Changes

The population is 73% Ukrainian and 22% Russian (with under 1% each of Poles, Jews, Bulgarians and others). Historically the countryside was heavily Ukrainian, while Russians dominated the cities, but in recent decades many Ukrainians have moved to the cities.

The population is 73% Ukrainian and 22% Russian (with under 1% each of Poles, Jews, Bulgarians and others). Historically the countryside was heavily Ukrainian, while Russians dominated the cities, but in recent decades many Ukrainians have moved to the cities.

The country has been in demographic crisis since the 1980s. The population is shrinking 150,000 a year because of the lowest birth rate in Europe combined with one of the highest death rates in Europe. Life expectancy is falling.  The nation suffers high mortality from environmental pollution, poor diets, widespread smoking, extensive alcoholism, and deteriorating medical care.<ref>Hanna H. Starostenko, "Economic and Ecological Factors of Transformations in Demographic Process in Ukraine" ''Uktraine Magazine'' #2 1998 online at [http://www.wumag.kiev.ua/wumag_old/archiv/2_98/economic.htm]</ref>

The country has been in demographic crisis since the 1980s. The population is shrinking 150,000 a year because of the lowest birth rate in Europe combined with one of the highest death rates in Europe. Life expectancy is falling.  The nation suffers high mortality from environmental pollution, poor diets, widespread smoking, extensive alcoholism, and deteriorating medical care.<ref>Hanna H. Starostenko, "Economic and Ecological Factors of Transformations in Demographic Process in Ukraine" ''Uktraine Magazine'' #2 1998 online at [https://www.wumag.kiev.ua/wumag_old/archiv/2_98/economic.htm]</ref>

The phenomenon of lowest-low fertility, defined as total fertility below 1.3, is emerging throughout Europe and is attributed by many to postponement of the initiation of childbearing. Ukraine, where total fertility (a very low 1.1 in 2001), is one of the world's lowest, shows that there is more than one pathway to lowest-low fertility. Although Ukraine has undergone immense political and economic transformations during 1991-2004, it has maintained a young age at first birth and nearly universal childbearing. Analysis of official national statistics and the Ukrainian Reproductive Health Survey show that fertility declined to very low levels without a transition to a later pattern of childbearing. Findings from focus group interviews suggest explanations of the early fertility pattern. These findings include the persistence of traditional norms for childbearing and the roles of men and women, concerns about medical complications and infertility at a later age, and the link between early fertility and early marriage.<ref>Brienna Perelli-Harris, "The Path to Lowest-low Fertility in Ukraine" ''Population Studies'' 2005 59(1): 55-70. Issn: 0032-4728; not online</ref>

The phenomenon of lowest-low fertility, defined as total fertility below 1.3, is emerging throughout Europe and is attributed by many to postponement of the initiation of childbearing. Ukraine, where total fertility (a very low 1.1 in 2001), is one of the world's lowest, shows that there is more than one pathway to lowest-low fertility. Although Ukraine has undergone immense political and economic transformations during 1991-2004, it has maintained a young age at first birth and nearly universal childbearing. Analysis of official national statistics and the Ukrainian Reproductive Health Survey show that fertility declined to very low levels without a transition to a later pattern of childbearing. Findings from focus group interviews suggest explanations of the early fertility pattern. These findings include the persistence of traditional norms for childbearing and the roles of men and women, concerns about medical complications and infertility at a later age, and the link between early fertility and early marriage.<ref>Brienna Perelli-Harris, "The Path to Lowest-low Fertility in Ukraine" ''Population Studies'' 2005 59(1): 55-70. Issn: 0032-4728; not online</ref>

==Language, Religion, Culture==

==Language, Religion, Culture==

[[File:Ukrainian collaborators worldwartwo.filminspector.com 3.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ukrainians welcome Nazi liberators from Soviet oppression.<ref>http://worldwartwo.filminspector.com/2016/03/ukrainian-collaborator-girls.html</ref>]]

[[File:Ukrainian collaborators worldwartwo.filminspector.com 3.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ukrainians welcome Nazi liberators from Soviet oppression.<ref>https://worldwartwo.filminspector.com/2016/03/ukrainian-collaborator-girls.html</ref>]]

According to studies conducted by the Razumkov Center, 61% of Ukrainian citizens considered Ukrainian to be their native language, Russian - 36%, other languages - 2%.  According to a survey conducted by Research & Branding Group, 68% of Ukrainian citizens are fluent in Russian (Ukrainian - 57%).  According to a study by the American Gallup Institute, 83 percent of citizens surveyed chose Russian to communicate with the interviewer.

According to studies conducted by the Razumkov Center, 61% of Ukrainian citizens considered Ukrainian to be their native language, Russian - 36%, other languages - 2%.  According to a survey conducted by Research & Branding Group, 68% of Ukrainian citizens are fluent in Russian (Ukrainian - 57%).  According to a study by the American Gallup Institute, 83 percent of citizens surveyed chose Russian to communicate with the interviewer.