Migration has pushed the European Union's population to a record 450.4 million in 2024, according to Eurostat data, even as several Central and Eastern European countries continue to face population declines.
Eurostat reported on July 11 that the EU added 2.3 million people through net migration last year, more than offsetting a natural population loss of 1.3 million, as deaths (4.82 million) continued to outnumber births (3.56 million). This marks the continuation of a trend seen since 2012, with migration serving as the EU’s only driver of population growth.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the population of the EU increased again in 2024... largely attributed to increased migratory movements post-COVID-19,” Eurostat stated.
Although the overall EU population rose by 1.07 million, the growth was not evenly distributed across member states. Germany, France, and Italy—Europe’s three largest economies—accounted for nearly half of the total population, while several countries in Central and Southeast Europe saw their populations shrink.
Latvia recorded the steepest decline among EU countries, with a drop of 9.9 people per 1,000 residents. It was also the only EU country to experience both negative net migration and more deaths than births. Hungary (-4.7), Poland and Estonia (both -3.4) also reported significant decreases, as did Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and parts of the Baltic region.
Outside the EU, population losses were even more severe. Moldova saw a drop of 17.5 per 1,000 people, followed by Albania (-11.6), Serbia (-5.7), Bosnia and Herzegovina (-3.1), North Macedonia (-2.0), and Montenegro (-0.6).
Despite a post-pandemic rebound in migration, Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries continue to struggle with long-standing demographic challenges, including youth emigration, low fertility rates, and an ageing population. Migration remains politically sensitive in many of these nations, complicating policy efforts to attract foreign workers and stabilize labour markets.
Meanwhile, countries like Ireland, Malta, and Luxembourg saw the highest growth rates due to both higher birth rates and strong migration. But across much of the EU, especially in CEE, the demographic outlook remains uncertain, with welfare systems under pressure and labour shortages growing
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