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Ukraine
General InformationUkraine is located in eastern Europe. The country covers an area of about 603,700 sq. km. It is bordered by Belarus to the north; by Russia to the north east and east; by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south; by Romania and Moldova to the south west; and by Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west. The capital and largest city is Kyiv. The official state language is Ukrainian. The unit of currency is the hryvnya. | |
Historical BackgroundUkraine's history dates back to prehistoric times, with the march of successive civilisations: the Scythians, Greeks, Varaungian, Slavic and Turkic peoples on its territory. From the 9th century northern Ukraine was part of Kievan Rus, which succumbed to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. Ukraine was for centuries there after under the successive rule of foreign powers, including Poland and the Russian Empire. In early 1918, Ukraine declared its independence. However, the first government collapsed following invasions by the Soviet Red Army and German intervention. With the Bolshevik government installed in the country, in 1922 Ukraine was one of the four founding republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Ukraine declared its independence in August 1991, while the USSR was formally dissolved in late December 1991 after the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Ukraine's first direct presidential election was held in 1991. In 1994, an early presidential election took place, as well as elections to the legislature. A new Constitution was adopted in June 1996. | |
GovernmentThe head of state is a president elected by direct vote for a maximum of two five-year terms. The president appoints a prime minister and, under the advice of the latter, appoints a Cabinet of Ministers. These appointments are subject to confirmation by parliament. The legislature is a unicameral Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council). It has 450 seats, of which 200 are directly elected from districts nationwide and 250 are elected according to proportional representation. The judicial system includes the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court as the highest court of appeal, and regional and district courts. The country is administratively divided into 24 regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol enjoy special status. Local affairs are managed by councils and executive bodies elected every four years. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea enjoys far ranging autonomy within Ukraine, including its own constitution, legislature, and Cabinet of Ministers. The latter controls Crimea's government and economy, but is restricted from implementing policies that would contradict the Constitution of Ukraine. | |
Population
In 2006, the population of Ukraine was estimated at 46,7 mln. An average population density is 80 persons per sq. km. Some 68 percent of the population reside in urban areas. Ethnic Ukrainians make up 73 percent of the population. The remainder includes Russians (22 percent), Jews and Belarusians (about 1 percent each), Crimean Tatars (about 0,5 percent), Bulgarians, Poles, Hungarians, Romanians, Armenians, and Germans. A majority of the population adheres to Eastern Orthodoxy. About 10 percent of the population, based almost exclusively in western Ukraine, belong to the Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate) Church. Other denominations include Roman Catholics of the Latin rite, Jews, Muslims, and Baptists.
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EconomyService sector accounts for some 44 percent of the workforce. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, employs 26 percent of the workforce. The primary crops are wheat, corn, and sugar beets. Livestock raising is widespread. Forestry sector has been in decline for decades because of excessive timber harvesting in the 1950s and 1960s. Consequently, Ukraine imports much of its lumber and paper. Industry, including mining and manufacturing, employs some 26 percent of the workforce. Ukraine is the world's third largest producer of manganese ore and seventh largest producer of iron ore. It is also among the world's largest producers of bituminous coal (soft coal). The mining sector is, however, in decline. Heavy industries such as metalworking, mechanical engineering, and machinery and chemicals manufacturing also dominate the industrial sector. Exports consist mainly of raw materials and agricultural goods. Leading purchasers of exports are Russia, China, Belarus, Turkey, and Germany. The major imports are oil and gas from Russia and Turkmenistan and technology from Western nations. | |
Social SystemEducation is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. Ukraine's institutions of higher learning include ten universities and a large number of specialised academies. The most prestigious is Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University (founded in 1834). Lviv State University, founded in 1784, is the country's oldest university. Health care is state operated and free, however hospitals are undersupplied. Private general medicine has increased in recent years. The state provides pensions, maternity and other social allowances, yet scarce. | |
Membership in International OrganisationsUkraine is a member of the United Nations and a number of its specialised agencies (UN High Commissioner for Refugees, International Labour Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and International Monetary Fund), the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. It is a full member of the International Organisation for Migration. The country is affiliated with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The country participates in the NATO Partnership for Peace programme. Ukraine is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. | |
UNHCR activities in the countryCOUNTRY PROFILE - UKRAINE- August 2007 | |
Legislation on Migration and AsylumThe migration and asylum issues are regulated by the following main legal documents:
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Participation in International and Regional InitiativesUkraine participates in the following international and regional initiatives in the field of asylum, migration and border management:
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