The number of male students over 25 has decreased in Ukraine
In 2025, the number of men over 25 years old entering educational institutions decreased by more than half. Deputy Minister of Education Mykola Trofymenko explained this during a conversation with journalists, stating that this was the result of inspections of educational institutions and new admission rules that close opportunities to avoid mobilization.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science, the largest reduction is observed in institutions of vocational pre-higher education — from 55,581 men in 2024 to 24,819 in 2025. In bachelor’s programs, the number decreased from 16,655 to 12,190, in master’s programs — from 26,164 to 9,084, and in postgraduate programs — from 7,017 to 2,244.
“We have more than halved the number of men aged 25+ at various levels of education, so this is no longer a way to avoid mobilization,” Trofymenko said. According to him, this was made possible thanks to inspections of educational institutions based on data from the Unified State Electronic Database on Education (USEDE). “When the indicator exceeds common sense, the State Service for Education Quality checks such institutions, and expulsions and work with law enforcement agencies take place,” he added.
The deputy minister also spoke about a draft law that regulates the sequence of education. If enrollment occurs after the age of 25 or it is a second education, the right to deferment from mobilization is not granted. “That is, if a person enrolls before the age of 25, education is sequential, and the person has the right to deferment. If they enroll after 25 or it is a second or third education, then they do not have the right to deferment,” Trofymenko explained.
