European population

Europe is a small but densely populated continent. A slight population increase in recent
decades is due to immigration. The population is also ageing because of falling birth rates
and improved life expectancy.

Amount and distribution

Europe has 738 million inhabitants,
which is 10 % of the global
population. The population
density is around 70
inhabitants/km2 but it is unevenly
distributed.

• The most densely populated

part extends from south east
England to north east Italy. It is
also densely populated in the Po
valley, along the Mediterranean
coast, around the border of
Germany and the Czech Republic,
on the Atlantic coast and in cities.
Population density in Europe.
The least densely populated areas are found in northern countries (Iceland, Russia,
Norway, Finland and Sweden), in mountain areas and in places with scarce natural
resources.

Characteristics of the European population

The European population has the
following characteristics.

• The natural rate of population

increase in most European
countries is stagnant or declining
due to low birth rates.

• There are low fertility rates,

especially in Mediterranean
countries and in the east.
However, fertility rates on the
continent have increased from
1.55 children per woman in 2006-
2010 to 1.6 in 2011-2015.

Development of the European population (2001-2015).

Unit 3 - Demography - European population - 1

 • Death rates are higher in countries with the oldest populations (UK, Germany) or those
with lower living standards (Eastern Europe).

• Life expectancy at birth continues to grow. Europe currently has one of the highest
percentages of the world population over 65 (24 %), although there are differences
between countries with a large young population (Ireland) and countries with an ageing
population (Spain).

• Migrations have increased. Migrations between European countries have been constant
throughout history. Europe has recently seen an increase in immigrants from Africa,
Asia and former colonies.

Future demographics in Europe

According to the UN, most of the 48 countries whose populations will fall between
now and 2050 are European.
Some countries will lose up to 15 % of their populations. They include Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Serbia.
The explanation lies in ageing populations combined with low birth rates that do
not guarantee population replacement. For a population to be maintained, 2.1
children per woman aged 15-49 need to be born. The average European rate is
currently 1.6.
In this century's first decade, the populations of many European countries declined.
The demographics in each country are different.
• France has a fertility rate of 2
children per woman. This is higher
than Europe and the USA.
• Ireland has the highest
percentage of young people in
Europe and its population is growing
considerably.
• Italy's birth rate is low but Rome
and the north have experienced an
influx of Italians from the south and
foreign immigrants.
European population predictions.

• Germany's population remains unchanged overall but is declining in the east.

• Romania and Bulgaria have both experienced mass emigration.
• Spain's population has only grown as a result of immigration.

Unit 3 - Demography - European population - 2