Immigration was sole driver of EU population growth last year

In 2024, immigration was the only factor driving population growth in the European Union, as deaths continued to exceed births since 2012. The EU population reached 450.4 million, boosted by a net migration of 2.3 million, outweighing a natural decline of 1.3 million. Eurostat noted, “The total increase that was recorded in 2024 for the EU population was exclusively due to [positive] net migration.”

In total, there were 4.82 million deaths and 3.56 million births in the EU. Countries like France, Germany, and Italy account for a significant portion of the population, but demographic challenges persist, with low birth rates and rising age demographics. Despite government crackdowns on illegal immigration, the trend of growth from migration is likely to continue.