Not only the killed: Data classified during Russia's war against Ukraine
During the war in Ukraine, some information is not available to demographers (photo: Serhiy Hudak/Ukrinform/Future Publishing/Getty Images)
During the war with Russia, Ukraine does not publish not only information about the number of fallen defenders but also some other demographic data, says Oleksandr Hladun, Doctor of Economics, Deputy Director of theInstitute for Demography and Life Quality Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Data demographers do not receive during Russia's war against Ukraine
According to the expert, demographers are also currently unable to access information
- on the gender and age structure of the deceased
- the age structure of women living in the country
- on the birth rate by maternal age (i.e., at what age mothers give birth to children)
“Previously, this made it possible to understand how the processes of maternal aging occur, etc. These indicators are used to calculate the number of children that one woman will give birth to in her lifetime,” says Hladun.
He adds that demographers have not received anything from the State Statistics Service since 2022.
“Previously, the cooperation was very close, they sent us a lot of reports. Now we are guided by the data of the Ministry of Justice, which they publish every six months,” the scientist notes.
He explains that this refers to the number of civil status acts on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces.
“We use data from the State Border Guard Service on border crossings. But only on the western border. Because the border with Russia is closed, and we know nothing about what is happening on the other side,” the expert adds.
How Russia destroys Ukraine demographically
Hladun emphasizes that demographers have no complaints that the State Statistics Service does not provide data.
“We are not offended by them, we understand them. I also believe that during the war, some information should be closed. And demographic data is strategic information, especially about the number of dead and their age,” he explains.
The expert notes that Russia is destroying us, including demographically:
- the first direction of destruction is the killing of both military and civilians
- the second is the deportation of Ukrainians to their territories
- the third is the settlement of our lands by Russians.
“And the fact that our people are going abroad and some of them will not return is also a blow to our demographics. Russia understands all this. And it does all this purposefully,” he says.
According to Hladun, many people have finally realized that demography is perhaps the most important factor in the existence and functioning of the state.
“Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we did not pay much attention to demography. The processes somehow went on by themselves. In some places, the number of children decreased - schools were merged. Somewhere there were fewer students - universities were merged. This is how it gradually changed. But now everyone needs it,” he summarizes.
Earlier, the UN released data according to which the population in Ukraine has decreased by 10 million people due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
