Europe

Europe Overview

Of the world’s five regions, Europe has the lowest fertility rate and is the only one projected to see a decline in total population by 2050. The region consists of Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, and Western Europe.

More than half of all European countries experienced negative rates of natural increase in 2021, meaning their populations had more deaths than births. With an average total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.5, the region’s fertility falls below replacement level, or the average number of children a couple must have to replace themselves in the next generation. More than a quarter of the region’s countries have a TFR at or below 1.3. These combined factors contribute to Europe’s expected decline in total population by 2%, from 744 million in 2021 to 731 million in 2050. The region also has the world’s oldest population, with adults ages 65 and older accounting for almost one in five (19%) of the total population. Future population size will likely be determined mainly by international migration.

In millions

Lifetime births per woman

Percent of all births to mothers ages 35+

Age distribution by region

Percent change in population

In millions

Lifetime births per woman

Percent of all births to mothers ages 35+

Age distribution by region

Percent change in population

In millions

Lifetime births per woman

Percent of all births to mothers ages 35+

Age distribution by region

Percent change in population

In millions

Lifetime births per woman

Percent of all births to mothers ages 35+

Age distribution by region

Percent change in population