Based on previous statistical data, experts concluded that population growth is forecast in 20 of the 27 EU member states, while the remaining seven countries are likely to see a decline in population.
The leaders in population growth are cited by experts as Ireland (+26.1 per thousand inhabitants), Luxembourg (+16.2), Cyprus (+15.5), Slovenia (+13.5) and Spain (+12.5), while in Bulgaria (-5), Lithuania (-4.8) and Latvia (-4.3) the population is expected to decline.
The population of the 27 EU member states increased in 2008 by 4.4 per thousand inhabitants due to several factors. The natural increase is 1.1 per thousand EU inhabitants, while migration accounts for an increase of 3.3 per thousand. Overall, the EU population in 2008 will increase, according to the forecast, by 2.2 million people.
In 2008, according to Eurostat, 4.3 million children were born in the EU, i.e. 10.8 newborns per thousand people. The highest birth rates are expected in Ireland (18.1 newborns per thousand), the UK (13), Estonia (12.2), Sweden (11.9) and Denmark (11.8). Lower birth rates are expected in Germany (8.3), Malta and Austria (9.2 each), Bulgaria (9.4), Italy and Portugal (9.6 each).
In 2008, the number of deaths in the 27 EU member states, according to Eurostat forecasts, will reach 4.8 million — thus, 9.7 deaths per thousand people. Countries with the highest mortality rates are Bulgaria (14.2 deaths per thousand), Latvia (14), Lithuania (13.2) and Hungary (13). The lowest mortality rates are forecast in Ireland (6.1 deaths per thousand), Cyprus (6.6), Luxembourg (6.9) and Malta (7.7).
Based on these forecasts, the largest natural increase in population is expected in Ireland (+12 per thousand inhabitants), France (+4.5), Luxembourg (+4.3), Cyprus (+3.9) and the UK (+3.6).