The population of the European Union, comprising 27 member countries, is projected to reach its peak in 2029 before beginning a gradual decline, according to a report published on Tuesday. Currently, the EU’s population stands at 450.6 million, and by 2029, this figure is expected to rise to 453.3 million. After that, the bloc’s population will start to decrease gradually due to aging.
By 2100, the population is expected to fall to 398.8 million, representing a decrease of 11.7% from the anticipated peak and returning to levels last seen in the 1970s. Europeans are living longer than ever, thanks to advancements in healthcare, improved living standards, and enhanced social security. However, the aging population poses new challenges for the economy and society.
Increase in life expectancy and demographic challenges
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) reported that life expectancy at birth in 2024 is projected to reach 81.5 years. By 2050, nearly one in three EU residents will be aged 65 or older, compared to approximately one in five today. By 2100, life expectancy could exceed 90 years for women and 86 years for men.
Such trends present “significant challenges,” the report’s authors note. These include labor shortages, increased pressure on state budgets, and strains on healthcare, caregiving, and education systems. At the same time, researchers highlight the growth of the “silver economy” — the market for goods and services aimed at older individuals, which continues to expand.
“We are living longer and healthier than ever before — this is one of our greatest achievements. But demographic changes are transforming our societies, economies, and labor markets,” said European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica. She added: “We must act now to turn these changes into new opportunities.”
EU strategies and the role of migration
The EU believes that to address the challenges posed by a shrinking workforce, it is essential to enhance labor productivity and reduce unemployment. Currently, about 20% of working-age Europeans are not participating in the labor market, the report states, while approximately eight million young people are neither working nor engaged in education or vocational training.
Researchers indicate that migration can help alleviate some effects of demographic changes in Europe, but it cannot fully resolve the issues associated with an aging population.
Source: The Local Europe
