Demographic change is fundamentally reshaping Europe. While the EU population remained broadly stable at 450.6 million people at the start of 2025, this apparent steadiness masks a profound structural transformation. Europeans are living longer, birth rates are falling across the Union and the population is ageing rapidly. These shifts touch every dimension of European life, from labour markets and pensions to healthcare, housing and regional cohesion. Population ageing is a global trend. Many world regions are converging on similar trajectories, even if their starting points and the speed of transition differ considerably. Within the EU, demographic challenges create common concerns for Member States. Labour shortages, pressure on public expenditure, pension sustainability and depopulation of certain regions affect all parts of the Union. Unaddressed, these challenges may affect fiscal sustainability, competitiveness, the opportunities of future generations and the EU's standing in the world. The EU is responding through a comprehensive set of policy initiatives. Building on earlier efforts such as the Green Paper on Ageing and the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas, the Demography Toolbox (2023) provides Member States with a structured framework to address demographic change. Subsequent initiatives have targeted specific challenges: the European Affordable Housing Plan addresses housing affordability, the Intergenerational Fairness Strategy strengthens communication between generations, and the EU anti-poverty strategy protects against poverty across age groups. This report provides up-to-date evidence on demographic trends and projections, their implications across key policy areas, and the EU initiatives already in place to address their consequences. It contributes to informed policy action and demonstrates the EU's commitment to supporting Member States in managing demographic challenges.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION;  JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE .; 

2026-07-14

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC147518

978-92-68-40999-2 (online),    978-92-68-41000-4 (print),   

OP KJ-01-26-270-EN-N (online),    OP KJ-01-26-270-EN-C (print),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC147518,   

10.2760/9943353 (online),    10.2760/3769791 (print),