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Countries with shrinking populations

Ukraine's population fell 18.2% from 2013 to 2023, the steepest drop among countries of 1 million or more, ahead of Bosnia at 11.8%.

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What the data shows

  • In 2013–2023, Albania ranks #1 with -3.3%, ahead of Lithuania (-3.5%) and Belarus (-3.7%).

About this chart

Ukraine tops the list of shrinking populations, down 18.2% between 2013 and 2023. Bosnia and Herzegovina is next at 11.8%, then Puerto Rico (10.1%), Moldova (10.0%) and North Macedonia (9.0%). Croatia, Serbia, Greece, Latvia and Bulgaria all lost between 6.5% and 8.2%. Venezuela, at 5.4%, is the only country in the top eleven outside Europe, apart from Puerto Rico, a US territory.

The figures are the percent change in population between 2013 and 2023, computed from UN World Population Prospects 2024 estimates as published by Our World in Data. Only countries and territories with at least 1 million people are included, so smaller places with steep declines do not appear. The data identifies 23 such countries that shrank over the period; the chart shows the largest declines.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, change computed. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Countries with 1 million or more people.

Countries with shrinking populations, Population change 2013–2023, %, 2013–2023
Date🇺🇦 Ukraine🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina🇵🇷 Puerto Rico🇲🇩 Moldova🇲🇰 North Macedonia🇭🇷 Croatia🇷🇸 Serbia🇬🇷 Greece🇱🇻 Latvia🇧🇬 Bulgaria🇻🇪 Venezuela🇷🇴 Romania🇧🇾 Belarus🇱🇹 Lithuania🇦🇱 Albania
2013–2023-18.2%-11.8%-10.1%-10.0%-9.0%-8.2%-6.9%-6.6%-6.5%-6.5%-5.4%-4.7%-3.7%-3.5%-3.3%

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Frequently asked questions

Which countries have declining populations?

Ukraine had the largest decline from 2013 to 2023 at 18.2%, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina (11.8%), Puerto Rico (10.1%), Moldova (10.0%) and North Macedonia (9.0%). Most of the others in the top group are in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Which country's population is shrinking the fastest?

Among countries with 1 million or more people, Ukraine, with an 18.2% decrease between 2013 and 2023 according to UN estimates. Bosnia and Herzegovina is second at 11.8%.

How many countries have shrinking populations?

In this data, 23 countries and territories with at least 1 million people had a smaller population in 2023 than in 2013. The UN estimates cover the full period, so no projections are involved.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, change computed. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Countries with 1 million or more people. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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