Zelenska warns of critical decline in Ukraine’s birth rate

Olena Zelenska. Photo: "Ukrinform"

On November 17, 2025, the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, reported a record low birth rate in the country. She stated this during an online speech at the international summit "Growing Europe 2025," held in Vilnius, reports "Ukrinform".

According to Zelenska, the birth rate in Ukraine has dropped to 0.8–0.9 children per woman, which is the lowest figure in the country's history. She emphasized that such a sharp decline is directly related to military actions and the overall loss of a sense of security among Ukrainians.

The First Lady also noted an increase in the number of premature births caused by military stress. She recalled that at the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, there was a massive import of incubators for premature infants.

On this topic Demographer: Ukraine has lost 10 mln people over the war period

Zelenska stated that the state is trying to counter the demographic crisis through projects supporting children and families. Among them are assistance to large foster families, construction of school shelters, updating of food points, and Ukraine's joining the European Child Guarantee.

She also thanked European countries for supporting Ukrainian mothers and children during the war.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that a bill on simplifying the employment of migrants was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada.

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