EU to Lose 50 Million People by 2100 as Population Ages

The latest forecast from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre predicts that the European Union's population will peak at about 453 million around 2030 and then decline, falling below 400 million by the end of the century – a net loss of roughly 50 million people.

During the same period, the share of seniors will rise sharply. People aged over 65 are projected to make up one‑third of the EU population by 2100, with those over 80 increasing from about 28 million today to nearly 65 million. The highest senior proportions are expected in Lithuania (≈37.6 %) and Cyprus (≈37.2 %), while Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech Republic will have the lowest (around 30‑32 %). By 2038, the number of seniors will outnumber people aged 20‑40, and the median age, already just under 40, will continue to climb. The demographic shift will intensify pressure on workers to fund pensions and health care, prompting calls for policy reforms across member states.