Which language do Ukrainians consider their native, and what do they speak at home and work? Survey results reveal insights.

In 2024, 78% of respondents identified Ukrainian as their native language. In 2017, this figure was 68%, in 2015 it was 60%, and in 2006 it was 52%.

This is reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing data from a survey conducted by the Razumkov Center, which was presented on Unity Day, January 22.

Thirteen percent of respondents stated that both Ukrainian and Russian are equally native to them (in 2006, 16% gave this response, and in 2015, 22%). The percentage of those who identified Russian as their native language is 6%, compared to 31% in 2006 and 15% in 2015.

Seventy percent of respondents speak only or predominantly Ukrainian at home, up from 50% in 2015 and 46% in 2006. Eleven percent of respondents speak only or predominantly Russian at home, down from 24% in 2015 and 38% in 2006. Eighteen percent communicate roughly equally in both Ukrainian and Russian (compared to 25% in 2015 and 15% in 2006).

Seventy-two percent of respondents communicate outside the home (for example, at work or school) only or predominantly in Ukrainian, up from 65% in 2023 and 46% in 2015. Eight percent communicate only or predominantly in Russian, the same as in 2023, while 24% did so in 2015. Twenty percent communicate equally in both Ukrainian and Russian outside the home (compared to 26% in 2023 and 29% in 2015).

The survey was conducted by the Razumkov Center from June 6 to June 12, 2024, among 2,026 respondents. The survey was conducted face-to-face only in territories controlled by the Ukrainian government where no military actions are taking place. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.3%.

As a reminder, in June 2024, 95% of respondents consider themselves ethnic Ukrainians, while 2% identify as ethnic Russians. Before the war, in 2021, 87% of respondents identified as Ukrainians and 9% as Russians.