The number of Ukrainians who have left the country since the onset of the full-scale war remains a subject of debate due to discrepancies between official and actual data. Detailed information regarding the scale of Ukrainian citizens’ departure was commented on by the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets.
This is reported by Finway
Official and Actual Number of Ukrainians Abroad
According to the ombudsman, as per the official response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of January 2026, approximately 8.5 million citizens are registered at consulates outside of Ukraine. However, this figure does not reflect the complete picture, as a significant portion of those who left did not register at foreign diplomatic missions.
“11 million citizens of Ukraine have gone abroad. 11! Today I received an official response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — it states 8.5 million citizens. But we understand that some do not register at consulates, so the authorities in Ukraine do not see them,” Lubinets noted.
Thus, the actual number of Ukrainian citizens who are outside the country may reach 11 million. This means that nearly one in four residents of Ukraine is temporarily or permanently abroad due to the war.
The Impact of Discrepancies in Statistics on State Policy
Lubinets emphasizes that the lack of accurate information complicates the formation of state policy regarding Ukrainians abroad. In particular, this concerns:
- social protection of citizens outside Ukraine;
- ensuring electoral rights;
- providing consular assistance;
- planning for the future reintegration of those who will return to their homeland.
Accurate data on the number of Ukrainians abroad is essential for the effective operation of state authorities and the development of comprehensive support programs for fellow citizens. Many Ukrainians remain unnoticed by official structures, having not registered at consulates, which creates additional challenges for state policy and social support abroad.