The population of the European Union has reached a record high of 450.4 million people. According to data released by Eurostat on Friday, this growth is driven solely by migration, which for the past four years has effectively offset the natural population decline caused by more deaths than births.
As of January 1, 2025, the EU recorded an all-time high population of 450.4 million. The figures, published by Eurostat and cited by Reuters, clearly show that migration is the only factor fueling population growth in the bloc, compensating for natural decline for four consecutive years. Since 2012, the number of deaths in the EU has consistently exceeded the number of births.
In 2024 alone, the EU’s population grew by 1.07 million. This increase was the result of a positive net migration balance of 2.3 million people, which offset a natural population decrease of 1.3 million (4.82 million deaths versus 3.56 million births). Eurostat emphasizes that “the observed population increase can be attributed mainly to intensified migration movements following the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This trend highlights the demographic challenges facing Europe. An aging population and low birth rates are placing pressure on social welfare systems and leading to labor shortages.
Among EU member states, Germany, France, and Italy remain the most populous countries, together accounting for nearly half (47%) of the EU’s total population. Poland is among eight countries that experienced a population decline. The sharpest drop was recorded in Latvia, followed by Hungary, Poland, and Estonia.
The EU’s population has grown from 354.5 million in 1960 to the current 450.4 million. However, the growth rate has slowed significantly—from three million people annually in the 1960s to 900,000 per year between 2005 and 2024.