The government has decided not to publish up-to-date data on Ukraine’s population while martial law remains in force.
This was reported by Arsen Makarchuk, head of the State Statistics Service, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
Makarchuk said that during the full-scale invasion this information is sensitive. The enemy could use the figures to assess Ukraine’s defence capability and mobilisation potential, identify vulnerabilities in infrastructure or the social sphere, and conduct information and psychological special operations.
At the same time, the head of the State Statistics Service stressed that demographic data is essential for effective state planning and cooperation with international partners. Using outdated 2022 estimates significantly affects the quality of national and local strategies.
In addition, Makarchuk explained that the population figure is needed to calculate GDP per capita, which affects Ukraine’s participation in international aid projects and the size of its contributions to international organisations. Businesses also need these figures—for example, mobile operators, which must provide coverage in settlements where more than 2,000 people live.
Makarchuk added that the agency hopes to strike a balance between security and the need for statistics. One compromise option under consideration is releasing data for the country as a whole, without a breakdown by individual regions.