EU sees population growth for fourth consecutive year

Brussels – On 1 January 2025, the EU population was estimated at 450.4 million inhabitants, 1,070,702 more than the previous year. This is the fourth consecutive year of population growth in the Union, following a decline in 2021 caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The observed population growth can be largely attributed to the increased migratory movements post-COVID-19.

Since 2012, the negative natural change (more deaths than births) in the EU population has been outnumbered by the positive net migration.

This information comes from the population data published today by Eurostat. The detailed data are from Statistics Explained on population and population change statistics. 

When considering a longer time frame, the population of the EU increased from 354.5 million in 1960 to 450.4 million on 1 January 2025, an increase of 95.9 million people. The rate of population growth has gradually slowed down in recent decades: the EU population increased by an average of about 0.9 million people per year over the period 2005-2024, compared to an average increase of about 3 million people per year in the 1960s.

 On 1 January 2025, the population of the EU countries ranged from 83.6 million in Germany to 0.6 million in Malta. Germany (19 percent of the EU population), France (15 pct), and Italy (13 pct) were the most populous countries, comprising almost half (47 pct) of the total population.

 Between 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2025, eight countries experienced population declines. Latvia (crude rate of change of the total population of -9.9 per 1,000 persons), Hungary (-4.7), Poland and Estonia (-3.4) recorded the highest declines.

 Among the 19 EU countries with the highest population growth rates, Malta (+19.0 per 1,000 people) led the way, followed by Ireland (+16.3) and Luxembourg (+14.7). 

This article marks World Population Day, taking place on 11 July to raise awareness of the world population situation.