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Visitors enjoy swimming at the Baltic Sea beach in Travemünde, Germany, on July 12. / Photo by AP

The population of the 27-member European Union (EU) is projected to peak in 2029 before declining for several decades to return to 1970s levels by 2100.

AFP reported that the EU announced in its demographic report on July 14 that the total population of its member states—currently at around 450.6 million—will peak at approximately 453.3 million in 2029 and then begin a gradual, long-term decline.

The population is projected to shrink by about 11.7% to approximately 398.8 million by 2100. This is comparable to the population size recorded in the 1970s.

The annual number of births fell from 6.8 million in 1964 to 3.5 million in 2024, nearly cutting the figure in half over six decades.

The Joint Research Centre under the European Commission stated that life expectancy at birth reached 81.5 years as of 2024. Additionally, the proportion of the EU population aged 65 or older is projected to rise from the current ratio of one in five to one in three by 2050.

The report estimated that by 2100, life expectancy could exceed 90 years for women and 86 years for men.

The EU expressed concern that these trends will pose significant challenges, including labor shortages, pressure on public budgets, and strain on childcare and education systems.

However, the outlook is not entirely negative. The report noted that the "silver economy" is gaining momentum as the market for goods and services tailored to the elderly continues to grow.

"We are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, which is one of our greatest achievements," Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for Democracy and Demography, said in a statement. "However, demographic change is reshaping our society, economy, and labor markets."

She added, "We must act now to turn these changes into opportunities."

                                                                                                            Kim Hyun-min