What is the population of the EU and how is it distributed?
The population of Europe varies as per the exact definition of Europe. However, as per 2009 the population of the EU was estimated to be about 499 million. Non EU countries situated entirely in Europe account for another 94 million. Another 5 transcontinental countries account for 240 million, of which about half reside in Europe.
The most populous member state is Germany, with an estimated 82.1 million people, and the least populous member state is Malta with 0.4 million. Birth rates in the EU are low with the average woman having 1.5 children. The highest birth-rates are found in the Republic of Ireland with 16.876 births per thousand people per year and France with 13.013 births per thousand people per year. Germany has the lowest birth rate in Europe with 8.221 births per thousand people per year.
As it stands now, around 12% of the world's people live in Europe, but if demographic trends keep their pace, Europe's share may fall to around 7% in 2050.
