The issue of lowering the mobilization age is causing significant debate in society, but, according to experts, decisions should be made by military structures. This was stated by Oleksandr Gladun, Doctor of Economics and Deputy Director of the Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in an interview with Radio Liberty.
"This is not a question for demographers or politicians, but for the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, who must assess their need for military personnel and make decisions based on this," Gladun emphasized.
At the same time, the expert drew attention to the demographic context. The lowest birth rate in Ukraine was recorded in 2001, and it is this generation that today falls into the mobilization age category. The problem is complicated by the fact that the average age of parents at the time of birth of children in Ukraine is 28-31 years. The death or injury of young parents directly affects the demographic situation.
However, as Gladun emphasized, the issue of national security is paramount:
“If we don’t stand our ground, what kind of demographics will we talk about? Especially since young people in the occupied territories are being forcibly mobilized into the Russian army.”
In the conditions of war, Ukraine is already suffering significant demographic losses. The birth rate has dropped to a critical level, and the forecasts look bleak. According to First Deputy Minister of Social Policy Daria Marchak, by 2040 the population of Ukraine could decrease to 25 million.
Honored Doctor of Ukraine Olga Bogomolets warned that under unchanged conditions, the Ukrainian nation could disappear in 180 years. Member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health Viktoriya Wagner also emphasized that Ukraine has the lowest birth rate and the highest mortality rate in the world.
