The EU’s population hit a record 450.4 million in 2024, driven entirely by migration. Natural population decline, with more deaths than births, has continued for the fourth year in a row, with 1.3 million more deaths than births.

However, migration added 2.3 million people, contributing to the EU’s overall growth of 1.07 million. Germany, France, and Italy remain the most populous. Malta saw the highest growth rate, while Latvia saw the steepest drop.

Most newcomers came from outside the EU, with Germany and Spain leading immigration numbers. Meanwhile, some countries, such as Belgium and Poland, tightened border controls, even as illegal border crossings decreased. The EU is also updating its migration and asylum systems.