Young people are leaving Ukraine—why it matters | Nana Fredua Agyeman | TEDxUniversity of Essex

Beyond the ongoing war, Ukraine faces a silent, decades-long demographic crisis characterized by low fertility, high mortality, and massive emigration. This crisis is critical because a country's strength relies on its workforce (ages 18-60), which supports children and retirees. Ukraine now has more dependents relying on a shrinking workforce, a problem exacerbated by the war. Millions have left seeking survival and stability, leading to significant workforce deficits, with 71% of businesses reporting shortages in a 2024 survey. The longer the war continues, the less likely refugees are to return. A 2022 survey showed 74% intended to return, but this dropped to 43% in 2024. The lifting of martial law for young men aged 18-22 in August 2025 resulted in record departures, demonstrating that forced retention is unsustainable. Countries like Poland benefit from Ukrainian refugees, who contribute significantly to their GDP, illustrating the economic value of a young workforce. While patriotism is strong among Ukrainian youth, hope alone is not a strategy. The government must invest in its young people. Studies show that every hryvnia invested in a young person today could yield 2.5 hryvnias by 2030. Investing in youth is not charity; it's a vital strategy for Ukraine's long-term survival. The transition from rubble to renewal hinges on whether young people choose to build their future in Ukraine, as nations endure only when their youth see their future at home.