Europe Population 2026: Total Population, Growth & Country Rankings

Europe’s population is estimated at approximately 745 million people, making it the third-most populous continent in the world, after Asia and Africa.

With a global population of about 8.23 billion, Europe accounts for roughly 9% of the world’s population and is the slowest-growing major world region.

Total population of Europe

• Estimated population: ~744,399,000 (2025 estimate)
• Share of world population: ~9%
• Population density: ~34 people per square kilometer
• Growth rate: ~-0.09% per annum

Europe’s population growth slowed during the late 20th century as birth rates fell and populations aged, a trend that has contined to the present.

Most populous countries in Europe

A small number of countries account for a large share of Europe’s total population.

• Russia is the most populous country in Europe and the ninth-most populous in the world.
• Germany is the most populous country in the European Union.
• Turkey, the United Kingdom and France represent a substantial share of Europe’s population.

Together, these five countries account for just over 60% of Europe’s total population.

Least populous countries in Europe

At the opposite end of the scale are several microstates and small countries.

• Vatican City is Europe’s least populous entity.
• Among sovereign states, San Marino, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra and Iceland have the smallest populations.

Despite their small size, many of these countries have very high population densities.

Europe population by country

The table below ranks European countries and selected territories by total population, from largest to smallest.

Population figures are based on the most consistent international estimates from the World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report and may vary slightly between sources.

*Transcontinental countries with territory in both Europe and Asia. Included here based on common usage in international demographic datasets.

Population growth in Europe

Europe has the lowest population growth rate of any continent.

Key factors shaping Europe’s population trends include:

• Rapid population aging driven by persistently low fertility rates across much of the continent
• Positive net migration in parts of Western and Northern Europe, which has helped offset population decline in some countries
• Population decline or stagnation in several Eastern and Southeastern European countries, driven by low birth rates and out-migration

While immigration remains an important factor in population change, it has not been sufficient to reverse long-term demographic decline in many countries.

Population history in Europe

Europe’s demographic history in the 20th century was shaped by a series of major disruptions.

Before the First World War, most European countries were already experiencing declining birth rates following peaks in the late 19th century. The First World War marked a major demographic break, causing widespread population losses and a sharp collapse in birth rates across much of the continent.

The interwar period, from the end of World War I to the beginning of World War II, was characterized by persistently low fertility and widespread concern over population decline, exacerbated by economic instability during the Great Depression.

After 1945, much of Western Europe experienced a pronounced post-war baby boom, supported by economic recovery, rising living standards, and the expansion of welfare states. This period of population growth was more moderate in Eastern Europe.

From the mid-1960s onward, Europe entered a second demographic transition marked by falling fertility, delayed family formation, and changing social norms. Following the political and economic transformations of the 1990s, fertility rates declined further across Central and Eastern Europe.

Population density across Europe

Despite its relatively small land area, Europe’s population density varies significantly.

• High population densities in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom (around 280–520 people per square kilometer)
• Low population densities in countries such as Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden (approximately 4-26 people per square kilometer)

Overall, Europe’s average population density reflects a combination of highly urbanized regions and sparsely populated northern and eastern areas.

Regions of Europe by population

Europe is commonly divided into several major regions, each with distinct population patterns:

• Western Europe – Highly urbanized with relatively stable populations supported by immigration
• Northern Europe – Population trends are increasingly shaped by immigration, as natural population growth has weakened
• Southern Europe – Aging populations and persistent low fertility rates
• Eastern Europe – Population decline driven by low birth rates and emigration

Region	Population (millions)
Eastern Europe (red)	284.5
Northern Europe (dark blue)	109.5
Southern Europe (green)	150.8
Western Europe (light blue)	199.7

Note: Russia is a transcontinental country spanning both Europe and Asia. For demographic and statistical purposes, the United Nations classifies Russia as part of Eastern Europe. For this reason, Russia is included in Europe’s population totals and regional breakdowns on this page.

Europe in global population context

Europe’s share of the global population has been falling for decades.

While Europe remains economically and politically influential, its demographic weight is diminishing relative to faster-growing regions such as Africa and parts of Asia.

Population trends in Europe are increasingly defined by aging, migration, and long-term demographic contraction rather than natural population growth.

For a broader perspective, see:

• Largest countries in Europe by area
• List of countries by population