Changes

[[File:Russian language in Ukraine.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Russian language spoken in Ukraine]]

[[File:Russian language in Ukraine.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Russian language spoken in Ukraine]]

[[File:Ukraine 2010 election.jpg|200px|right|thumb|2010 election results]]

[[File:Ukraine 2010 election.jpg|200px|right|thumb|2010 election results]]

There were at least 18 different nationalities totaling a population of about 46.5 million living within the territorial borders of the Ukraine in the early 21st century, with a population density of about 80 per square kilometer (200 people per square mile).

There were at least 18 different nationalities totaling a population of about 46.5 million living within the territorial borders of the Ukraine in the early 21st century, with a population density of about 80 per square kilometer (200 people per square mile). Since the U.S.-backed [[Maidan coup]] in 2014, more than 10.5 million people fled the country, 3.5 million of those seeking refuge in [[Russia]], more than any other country. Another 11.2 million residents of [[Crimea]], [[Sevastopol]], the [[Donetsk]] and [[Lugansk]] people’s republics and the [[Zaporozhye]] and [[Kherson]] regions voted in open referendums to join the Russian Federation]]. Ukraine has lost 53.7% of its population since 2014.

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 was 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 [http://www.wumag.kiev.ua/wumag_old/archiv/2_98/economic.htm]</ref>