The number of graduates of Ukrainian schools is decreasing every year - this trend was confirmed by Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mikhail Vinnytsky in an interview with Ukrainian radio. According to him, every year in Ukraine becomes 20-30 thousand less graduates, and this trend has been observed for over 30 years.
Vinnytsky explained that the demographic decline began in 2002, partly due to the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster, and since then the number of children who enter the school and reach the graduation class is steadily decreasing. According to his estimates, if all the territories of Ukraine were under the control of the state, in 2025 there were about 510 thousand graduates in the country. However, the real number is about 360 thousand.
At the same time, according to the Deputy Minister, in 2025, about 312 thousand people were registered for national multi -grade testing (NMT), which corresponds to the level of last year. Also, the number of graduates undergoing testing abroad remains stable - about 20 thousand.
Vinnytsky stressed that much of the youth traveled abroad at the age of 17, but there is a return movement - many are returning. He explained that the adults already make the decisions where to continue their studies, and many graduates who pass the NMT abroad enter Ukrainian universities.
Thus, although demographic challenges and territorial losses affect the number of graduates, Ukraine continues to support young people and create conditions for education in both the country and abroad.
