Socio-political factors in the development of the Ukrainian nation: demographic and migratory aspects of nation-building

Abstract

This study aims to examine the specific ways in which internal and external migration waves influence the transformation of the social structure of Ukrainian society, the formation of national identity, and the overall stability of state-building processes in the context of globalisation and security threats. Methods. The methodological framework of the study comprises a range of general scientific and specialised methods. In particular, the method of systemic and comparative analysis was applied to study the dynamics of demographic indicators; the statistical method was used to assess the scale of labour migration and forced displacement; the structural-functional approach enabled an investigation into the impact of migration processes on social institutions and state policy; whilst the institutional method was used to analyse the regulatory framework for migration control and European integration standards. Results. The study identified the specific ways in which depopulation, falling birth rates, population ageing, mass labour migration and large-scale forced displacement affect the security and sustainable development of the Ukrainian nation. It has been demonstrated that security threats have significantly distorted the country’s demographic potential. The role of European integration processes as an effective catalyst for reforming domestic migration policy in line with international human rights standards has been analysed. The strategic necessity of transitioning from reactive regulation to the proactive development of a comprehensive model of state policy that integrates demographic, social and security factors has been substantiated. Conclusions. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the deepening of the conceptual foundations for analysing demographic and migration policy as fundamental instruments for the modernisation of contemporary Ukrainian nation-building in the context of global transformations. The practical significance of the results obtained lies in the fact that the conclusions drawn, the analytical generalisations and the proposed model for strengthening demographic potential can be utilised by state authorities when developing national security strategies, socio-economic development programmes and the modernisation of Ukraine’s migration legislation.