In a country without a census for almost two decades, Sunday’s presidential election indicated that the current population may be 41 million.

In a country without a census for almost two decades, Sunday’s presidential election indicated that the current population may be 41 million. In 1991, 31.9 million Ukrainians voted, out of a 1991 census population of 52 million. In 2019, 18.5 million Ukrainians voted. Adjusted for different turnouts – 84% in 1991 and 62% in 2019 – today’s total population appears to be around 41 million.Where did 11 million Ukrainians go? About 6 million were lost due to Russian expansionism — 2.3 million in Crimea, 2.3 million in occupied Donetsk, and 1.5 million in occupied Luhansk. The other 5 million vanished through emigration and Ukraine’s falling birthrate. The loss of 21% of Ukraine’s population in one generation gives post-Independence politicians a poor report card. It undoubtedly boosted Zelenskiy, the 41-year-old post-Soviet challenger, who trounced President Poroshenko by a 3:1 margin.