Country Profile: Ukraine

Ukraine, located in Eastern Europe, is bordered by the Black Sea and shares its borders with several countries, including Poland and Russia. The nation has a population of approximately 35.7 million people and is known as a significant agricultural producer, particularly of wheat and corn. Despite facing ongoing conflict and economic challenges, Ukraine has made advancements in governance and continues to strive for greater European integration.

Geography

Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, spanning an area of 603,550 sq km. Its landscape is characterized by fertile plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges primarily situated in the west. The country experiences a temperate continental climate, with diverse weather patterns that vary from cool summers near the Black Sea to cold winters inland.

5,581 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
2,782 km: Coastline along the Black Sea.
71.3%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
17.3%: Forested land area (2023).
1,000 sq km: Irrigated land (2022).

People and Society

Ukraine's population is estimated at 35,661,826 (2024), with a diverse ethnic composition, predominantly Ukrainian (77.8%) and Russian (17.3%). The official language is Ukrainian, and the country exhibits a mix of cultural and religious backgrounds, with the majority identifying as Orthodox Christians.

70.1%: Urban population (2023).
44.6 years: Median age (2025).
12.3%: Population aged 0-14 years (2024 est.).
19.9%: Population aged 65 years and older (2024 est.).
100%: Literacy rate (2021).

Economy

Ukraine has a lower-middle-income economy known for its agricultural exports and gradual recovery from significant war-related GDP contractions. The country reported a GDP of $190.741 billion in 2024, with a real GDP growth rate of 2.9% expected for that year. International aid has played a crucial role in stabilizing its economy.

$577.583 billion: Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.).
20.539 million: Labor force (2021 est.).
9.9%: Unemployment rate (2021 est.).
1.6%: Population below poverty line (2020 est.).
6.3%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.).

Government

Ukraine operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a president and a prime minister sharing executive authority. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, and has since sought closer ties with European institutions.

Volodymyr ZELENSKYY: President since May 20, 2019.
450: Seats in the unicameral Parliament (Verkhovna Rada).
18 years: Minimum voting age.
4%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2021 est.).
24 August: National Independence Day.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) encompass several branches focused on defense against aggression, particularly from Russia. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant military expenditures and an increased mobilization of forces.

850,000-1 million: Estimated active military personnel (2025).
over 30%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP post-2022 invasion.
15: Operational nuclear reactors (2025).
18 years: Minimum age for voluntary military service.
1,000 km: Approximate length of the front line as of 2025.

Energy

Ukraine's energy sector is a mix of nuclear, fossil fuels, and renewable sources. The country boasts an electrification rate of 100%, with significant production from nuclear sources.

60.297 million kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
89.402 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).
17.681 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).
19.603 million metric tons: Coal production (2023).
50.6%: Percentage of electricity generated from nuclear sources (2023).

Transportation

Ukraine has a comprehensive transportation network featuring roads, railways, and air transportation. The country has 152 airports and extensive railway lines.

21,733 km: Total railway length (2014).
410: Total number of merchant marine vessels (2023).
26: Total number of ports (2024).
4: Heliports (2025).

Communications

Ukraine has a developing communications infrastructure with a high rate of internet usage and a significant number of mobile cellular subscriptions.

82%: Percentage of the population using the internet (2023).
50.3 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
1.434 million: Total fixed line subscriptions (2023).
8.07 million: Total fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	35,661,826	Estimated for 2024
Area	603,550 sq km	Total area
GDP	$190.741 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption	57.856 million Btu	Per capita (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	6.24 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Unemployment Rate	9.9%	2021 estimate
Life Expectancy	70.5 years	2024 estimate
Median Age	44.6 years	2025 estimate
Urbanization	70.1%	Urban population (2023)
Refugees and IDPs	3,665,165	Internally displaced persons (2024 est.)