Country Profile: Ukraine

Ukraine, located in Eastern Europe, is bordered by the Black Sea and shares its land boundaries with several countries including Poland, Belarus, and Russia. With a population of approximately 35.7 million, it is predominantly Ukrainian, with a significant Russian minority. The country has a diverse economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly as a major exporter of wheat and corn. Ukraine operates as a semi-presidential republic and continues to face challenges due to ongoing conflicts, notably the war with Russia that began in 2022.

Geography

Ukraine is positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it strategically significant. With an area of 603,550 square kilometers, it is the largest country in Europe after Russia. The terrain consists mostly of fertile plains and plateaus, complemented by the Carpathian mountains in the west. Ukraine's varied climate ranges from temperate continental in the interior to Mediterranean along the southern coast.

603,550 km² - Total area
2,782 km - Total coastline along the Black Sea
71.3% - Percentage of agricultural land (2022)

People and Society

Ukraine's population is estimated at 35,661,826 with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 0.97:1. The country has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its history as a part of Kyivan Rus and later Russian and Soviet dominions. While the official language is Ukrainian, Russian is widely spoken, reflecting the ethnic diversity in the country.

77.8% - Percentage of the population that identifies as Ukrainian
70.1% - Urban population as of 2023
12.3% - Proportion of the population aged 0-14 years (2024 est.)
70.5 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)

Economy

Ukraine's economy is characterized as lower-middle-income, with significant agricultural exports. After experiencing a sharp GDP contraction due to the war, it is showing signs of gradual recovery. Current estimates suggest Ukraine's GDP (in purchasing power parity) is around $577.583 billion for 2024, with the economy diversifying increasingly towards services.

$190.741 billion - GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.)
9.9% - Unemployment rate (2021 est.)
6.5% - Inflation rate (2024 est.)
62.4% - Household consumption as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Ukraine is a semi-presidential republic with a president and a prime minister leading the executive branch. The capital city, Kyiv, serves as the political and cultural heart of the nation. The current president is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been in office since 2019. The government is organized into administrative regions, with 24 provinces and one autonomous republic.

18 years - Minimum voting age
450 - Total seats in the unicameral Parliament (Verkhovna Rada)
24 August 1991 - Independence Day from the Soviet Union

Military and Security

Ukraine maintains a robust military structure in response to ongoing conflicts, particularly with Russia. The Armed Forces consist of various branches including Ground Forces, Air Forces, and Special Operations. Military spending has surged, reaching more than 30% of GDP following the escalation of conflict in 2022.

850,000 - 1 million - Estimated active military personnel (2025)
4% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2021 est.)
18-24 months - Service obligation for conscription (2025)

Energy

Ukraine's energy sector is marked by significant reliance on nuclear power, alongside fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The country has achieved complete electrification, and energy consumption is key to its industrial activity.

100% - Electrification rate of the total population (2022 est.)
60.297 million kW - Installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
50.6% - Percentage of electricity generated from nuclear sources (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Ukraine include air and water pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, alongside challenges from past industrial activities and the Chernobyl disaster. The government participates in various international environmental agreements to address these issues.

71.3% - Agricultural land use (2022 est.)
100% - Access to improved sanitation facilities for urban and rural populations

Transportation

Ukraine's transportation infrastructure includes extensive rail networks and a significant number of airports. The country is also a critical transit route for energy supplies and trade between Europe and Asia.

21,733 km - Total railway length (2014)
152 - Airports (2025)
410 - Merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The communication landscape in Ukraine is shaped by high mobile penetration and access to the internet. A significant portion of the population engages with various forms of media, despite the ongoing conflict and its impacts on infrastructure.

50.3 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
82% - Percentage of the population with internet access (2023 est.)
1.434 million - Fixed-line subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	35,661,826	2024 estimate
Area	603,550 km²	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$577.583 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption	57.856 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	6 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	9.9%	2021 estimate
Life Expectancy	70.5 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	70.1%	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	30% of GDP	Following the 2022 escalation
Fixed-line Subscriptions	1.434 million	2023 estimate