Recently, there has been active discussion about whether Russian is replacing Ukrainian in Ukrainian schools. Monitoring conducted in 2023 revealed that a significant number of students, especially in Kyiv, still use Russian or mixed language communication outside of lessons. At the same time, 71% of students speak only or mostly Ukrainian, with these figures improving over the past 5-10 years.
People who moved from regions where Russian is traditionally spoken face everyday difficulties switching to Ukrainian. Many change their language habits gradually. Habit, environment, and prestige influence language choices. The online space also impacts language use: the share of Ukrainian in the internet and search queries is growing. In 2024, a third of all queries were in Ukrainian, and this is expected to grow further.
The data show that strategic Ukrainization—promoting Ukrainian without pressuring Russian speakers—is supported by most citizens. 87% of respondents favor this approach. Radical Ukrainization receives less support, especially in the east and south. Overall, 78% of people now call Ukrainian their native language, a steadily increasing figure.
In summary, Ukrainian is gradually strengthening its place in education, media, and everyday life, despite some remaining challenges. Strategic Ukrainization is backed by the majority, and new generations are increasingly choosing Ukrainian.
