Migration to the EU countries made the population grow in the year 2023
Migration to EU Countries Led to Population Growth in 2023
According to the data published by the EU Statistical Office, Eurostat, on Thursday, the EU population grew in 2023, marking the second consecutive year of increase. The population stood at 449.2 million in 2023, up from 447.6 million in 2022.
Migration played a significant role in this growth, as deaths exceeded births in the EU countries from Portugal to Cyprus.
Eurostat explained that the net migration included the arrival of displaced persons from Ukraine who fled the war instigated by Russia. Since 2012, the "natural" component of the population growth – births minus deaths – has been negative or stagnant due to the declining birth rate in Europe. This, coupled with an aging population in many countries, has raised concerns about a labor shortage and the future financing of the welfare state.
After analyzing the population data from 2022 to 2023, it was observed that the European Union witnessed a year-over-year population growth. This growth can be attributed in part to the migration patterns of recent years, as numerous countries saw an influx of individuals. The increasing population size in 2023 was significantly influenced by the migration trend, particularly considering that natural population growth, typically driven by birth rates, has been negative or stagnant in the EU since 2012.
