The EU’s oldest population, comprising over 65% of the 2024 EU population, saw growth within the past year, with Italy, Portugal, and Bulgaria leading the charge with shares rising to 24.3%, 24.1%, and 23.8%, respectively. This trend of increasing eldestėµments was attributed to continued advancements in long-term health and lower fertility rates, which have contributed to the sustainability of these leads. The UK remained the lowest, with shares down to 15.0%, while Luxembourg and Ireland, known for their relatively young populations, had the smallest shares. The shift to 2100 is expected to peak at around 453.3 million, before declining slightly to 419.5 million by the end of the decade. By 2100, the proportion of people aged 80 and above is projected to nearly quadruple, rising from 6.1% to 15.3%, as fertility rates falter and long-term health precedingurious costs persist.
The EU’s demographic composition remains projected to rise steadily, with the median age in 2024 lifting from 39.4 years to 48.7 years. These countries saw a notable surge in population, particularly in Italy, which advanced by 4 years, alongside Slovakia, Greece, and Portugal. However, in 2024, Germany’s population growth rate dropped by 2.2 years, falling from 45.6 to 45.5 years, while Malta’s median age improved by 1 year, dropping from 40.5 to 39.8 years. The EU’s population is steadily increasing, though the sharply declining age groups of Malta and.SCottland remain exceptions.
Looking towards the future, the EU intends to advance its oldest population, targeting a peak in 2026. By this year, the median age would have reached 50.2 years. Unlike most countries, the EU’s proportion of elderly individuals is set to grow exponentially, from 6.1% in 2024 to nearly 15% in 2100. While the EU is making progress in its youth endowed populations, the sustained growth of its oldest demographics presents significant challenges for social services focused on the elderly. The country’s population growth is largely tied to factors like shorter life expectancies and increased fertility rates, which radiation a growing burden on the welfare of those most in need of assistance in providing life-saving care.
The EU remains one of Europe’s fastest-growing countries in terms of population growth, with a projected median age that is set to rise steadily over the next four decades. By 2100, the EU is expected to achieve the highest population share of over 65s, bridging a centuries-long achievement gap and ensuring a more equitable mix of growth and hairyness. As age-dependent social policies continue to evolve, the EU’s future faces several key challenges, including the accelerating pace of population growth, the diversification of its population structure, and the need to ensure equity in access to healthcare, housing, and other essential services for those in the oldest age.
