Europe news is increasingly focused on demographics, and the latest Eurostat figures show why. The EU’s population has grown again in 2026, but the story behind that headline is more complex: while the bloc is expanding overall, growth is concentrated in a smaller group of countries and long-term decline still looms over much of Europe.
As of January 2026, the European Union’s population reached an estimated 452 million people, up by 706,000 from a year earlier. That marks the fifth straight year of population growth after the pandemic-era dip in 2021. Still, the pace of growth is far slower than in previous decades, reflecting a major shift in how Europe’s population is changing.
Europe News: Which EU Countries Are Growing Fastest?
The latest Eurostat data shows that the strongest annual growth rates were recorded in some of the EU’s smallest member states. Malta posted the biggest increase, followed by Cyprus and Luxembourg. These countries may have relatively small populations, but they are now leading the bloc in proportional growth.
- Malta: 588,000 population, growth rate of 24 per 1,000
- Cyprus: 997,000 population, growth rate of 14 per 1,000
- Luxembourg: 691,000 population, growth rate of 13 per 1,000
In total, 16 EU countries recorded population increases over the past year. By contrast, Latvia, Estonia and Hungary saw the sharpest declines, highlighting how uneven demographic change has become across the continent.
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The Biggest EU Populations Still Dominate the Bloc
Although smaller states are growing faster, the EU’s largest members still account for more than two-thirds of the total population. Germany remains the biggest country by population with 83.5 million residents, followed by France, Italy, Spain and Poland.
- Germany: 83.5 million
- France: 69.1 million
- Italy: 58.9 million
- Spain: 49.6 million
- Poland: 36.3 million
Together, these five countries make up the demographic core of the union. For anyone following ireland news, these wider European shifts matter because they influence labour markets, migration policy, public spending and long-term economic planning across the region.
Why Is the EU Population Still Rising?
One of the most important points in this irish news and European demographic story is that natural population change is no longer driving growth. Since 2012, Eurostat says the EU has seen more deaths than births overall. The only reason the population has continued to expand is positive net migration.
That marks a profound demographic transition. In the 1960s, the EU’s population was rising by around 3 million people per year on average. By the 2010s, that figure had slowed to roughly 600,000 annually. So while the numbers are still moving up, the momentum is much weaker than in the past.
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What Happens Next for Europe’s Demographics?
Despite current growth, long-range projections remain sobering. Earlier Eurostat estimates suggest the EU population could shrink by 53 million people by 2100, a drop of 11.7%. The key reason is falling birth rates, which are already placing pressure on many governments.
France has begun responding with expanded parental leave after recording more deaths than births in 2025 for the first time since the end of World War II. Similar debates are likely to intensify across the bloc as policymakers try to avoid future labour shortages and rising strain on pensions and healthcare systems.
For readers tracking Europe news, the takeaway is clear: the EU’s population is still growing in 2026, but the balance is fragile. Migration is sustaining growth for now, smaller states are outpacing larger ones proportionally, and without a reversal in birth trends, today’s gains may eventually give way to long-term decline.
FAQs
Is the EU population growing in 2026?
Yes. The EU population rose by 706,000 people to reach 452 million in January 2026.
Which EU country had the fastest population growth?
Malta recorded the highest growth rate, followed by Cyprus and Luxembourg.
Why is the EU population increasing if birth rates are falling?
The increase is mainly being supported by net migration, which has offset the negative natural change caused by more deaths than births.
