Ukraine keeps a tendency in reducing maternal deaths and child mortality rates within children less than 1 year old

Experts say that firm tendency of decreasing of Ukrainian population and the level of birth rate and the increasing of mortality rate threatens the future of our nation. Depopulation becomes threatening: the level of natural decreasing of population in Ukraine is the highest in European region - in 2005 it was 7.6 persons (per 1,000 of population). But in 2006 a positive tendency began to show up in diminishing the natural population decreasing down to 6.4 persons, basically because of an increase in birth rates of up to 9.8 (in 2005 this indicator was 9.0). In rural areas the birth rates remain almost twice less than mortality rates (in 2006 - 10.3 versus 19.8 per 1,000 persons).

Speaking of the current demographic situation in Ukraine the meeting participants noted that Ukraine's population amounted to 46.3 mn. Comparing to December 2007 the number of Ukrainians decreased by 35,000 people according to the data provided by the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine.

Starting from 1995 Ukraine recorded a tendency to decrease the number of maternal deaths. In particular, maternal mortality decreased almost two times - from 24.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 11.5 in 2006. Additionally, during the past four years, child mortality decreased by 20% - from 11.9 deaths of children less than 1 year old per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 9.8 in 2006.

Experts that were present at the press-conference said that as much as an individual's health is being formed during the pregnancy period of his/her mother, the health of the whole nation depends on the extent to which healthcare and protection are given to children and their mothers.

The experts represented UN agencies operating in Uktaine, state and non-governmental institutions.

The panel consisted of the following speakers (see the photo by Andriy Bashtoviy): Ella Libanova, Director of Demography and Social Research Institute, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Dr. Anastasiya Dumcheva, World Health Organization in Ukraine Expert, Elena Sherstyk, UNICEF Child Development Officer; Dr. Borys Vornyk, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Ukraine; Dr Nadiya Zhylka, Head of Department at Ukrainian Health Ministry.

For more detailed information, please, contact Sergiy Grytsenko, Communications Officer, United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine at (8044) 254 00 35.