UkrStat Revamps Methodology to Assess Population During Wartime
Amid the ongoing large-scale conflict that has lasted over a year, Ukraine’s State Statistics Service (UkrStat) announced a comprehensive overhaul of its methodology for estimating the country’s population.
This initiative marks the first such effort since the onset of hostilities and represents a crucial step toward obtaining more accurate data under unstable conditions.
According to UkrStat head Arsen Makarchuk, in 2023, a thorough population assessment will be carried out using new data sources and methods, as traditional approaches — such as the 2001 census data — are no longer sufficient to provide a full picture.
The new methodology will integrate data from government registries, mobile operators, and banking systems, recognizing that each of these sources has its limitations.
“We need to develop a model capable of synthesizing these diverse data points into a single, coherent system,” Makarchuk explained.
“This will enable us to produce justified estimates of the population, even though it will not replace a full census.
Given the available resources and the will to act, we are capable of implementing such a model even during wartime.” The use of advanced technologies, including analysis of mobile and banking data, is becoming a vital tool for obtaining the most accurate indicators possible.
When asked about the main informational needs, Makarchuk emphasized that data on GDP, inflation rates, and demographic structure are critical.
Collected from various sources, these data will help create a more realistic portrait of Ukraine’s demographic situation during the war, which is essential for policymaking, economic development, and strategic planning.