Ukraine’s Hidden Crisis: The Silent Exodus of Young Women

In a quiet classroom in Lviv, western Ukraine, a group of teenagers discuss their future. The topic they’ve chosen: whether to pursue higher education at home or abroad. For 17-year-old Kira Yukhymenko, who once dreamed of studying in Kyiv, the decision has shifted. War has reshaped her plans—and she now imagines a university life in Kraków, Poland.

“The war has helped us understand who we are,” she says. “It’s made us more independent—and opened our eyes to other opportunities.”

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Ukraine has seen millions displaced, cities destroyed, and families torn apart. But beyond the visible scars of war lies a quieter, long-term crisis: a mass exodus of young women. While martial law prevents men aged 18 and older from leaving the country, young women are free to go—and many are doing just that. Few return.

A Growing Exodus

Three years into the conflict, Ukraine is facing a demographic emergency. Thousands of young women—often the country’s most talented and ambitious—are choosing to build their futures abroad. And as this trend continues, concerns are mounting about who will remain to rebuild Ukraine when the war ends.

In schools across the country, the pattern is clear. At Lyceum 88 in Lviv, English teacher Liudmila Makohin sees it firsthand. “The war is pushing young people away. Many students now aim for European universities instead of Ukrainian ones,” she says.

When she asked her final-year students if they planned to leave, a few hands shot up immediately. Others followed more hesitantly, nervously laughing—aware of the weight of their decision.

For Sofia, a student in the front row, the motivation is simple: survival and hope. “When the war started, people were enthusiastic. But it’s gone on too long. People are tired and looking for a better life.”

Education Abroad as Escape

Poland has become a leading destination for Ukrainian students, especially women. In 2023, Ukrainians made up nearly 45% of the country’s international student body. According to Polish statistics agency Radon, the number of female Ukrainian students enrolling in Polish universities nearly doubled after the invasion.

Austria has seen similar trends. The number of Ukrainian women pursuing bachelor’s degrees rose from 223 in 2021 to 447 in 2023. Lithuania, too, has drawn interest, albeit on a smaller scale.

For many students, like 17-year-old Tetiana Marvii, the choice to leave is influenced by both academic ambition and personal trauma. After air raid sirens disrupted her cousin’s exams, Tetiana reconsidered her future. A visit to friends in Vilnius inspired her to aim for a degree in international relations—abroad.

“It’s stressful here,” she says. “My parents encouraged me. They said I’m bright and should try. I wanted to stay and help them, but everything has changed.”

A Country Left Behind

Many students leaving the country don’t do so lightly. But the allure of safety, stability, and academic quality elsewhere is strong.

Former Lviv student Taras Hryvniak, now studying at the University of Vienna, says about half his classmates—boys and girls—left for Europe. Although he insists conscription wasn’t a factor, his family was relieved. “My mom was scared for me,” he admits.

Others, like Angelina Kalyniuk, whose parents pushed her to study in Poland, believe their decisions are driven by parental concern as much as ambition. “Parents want the best for us. There’s always something flying through the sky in Ukraine. It’s not safe.”

Her teacher, Svitlana Bozhko, still tutors her via Zoom. “She’s smart—I wish she stayed,” Bozhko says. “We’re losing our best minds. It’s heartbreaking.”

Of her 34 students, 18 are expected to leave this year alone.

A Nation on the Brink

Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) is acutely aware of the issue. First Deputy Minister Yevhen Kudriavets warns that the country’s recovery depends on whether it can retain and rebuild its human capital. “It’s not just about surviving the war—it’s about having people left to build the future.”

The statistics are stark. Since 2021, Ukraine’s school enrolment has dropped nearly 30%. The number of first graders is projected to shrink by another third by 2029. According to the UN, over 2.3 million Ukrainian children are currently refugees, most living in Europe.

Meanwhile, at least 701 children have been killed and more than 19,000 have been deported or forcibly displaced since the start of the war.

Tito Boeri, an economist at Bocconi University, says the situation is dire. “You can rebuild roads and bridges. But rebuilding human capital is harder—and may not succeed.”

Fighting Back with Education

Despite the grim outlook, Ukraine’s government is trying to reverse the trend. In 2024, the country allocated over 171 billion UAH (around £3.3 billion) to education—one of the highest increases in recent memory. A significant portion is going toward building underground schools in frontline areas to ensure continued learning.

The MoES has also introduced financial incentives. Over 13,000 first-year students received government grants of up to 32,000 UAH (about £600) to study domestically. Children of military personnel benefit from waived tuition, free accommodation, and textbooks.

A World Bank loan of $200 million is also helping modernize the university system. This includes consolidating institutions and improving research facilities to align with modern global standards.

In parallel, the government is building science parks to stimulate innovation and attract young talent. The latest one opened recently in Kyiv.

Kudriavets remains optimistic. “We’re creating opportunities at home,” he says. “We can make Ukraine a place where young people see their future.”

A Future in Question

Back in Lviv, Kira is still unsure whether she’ll ever return if she leaves. Poland may just be the first stop in a life far removed from her war-torn homeland.

“Life is so difficult now,” she says. “I don’t know what tomorrow will be.”

But one thing is clear: if Ukraine hopes to rebuild and thrive in the future, it must convince its young people—especially its young women—that their best chances are not in Kraków, Vilnius, or Vienna, but back home.