The EU27 population is projected to continue to grow older, with the share of the population aged 65 years and over rising from 17.1% in 2008 to 30.0% in 2060, and those aged 80 and over rising from 4.4% to 12.1% over the same period.

These population projections1 for the period 2008-2060 come from a report issued by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. Population projections are what-if scenarios that aim to provide information about the likely future size and structure of the population, and should therefore be considered with caution.

Strongest population growth in Cyprus, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom

There are projected to be considerable differences between the individual Member States. Between 2008 and 2060, the population is projected to rise in thirteen Member States and fall in fourteen. The strongest population growth is projected to be found in Cyprus (+66%), Ireland (+53%), Luxembourg (+52%), the United Kingdom (+25%) and Sweden (+18%), and the sharpest declines in Bulgaria (-28%), Latvia (-26%), Lithuania (-24%), Romania (-21%) and Poland (-18%).

In 2060, the Member States with the largest populations would be the United Kingdom (77 million), France (72 mn), Germany (71 mn), Italy (59 mn) and Spain (52 mn).

30% of the EU27 population to be aged 65 or more in 2060

The EU27 population is projected to become older throughout the projection period, due in particular to persistently low fertility and an increasing number of survivors to higher ages. This ageing process would occur in all Member States. In 2060, the share of the population aged 65 or more is projected to range from 23.6% in Luxembourg, 24.7% in the United Kingdom and 25.0% in Denmark to 36.2% in Poland, 36.1% in Slovakia and 35.0% in Romania.