged 15 and younger.
Before the war around 3mn Ukrainians worked abroad. However, the conflict's onset prompted an additional 6mn people to leave Ukraine. Eurostat data reveals that Ukrainian refugees are gradually moving further from Ukraine's borders, reducing the likelihood of their return.
Most Ukrainians consider president directly responsible for corruption in government. According to a recent poll published by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, 78% of surveyed Ukrainians believe that the president bears direct responsibility for corruption in the government and regional administrations. Only 18% of respondents disagreed with this statement.
More than a third of Ukrainian refugees do not plan to return home. In particular, 23% have not decided whether to return to Ukraine, and 13% know that they will not return, according to a Youkraina study. However, 64% of respondents plan to return, but only 2% have tickets for a specific date. Another 10% know the approximate return date, and 52% do not know when they will return. Among the decisive factors for returning home, 62% identify the security situation, 18% have economic and social prospects in Ukraine, and 11% have difficulties in life abroad. Currently, the security situation is what prevents 81% of refugees from returning home, 82% of Ukrainians are prevented by the decline of the economy, lack of prospects 75%, anxiety and fear 69%, successful integration abroad 65%, negative attitude of compatriots 51%, there is nowhere to turn 39%, and the threat of mobilization 33%. The president of the All-Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies, Vasyl Voskoboynyk, believes that it is not the financial but the political factor that will stimulate Ukrainians to return. At the same time, to ensure economic growth at 7-9%, Ukraine needs to attract 4.5 million additional workers
Ukraine's population will decrease to 35 million. According to an optimistic forecast from the Institute of Demography and Social Research, within 10
25 UKRAINE Country Report October 2023 www.intellinews.com