Brussels: Europe and the Arab World

On January 1, 2025, the average age of the EU population was 44.9 years. This means that half of the EU population was over 44.9 years old, while the other half was younger. Average age in EU countries ranged from 39.6 years in Ireland to 49.1 years in Italy. According to figures released by Eurostat, the European statistical office in Brussels, average age across the EU increased by 2.1 years since 2015, when it stood at 42.8 years. Increases were recorded in all EU countries except Germany and Malta (where average age decreased by 0.4 years).

The aging of the population was most pronounced in Slovakia and Cyprus, where average age increased by 4.0 years, followed by Italy (+3.9 years), then Greece and Poland (+3.8 years each), and finally Portugal (+3.7 years). On January 1, 2025, the estimated life expectancy of people born in EU countries was 2.1 years higher than that of people born abroad (45.2 years versus 43.1 years).

According to media reports, Europe is facing its biggest demographic crisis since World War II, with deaths exceeding births in 20 of the 27 EU member states. This has plunged the continent into a phase of "rapid aging," threatening its economy and workforce.

France, long an exception thanks to its family policies, recently recorded 645,000 births compared to 651,000 deaths. For the first time in 65 years, the fertility rate has fallen to 1.56 children per woman, the lowest since 1942. Statistics indicate that 22% of the population is over 65, a similar percentage to those under 20. Spain
Spain has been experiencing this crisis since 2017, with 318,000 births compared to 436,000 deaths, and a very low fertility rate of 1.10 children per woman. Despite this, the population continues to rise slightly, thanks to immigration, which has become the only lifeline against population decline.

Other major countries are not faring much better:
Germany: 330,641 more deaths than births in 2024.
Italy: 15 consecutive years of declining birth rates and the highest aging population in the European Union.
Poland: The worst demographic trend in two centuries, with a fertility rate of 1.1 children per woman.

Even the United Kingdom, which maintains a positive natural balance (+16,239), is projected by studies to turn negative before 2030 if the decline in birth rates continues.