Urbanization in Ukraine

Until 1918, Ukraine was an agrarian, lived in its cities, only 18% of the population. Intense urbanization began in Ukraine in 1926-1939 years. When he was embarked on the industrialization of the economy, i.e. in just 13 years the urban population grew by 2.4 times.

During the period from 1940 to 1970 the urban population in Ukraine is already significantly increased at lower rates, because for 30 years, it increased only by 1.9 times. Since the mid 50-ies of XX century a new phase of intensive growth of cities and urban population in Ukraine began. Only in the last 30 years the proportion of urban population in Ukraine increased 2.2 times and amounted at the end of XX century about 70% of the total population. By the number of large cities (with population over 100 thousand), our state now has one of the leading countries such cities in the world today there are 61.

In Ukraine there are seven cities with a population that has exceeded or almost reached a million people: Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa, Donetsk, Kharkov, Kiev and Krivoy Rog. Incidentally, for the past 30 years in Kiev were marked by extremely intense demographic development: its population grew by almost 2.5 times and at the end of 2001 has reached 2 million 600 thousand inhabitants.

In Ukraine, for many years was the growth of cities and increase their role in society, ie the process of urbanization. Accordingly, the number and proportion of urban population increased and reached 68%. The highest level of urbanization is observed in the Donbass. In the Donetsk region, for example, over 90% of the population lives in cities and towns Over 80% of the population are urban dwellers in Luhansk and Dnipropetrovsk. The high level of urbanization is in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia region. Close to mid-state, these figures in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Mykolaiv and Odessa regions. The lowest level of urbanization in the Transcarpathian, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions.

In recent years, the ratio between urban and rural population remains constant Also began to decline of population in major cities. Particularly intense this process takes place in Odessa and some cities of Donbass, where he continued for nearly 30 years.

Urbanization in Ukraine for the future can significantly accelerate The sharp increase in labor productivity in agriculture will inevitably displace part of the rural population in the city. These changes in the state should be prepared.