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Immigration to the European Union pushed the Union’s population to a record high of 450.4 million people last year, according to Eurostat data released on Friday.
Since 2012, the EU has recorded more deaths than births each year, meaning that migration is the only driver of population growth.
“The observed population growth can largely be attributed to increased migration movements after COVID-19,” according to Eurostat.
In 2024, the EU gained 1.07 million new residents, with a positive net migration of 2.3 million people offsetting a natural population decline of 1.3 million people.
The number of deaths last year remained above the birth rate, at 4.82 million compared to 3.56 million.
This trend highlights Europe’s demographic challenges, as aging populations and low birth rates strain social systems and cause labor shortages.
France, Germany, and Italy remain the most populous EU countries, accounting for almost half of all people living in the Union (47%).
While 19 countries recorded an increase in population last year, eight countries saw a decline.
Malta recorded the highest growth rate at 19.0 per 1,000 inhabitants, followed by Ireland at 16.3 and Luxembourg at 14.7.
Of the countries that reported a population decline, Latvia recorded the sharpest drop at -9.9, followed by Hungary (-4.7) and Poland and Estonia, which tied for third place at -3.4.
The EU’s population stood at 354.5 million in 1960.
- source: de.euronews.com/picture: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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