How Big Is Ukraine Compared To The United States? The Comparison

Have you ever wondered how big Ukraine is compared to the United States? While both countries have vast territories and diverse landscapes, there are significant differences in their landmasses and populations. 

Ukraine, for instance, is the largest country entirely within Europe, while the United States is the third-largest country in the world after Russia and Canada. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the size and geography of Ukraine and the United States, so you can better understand how they compare. 

Whether you’re a geography buff or just curious about the world around you, you won’t want to miss out on this comparison. Let’s begin by answering the question, how big is Ukraine compared to the United States?

Ukraine covers an area of approximately 603,550 square kilometers, while the United States is much larger, with an area of approximately 9,833,517 square kilometers. 

Therefore, the United States is about 1,529% larger than Ukraine, which is nearly 16 times larger.

An Over View

Ukraine is in Eastern Europe, with an area of 603,550 km². Its official language is Ukrainian. Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since been a semi-presidential republic. 

The country has a rich cultural heritage, with many historical landmarks and traditions. Its capital city, Kyiv, is a bustling metropolis that serves as the centre of political and economic activity in the country.

On the other hand, the United States is a federal presidential republic located in North America and covers an area of 9,831,510 km². 

The official language of the United States is English, and it has been independent since 1776 AD when it declared its independence from Great Britain. 

The country is known for its diverse culture, iconic landmarks, and thriving economy. Washington, D.C., is the United States capital city and serves as the country’s political power center.

Despite their geography and government form differences, Ukraine and the United States share common values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights. 

Both countries have faced challenges in their histories but have overcome them through resilience and determination. 

Ukraine has faced political turmoil in recent years due to conflicts with neighboring Russia, while the United States has recently experienced social and political divisions.

Population Comparison

While Ukraine has a population of 43,793,000, the United States has a much larger population of 331,894,000. 

However, regarding population density, Ukraine has a higher density of inhabitants per square kilometer, with 72.6 individuals, compared to 33.8 individuals in the United States.

Another important factor to note is the life expectancy of both genders in both countries. Ukraine has an average life expectancy of 65 years for males and 74 years for females. 

On the other hand, the United States has a higher life expectancy, with an average of 74 years for males and 79 years for females. 

This difference can be attributed to various factors such as healthcare, lifestyle choices, and access to medical resources.

The average age in Ukraine is Ø 41.2 years, while in the United States, it is Ø 38.5 years. This indicates that Ukraine’s population is relatively older than the United States. 

However, this could also be because Ukraine has a higher death rate of 18.50 ‰ than the United States death rate of 10.40 ‰.

The birth rate is another crucial factor that determines population growth. Ukraine has a birth rate of 7.30 ‰, while the United States has a higher birth rate of 11.00 ‰. This indicates that the population growth rate in the United States is higher compared to Ukraine.

In terms of migration rates, Ukraine has a negative migration rate of -0.27 ‰, which indicates that more people are leaving the country than entering it. 

In contrast, the United States has a positive migration rate of 3.01 ‰, meaning more people are entering the country than leaving it.

Economic Comparison

When comparing the economic situation of Ukraine and the United States, it is clear that the two countries have significant differences in key areas. 

One of the most notable differences is in the unemployment rate, with Ukraine having a higher rate of 9.8% compared to the United States 3.6%. 

And this can be a result of various factors, such as differences in labor market policies, investment in education and training, and economic growth.

Another area where the two countries differ significantly is in their inflation rates. Ukraine has a much higher rate of 20.18% compared to the United States 8.00%. 

This high level of inflation can make it difficult for individuals and businesses to plan and budget effectively, leading to increased uncertainty and economic instability.

The cost of living also varies significantly between the two countries, with Ukraine being much cheaper than the United States. 

The cost of living in Ukraine is only 29.50% of that in the United States due to lower wages and a less developed economy.

Regarding commercial taxes and contributions, the United States has a lower rate than Ukraine at 36.60% compared to 45.20%. 

This can make it more attractive for businesses to operate in the United States, as they are subject to fewer taxes and contributions.

The average income also varies greatly, with the United States having a much higher average income of $70,930 compared to Ukraine’s $4,120. This disparity is because of differences in economic development and labor market policies.

Both countries have significant levels of debt. However, the United States has a higher level of debt at 128.14% compared to Ukraine’s 47.59%.

Infrastructure Comparison

According to world data, Ukraine has a total of 169,694 km of roadways with 3.87 km per 1000 inhabitants, while the USA has a whopping 6,586,610 km of roadways with 19.85 km per 1000 inhabitants. 

The difference in the road network shows that the U.S. has a more developed transportation system than Ukraine.

Similarly, regarding railways, the U.S. has a much larger railway network with 293,564 km of railways and 0.88 km per 1000 inhabitants, whereas Ukraine has only 21,733 km of railways with 0.50 km per 1000 inhabitants. 

However, it is worth noting that Ukraine has been investing in modernizing its railway infrastructure in recent years to improve connectivity and increase economic growth.

Regarding waterways, the U.S. again has a significant advantage over Ukraine. The U.S. has 41,009 km of waterways with 0.12 km per 1000 inhabitants, while Ukraine has only 1,672 km of waterways with 0.04 km per 1000 inhabitants. 

Despite this, Ukraine has been striving to enhance its water transportation system by developing its ports and increasing river navigability.

The U.S. has three times more harbors than Ukraine, with a total of 3,627 harbors with 0.0109 per 1000 inhabitants. 

On the other side, Ukraine has 409 harbors with 0.0093 per 1000 inhabitants. This difference is because the U.S. has a vast coastline spanning two oceans.

Interesting Facts About Ukraine You Didn’t Know

• Ukraine is slightly smaller than Texas 

Ukraine is slightly smaller than Texas, one of the largest states in the United States. Ukraine has an area of 603,550 square kilometers, while Texas is 268,597 square miles.

• Agriculture is a large portion of the economy

Ukraine’s economy heavily relies on agriculture, so the country is often called the “breadbasket of Europe.” In 2020, Ukraine exported over $6 billion in agricultural products to the European Union. 

The country has also emerged as a significant corn supplier to China, with 8.2 million tons of corn exported in 2021. 

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity’s 2019 report, Ukraine’s primary imports were fuels and oils. 

Ukraine’s gross domestic product hit a record high of $195 billion in 2021, marking the highest dollar amount since its independence.

• Ukraine has no nuclear weapons

Although Ukraine was once part of the Soviet Union and had nuclear weapons on its territory, it voluntarily gave them up after gaining independence in 1991. 

Currently, Ukraine has no nuclear weapons, and it is committed to non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.

• A 1,400-mile border connects Russia and Ukraine

Ukraine shares a 1,400-mile border with Russia, a source of tension between the two countries. 

The conflict began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.

• It has 200,000 active military personnel

According to a CNN report, Ukraine has 200,000 active military personnel and an additional 900,000 reserves. 

The country allocated about $4.7 billion for defence operations in 2021. In terms of military equipment, Ukraine has a modest fleet of 3,309 armored vehicles, 132 aircraft, and 55 helicopters. 

This is significantly smaller than Russia’s military, which spent $62 billion on its defense operations in 2020.

Conclusion

How big is Ukraine compared to the United States? While the United States is one of the largest countries in the world, Ukraine is comparatively smaller but still a large country in Europe.

Comparing the size of these two countries is just one aspect of their unique characteristics. Nevertheless, both countries have their charm, offering a range of experiences.