Over the last three decades, Europe’s population landscape has dramatically shifted, with some countries experiencing significant growth while others are shrinking rapidly. Western European nations like Türkiye and Ireland have seen their populations soar, partly due to immigration, while many Eastern European and Balkan countries, including Russia and Ukraine, are losing people at alarming rates due to emigration and economic challenges. This stark contrast paints a vivid picture of a continent divided by population trends, where some nations thrive and others struggle to maintain their numbers.
Between 1990 and 2023, the world’s population grew by more than 50%. But not every country saw this growth. Some places grew rapidly, while others saw their populations shrink.
Europe’s Population Changes
In Europe, there’s a big difference between the growth rates of Western and Eastern countries. Visual Capitalist’s Pallavi Rao has created a map showing these changes, using colors to highlight growth (green) and declines (red).
Growing Populations in Western Europe
Western European countries have mostly seen their populations grow, despite having fewer births. This suggests that many people have moved to these countries. Here are some of the top countries with the most significant population increases from 1990 to 2023:
- Luxembourg: +74%
- Cyprus: +71%
- Türkiye (Turkey): +56%
- Andorra: +54%
- Iceland: +52%
- Ireland: +48%
- Malta: +45%
- San Marino: +44%
- Azerbaijan: +43%
- Liechtenstein: +37%
Other countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Spain also saw growth, though at a slower pace.
Population Declines in Eastern Europe
In contrast, many Eastern European countries have experienced a drop in population. For example:
- Russia: -2%
- Hungary: -7%
- Belarus: -11%
- North Macedonia: -11%
- Estonia: -13%
- Albania: -14%
The Balkan region, in particular, has seen a decline due to people leaving after the Yugoslav Wars.
Why Are Populations Declining?
The IMF notes that about 25 million people left Eastern Europe between 1990 and 2015. That’s more than the combined population of the Czech Republic and Hungary. Many of these emigrants were skilled workers. Countries with weaker institutions and less effective rule of law had the highest rates of emigration.
While the money sent back home (remittances) has helped increase investment and consumption in Eastern Europe, it also has some downsides. The IMF reports that as currencies have strengthened due to this money, it has made these countries’ exports less competitive. This is a mixed blessing for their economies.
