Demographics
According to the 1989 Soviet Union Census, the population of the city was 1,593,970. In 1991, the population decreased to 1,510,200, including 1,494,200 permanent city residents. Kharkiv is currently the second-largest city in Ukraine after the capital, Kiev.
The nationality structure of Kharkiv as of the 1989 census is: Ukrainians – 50.38%, Russians – 43.63%, Jews – 3%, Belarusians – 0.75%, and all others (more than 25 minorities) – 2.24%.
The nationality structure of Kharkiv as of the 2001 census is: Ukrainians – 70.7%, Russians – 25.6%, Jews – 0.4%, Belarusians – 0.5%.
Kharkiv's city residents are primarily Russophone.