SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE EU'S POPULATION.

• Position: Brief Article

The total population increase in the EU is estimated to reach a level of around 2 million people in 2005 (compared with 2.3 million in 2004), bringing the total population on January 1, 2006 to 461.5 million. The increase in the population is largely due to net migration, indicated a report of the first demographic estimations for 2005 published by Eurostat in January 2006.

Based upon monthly data available at the end of 2005, latest forecasts and expert opinion, the net influx of international migrants (immigration - emigration) to the EU is expected to show a decrease in 2005, to reach a level of...