EU Population Grows by 8 Million Over Decade, Reaches 452 Million

The European Union's population has continued its upward trend, increasing by 706,000 people last year to reach a total of 452 million. This growth brings the EU's population to 8 million more than in 2016 and 16 million more than in 2006. Germany continues to be the most populous member state, while Malta has the smallest population, according to data released by Eurostat on the occasion of World Population Day. Since 1960, the EU's population has expanded by 97.5 million people. However, the rate of population growth has slowed significantly in recent decades. While the 1960s saw an average annual increase of three million people, the 2010s averaged only 0.6 million annually. Since 2012, a negative natural population growth within EU countries has been offset by higher immigration. Following a dip in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, population growth has resumed in the last five years. Germany accounts for the largest share of the EU population at 18.5 percent, with 83.5 million inhabitants. France, Italy, Spain, and Poland follow, collectively making up two-thirds of the EU's total population. Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Estonia, and Latvia are the member states with the smallest populations. Between January 1, 2025, and January 1 of this year, 16 EU member states saw population increases, with Malta, Cyprus, and Luxembourg experiencing the highest growth rates. Conversely, Latvia, Estonia, and Hungary recorded the steepest population declines.