The European Union's population has experienced growth for the first time in three years, thanks to increased migration, data released on July 11 by Eurostat, the EU's statistical office illustrated. While there were more deaths than births in 2022, the influx of migrants into the EU played a significant role in driving up the population numbers.
As of January 1, 2023, the EU's population stood at 448.4mn people, compared to 446.7mn in the previous year. The population declined in 2020 and 2021 due to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eurostat's report indicates that the population growth in 2022 can be primarily attributed to the rise in migration following the pandemic. Additionally, the EU witnessed an influx of displaced individuals from Ukraine seeking temporary protection status across the bloc due to Russia's invasion in February 2022.
Approximately 4mn people from Ukraine had sought refuge in the EU as of March 2023, further contributing to the population increase.
Concerns over declining birth rates have been raised by several EU member states recently, leading to proposals for measures to address the situation. The fertility rate decreased in 11 of the 27 EU member states between 2001 and 2021.
Furthermore, many EU countries are grappling with aging populations due to increased life expectancy. Eurostat's data reveals that the population increased in 20 EU countries, while it decreased in seven. Italy reported the largest decrease in population, with 179,419 fewer persons, whereas Germany recorded the largest increase, with growth of 1.12mn individuals.
The Eurostat report underscores the importance of migration in driving population growth within the European Union. As member states contend with the challenges of declining birth rates and aging populations, migration has emerged as a crucial factor in shaping demographic trends in the region.
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