EU population reaches 502.5 million
by Dean Carroll
28 July 2011
More than five million children were born in Europe in 2010, according to figures released today by Eurostat. In January, the population within European Union borders was estimated to be 502.5 million, compared with 501.1 million in January 2010.
In effect, the population grew by 1.4 million in 2010 - due to a natural increase of 500,000 people and net migration of 900,000. The highest growth rates occured in Ireland, Cyprus, France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.
During 2010, 5.4 million children were born with the highest birth rates recorded in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Cyprus and Sweden. The lowest rates were in Germany, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Malta. In the same period, some 4.8 million deaths registered with the highest death rates observed in Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania and Romania. The lowest death rates occurred in Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Luxembourg.
Consequently, the highest population growth was registered in Ireland - well ahead of Cyprus, France, Luxembourg and the UK. And eight member states saw a population decline. They were Latvia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany and Romania.
Meanwhile, more than 60 per cent of the increase in Europe's population was as a result of migration. Luxembourg, Malta, Sweden, Italy and Belgium had the largest net inflows - while Lithuania and Ireland recorded the highest net outflows. A Eurostat spokesman said: "In conclusion, the population increased in 20 member states and decreased in seven, with considerable variations. The largest relative increases were observed in Luxembourg, Sweden, Malta, Belgium and the UK - and the largest decreases in Lithuania, Latvia and Bulgaria."
In effect, the population grew by 1.4 million in 2010 - due to a natural increase of 500,000 people and net migration of 900,000. The highest growth rates occured in Ireland, Cyprus, France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.
During 2010, 5.4 million children were born with the highest birth rates recorded in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Cyprus and Sweden. The lowest rates were in Germany, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Malta. In the same period, some 4.8 million deaths registered with the highest death rates observed in Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania and Romania. The lowest death rates occurred in Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Luxembourg.
Consequently, the highest population growth was registered in Ireland - well ahead of Cyprus, France, Luxembourg and the UK. And eight member states saw a population decline. They were Latvia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany and Romania.
Meanwhile, more than 60 per cent of the increase in Europe's population was as a result of migration. Luxembourg, Malta, Sweden, Italy and Belgium had the largest net inflows - while Lithuania and Ireland recorded the highest net outflows. A Eurostat spokesman said: "In conclusion, the population increased in 20 member states and decreased in seven, with considerable variations. The largest relative increases were observed in Luxembourg, Sweden, Malta, Belgium and the UK - and the largest decreases in Lithuania, Latvia and Bulgaria."
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