The World Bank drew attention to the complex demographic situation in Ukraine. Philippe Le Uoru, the new vice-president of the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia, said: “In our opinion, the main problem is that Ukrainians, and especially Ukrainian men are dying too young. Average life expectancy of male in Ukraine is only 59; mortality of adult male population is comparable with the mortality in the poorest countries of the world “.

To avoid demographic catastrophe, the WB Board advises Ukraine to modernize its health system, and also to promote a healthy lifestyle.

“Аlcohol and tobacco abuse, as well as road traffic accidents are the main causes of high mortality rate among Ukrainian men, but these reasons couldn’t be called ineradicable. Yes, some of them are connected with stress, and the current economic crisis will not help to eliminate them, but some of these problems could be solved through higher excise taxes, imposition of speed limits on Ukrainian roads and mandatory use of seat belts . Education and promotion of the healthy lifestyle is also necessary”, – says the vice-president of the World Bank.

In August the population of Ukraine decreased by 0.01% or 6.1 thousand persons compared with July and for the 1 September 2009 it was 46 016.2 thousand, according to the State Statistics Committee.

According to the National Census, conducted in December 2001, the population of Ukraine was 48 415.5 thousand.

Popularity: 9% [?]