EU population grows while youth share drops, Eurostat data

Eurostat's latest estimates for 1 January 2025 show the European Union population at 451 million, a modest increase of one million from 2024 and 16 million since 2005. The median age rose from 39.6 years in 2005 to 44.9 years, and people aged 80 and over now make up about 6 % of the total.

Despite overall growth, the proportion of children and teenagers is falling. Those under 19 years account for only 20 % of the EU population, down across the 20‑year span, and children under 15 total 65 million (14 % of the population). Ireland has the highest share of youth (near 19 %), while Italy records the lowest (around 12 %). Five countries – Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland – together represent 66 % of the EU’s inhabitants. Greece continues to lose residents, with a decline of 600 000 since 2005 and 750 000 since 2011. The gender balance also shifted to 104.2 women per 100 men, with women outnumbering men in most member states except Malta, Slovenia, Sweden and Luxembourg.