In 2025, the median age of population in the EU was 44.9 years, according to Eurostat. People aged 80 and over represent 6% of the EU population in 2025. Children and young adolescents account for 14% of the EU population in 2025.

On 1 January 2025, the EU’s population aged 80 and over reached 6%. Among EU countries, the highest shares were recorded in Italy (nearly 8%), followed by Germany, Greece, and Portugal (all 7%). 

Across the EU, the number of people aged 80 and over has increased in every country over the last 20 years. The biggest rises were in Greece, Portugal, Latvia, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Estonia, Lithuania and Croatia, where this age group grew by 3 pp in each country.

On 1 January 2025, there were 99 million people aged 65 years old or more, representing 22% of the total EU population.

Across the EU, the number of people aged 65 and over increased in all EU countries when comparing 2005 with 2025. The highest increase was in Poland (8 pp from 13% in 2005 to 21% in 2025). 

On 1 January 2025, there were 230 million women and 221 million men in the EU. This corresponds to a ratio of 104.2 women per 100 men, which means that there were 4.2% more women than men.

There were more women than men in all EU countries, except Malta, Slovenia, Sweden and Luxembourg. The highest ratio was found in Latvia (15.6% more women than men). 

Between 1 January 2005 and 1 January 2025, the ratio of women per 100 men increased in 6 EU countries and decreased in 21. The highest increase was recorded in Bulgaria from 105.4 to 108.0 women per 100 men, while the highest decrease was in Malta from 101.8 to 88.3 women per 100 men.

On 1 January 2025, there were 451 million people living in the European Union (EU) representing approximately 1 million more people than the previous year. The most populous EU countries were:

• Germany (84 million, 19% of the EU total)
• France (69 million, 15%)
• Italy (59 million, 13%)
• Spain (49 million, 11%)
• Poland (36 million, 8%)

In total, these 5 countries accounted for 66% of the EU population. At the other end of the range, the least populous EU countries were Malta (574 000 people, corresponding to 0.1% of the EU total), Luxembourg (682 000, almost 0.2%) and Cyprus (983 000, 0.2%).

During the 20-year period, from 1 January 2005 to 1 January 2025, the total population of the EU increased from 435 million to 451 million, a growth of 4%. During this period, 19 EU countries showed increases in their population and 8 recorded decreases. The largest relative increases were recorded in Luxembourg (48%) followed by Malta (43%), Cyprus (34%) and Ireland (32%). The largest relative decreases were observed in Latvia (−17%), Bulgaria (−16%), Lithuania (−14%), Romania (−11%) and Croatia (−10%).

The largest absolute increases were recorded in France and Spain (both 6 million), while the largest absolute decreases were observed in Romania and Poland (both −2 million) and Bulgaria (−1 million).

03.05.2026.