EU population increases for the 4th consecutive year
On 1 January 2025, the EU population was estimated at 450.4 million inhabitants, 1 070 702 more than the previous year. This was the fourth consecutive year in which the EU population grew, following a decrease 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 EU population has been outnumbered by the positive net migration.
This information comes from data on population published by Eurostat today. This article presents a selection of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on population and population change statistics.
When considering a broader time frame, the population of the EU grew 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, on average, by about 0.9 million people per year during the period 2005–2024, compared with an average increase of around 3 million people per year during the 1960s.
The population of EU countries on 1 January 2025 ranged from 83.6 million in Germany to 0.6 million in Malta. Germany (19% of the EU population), France (15%) and Italy (13%) were the most populous countries in the EU, comprising almost half (47%) of the total EU population on 1 January 2025.
Between 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2025, 8 EU countries recorded a decrease in population. Latvia (crude rate of total population change of -9.9 per 1 000 people), Hungary (-4.7), Poland and Estonia (-3.4) recorded the highest decreases.
Among the 19 EU countries that registered the highest population growth rates, Malta (+19.0 per 1 000 people) led, followed by Ireland (+16.3) and Luxembourg (+14.7).
This article marks the World Population Day taking place on 11 July to raise awareness of the global population situation.