Did the population of Ukraine decrease after the disaster of Chernobyl?

Yes, the population of Ukraine saw a decline after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, particularly in the areas most affected by radiation. The immediate evacuation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone led to the abandonment of towns and villages, contributing to a demographic shift. Additionally, long-term health concerns, economic challenges, and emigration further impacted population numbers in the years following the disaster. However, the overall decline is also influenced by factors beyond Chernobyl, including political and economic changes in the post-Soviet era.