Italy is the Old Man of Europe

Key Takeaways

• In 2023, the median age of the European Union reached 44.5 years. It is a reflection of long-term demographic change rather than a sudden shift.
• Population ageing varies widely across the EU, with a gap of nearly 10 years between member states with the highest and lowest median age.
• Southern and Eastern European countries (e.g., Italy, Portugal) tend to have the oldest populations, driven by low birth rates and emigration of younger adults.
• Central European countries (e.g., Austria, Finland) often sit closer to the EU average, where slightly higher fertility and sustained immigration have slowed the pace of ageing.
• The youngest EU populations are found mainly in Northern and Western Europe (e.g., Ireland, Luxembourg), where net immigration of working-age adults plays a key role.
• Europe is ageing structurally and unevenly. A country’s rank depends less on short-term changes and more on long-standing patterns of fertility, migration, and life expectancy.

Median Age of the European Union’s Population 

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Learn something new about Germany every week and make informed decisions with confidence.

In 2023, the median age of the European Union population reached 44.5 years. That means half of the EU’s residents are older than 44.5, and half are younger.

This is not a sudden shift. It reflects decades of low birth rates, longer life expectancy, and uneven migration patterns. What is striking is how uneven ageing looks across member states.

What is the Life Expectancy in European Countries? ->

The EU’s highest median ages are concentrated in Southern and Eastern Europe.

Italy has the oldest population in the EU, with a median age of 48.4. It is followed closely by Portugal (46.9), Bulgaria (46.8), and Greece (46.6). Germany also sits well above the EU average at 45.7.

In these countries, ageing reflects a combination of persistently low fertility and long-term emigration of younger adults. With fewer births, younger age groups shrink. When working-age adults also leave the country, the remaining population becomes older more quickly.

Why Did Birth Rates Drop in Germany? ->

Much of Central Europe clusters just below the EU average. 

Countries such as Austria, Finland, Poland, Netherlands, and France have median ages between 42 and 44 years.

These countries are ageing gradually. Slightly higher birth rates and sustained immigration have slowed the pace, even as long-term demographic trends continue to push populations older.

Meanwhile, the youngest populations in the EU are found mainly in Northern and Western Europe.

Ireland has the youngest population, with a median age of 39.1. It is followed by Luxembourg (39.7), Malta (40.1), and Cyprus (40.2).

In these countries, net immigration of working-age adults plays a central role. Migration does not reverse ageing entirely, but it reshapes the age structure. This keeps the median age lower than in countries experiencing population loss.

Europe is not ageing evenly, suddenly, or unexpectedly.
It is ageing structurally, with clear regional patterns shaped by fertility history, migration, and longevity.