THE IMPACT OF THE WAR ON THE DEMOGRAPHIC SITUATION IN TERMS OF STATISTICAL INDICATORS

Abstract

Demographic processes are traditionally considered as the fundamental basis of the socio-economic development of the state, since it is the structure of the population, its number and quality that shape the human, intellectual and economic potential of the country. For Ukraine, the issue of demographic reproduction of the population has long been one of the most difficult, because over the past three decades, trends in depopulation, population aging, declining birth rates and increasing migration flows have been observed. The beginning of full-scale military aggression in February 2022 significantly exacerbated these processes, causing a deep demographic crisis in the country, the consequences of which will affect the future of the country for decades. The war led to a sharp reduction in the population, which is associated not only with direct human losses and excess mortality, but also with large-scale waves of migration, which have become unprecedented in pace and scale for modern Europe. Millions of citizens were forced to leave the territory of Ukraine, seeking protection in other countries, while a significant part of the population moved within the state. This significantly changed the demographic structure, affected the age and gender balance, and affected the labor potential and fertility rate. At the same time, official statistics remain incomplete, which is due to the impossibility of accurately recording the population in the temporarily occupied territories and the constant movement of migrants. In such conditions, the analysis of the demographic situation through a system of statistical indicators is extremely important. It allows not only to assess the changes that have already occurred, but also to predict future trends, identify possible socio-economic challenges, and form the basis for the state policy of post-war recovery. It is demographic stability that will determine the pace of economic growth, the country's competitiveness, the balance of the labor market, and the level of social burden in the future. Therefore, the effectiveness of post-war recovery will largely depend on the implementation of a comprehensive demographic policy aimed at preserving and restoring human capital.