08 May Europe by 2080: UK largest by population while German population shrinks
UK is one of the few countries projected with a rise in population by 2080 as the population of many others falls.
According to data presented by Eurostat, Britain will take over both Germany and France as the largest country in the EU by 2080. Germany’s population will fall from 81 million to 77 as of the beginning of 2080 as Britain’s population will have a steep rise from 64 million in 2015 to 82 million.
This comes as surprise as the current life expectancy for both countries stands at 82, with both Spain which will experience a population growth and Italy which will experience a decline having the highest life expectancy in the EU at 83. The average life expectancy for the EU is currently (as of 2016) at 81, which is an increase from 2005 when it stood at 78.
The countries with the biggest loss in population include:
Bulgaria at a 36% loss
Latvia at a 35% loss
Lithuania at a 43% loss
The EU has the largest population of 25-49 adults at 33% of the entire population, this is set to decrease by 2080 as the population of 65 and over is set to almost double by 2080. Children aged under 14 represent around one in six of the total population, almost the same proportion as those 65-79. Across the EU the population of over 80’s will triple to 12% by 2080.
The EU’s population now stands at 508 million and is projected to rise to more than 528 million by 2050, before falling to 518 million by 2080.
The GDP of many EU countries directly relates to the future population projections as Luxembourg leads with a GDP per capita of €92,800 and a huge population increase of 52% and the GDP per capital of Ireland standing at €61,700 relating to the dramatic population increase of 53%.
The financial ties to the population are very obvious as some of the countries which have experienced the most dramatic population decrease also have some of the lowest GDP per capita with Bulgaria standing at €7,100 and Romania reaching only €9,600.
Eurostat’s data stated that the EU’s population rose in 2016 mainly because of immigration. The number of births and deaths equalled to 5.1m each, however net migration boosted the population to 511.8m. In almost half of the member countries, more people died than were born last year. But not all saw their populations fall. Countries like Germany saw a huge intake of migrants (many being Syrian refugees) so the population still managed to grow.
It is predicted that population due to birth rate will not increase because of the death rate due to the average age of European’s, however migration and immigration from refugees and others will help countries like Britain and France grow their population at extortionate rates.
